This place is terrible. I was excited to move into a place right around the corner from the Summit Diner, but this place is really, really bad. Everything tastes like that Sysco junk that shows up on a truck. On the outside of this place it reads "We do our own baking"... Â Well... Good luck with that Summit Diner... Â It's garbage in, garbage out.
I ordered pancakes here once. Who can mess up pancakes right? They arrived warm, golden and inviting, so I smothered them with butter and syrup ready to dig in. They tasted terrible, so I flipped them over and they were burnt to a black crisp. I left them black side up and pushed them to the end of the booth, hoping/expecting that the waitress would come by and say "oh, I'm sorry about this. Let me get you some good pancakes." Â Instead she just came by and dropped off the check. Â
I will never go back to the Summit Diner until I see a sign out front that says "under new management". Â That's too bad, because it's got curb appeal... but nothing else.
Summit Diner is a great find for breakfast.
Eggs, sausage, home fries, rye toast and coffee: Â $6.90 plus tax and tip (pic uploaded).
Authentic good food with service quick enough to put McDonald's to shame.
Seating is tight. Dinginess is part of the appeal.
Tip: Â if you sit at the counter, you will also be entertained by the short order cook and staff as they communicate in diner lingo that will make you smile. Takes stamina to do any of their jobs. Don't think they make many order errors.
Tip II: Â Five minute drive from Short Hills Mall where a designer coffee there will cost you as much as an entire meal at Summit Diner...not exaggerating much.
Service is sub-par, but I've been coming here since I was little so there's just something nostalgic about it. If I didn't love the memories I have from here, I would probably say this isn't the best diner around. But it's in a good location, its cheap, quick, and gets the job done. It's a great place to bring your kids, sit up at the counter, and have some yummy, unhealthy diner food! It won't kill you if it's only once in a while.
Review Source:I have a soft spot for local institutions like this one. Â The place has history, and has been around probably decades longer than any business nearby. Â
Its a true diner. Â Cozy, worn, friendly. Â Can't say I've ever eaten anything other than breakfast here, but their breakfast is top notch. Â Great portions. Their side of bacon is probably a full pound before its cooked. Â Its really an experience just sitting up at the long table in front of the stove and watching the cook and staff do their thing.
Just go.
All righty then, I'm currently 64 years old an though I no longer live in Summit, I grew up there an as a young lad of 17 worked at the now defunct Suburban Shell Station directly across the street from this Icon of Americana. Over the course of 3 years I probably ate more of their Food an drank more of their Coffee than most Casual Diners (pun intended) but suffice it to say upon a return visit last summer  to visit family an friends I found "Summit" had changed a lot, which was to be expected but the Summit Diner had not. In lieu of the abundance of "Trendy" Dining establishments now occupying what was once, back in my time mostly Blue Collar Retail Space, competition among these New Vendors appears to be both High Brow and Serious but I don't think the Summit Diner has anything to worry about. They do one thing, they do it well an have been doing so for for decades. It is what it is an they've never pretended it to be something else. After a lapse of 45 years I walked in the front door about 1:30 in the afternoon an as I waited at the counter like I'd always had for my Taylor Ham an Cheese to Go I asked the counterman if he remembered the Old Shell Station that had been directly across the street where now, in it's place stood a New 3 story Brick Building?He said he did so I decided to tell him how old I was an how long it had been since my last visit. Whether or not he fained any interest in this revelation was hard to tell as is common with those who work a "Flat Top" but the THC, on the other hand was as good or better than I'd remembered and so as not to forget this historical reunion with an Old Breakfast Buddy I now have a New T-Shirt from whence We first met as well as a Photo standing out front to prove it. It's just THAT kinda place.
Review Source:(1.50 stars) Â Although small and a bit worn, the Summit Diner is one of the area diners which best conveys a sense of heritage and community. Â There is something very genuine about the place. Â Their breakfast grill work, and breakfast sandwiches in particular, identify an attentiveness in the kitchen which is sadly missing in many local diners. Â Service is more folksy than efficient, and misses the need to refill water glasses more times than not. Â The dinner entrees I've sampled are the same precooked frozen fare that most others use.
Review Source:The food was great!...but the waitress needs a serious attitude adjustment. She made my boyfriend and I feel so uncomfortable, we almost got up and left. Lucky for them, we were really craving a great Taylor ham egg and cheese. She didn't ask us what we wanted to drink, and had a mini hissy fit when we asked for coffee. Solely based on this awkward experience, we will not return unless they get rid of that bitter woman. I like to feel like I'm being taken care of when I go to a diner, but I left feeling like a burden. Tipped her anyways, thanks for all your help (not!)
Review Source:The best breakfast sandwiches in the entire country. I've had breakfast sandwiches from all over the United States, and none compare to the Summit Diner. I'm not just saying that because I grew up in Summit. I'm saying that because its true.  Being the subject of a SNL skit, location in an Ernest Hemingway novel,  and write ups  in travel/food magazines attests to its awesomeness.  An old fashioned O'Mahony diner, it seeps with history and tradition. Â
I usually order a bacon egg and cheese sandwich on a roll. Â Though I have them cook the egg over easy and serve the sandwich open faced. Â It gets a little messy, but is just incredible. Â Ketchup, S&P, hot sauce.
When ordering to go, I stick with normal style of a fried egg with the yolk broken. Â
When changing it up, I go with taylor ham instead of bacon. Â
The best. Â A staple for all people from Summit. Â Summit Diner kills Broadway Diner, or any nearby competition.
