By Sally Deering

 If you live or work in Hudson, chances are you know your diners and have your favorites.

Itâ€s not just a Jersey thing. People from all walks of life love the classic diners of the 1940s with their Formica tabletops and leatherette booths; strong java and juicy burgers, and creamy rice pudding dusted with cinnamon. If youâ€re a fan of any of these things and you like a waitress who can clear a table like a magician making a rabbit disappear, then stop by the Miss America Diner on West Side Avenue in Jersey City, right down the street from New Jersey City University.

Thereâ€s no place like the Miss America Diner and nobody knows that better than its newest owner Tony Margetis who bought the silver-chromed beauty in March of this year.

“The Miss America Diner is a landmark,” Margetis says. “I bought it because I knew it was famous. Every day, somebody is out in the parking lot taking pictures.”

The former owner of the Colonette on Rt. 440 in Jersey City, Margetis has been in the restaurant business since he was a teenager working as a dishwasher. Heâ€d been going to the Miss America Diner for years and after work, would walk over, grab a coffee and talk with the owner. When the owner mentioned he was moving to Pennsylvania and would be opening a restaurant there, Margetis made an offer, and the diner became his.

“I have done seven or eight restaurants in this area, one in Florida, too, and nothing happened as smoothly as this,” Margetis says. “I love Jersey City, I went to high school here. When he said yes, it was the greatest thing that happened to me.”

The menu is everything you would expect from a diner, breakfasts of Pancakes, French toast, Belgian Waffles, Eggs, Omelets, Bagels, Muffins, Wraps – and in all sorts of combinations, too, ($3.75-$8.75).

“We sell a lot of breakfasts,” Margetis says. “You can order our pancakes, our eggs, all day long. Thatâ€s the purpose of a diner, and everything is cooked to order.”

The menu is huge; here are some highlights: There are Triple-Decker Clubs like the Turkey, Roast Beef & Swiss, Grilled Chicken Breast & Melted Swiss, Chicken Salad & Bacon, Tuna Salad & Hard Boiled Egg and the Miss America Club with Ham, Turkey, Roast Beef, Swiss & Russian Dressing ($6.95-$8.50).

Super Sandwiches include London Broil, French Dip, Fried Flounder and the Virginia Beach, which is Virginia Ham and Turkey with Melted Swiss on a Hard Roll ($7.25-$8.75). Grilled Chicken Sandwiches include Grilled Chicken BBQ, Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu and Grilled Chicken Philly Style with Mushrooms, and Grilled Onions & Peppers topped with Melted Mozzarella ($6.50-$6.75).

Steaks and Chops are also on the menu and include Boneless Rib Eye, Broiled Pork Chops, and Sautéed Liver with Onions ($8.95-$16.95). Roasts feature Roast Turkey, Sirloin of Beef, Virginia Ham, and Meatloaf ($8.95-$10.50). There are Italian Specialties, too, like the Shrimp Parmigiana, Baked Stuffed Shells Parmigiana, and Cheese Ravioli Parmigiana ($8.95-$13.95).

Lunch specials include different daily choices and on a recent Tuesday, the menu featured Meatloaf, Loin of Pork, and Roast beef sandwiches, Stuffed Shells and a Meatball Parmigiana sandwich ($6.95-$8.95).

 Augie R. posted this positive review on Yelp.com: “The reason to go here is the ambiance–a classic 1940’s style diner kept in very good condition.  Formica floor, vintage swivel seats, old-style classic luncheon counter, and old-school booths–what’s not to like?”

Another post on Yelp, this time by Sherein B: “…The food was great. Happy customer. The place is retro with its old school true 1940’s diner feel…. really old school. I think it adds to the atmosphere (I like). This is my new go to place (my little secret for now). Some things are freshly made on the premises….including potato salad and slaw….and the most amazing cheese cake ever!!!! Yes ever! And they make it there. That is big coming from a huge cheesecake fan. Can’t wait to go back….maybe tonight!!!”

Margetis likes knowing there are good reviews on the Internet, but heâ€s not surprised. Margetis feels confident about the food he serves at the Miss America Diner because he has very high standards. He says: “If you want to have a successful restaurant, buy quality ingredients. Iâ€m very particular. Iâ€m going to buy the best with my money. My family eats here and I value my family. Theyâ€re going to eat the best and thatâ€s what I give my customers.”

