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The Bendix diner is a classic and I love going there for a Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese w/ a side of hash ("burn it" - well done) - it is a slice of heaven on a greasy spoon!
It's also historic, as it was where they filmed the Bounty commercials with Rosie - "The quicker-picker-upper!" I believe there is more historic significance but it doesn't come to mind right now.
I go there late at night, usually after partying in the city, as it's on my way home, and usually there is a guy there named "Johnny" who is blind. He is amazing, he knows where everything is and he gets around no problem, and he's one of the better servers I've had in any diner. I don't know how their other food is, but they seem to have a crowd of regulars that likes it, and a lot of truckers do stop here, too.
the bendix diner is indeed a classic, old-school railcar diner and a throwback to the WWII era.
at night, the setting and atmosphere of the diner are straight out of an noir film. for me, this is the most appealing aspect of the place. it seems like several times each year, some commercial or tv show was filmed there. no surprise given its great location right next to teterboro airport and only 10 miles from midtown.
the food isn't the greatest, though. the basics like THEC are fine, but i wouldn't bother with anything else on the menu. it's the type of place where i'd go with a friend at 3 in the morning and just sit and talk with a cup of coffee. i grew up near there, so it was the closest and most low-key diner where i didn't have to order that much if i wasn't hungry (as opposed to some of the "fancier" diners in the area, which sometimes have per person minimums).
the last time i was at bendix was about 3 years ago; i imagine it's the same as ever. and i remember the blind guy! good to hear that he's still there. when i first encountered him at the diner, i was worried that he might be taken advantage of by some of the rougher elements who used to come into the place late at night, but everyone seems to respect him.
I have to concur with Bendix and Al's - J.C.
But I want to add, back in the day Bond's on Springfield Ave, Short Hills (old Rt. 24). The had a milk shake called an AwefulAweful. And some contest if you drank 2 you got a 3rd free, or 3 and got 4.
Then what about Jahn's in Union? I haven't lived in Jersey since 95, so I'm not sure about these places.
What about Don's on S. Orange Ave. Livingston? The had a thing called a "lime ricky" to die for, and the best homemade kosher dill pickles and peppers in a bowl on the table to nosh on. The burgers and their bakery stuff was HEAVEN! I remember going there back before the road St. Barnabas is on was just dirt going toward Livingston Center and the roller skating rink.
Oh and there was a dive in Port Elizabeth, 1/2 was a "go-go" bar for truckers hold-up in the port waiting overnight for there load, but the front part was just a dumpy diner, with a big slab of giro meat hanging on it's stick, and some of the best burgers and fries.
Then there was a place in S. Kearny that was really a beer joint for the local fisherman, sawdust on the floor, with a few tables besides the bar area, who served huge plates of boiled, unpeeled shrimp with cocktail sauce. Or a bucket of clams, or mussels. As you peeled or opened them, the shells went on the floor and would be swept up now and again. A whole meal would be a couple of buck and beer was $.25.
And many years ago, there was a tiny hole in the wall in Millburn center called Cole's owned by a many called Cookie. He had an off the boat German woman cook daily specials in the back, and it was like your own mama was back there. But the best food I remember at that age was the french fries though. That place was there when my dad was a kid. (he's 78 now). It was 2 doors before the movie theater. I remember they had little blue glass bottle of BromoSeltzer for upset stomachs.
There also used to be an Ice Cream Palor up Springfield Ave. Maplewood that had some good sandwiches, and the place up in S. Orange center-Grunnings?
Does anyone know if any of these are still around, except for Bonds, of course.
Oh my, next time I'm in NY I have to go to NJ to have a few of these
There is nothing like this in Charlotte County ( SW Fla )
My brother-in-law lives in Ft. Myers and he says there are several there.
There are none in the Ocala area, either (where we're moving in a couple of weeks) -- they don't even know what diners are.
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Als is next to the collenet diner
