Penman Diner

I had Googled “best liver and onions near me” and Penman Diner popped right up. Wednesday special is “Liver and Onions” with 2 sides $12.99 We arrived about 12:30 and were invited to sit any where we wanted. So we picked a nice booth and Kelly came and greeted us and menus. Breakfast is served all day and the menu is extensive for both breakfast and lunch items. We ordered a hamburger and the special and both came out within 7 or 8 minutes and both looked great. The liver special was a very generous portion. So much, I got a to go box and had enough for another meal when we got home. This was our first visit and will definitely go back to try some of the other things on the menu.

We arrived about 11:15 that’s between breakfast & lunch. It was quiet. We ordered the Reuben that came with crispy fries & a pickle and the Tuesday special of beef tips over rice (basically beef stew over rice.) both were plentiful & moderately priced. I had 2/3 beef tips to take home!!! Both delicious. Fantastic food & service. (Picture is 1/2 the Reuben bc he ate the other 1/2.)

Nice little breakfast spot. Food was good, waitresses were perfect. The omelet had plenty of cheese. Hash browns cooked little crispy, but not a knock on the food. I prefer it that way. Texas toast french toast was good. A very well rounded establishment. Loved seeing all of the military guys hanging out. Some were a little obnoxious but what can you expect. Lol. We'll definitely be back.

Busy place, but worth the wait. The staff is nice especially Kelly who was our waitress. She was very informative and a sweetheart. The overall experience at Penman was a good one and would go back again. Delicious food, decent prices, generous portion of food, fluffy pancakes, and wonderful atmosphere. I highly recommend this place.

Third time today. Just OMG WE CANT ENOUGH OF THIS DINER. Everything is just seasoned so well. This is our second time here. Great little gem. You miss the NJ diner well here it is. Awesome food and service. Had the French dip meat is seasoned perfectly. Burgers are seasoned so well too. Have to try this one.

Local spot. Service was great. Food was ok. Needed a little more on the flavor. Atmosphere was a little dark.

While it was a cute little diner, the service and food was horrible. I literally had to get up and go to the bar counter to get my server's attention for whatever we needed throughout our meal. The coffee was so weak I believe dirty water would have been stronger. The potatoes were undercooked. The breakfast burrito was flavorless. The omelettes had no flavor. I had to drown mine in hot sauce just to have any ounce of flavor. Throughout the whole week we stayed in Jacksonville Beach, eating out each meal, this had to have been the most ridiculous we experienced.

I have been coming to Penman Diner for 5 years daily and the food and service is always spot on. They have daily specials that are great but the stir fry & liver and onions are my favorite. The servers are attentive and they have my cup of decaf coffee ready at my bar seat right when i walk through the door.

I was going to order the corned beef hash n eggs..but I asked the server and she was honest and said it was from the can...she said most people preferred it. Must be the clientele. I prefer the fresh stuff! So, I had the breakfast sandwich with avocado on an english muffin and grits...and coffee! Don't forget the coffee! I have to say, for a little diner up off Penman, the coffee was GREAT! And the sandwich was good too... But the pancakes! OH GOODNESS.... they were huge and light and fluffy and tasted SO good! I tell you.... I was highly impressed but this low-key spot. Great service too!

I met a girlfriend for a quick work lunch & she recommended Penman Diner. I chose the chicken quesadilla & she had the chicken salad sandwich. Both served with French fries, they weren't the greatest, but also not the worst. My quesadilla was awesome! The chicken was cooked well and the tortilla had some crunch but wasn't burnt. I loved it! My gf loved her chicken salad as well, she even had some extra to take home. Our meals came out quickly, which I appreciate for a quick lunch break! I will return to try the BLT, I'm a sucker for one and someone else ordered it and it looked very tasty!

Service was awesome as usual. Ambience was still diner style. The food today was very disappointing. My hash browns were burnt, bitter and gross. I couldn't eat them.The fruit cup was good. The scrambled eggs with provolone was good. The cashier and waitress were very friendly and delivered great customer service!

