We know all of you South Jersey people have loyalties to your diners that go as deep as our loyalties toward non-Leave It To Beaver things like places to illicitly drink in public and pool fences to hop, so let us tip out the 40-ouncer to Olga’s Diner, which up until last Thursday was a a shining, loving testament to all things New Jersey. To wit: Though Olga’s first got its start on the rough-and-tumble streets of Camden (that’s the version pictured here), it eventually moved out to Marlton Circle, where it became a Suburban Icon. It’s just like a Philip Roth novel! At any rate, the taxman closed in on Olga’s last week, making it part of our region’s collective Diners That Are No Longer There Or Even If They Are, Should Be Immediately Either Rehabbed Or Removed From The Earth Altogether. (See also: Aramingo Diner. Good God, man.) But it brings a pressing issue to mind: What are the area’s Best Still-Living Diners? Tell us in the comments, and we will go to them in the middle of the night, take shoddy cameraphone pics, and post about them drunkenly. Really. We promise. Just tell us where to go.
Mastori’s in bordentown. try the cheesebread
IMO: Mastori’s, Ponzio’s, the Marlton Diner, and Medport, in that order.
Chowhound has a pretty thorough list of diners in NJ: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/507782
Palace Diner (Berlin), Crystal Lake (Westmont) and Peter’s Diner (Williamstown) are some of my favorites. Goodbye Olga’s (RIP), hello Route 70/73 roadway improvements.
You’re kidding, right? Fond remembrances of Olga’s? Having lived only a few miles from this place for the last 10 years and being a SJ native, this place could have used a good scrubbing/bleaching for years. The last time I was in there the ceiling was falling, the floor was covered in crumbs and other food matter, and the tables needed a good wipe-down. In fact, it wasn’t just taxes that closed it down, but a bad health inspection report, no surprise to many in the area. Jenoo’s post is right on – these are much better and cleaner.
the red robin diner (affectionately referred to as “the dead bird”) at the corner of levick st. and frankford ave. in mayfair is my personal favorite.
olgas will be missed(unlike a lot of my mid-90′s high school nights spent there). other diners? i’ve been getting into the oregon diner lately. as for jersey, mastori’s is worth the trip. i always forget about them. and then medport. it’s a classic. you can stop by on your way to LBI if you take 70 all the way.
Bobs Diner on Ridge Ave in Roxborough. Its settled between a church and a graveyard and has a really great logo which includes a sun rising over hill with tombstones casting their shadows onto the diner. Super cheap with great waitresses who wear neon pink lipstick. Good for an early morning newspaper and coffee.
Mastoris’ is the shit. The cheese bread and cinnamon swirl bread are to die for.