Circle E Diner
| Address: | 369 E Front St, Hancock, NY 13783, USA |
| Phone: | +1 607-637-9905 |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
JA
Jack Cade
This place is having an identity crisis. The new chef is trying to do too much. Charging top dollar for food served in a diner, no matter what the food is, doesnt fly for me. Im sitting at a worn diner table, eating from diner plates, with paper napkins, and you expect that Im going to pay $20-$30 or more for a lobster tail or ceder plank salmon? Really? Pick what you are, do it well. If you want to change it, do it completely. If you dont have the cash to do a complete change, then you dont change. Sorry chef, if you dont like what it is, then you shouldve bought another restaurant. This place, when I was there, was trying to be a pizzeria, a diner, and gourmet restaurant. I had diner food, which is what the place looks like, and that food was ok. The chef should set out to be the best diner chef he can be. Stop cooking with his ego and start cooking with his brains and heart. Good diner food is an art. It really is. Diner or American food made from scratch with great ingredients, and with occasional flourishes, where appropriate, is not only delicious, but every bit as artistic as coq qu vin, veal cheek confit, or scallops newburg. Any chef who says otherwise is either French or doesnt have enough imagination. Save the expensive stuff for fun Friday and Saturday specials. But make it at a discount. At this rate food loss and turned off customers is going to run this restaurant into the ground.
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A Private User
This place is having an identity crisis. The new chef is trying to do too much. Charging top dollar for food served in a diner, no matter what the food is, doesnt fly for me. Im sitting at a worn diner table, eating from diner plates, with paper napkins, and you expect that Im going to pay $20-$30 or more for a lobster tail or ceder plank salmon? Really? Pick what you are, do it well. If you want to change it, do it completely. If you dont have the cash to do a complete change, then you dont change. Sorry chef, if you dont like what it is, then you shouldve bought another restaurant. This place, when I was there, was trying to be a pizzeria, a diner, and gourmet restaurant. I had diner food, which is what the place looks like, and that food was ok. The chef should set out to be the best diner chef he can be. Stop cooking with his ego and start cooking with his brains and heart. Good diner food is an art. It really is. Diner or American food made from scratch with great ingredients, and with occasional flourishes, where appropriate, is not only delicious, but every bit as artistic as coq qu vin, veal cheek confit, or scallops newburg. Any chef who says otherwise is either French or doesnt have enough imagination. Save the expensive stuff for fun Friday and Saturday specials. But make it at a discount. At this rate food loss and turned off customers is going to run this restaurant into the ground.
BO
Boomer Reeves
This is a little diner a stones throw (literally) from the town square in Hancock, NY. The place isnt very impressive to look at, both the interior and exterior, but the food was good. I had over easy eggs, bacon, and hash browns. The eggs were very large and extremely tasty and it wouldnt surprise me if they were local. The hash browns were so-so. What really stood out, though, is how well the bacon was cooked. I went twice in one weekend and both times the bacon was crispy and superb. I was quite impressed. I couldve just eaten a plate of their bacon and been happy. Also, I adored the hot tea. The tea bag didnt look fancy or anything, but it was really good! They also serve alcoholic beverages, which some folks will appreciate. The staff is attentive, hard working and friendly, despite the large crowd during Sunday brunch. The location of this diner is perfect if youre staying nearby for vacation, at East Branch Outfitters, for example. The one thing missing was Sriracha sauce, but thats just my own personal preference, heh. Overall, I enjoyed myself each time Ive eaten at Circle E Diner.
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A Private User
Circle Es current chef (Aug 09) is a refugee from the much "classier" Bluestone Inn nearby, and hes as good as he wants to be. Several menus scattered around the room offer everything from the pizza/burger diner standards to top-quality (inventive, fresh, tasty) dishes at affordable prices. House wine. Big portions. Friendly service. Big windows. If youre calorie-consious, split two aps and an entre with a pal or be prepared to tote a doggie-bag. A great way to beat recession blues.
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A Private User
I lived in New Jersey for 20 years, and had the opportunity to eat at more diners that one might think existed. I always loved them and loved to eat at new ones, but none ever really blew me away. The Circle E Diner has the freshest, most delicious food one could ask for. It was better than homemade, and very reasonably priced!!! Having moved from New Jersey to Northeastern PA, I cant express how glad I am to have the best diner ever so closeby. Who knew!! ^_^
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Britni Dufton
I actually have worked at the diner for 13 years. Everything is homemade yes sometimes the price is a lil much but u also take home enough left overs to satisfy you for the next day and yes we do serve a lot of different kons of food not an identity crisis just have love for all kinds of food and want our customers to have what they want. I am a proud employee and if you havent been there u should try it and u decide.
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Bergen Guy
My son and I randomly stopped here, seeing a sign for it on our road trip to Ithaca. Per other reviewers comments, the place has a very simple look to it but the staff is super nice, the food was delivered quickly, and the food was superb! My son was in seventh heaven with his enormous stack of thick, cake-like pancakes. This may become our new secret stopover spot!!
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Vincent Careri
Good food, good price, great service. Very local atmosphere. A real American diner. Everyone knows eachother but they treat a visitor like a local person. Very accommodating, polite, and homespun. Many pizza take out orders?! Then a pizza hit the take next to me... It looked and smelled GREAT. Constantly busy, and with good reason.
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Joshua M. Gallagher
Stopped by 15 minutes before posted closing hours. They refused service on food but did have some bakery items for my starving kids. Also I needed napkins and they provided them. I guess I could have been angry that they denied service, but I work in food service and "get it." They did probably miss out on a $100+ check though.
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Jerry Garcia
Yuck the food was terrible! And it stinks like a truck stop toilet in there. Ive eaten every place in that town and nothing compares to the food at The Hancock House they have a new chef in there doing fresh fish fries, homade fries,and all kinds of amazing food gotta check that out. Best Ive had in years!
PA
Patrick Minardi
Best food in town for sure.also the pizza is great!for anyone who says its pricey.well if you want the best its gunna cost ya where ever you are.im from the city where bottled water is 3.50 so really its no different.as for identity its whatever you want it to be.just a place to get good grub and gossip..
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Nancy F
By far THE BEST pizza in the area! The rest of their menu is great, too, with delicious daily specials including prime rib on Saturday nights. MUST try the all you can eat pizza and wings night every Wednesday where owner Ray whips up several variations on the pies and wings.