I'm writing this as I eat great food on a beautiful Saturday morning. This place is truly a gem. I was super hungry and needed a good breakfast at 6:28am. I pulled into Waffle House but I decided I wanted to try somewhere new. By 6:30 I was parking at Penman Diner and I should've known the food would be amazing when I saw people pouring in at 6:32am. I believe they serve the best French toast I have ever had and everything was made with care. The coffee was amazing and the atmosphere screams "hungry retired friends who just wanted to catch up". My waitress Kelly was very sweet and made sure my first experience was enjoyable. The vibe is "mom and pop" but it definitely delivers simple but tasty breakfast. I almost don't want to tell anyone about the place because I can imagine the influx of customers once they eat the French toast. Overall this is a great establishment and a great representation of the Jacksonville Beach community.

Late lunch quick stop. Venue clean and fairly busy. Server was pleasant and attentive. Suggested wrap with fries and it was a good choice. Will return when time for a full on meal.

One of my favorite veggie egg white omelettes. It's a good size and hearty and filling with the diced veggies mixed throughout and the sliced Swiss cheese between the omelette is tasty. They actually gave me for free, because I order from them so much, the pancakes and my god they were the best pancakes I've ever had. They were the perfect fluffiness and thickness. They had a hint of maple and butter and vanilla in the taste of the pancakes. These were some of my favorite pancakes I've ever had! Get them you won't regret it!

Food was fresh and just darn right tasty. Great service today and with a great ambiance! Wonderful experience! Thank you for the hospitality today!

A friend and I had lunch at this Diner a few days ago. I ordered the Philly cheesesteak. I have to say I was not impressed. I like to try the Philly cheese whenever I see it on the menu. This one was a bit dry the bread was not fresh, it was toasted dry. The cheese was mixed in I am not sure if it was American cheese or maybe a processed? I hear their breakfast is good I may go back for that. maybe. The service was attentive.

Great local restaurant! My family and I tried this place out for the first time even though we drive past it many times. Pancakes are delicious and big! We tried the seasonal pumpkin pancakes as well and it was spot on full of flavor and delicious. Ordered the chipped beef and gravy and that is homemade goodness right there!! Hit the spot! My family had ordered biscuits and gravy, all though not homemade, they reported it was good stuff and would absolutely order again - all though the chipped beef may be everyone's choice next go around. Also had an order of the breakfast burrito and it was real filling, no complaints from that family member! Overall we had a great brunch and found a new spot to go to. Can't wait to come back for lunch menu - looks like a great overall diner experience. I highly recommend to go. If you go at breakfast time be prepared to wait a bit for a table.

The best local neighborhood diner in the beaches. Fast fresh and delicious food very affordable

This is just what you want in a laid back friendly neighborhood diner with awesome food and lots of menu items with very reasonable prices. The short stack of pancakes is a lot of food and I was hungry and still barely able to finish them. The bacon was hot and crispy and the cup of grits was the real stuff, not the fake instant grits. Coffee was hot and fresh and the waitress kept my cup constantly full even though I was there for awhile meeting up with some friends. They have a large lunch menu as well as all-day breakfast so I'd come here and try lunch sometime. They have more tables inside than you'd expect so we were able to get a table without a wait, though I'd imagine it's more crowded on the weekend. I enjoyed breakfast here and will be back here for sure when I'm in town.

This is a well known place by the locals and we love to go where locals go. Food was good. Staff was friendly. Our server Debbie was friendly and took our order and brought us our coffee right away. The ambiance was casual and very relaxed. We could hear the servers greeting frequent customers even by name. That was very nice. Menu had all kinds of things to pick from. Prices were pretty good too. It was a good experience overall.