Per WIKIPEDIA "Local legend says author Ernest Hemingway visited the diner and later used it as a setting for his short story "The Killers". In the story, two men are sitting at a lunch counter in a diner, and one turns to the other and says, "This is a hot town, ... What do they call it?" "Summit," says the other. However, this is highly unlikely as the Summit Diner is a O'Mahony 1938 model and Hemingway published his story in 1926. Also, in his definitive biography of Hemingway, Carlos Baker states that the reference by Hemingway was to Summit, Illinois, a small town outside of Chicago (and not to Summit, New Jersey). Carlos Baker, "Ernest Hemingway: A Life Story" (1969)."
Carlos Baker can go F himself.
The pork roll-egg-cheese sandwiches at this place are to die for. They're a little thicker, cheesier, and served on a nicer bun than most. I guess they have other food; I've never had it.
I don't miss a lot about Jersey, but this is one of the little treasures. Even in a town as wealthy as Summit, it's good food at a fair price and no messing around with the funny stuff. Â For all Summit has changed, the Diner hasn't.
The first few times that I went to Summit Diner, I would have given it a 5 star review, however the last few times I have been here, I have left with a bit of a stomach ache. That alone has retracted one star from the review.
I always go for breakfast and I always get the Cinnamon Raisin French Toast, which is three huge cuts of cinnamon bread smothered in butter, cinnamon, and syrup. It is delicious!
I also normally get the Corn Beef Hash as a side order, but that really shouldn't be considered a side order because they give it to you on a normal sized dish, which is FILLED with Corn Beef Hash.
The Home Fries which come with almost everything are also a can't miss. Throw on a little salt and some hot sauce, and you are great.
Enjoy Summit Diner because of the quick service and food that you are getting. No one there is really going to show you a great time or be overly nice. They are just trying to serve you some really great diner food quickly for a really great price. I don't think I have spent more than a $20 bill when I go.
This is a typical old school diner.
I used to visit here at least once when visiting my folks in Summit. Â The outside of the diner is very Americana 1950's.
You will find a guy in a white tshirt, apron and paper hat cooking in the back.
Food is typical greasy spoon, so if you are looking for a hamburger and fries, this is the place to go!! Â
The grilled cheese is pretty good there!! Â This is really close to the train station, so its not a bad place to pop by before heading into the big apple!
Summit Diner is a throwback to old style diners. Â It hasn't changed in years on the inside and out. Â This isn't the typical new diner that has a menu with a million items. Â Summit diner is there for its simple diner classics: eggs, pancakes, huge amounts of bacon, sausage, etc. Â The same staff has been there for years and are characters that you'd expect at this classic diner.
Review Source:Finally got a chance to eat breakfast here, finally. Amongst the new trendy stores and buildings in downtown Summit, about a block away from the train station sits a aged silver dining cart, similar to the one you would dine in while on a train to New Orleans or some distant place. The menu is on the board, similar to McDonalds, yet old school, were the letters come on/off.
Food was good, on a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being spectacular:
Mushroom Omelet with side of home fries - 6
Pancakes with side of eggs - 8 on the pancakes (I had a bite of my bf's order).
I used to eat at this place in the early 80's when I lived in New Providence. I have fond memories of the "Ham and Eggs". They brought out a serving plate of 1" thick slices of ham, hash browns and eggs. What I remember the most is the unreal portion of ham. Over 1.5 lbs. easily. Try the ham and eggs! Perhaps the Summit Diner contributed to my becoming vegetarian (?).
Review Source:A classic, old diner, complete with cheap wood paneling, changeable letter board menu, and plenty of regulars. Â Including the quiet, old guy on the stool next to you, who, after one shared comment, continues lengthy conversation with the back of your head. Also, the most ethnic diversity in town.
The food is damn cheap and won't make you vomit, but couldn't be less inspired.
Food 3 + atmosphere 7 + value 5 + service 5 = overall 4.3/10 (forgettable)
Reviewed 7/29/07
I'd heard some good things about this diner, so I decided to give it a try for breakfast one morning. It's a small, old-style diner. The food is nothing special, and the place is so small you feel like you've been crammed into a large tin can. There are only about a half-dozen tables, served by one overworked waitress who very nearly throws the food at you in her frantic efforts to keep everyone happy. (There was almost as much coffee in my saucer as in my cup.) Â The portions are generous, and the price is right, but if you want anything resembling atmosphere, this isn't the place to come to.
Review Source:So, it's pretty common that New Jersey serve as the butt of many jokes...when you run into someone from NJ, one cliche is to ask them "so, what exit?". Â In any case, sure it's easy to pass off the place as NYC's waste depot or as the chosen home for the B&T crowd...but then you'd completely miss the character of places like the Summit Diner.
Living in California, we've got our share of diners, but for the most part, they're nostalgic fabrications--however well intentioned. Â We've even got some great old coffee shops too, but if you want a "real" diner it only makes sense to visit the land of malls and diners. Â It's something that New Jersey does quite well. Â And while they may not be as famous as a Brooklyn Pizza, or a Philly Cheese Steak, a New Jersey Diner is something worth seeking out.
The Summit Diner's everything a diner should be-it's been a part of the community for over 75 years, and there's room enough for just a few booths and about 20 seats at the counter. Â The staff aren't caricatures, but real people mostly serving local regulars. Â The patina on the walls can only come from decades of service. Â But the thing is, the Summit Diner's not just a place that you visit to recall an era gone by, but a living breathing piece of the community today. Â A friend of mine makes this as regular a breakfast as his body allows, and I can certainly see why. Â Tasty sausage and just slightly over-grilled French toast, generous servings of crispy bacon and black drip coffee.
As something to experience, the Summit Diner deserves 5 stars. Â It doesn't get more honest than this. Â But to give it more than 3 stars would be to miss the point of the place. Â In any case, I hope the community doesn't mind a few more visitors from outside the area...a gem like this is too good not to share.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,607 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,970 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,306 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,904 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,983 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
