Restaurant Review: Andy's Diner

Restaurant: Andy’s Diner & Pub
Address: 505 West Ridge Pike, Conshohocken PA, 19428 (610-940-1444)

Rating: ★★★ (3) out of 5 stars
Style:  Traditional American Diner
Food: Greek/Italian/American Cuisine
Atmosphere: Traditional 50’s Diner Décor/Music
Parking: Yes, lot parking
Service: Polite & Accommodating
Price Range: $$
Unique Feature:  Breakfast meals available throughout the day, open 24-7, Soup & Salad Bar

I must have passed this local eatery hundreds of times without recognizing it Perched upon a hill and down the road from multiple strip malls makes it just too easy to miss. So once I found out that this restaurant is open 24-7, includes a pub, and has an almost never-ending menu, it only made sense that we visit one of Conshy’s late night hang-outs,

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon with empty stomachs, expecting to be joined by the staple of most American diners: senior citizens enjoying an early bird dinner. As soon as we walked in, it was clear that we were the youngest patrons by about 30 years. The host instantly sat us at a small booth and let us know that our waitress would be with us shortly. As we paged through the gargantuan menus, we couldn’t help but notice that Andy’s Diner seemed to offer a little bit of everything. There was an interesting mix of Greek and Italians entrées, as well as the standard American diner and pub offerings.

Though we could have ordered breakfast, we decided on an early dinner like our fellow customers. Our waitress was very down-to-Earth and willing to help with any meal recommendations. For an appetizer, we avoided the customary selections like Fresh Fried Calamari and Hot Buffalo Wings and instead, tried Aggi’s Greek Saganaki. The starter consisted of a block of different melted cheeses (mozzarella, feta, & cottage) splashed with brandy and set on fire. The presentation itself was quite impressive, almost to the point that we got very nervous when the waitress’s hair almost caught on fire after lighting it. Upon trying the appetizer, I was left feeling underwhelmed, as the outer crust was melted but the core was still room temperature. Also, cheese was a little bland, and we agreed that it tasted more like brie (in which case, crackers to dip with would’ve been a nice touch).

Though I was eyeing up one of the many sandwiches that Andy’s Diner offered, my girlfriend decided on the Soup & Salad Bar. The waitress recommended the Seafood Bisque, but she ended up getting something less creamy, Matzah Ball Soup. The soup was very good, full of fresh celery and chicken, with a firm, delectable Matzah ball. As for the salad, though there was only one type of lettuce available (pre-frozen iceberg), the other selections were notable: chick peas, beets, cheese, onions, eggs, and more. Also, there were other types of salads available, such as chicken, potato, tuna, and pasta. The fruit selection was appreciated as well, as we shared cantaloupe, grapes, honey dew, and pineapple. The only thing that left her disappointed was the bread selection; the only variety was semi-dry sweet bread, which didn’t seem to go well with any of the other soups. Generally though, we were both impressed on the wide array of fresh options offered on a Saturday afternoon.

Before my entrée came, I decided to walk around Andy’s Diner before using the rest room. I was a bit turned-off to see dirty dishes piled up behind the salad bar and also near the hostess’s stand. Also, when I walked by the kitchen, there was food all over the kitchen floor, suggesting a dirty work environment, but it also could have been a dropped meal.

As soon as I returned to the table, my entrée, Pete’s French Dip, had been brought out. Served on a toasted Italian steak roll, the sandwich was crammed full of dry (yet delectable) roast beef and Swiss cheese. Au Jus complimented the massive sandwich perfectly and I was delighted to have leftovers. Another highlight of the meal was the generous portion of French Fries that accompanied the meal.

Overall, we had a satisfying time at Andy’s Diner & Pub. The food was agreeable and the service was accommodating. Though I do see myself coming back again, it might be to take advantage of their vast breakfast menu, or possibly late night, when other local restaurants have closed.

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