A1 Diner
| Address: | 3 Bridge St, Gardiner, ME 04345, USA |
| Phone: | +1 207-582-4804 |
| Site: | facebook.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 8AM–1PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 17
A
A Private User
My husband and I have lived in the area for a few years, but we had never been to the A-1 before tonight. We read the rave reviews it has gotten, and were looking for a new experience. Well, we got it alright. When you walk in the door it smells...weird & looks like it needs a good scrubbing. We looked at the two page menu (one sheet of paper..laminated) and were a bit stunned by the prices, being fairly higher than the norm in our area, so we opted for sandwiches. Mine was a portabella & carmelized mushrooms on wheat.....sounds good right? It was slimy bland mushrooms & onions squished between heavily buttered toast with a side of potato chips for around eight bucks. His was fried haddock on a bun w/ a side of chips for almost nine. The coffee was actually pretty good, but we will not be eating there again.
JO
Joe Campbell
I would describe this place as just borderline ok. I am from the midwest and on a trip to Boston drove up along the coast of Maine. I drove out of the way to the restaurant because it had been featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives and because of all the great on-line reviews. The food was not bad but the restaurant was absolutely filthy. I apologized several times to my wife because we had driven all this way to get to the restaurant and the place did not meet our standards for cleanliness. You have to get a key and walk outside to go to the bathroom, much like a gas station bathroom. Would not eat there again.
CH
Chris Somerlot
I feel bad this place has to suffer the poor reviews from ridiculous reviewers, (this is an actual railway car? really that made it into your review? thats not even true!). If folks feel this place is expensive they obviously did not look at the prices on yelp first, or did not look at them when they were ordering, and/or completely failed to recognize the value they were getting for scratch-made food. Just goes to show people are smart but the public is dumb. I am a diner junkie and this is one of the best there is, folks. Count yourself blessed if you live in or go near to Gardiner, ME.
A
A Private User
With all of the great reviews I had to try it. It was....not nice. Greasy and dirty, the place really needed to be cleaned...scraped. The reason the inside photos shown on google are in black and white is so you cant see all of the yellowing fixtures, dirty brown paneling, and stuck on grease everywhere. The food itself was very bland and very greasy. The portions were medium, not that you would want to eat much of this sopping with grease food. I can do diner food but this was beyond any greasy-spoon I have ever encountered. My husband and I will never venture there again.
RE
Rebecca Stearns
Amazing. I traveled to Maine to work and went out of my way as often as possible to eat here. One week I had the famous blueberry pancakes at Jaspers up in Bar Harbor. Meh. They were alright. On the way home from Bar Harbor I stopped here. I had their pancakes. I almost teared up they were so amazing. I peeked into the kitchen on my way out to tell them how great they were and it was so sweet how they talked about how they make the batter, etc. These guys put their hearts into their food and it shows.
PA
Pamela Alsop
This is an actual dining car from a railroad. The food stinks .....it used to be good old fashioned cooking w/ huge portions of good ole home cooking! Their menu has totally changed& the prices are ridculously HIGH! Its cute to look @ but dont eat there! Next to this is another place that serves wicked good lobster rolls & pizza. My husband & I were hungry & remembered how good this place was......after looking @ menu & prices......we got up & walked out..& went next door.!!!! . ...
HO
holly stone
Been coming here for almost 20 years... consistently great food (order from the menu over the counter!) Great service...salad, burgers, imaginative entrees that are always well prepared and desserts to die for! My favorite is the brownie cup but the carrot cake, the peanut butter chocolate pie, the specials ,etc are all delicious. Best kept secret to those new visitors to Maine...those who live here already know how good it is!
HA
Hayley L
THIS FOOD! A+, in both presentation and taste- always busy but hardly ever a wait (but please do wait if need be, the food is worth it!) The staff is friendly and accommodating, brought my 3 year old in to dine and they brought him a toy to keep him busy. Tucked into a bustling Gardiner down town atmosphere, theres much to do/see if youre in the area.
WY
Wyn Kelley
I plan my trips to Maine around the hours at the A1, have been a happy customer since 1999. We always enjoy the specials but also return to favorites like the Black Bean Quesadilla, Calamari Greek Salad, and the omelets. The food is always fresh, delicious, and innovative. Mike and Neil and their wonderful staff do a great job!
EM
emily chilton
During a quick visit a few weeks ago we stopped in right at the cusp of breakfast and lunch. We decided on breakfast and I loved every minute of it. I got an Orange Poppyseed Waffle. It was amazing. I never see orange and poppy seed as a combo but it was great! I liked the fluffyness of the waffle and the citrus flavor.
A
A Private User
I visited family and the Internet set me up to expect great things. Boy was I disappointed. I ordered a waffle that was not quite done, acually still raw in the middle and my brother ordered an omlet that was sad and tiny as well as his toast was dry...ie old bread....tisk tisk.....dont waist your time or money....
CL
Cliff Chafin
Really great food. Make sure you look at the specials on the board. It is a charming old railroad dining car with original woodwork and counters. The pork chops were some of the best Ive had in a restaurant. I should say I am often disappointed with pork when I eat out so it was a great surprise.
RU
Run-A-Way Bill
Gardiner, Maine --- A-1 Diner" is quite unique .... wooden interior walls, raised up on metal "stilts" to reach street bridge level, & is one of the smaller diners. only had room for desert & selected "Carols Chocolate Cake" since she was proud enough to put here name on it
A
A Private User
My son went to school at Bates College and no trip to Bates was complete without a visit to the A1 Diner. Our only complaint is that they close fairly early in the evening! Terrific food. I am really surprised to see any negative reviews. I guess some folks cant be pleased.
RO
Rob Lemire
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Central Maine. Theres always something enticing on the menu, but most of all I love the regular selections. The wait staff is always courteous and helpful. We particularly like eating during the "ole timers" supper hour 5-6.
TH
Thomas Conroy
Good diner fare. We had the haddock and chips (which was tasty); fried chicken (which was especially good), and a pesto chicken sandwich that was gone in seconds. Its a Worcester Lunch Car Co diner car in often original condition, so thats a bonus, too.
MA
Mary Granade
This is our favorite local restaurant. The food is excellent- quality ingredients, well prepared. There is a standard menu, plus daily specials that are sure to surprise & please. It is a small place with super friendly service. I recommend it highly.
