Review of the Broadway Diner and Bistro of Bayonne, NJ

For years, the Bayonne Diner was a culinary fixture in my neck of the woods in New Jersey. It served the community as a good eatery, doubling as a fun social meeting place. A year ago it closed unexpectedly. What to do? Where to go for burgers, fries or that heavenly western breakfast omelet? Well, thankfully we didn't have too long to wait. Broadway Diner and Bistro of Bayonne, NJ opened up recently. It's a great new place to eat heartily, chat lots or just relax.

New Jersey has wonderful places to eat. There's loads of diners of all specialties and sizes. Travel all over the state, from south to north, to everywhere in between, and you'll never be wanting for a fantastic place to properly snack, nosh or really tie on the old feedbag. You can even go to the fabled NJ shore, if you're a truly brave soul. Who knows, if you're really lucky - or ill fated - you may run into those colorful characters from MTV's Jersey Shore. Anyway, with such excellent food available, a diner really must out do itself, and brilliantly outshine its cooking rivals to earn a customer base. I'm glad to report the Broadway Diner and Bistro rises to this difficult challenge. It makes for a place you'll return to again and again come meal time.

Atmosphere

Broadway Diner and Bistro of Bayonne, NJ is situated on a little island at the end of the block. A few pubs and pizzerias dot the area, but it's the only real sit down restaurant diner for a ways. This isn't a huge place, but it's a bit larger than what could be called cozy. The old Bayonne diner had been declining in decor from age. In renovating the place, the new owners have not only managed the space better, but new wood paneling on the walls, and hanging light fixtures create a relaxing ambiance.

You won't wait long to be seated. After visiting this diner nearly a dozen times, I've waited no more than about half a minute for a gracious hostess or host to walk me to my table. Menus appear soon after, and busboy service - included drinking water - arrives promptly. This last item is a personal favorite of mine. Drinking water - unrequested anyway - seems a thing of the past in most restaurants these days. To be granted this without hassle is both refreshing for the gesture and the beverage.

Menu: The Eats

You'll find mostly traditional American fare here, like steak and burgers, though there's heavy emphasis on Italian cuisine. Wherever you hail from, or whatever cooking you like, these offerings are a varied assortment. I've enjoyed the many daily specials like lasagna with garlic bread, or Chicken Francaise. Blue Plate Specials offers up classic home cooked comfort food like Yankee Pot Roast or Baked Virginia Ham - all come with soup or salad, and your choice of veggies or pasta.

Traditional deli choices entice sandwich lovers, along with flavorful 'wrightous wraps' like the Tex Mex influenced South of the Border Wrap. Wrap sandwiches include seasoned waffle fries and onion rings. After eating these delectable waffle fries, regular old French fries lose their appeal. This place also doubles as a respectable pizza joint, as their brick oven pizza tastes as good or better than your local pizza place.

Desserts delight as a fun, irresistible part of the diner experience. This one is no different. A towering glass case chock full of sweets for the sweet beckon almost mystically to patrons near the entrance. Right off the bat, you know there can be a sweet pastry period to punctuate your meal. I've enjoyed indulgences like the strawberry shortcake, and cheesecake. Both selections were exceedingly fresh and tasty.

The diner is one - of quite a few I believe - who claim to have the "World's Best Pancakes." Now this boast is lost on me, since I don't eat pancakes. I'm a waffle man. Though friends and family who've tasted these pancakes report they're pretty darned good.

Summary

Broadway Diner and Bistro is located at 226 Broadway and 8^th street, and is open from 6am to 1am Mon - Sun. The diner impressed me with great food, dependable and friendly service, all within an affordable price range. It's located in an easily accessible part of town - a lite rail station is only a block away - and the parking, both street and in the dedicated lot is plentiful. If you're visiting New Jersey, and find yourself in Bayonne, the Broadway Diner and Bistro should be on your short list of places to visit when you're hungry.