Bendix Diner

"Bendix Diner, built by the Master Diner Company of Pequannock, opened in 1947, is located in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. It is constructed of stainless steel and has been featured in six movies and numerous TV commercials, including one starring Ray Charles. It sits in a triangular parking lot penned in with idle trucks, with a neon coffee cup on the top boasting 'Good Coffee.' The short stack came with real butter, tasted of buttermilk, and were fluffier than previous examples. The patty melt was miraculous, with good ground beef cooked to medium over flame, smoky taste, and caramelized onions on rye toast. The homemade hash was good but not quite up to Miss America’s. Our waiter was blind and turned out to be the owner, whose three sons and mother are also involved in the operation." - Robert Sietsema

"Situated smack in the middle of a highway (no, really) and smack in the middle of New Jersey lore, Bendix Diner is straight out of a movie. It’s a stainless steel box with a sporadically functioning neon sign, proudly no-frills and endearingly seasoned — a quintessential diner, if you will, that’s been used in myriad commercials and films from Jersey Girl to a Bleachers music video. Established in 1947, it’s been operated by the Diakakis family since the ’80s (Manager John Diakakis, who is blind, is the subject of a recent documentary). Perhaps you don’t go here expecting a meal that will blow your mind, but you go for the comforting ambiance: leather seats, glass ketchup bottles, and warm staff. Although it’s not 24-hours, it’s a huge spot for truckers; they park outside in rows to get some rest or mosey in to fuel up on the Trucker’s Special: three pancakes, two eggs, and four strips of bacon. The best part is that no matter who you are or what time of day you pop in, they treat you like you’ve been a regular for years. — Stefania Orrù" - Eater Staff