We’ve been coming to Montclair Diner on and off over the years. It used to be the place with the old proprietor, Gus, who smiled and waved you to tables in his Greeklish accent, always somehow remembering he’d seen you before and commenting on how big the kids were or try to engage in soccer talk with the Jr.s who seemed to be in uniform 90% of the time. It was a true neighborhood diner experience. Even if the diner itself was a little worn around the edges compared to your average chrome and neon palace.
Enter new owners. And, frankly, not a whole lot has changed. It’s still the same small friendly, family diner with a menu of breakfast items, salads and sandwiches. The booths are still uncomfortably small for four people — though I do feel like they updated them at some juncture since 1923. People were way smaller back then, as you know, but even as a not-so-large person myself the squeeze is real. Honestly, though, there’s probably not a whole lot they could do about that without eating into what I can imagine is the space needed to pass construction and fire inspections. You’re still seated with a smile from the owners, hosts and servers and you can tell they take pride in owning this long-standing Montclair establishment. And while that doesn’t make the food taste better, it certainly makes you feel good about patronizing the establishment and supporting a family-owned business.
The new owners have taken the usual diner tome and laid out all of the menu items on one singular laminated placard. The font is just big enough for me to not have to whip out the readers (kidding, I’m super-young!) but at first glance it is a lot to take in. Though, as a person who has spent way too much of his life flipping back and forth between the lobster, pancake and Greek delights section of a Greek diner menu while constantly losing my place, I appreciate the simplicity. Even if it does feel overwhelming at first. Plus, they have a second list of specials where they presumably get to flex their culinary muscles a bit. Things with gouda, crab cakes, bacon infused waffles and multiple Southern food items. They have an Instagram wall with ivy and neon and special nights with various themes like Soul Food Sundays and adults-only game nights. Leaning into the idea of food being at the heart of the community and places like the Montclair Diner being anchors to that same food scene. I appreciate the effort and the thought, but I’m still gonna order an omelet because I’m lame. Yes, I’m admittedly a boring orderer of diner food. It will be eggs and some cheddar cheese along with some potatoes and rye toast. Done. And, as far as that goes, Montclair Diner does a fine job. Served with a smile and the warm feeling that they care. So I care.
613 Valley Rd. – Montclair
973/746-0911
montclairdiner.com