Penman Diner is a friendly and affordable place to treat yourself to a yummy breakfast or lunch. Classic breakfasts are prepared to order. I'm a traditionalist and got scrambled eggs with home fries and toast. Other offerings include several types of Benedict's, omelets, waffles, pancakes and French toast. Coffee is refilled often.

We were really impressed with Pennman Diner. The shrimp and grits were rich, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned. Total comfort food. My wife had the turkey Reuben, which was also great. Generous portions, friendly service, and a cozy, no frills vibe. A must visit if you're in the area. We'll definitely be back!

Wonderful food every time! Great expert service and relaxing ambiance! Thank you so very much for a fantastic meal !

Another day I don't want to cook, another search on my delivery app. The best part about moving is finding new places on a new side of town...that I can get delivery from lol. This seemed like your standard diner fare but one item stood out to me...the From the Ocean Omelette (shrimp, crabmeat, hollandaise) with a side of Rye bread and hashbrowns with onions. I figured meh, it's probably krab with a K but no-no it's crab with a C! Real crabmeat in an omelet! It was so good and filling. The hollandaise sauce was just the right flavor and the right amount for the eggs and the shrimp and crab were plentiful. It doesn't look like much but I was really surprised by how full and satisfied I was. The rye bread was buttered though I wish I had jelly come with it. No matter, I had my own jelly jam. The hashbrowns were ok but I didn't detect any onions in it. Maybe was too enamored with the omelette to notice. I agree with other Yelpers, this place is underrated. Definitely a place to eat at again!

Fantastic breakfast everyone you go! Always fresh and great service. Very reasonable in pricing and they offer a military discount.

LOVE this place! It's so cozy & homey. The food is like Memaw's house on a Sunday morning!

Absolutely killer! Best breakfast on Jax Beach. Everything is so good, the ideal American diner experience.

This place is so underrated! A great local diner for all things breakfast & lunch! Big portions, amazing price points, great tasting food- what could be better! I'm from the north and trying to find a place that serves cream chipped beef over toast or home fries is next to impossible in Jax. Look no further, Penman diner delivers and boy is it good!! From their Benedict's, to breakfast sandwiches, to biscuits and gravy... you cannot go wrong with any breakfast choice here! All for a great price, and you won't leave hungry!! If you're coming in a weekend, come early because it gets packed. The wait time never seems to be too long and sitting at the bar is always an option! I always find that a good sign when a local place has a wait, except when I'm hungry :) Don't sleep on Penman diner, you won't be disappointed!

Have heard and read about them, just on the other side of town. But well worth the drive and at 0900, no waiting like some other places! Service was spot on from entry at the door to exit. Table was probably one of the best for a breakfast restaurant with amount traffic on a Saturday AM. I am sure there can be a wait, but for what we had, well worth it. The Chipped Beef, was as good as mine at home and better than what the Navy served for 20 years. Server attention was the best, and the place had a real down home feel and was well maintained and clean. My colleague had the crab eggs Bennie and he said they were the best he has had in a long time. Sorry no photo will be back, can't beat the portions and COFFEE under $4 for sure and maybe $3(can't remember)

Great service and even better Breakfast!! I had the 222 Special with French toast, yum!

I tried the Penman Diner for the first time with my neighbor. She was moving to Alabama and I wanted to take her out before she left town. She suggested this spot and even though I typically have a yogurt and banana for breakfast I wanted to take her to one of her favorite spots. When we arrived all of the tables were taken but the counter was wide open, so we sat down and were greeted within a few minutes. I ordered the Mediterranean platter which included scrambled eggs made with sausage, and on the side was tomatos, olives, feta and pita bread. Wow, what an amazing breakfast! They sliced the pita bread into four pieces so I piled a little of everything on top. My plate was completely empty and I was super full. We also each ordered a mimosa, which was $10 each (a little pricey). I probably won't drink there again but I will most definitely eat there again!

