Matthews Diner — Restaurant in Waldwick

My family and I visited a while back, and we called ahead as we had a large party. They weren't able to guarantee a table since they can't reserve tables, due to the size, but they were able to put our names down and give a rough estimate. The staff and everyone working was pleasant, understanding, and courteous throughout it all. We arrived a few minutes before the recommended time we were given, and staff told us the party currently at the table was finishing soon. Unfortunately, the party lied to the staff and proceeded to loiter at their table for upwards of an hour. The staff were taken aback by this and apologized to us profusely, as the party was refusing to leave. Obviously, this wasn't something the staff could have controlled because people are chaotic by nature, but they handled the situation well. After apologizing profusely, which they didn't have to do because we understood the other party had lied to the staff, the owner was able to seat us and even provided us with a couple complimentary dishes as we had been waiting for over an hour. The food was served quickly after we finished ordering, it was still hot, tasted good, and the staff was extremely attentive and pleasant.

Aside from those rude patrons, which was out of the staff's control as it was risky for them to push further for the party to leave, since they could cause an unnecessarily large commotion among other things, the visit was fantastic. Even though I've been here a few times in the past, I'd...

1. 10.28.18 breakfast with half dozen friends at 8am, food and service were excellent, 1a) 5 STARS food and service today, great server. (back room)

2. 11.04.18 breakfast / lunch for Moms bday, party of 4. 12:15pm 2a) 2.5 STARS TODAY, very disappointed after last Sunday was great. 2b) After we were brought our food, server did not come back once to see if everything was ok. 2c) One meal of eggs was not as ordered 2d) drink refills were delayed after we flagged server down, eventually some got refills, some did not. Server was too busy watching football on TV. Several times i tried to get the server attention and they were staring at the tv, then scramblimg around to take care of customers that had been waiting or trying to get his attention. I still left about 20% for him. (back room)

3. we stopped again one night recently and sat upfront this time near the counter. The girls upfront were all terrific. Food was great as it should be. 3a) 5 STARS Server...

In my opinion, this diner is lacking in all aspects. The service was virtually non-existent; after receiving water, we waited a bit for someone to take our order and no one came back around until we flagged someone to ask the waitress for the bill. The food was not good. My husband's well done steak was burnt, a charcoal mess that tasted like fire and I have to say that I've never gotten a well done steak cooked so badly. But at least his potatoes were crispy because mine were actually wet. As were my scrambled eggs, and even the bacon was soggy. We mentioned the burnt steak and the dude at the front said, "oh, okay." We asked if they did military discount and he all but scoffed and said no. When we paid our $45 bill with a $50, he didn't even give us our change. He just said goodbye, lol. It was such a strange experience. I will never...