Each U.S. state has its own unique draw: Florida has picturesque beaches, Colorado has soaring mountains, and New Jersey? We have diners (and everything else stated, but we’re not bragging). The Garden State could be called the Diner State — and it is known as the Diner Capital of the World — with well over 500 peppered across its 21 counties and 564 municipalities.
At the heart of commerce in Bergen County, the Meadowlands offers just about everything for residents and travelers alike, and diners are no exception. When nj.com featured its list of Pete Genovese’s New Jersey’s 41 greatest diners, several in the Meadowlands greater region made the list.
Here they are, in no particular order.
Colonial Diner, Lyndhurst
Founded in 1950, the Colonial Diner (27 Orient Way, Lyndhurst, New Jersey) transports anyone sitting in their booths or at their counter, back in time to the moment of its inauguration with its crimson neon lighting and glinting metal facade. Always serving an all-American all-hour breakfast menu featuring an extensive variety of pancakes, sandwiches, and omelets, there is also a whole palette of fries ranging from disco and pizza fries to South Jersey waffle fries.
The classic diner owned by the Gremanis Family since 1984 serves above-bar mouth-watering burgers featuring the St. Louis, the Blue Chip, and other unique combinations. Daily lunch and dinner specials rotate weekly and on the menu every Wednesday is the family recipe Lemon Greek Soup — Avgolemono — and there is no other like it.
“The Colonial is the real deal,” the Daily News said in 2019. It was also part of the diner roundup by National Geographic earlier this year who said: “New Jersey is the spiritual home of the American diner.”
“Dad always made me feel invested in this diner,” Jimmy Gremanis told National Geographic. “As a teenager, the thing I wanted the most was to cook on the hotplate — and it’s still my happy place.”
Along with staples like omelets, burgers and massive salads, the homemade soups and lasagna, and the bulging cabbage rolls are draws here — along with the retro surroundings.
“We did a renovation four years ago, but just upgraded the seating,” Pete Gremanis says. “Other diners want to become restaurants. We kept it a diner.” Amen.
Arlington Diner, North Arlington
The Arlington Diner in North Arlington, New Jersey was originally owned by the Domino’s brothers, Nick, Chris, and John. Currently owned by George Xanthos, the diner is still known to this day as having amazing cheesecake, and those original brothers maintain it is still made with the same recipe since 1958.
Hugging the Passaic River and dressed in bright neon lights of blues and reds, the Arlington Diner is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows and offers customers a clear view of the Passaic River and surrounding area. There is always regular and special breakfast and lunch options, and everything anyone would expect at a Jersey diner.
Tick Tock Diner, Clifton
One of the best known diners in New Jersey, the Tick Tock and its famous “Eat Heavy” sign has humble beginnings dating back to 1948. Even with a building expansion in 1994 to accommodate for its expanding fame, Tick Tock has retained its pink neon lights and generous portion sizes. Whether it be General Tso’s Crispy Cauliflower or the Mick Jagger (named for his visit in 2019), the diner has plates for everyone at a decent price.
Park West Diner, Little Falls
Specializing in Greek-American cuisine, Park West Diner is co-owned by John Stoupakis, Peter Kavalos, and Demetrios Douranakis, all of whom began as humble dishwashers at the diner in the 1970s. Renowned for their specialty salads, the diner also offers a massive array of menu items whether it be the under “Egg Graffiti” or the “Griddle Greats”.
Chit Chat Diner, Hackensack
Chit Chat Diner, originally established to bring together its community in a common area of hospitality, now brings together cuisines all around the world. Whether it be Lomo Saltado, Pad Thai Chicken Egg Rolls, or Jamaican Jerk, attendees of this cozy restaurant can expect to be exposed to a global arrangement of foods in Chit Chat’s menu.
White Mana, Jersey City / White Manna, Hackensack
Originally founded by the same person, Webster Bridges, the first White Mana was built for the 1939 World’s Fair. Featuring similar decor with a wraparound counter and a small but cozy building, the diners are renowned for the “Best Burger in New Jersey” and the style with which the burgers are grilled and prepared in front of customers. Since the establishment of both locations, people have been constantly comparing the two, though it is undeniable that the sliders at either one taste heavenly for many.
Andros Diner, Newark
Bought in the late 60s by George “The Greek” Frangias, George chose to name the diner after his Greek home island of Andros in the Cycladic islands. A classic 24-hour diner, Andros Diner is still owned by George and his family and serves both residents of the Ironbound community and Newark Airport travelers. While they’re known for their crispy crust pizzas and calzones, the diner has a bit of everything including a massive assortment of subs, wings, pastas, and even garlic knots (who knew prosciutto knots were a thing?).
Miss America Diner, Jersey City
Embodying the core American spirit, the diner was given its current name after being purchased shortly after its establishment by a German immigrant in the 1940s. With a classic O’Mahoney structure, the diner is widely beloved in its community for the nostalgic, welcoming atmosphere and the large portions for low prices. Not only does it have an any-hour breakfast menu and the classic sandwich and omelet options, Miss America prides itself for offering food that anyone would love, whether it be vegetarian salads, low-carb breakfast wraps, and even seafood combos.
Tops Diner, East Newark
Arguably the most famous and beloved diner in New Jersey, Tops Diner is well-acclaimed from winning numerous diner competitions thanks to its fantastic quality and wide array of menu selections. Founded in 1942 as Top’s Grill, the diner was bought by George Golemis in 1972 before becoming the nationwide sensation it is today. Golemis’ three sons, Jimmy, John, and Van, inherited the restaurant in 2020 and renovated the building the next year for a sleeker, more modern look, as well as far more capacity. The selection at Tops appears never-ending, featuring various pastas, steaks, salads, sandwiches, soups, and more, giving it a ubiquitous appeal.