If you go:

Miss America Diner

322 West Side Ave

Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 333-5468

Hours:  Mon-Fri, 6:30 am to 8:30 pm;

Sat and Sun, 6:30 am-3:30 pm

The post Miss America Diner in Dressed in Peach Formica and Silver Chrome, Reigns in Jersey City first appeared on River View Observer.

By Sally Deering

Maybe itâ€s the shiny chrome and Formica counter tops that draws us in or the beauty of the chocolate layer cakes beaming through the pastry fridge window? Then again, it could be the first bite of a juicy cheeseburger, the rich dark coffee or the eggs served just right. New Jersey has some fine restaurants, thereâ€s no doubt, but our kinship with diners is as binding as meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

Riverview Diner on River Road in North Bergen has been a go-to spot on the diner directory since Tommy Mavronasios opened the place back in 1982. It became ‘all in the family†when Mavronasios introduced his daughters, Olga, Cindy and Vivian to the business and then sent them off to college. After graduation, the girls came back to Riverview to share their time managing the restaurant with their dad.

“Dad is boss,” Cindy says on a recent afternoon as she greets and seats a constant flow of customers. “He has high standards and wants everything to be right.”

In August, Tommy Mavronasios decided to give Riverview a more modern look, updating the restaurantâ€s exterior to fit in with the revitalization of River Road, its new townhouses on the Hudson and shopping centers with big box department stores like Target. Step inside and Riverviewâ€s new interior is diner cool with booths in warm tones of dark wood, burnt orange and bronze. Directly over each table, a drum light casts a warm glow in contrast to the bright light reflecting off the shiny silver chrome accents of the counter lined with orange-upholstered, swiveling stools. A big-screen TV hangs over one section of the fresh-pastry counter and divider that connects to the dining room where tables of four are nestled within rows of booths that face New York and River Road. Everything is new except one thing, Cindy says:  “We left the old register.”

Riverview Dinerâ€s menu is vast with traditional fare and a new addition of dishes for those who prefer a more health-conscious choice.  The “Breakfast Anytime” menu features Old Fashioned French Toast, Belgian Waffles, Golden Brown Pancakes, Omelets, Bagels, Muffins and Cereal.  For lunch, customers can choose from Overstuffed Deli Sandwiches; Char-Broiled Burgers, Pita and Croissant Sandwiches. Dinner features Steaks & Chops, Italian Favorites, Hot Open Sandwich Platters, Broiled, Fried and Stuffed Fish; Cold Salad Platters; and Greek Specialties. Thereâ€s even a Childrenâ€s Menu. And donâ€t forget you can have breakfast any time of day. Then there are the desserts – fresh cakes, pies and the classic Rice Pudding to dazzle your taste-buds.

Checking out reviews on the internet, I came across this one from Evelyn K. of West New York who posted on yelp.com: “I always enjoy eating at the Riverview (and) find the food and atmosphere great. Thanks Riverview for having such a pleasant place to eat. Also love the new renovations. Five stars to the Riverview.”

 Jonathan L. of New York City also wrote a review on yelp.com: “Huge servings (and) very speedy service. I had a club sandwich with French fries, which I asked be ‘extra crispy’ and they totally got it right. I appreciate that. My friend got a bacon cheddar burger and they piled the bacon on, no skimping here. Also tried my friendâ€s chocolate milkshake and it was perfectly thick and creamy.  It’s just diner food, but when done right, what else do you really need?”

Theresa E. gave the restaurant four stars on menusism.com. “I love this Diner!” Theresa E. says. “The food is very good and fast and the staff is super friendly – they remember you even when you haven’t been there for weeks and that always makes going nice.”

Tommy Mavronasios taught his daughters to keep the standards high at Riverview Diner and he also shared with them how to give personable customer service. Cindy not only greets every customer, she calls many of them by name and even wishes them a “Happy Birthday!”

 “I love our regulars,” Cindy says. “We believe itâ€s important to be a member of the community,”

At Riverview Diner, youâ€ll always get that warm welcome whether itâ€s Tommy or one of his daughters greeting you at the door and excellent service by the wait staff.

And the coffeeâ€s pretty great, too.

If you go:

 Riverview Diner

7850 River Road

North Bergen, NJ

201-868-5400

Hours: Fri, Sat, 24/7

Sun-Thurs, 6 am-2 am

The post Riverview Diner in North Bergen , A New Look for an Old Friend first appeared on River View Observer.