Metro Diner — Restaurant in Tuscaloosa

Today’s service was terrible. My husband and I used to eat there at least once a week maybe more. I had not been there in a while and I had some time to kill so I thought I would go. When I first walked in the door there is a hostess stand but no one was sitting there. I thought surely with covid they don’t want me just to sit anywhere. I stood there for 7 minutes before anyone even acknowledged me. When the waitress walked by I said excuse me it will just be me. She said ok you can sit anywhere. I started looking for somewhere to sit but almost all of the tables were dirty. I finally sat down at a booth that was dirty. Another 9 minutes goes by and no one has come over to clean the table for me or take my drink order. Both waitresses had looked me in the eye when I was waiting to be seated and saw me sit down. Finally one waitress comes over and said have you been helped? I said no and she said ok I’ll send someone... another 5-6 minutes goes by and she finally comes over. She said I’m sorry I thought you were just sitting here I didn’t know you needed to order.. ? She took my drink order and brought me a menu and silverware. She removed the dirty dishes from the table but did not wipe it off and came back and sat by silverware, drink and menu on the dirty table. She finally came back ten minutes later to take my order. I ordered the grilled cheese with ham and tomato on it and home fries. I finally asked her could I get something to wipe the table off with. She came back and wiped the table after I asked. My food came out and the plate had regular fries instead of home fries. I didn’t even question it because I knew I would have to wait forever. The food was ok. Not the best. I had to ask for my ticket and I asked if home fries and regular fries were the same price and she said yes. I thought they cost more and didn’t want to over charged for something I didn’t get. The whole time I was in there there was 8-10 tables dirty the whole time, the only time the waitress spoke to me was when I ordered and paid my ticket. Never checked on me. Never got a refill. It wasn’t only me that felt this way either. Everybody in the restaurant was looking at the waitresses like they needed something. I have been a waitress before at multiple places and this was just unacceptable. I normally never write reviews but at one time this place was amazing. I hate to see it...

I go out for breakfast, lunch, dinner and/or drinks at least one meal each day. And Metro Diner is ALWAYS one of my go-to FAVORITES!!

I have been frequenting Metro Diner for probably over a year now, and a bad experience at another restaurant prompted me to finally write this review.

First of all, I have noticed very little turnover in staff, which certainly says a lot about this establishment. My servers are ALWAYS not just great, but go above and beyond! NEVER have I had one be anything less than extremely attentive as well as friendly ... Courtney (my personal fav), Kristen, Eboni ... ALL great!

Second ... food? ... DELISH, and always unbelievable portions! Their regular menu is great (crab cake benedict, shrimp & grits, chicken salad), but be sure to take a look at the chalkboard for their daily specials. I am not a big sweet eater, but they often have really good-looking waffle & fruit options.

Third ... their cooking and other staff! Yep, I have even gotten to know them, because I usually sit at the bar, and the kitchen / grills / etc. are right over the glass from me. On one of my very first visits to Metro Diner, I was telling the lady who made my breakfast how delicious it was, and she said, "Do you know why?" I said "No, why?" She said, "Because it was made with love!" :) My favorites are Tequila, Chris ... and E - she is my Boo!

Fourth ... management ... Eddie is the bomb! He treats everyone nicely, but he certainly has been appreciative of me being a regular customer. And the quality of food and service are no doubt in large part a credit to him.

And last, prices ... I think they are very reasonable. If, at first glance, you think something may be just a little higher (than say, Waffle House), wait until you see your PORTION as well as the QUALITY ... and SERVICE! WELL WORTH...

Not worth the wait (45 min). I REALLY wanted to love this place. I’m a big fan of “ Diners, Drive-in’s, and Dives BUT sadly it’s not so. The building, atmosphere, and entire staff was awesome! The waitress/ waiters were magnificent and so friendly. Everyone was welcoming and just made my morning better. However, the food….:( I ordered the Bissel Breakfast with two eggs, bacon, cheese grits, biscuit, and a short stack. I ordered my eggs over medium, which they sort of were but they were fried in what taste like old grease, the edges were sort of crispy, the entire outside of the egg looked over done but the white was still runny on the inside. They basically fried them in really hot grease trying to hurry, I assume. The biscuit wasn’t impressive at all, and the pancakes were so rubbery I only ate about 3 bites. They did have a great flavor though. The grits were delicious and the bacon. I would recommend the cheesy grits any time. My husband had the biscuits and gravy which came with eggs and hash browns. The biscuits and gravy was edible but not great, the scrambled eggs were waaay over cooked and even I couldn’t stomach them. The saving Grace for this breakfast was the hash browns. I’m a huge fan of hash browns ( especially Waffle House. scattered, smothered, and covered) however, I think these seasoned hash browns will now be my new favorite. In their defense…. They did seem really busy. I’m not sure if this is normal or not because we aren’t from here. Considering this fact, I will definitely try it again because as I said above, I REALLY want to love this place. I would recommend to friends with an explanation. I wish I had taken pictures but I had my grandson and wasn’t able to use my phone. Lol Oh, before I forget. They had...