Diner Food - Cooking From The Heart

As much as I complain about living in New Jersey (the lack of space, the disrespect for wildlife and country, the overabundance of cars) I do love it. The best part of living in the Garden State is its' diners. We have the most out of any state in the union - about 600 alone. Every town has at least one. Some have as many as four or even five. They're more than just a place to eat - they're a place to call your second home.

Diners did not originate here. For that Rhode Island and its' capital city , Providence can take the credit. The first was born there in 1872 when a horse drawn lunch wagon offered just sandwiches and hot coffee long after the local restaurants had closed. Years later during the Golden Age of Diners the 1930's through the 1940s these eateries crystallized into the modern diner with 24 hour cooking and dining. The 1950's saw diners move westward and spread out into the states and US territories.

Somehow these gems managed to mass multiply in Jersey. Everyone has a favorite one. Mine is just down the road from my house and it's appropriately named The Parkway Diner because it's off Exit 159 on The Garden State Parkway's one of the state's main arteries. It's a wonderful place helpfully run by Suzie, the waitress/ manager. Yet' she's more than that. She is also responsible for some of the diner's top requested dishes. Her potato salad, a creamy hearty blend of Idahos mayyo and plenty of love is sheer heaven. She also makes some wicked soups as well. Much ,more than that she's is family to regulars like myself, being everything from sounding board to nurturer. With The Parkway you not only enjoy the many different foods , you enjoy its' caring and attentive staff.

If you're in the Saddle Brook or Elm wood Park area head to this oasis of great food. It's located on the corner of Rte 46 East and the Boulevard (it stands out so it's not hard to miss) Try Suzie's soup of the day which changes daily, along with their various chickens - rice, noodle and matzoh ball.. She';ll bring you hot rolls and butter too along with a generous bowl. The Parkway has humongous salads and the best is their grilled vegetable one, bursting with grilled eggplant, peppers and feta cheese. The diner also serves killer hero sandwiches like Vinnie's Italian one, filled with yummy Italian cold cuts along with sliced red onions.The Parkway is also big on egg dishes serving just simple scrambled ones to elaborate omelets.

Diner cuisine is wonderful .It's homesyle cooking at any hour of the day. Not only that it comes with love from its' cooks and waitstaff. You can't get that in any fancy four star restaurant.

The Parkway 's Suzie and Vinnie have graciously allowed me to published her potato salad and his Italian hero recipes. Enjoy these folks, I do!!!


Suzie's Potato Salad Recipe

Cooked Idaho potatoes
cut up celery, carrots and red onions
Hellman's mayo
salt and pepper to taste.

Boil potatoes until they're done and peel. Add chopped celery , carrots and red onion along with a generous amount of Hellman's mayo. Mix. Salt and pepper to taste. Chill until ready to be served.

Vinnie's Super Hero.

Toast hero bread. Sprinkle oil and vinegar on the halves.Layer on ham,provolone and prosciutto. Finish with lettuce , sliced tomatoes and red onions. Serve.