Out to Lunch: Port Washington Diner

As an original Queens native, I am especially partial to diners. Ah, diners, with their menus that go on for miles, where you can have breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast, where you can get anything from a scrambled egg to shrimp scampi. While the Port Washington Diner is not quite up to Queens' standards (ie: no mirrors, no neon, and they close at midnight), the food and service were wonderful.

In the over 15 years that I've been in town, the Port Washington Diner has been though various incarnations (including one as a Jewish Deli) and various owners. This latest incarnation is by far the best, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Almost all the tables were occupied on my recent lunch visit. Despite the place being filled, the service was quick and the noise level was low. The décor is interesting — comfortable booths line both walls, tables are all the way in the back, and there is a seating counter (with, of course, baked goods) up in the front. Murals line the walls, and unusual lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling.

We were greeted and seated immediately, and handed menus. There was a separate special lunch menu with soups, salads, sandwiches, and nine lunch entrees, ranging in price from $11 to $15. There was also a vegetarian dish of the day (a nice touch). Entrees were served with either a soup or salad to start.  The regular menu was what you would expect from a diner, with choices running the gamut from breakfast foods (pancakes, eggs, French toast, waffles), sandwiches (burgers, BLTs, clubs), salads (19 different varieties) and two pages of entrees ranging from Italian to Greek to steak and seafood to comfort foods (meatloaf, turkey, roast chicken).  There are also numerous choices for vegetarians here.

Both my companion and I ordered from the special lunch menu. I had the ultimate in comfort food — chicken pot pie, and my dining partner had the meatloaf. The waitress brought a basket of crackers and rolls to the table along with our cups of soup. My matzoh ball soup was simple and excellent — just a rich tasty broth with one light matzoh ball. My companion's chicken vegetable soup was loaded with large chunks of chicken and lots of vegetables including squash.

I was a bit daunted by the size of the chicken pot pie when it was served. It seemed huge. It was clearly homemade, with a flaky golden pastry top. Underneath the heavenly pastry was a hearty and comforting filling made of tender chunks of chicken, peas, carrots, and potatoes in a slightly creamy gravy. If chicken pot pie spells comfort to you, then try this one. It was simply wonderful. My companion was similarly pleased with his meatloaf, which was served with either potato or vegetable. (He chose the fries — thick cut steak fries). There were three large slabs of well-cooked meatloaf, covered in a dark brown mushroom gravy. (No stinting on the mushrooms either — there were plenty). "I've had a lot of meat loafs that I haven't liked," said my companion, the notoriously picky meatloaf-eater. "But this is a first-class meatloaf!" he exclaimed. "I would certainly get it again." He described it as tender, tasty and well-blended. While he ended up with leftovers, I managed to finish my entire huge pot pie, prompting the waitress to beam at me approvingly and say "good job!"

Although neither of us could squeeze in a dessert, there were plenty of choices, as well as espresso cappuccino, mochaccino and other treats from the coffee bar.

Service was speedy. We were in any out in under an hour. The bill, including tax and tip, was $33, but could be less if you stick to burgers rather than the entrees. It may be a bit casual for a business lunch, but the noise level was manageable, so if you're looking for a restaurant with plenty of choices, this one will definitely fit the bill. I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of food, excellent service, and attractive décor of the Port Washington Diner, and I will be dining there again soon.