I have to start out by saying thank you to the chef who came out to ensure my omelette was prepared to my request. The art of one-one customer service is lacking in most places but this local owned establishment keeps the customer in the forefront of their operation The pancakes my uncle has looked GREAT (almost made wished I got that) and the omelette was cooked to perfection. The fresh Avocado truly enhanced the flavor! This is well worth the drive (even with gas prices!)

Mah Wife had one request for brunch today...Good strong coffee. Not the coffee/milkshake concoctions with the half-pump of this or half-fat whipped that, but the type of coffee where you feel the caffeine coursing through your veins. And a color that's darker than the evil that lurks in the soul of man. I'm not a coffee drinker but I figured the best place to find that type of coffee was a good old-fashioned diner. So we headed to @penmandiner in Jax Beach. Mah Wife immediately orders a cup of the good stuff and chugs the first cup in seconds flat. Same with the second cup. And third. Meanwhile, my decaffeinated self ordered the shrimp and grits topped with two over-easy eggs. It were great. Breaking up the yolk and stirring it around the grits made them extra creamy and prevented the grits from setting up like spackle. The shrimp were blackened and had a nice back-end spice to it. If you like your coffee eye-twitchingly good and a solid bowl of shrimp and grits, Penman Diner is a definite recommend.

In A Nutshell: -Penman Diner is a legit spot to grab some homecooked breakfast. -What makes this restaurant unique is that they sell both Southern cooked food plus Mediterranean dishes. -I ordered their Shrimp & Grits (yeah I know you can find it nearly everywhere, but I tried it here). -I loved the plump shrimp in the hominy grits which is topped w/ freshly cut green onions & I ordered a side of homemade biscuits (yummy). -Not on the menu is the Turkish Coffee, which I highly recommend. Overall, this is a great little diner to eat at.

The good, the bad and the ugly. The good- really great, was the food! Five stars for portions, flavors and very good diner breakfast. John got the Country fried chicken breakfast with scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and a biscuit. Everything was cooked perfect. I went with the corned beef hash breakfast- partly because John wanted to try their hash too. It came with scrambled eggs, homefries and a biscuit. I stole some of John's gravy (he gets it on the side) to top my biscuit and eggs & just a great hearty breakfast. The corned beef hash was cooked nice and crispy too! Homefries were tasty- you can get the potatoes cooked with onions. The bad- service. We stepped inside and we were unsure if you seat yourself or if you got seated by a hostess. Well- kinda both. They were slammed but had a huge line of people checking out at the register. After checking out half the line- the cashier gave us a pager and noted how many in the party and passed out other pagers. A couple who came in right behind us got around the system- they had a friend already there at a 2 top table and asked the server to clear a larger table to seat all of them together. They played it well. After a ten minute wait- the pager went off and the cashier pointed at a table. Another 10 minutes went by before we got menus & ordered drinks, another ten- we got the drinks, another 15 before we ordered. This place is full of regulars- that's great- but that left us waiting. I watched another server run circles around ours. The table 2 away from us was sat 20 minutes after us and completed their meal- was gone, table bussed and another party had their drinks before we even got our check. The ugly- I was hangry and annoyed at the inattentiveness. I saw other customers who faces read exactly how I felt- and we all had the same server. That annoyed- stare off into space look. No conversation because that would spark complaining. I waited so long for a to go box- John had paid the bill and waited in the car for over 10 minutes before I gave up and abandoned a plate full of food on the table and just left. 30 minutes had passed since I asked for a box. In restaurant (not including the wait for a table) 1 hour and 45 minutes. For breakfast, for diner food. I will give them another chance. They got 4 stars because of the food and because I hope our server was just having an off day.

Food is great, service excellent, custom orders fulfilled and the military discount is respectful and gratefully appreciated. We eat here once a week. They prepare heart health meals as we describe them. For instance, asking for eggs cooked in olive oil vs. seed oil. Mediterranean cooking at its best for breakfast if you like. You can't beat the total package for the price.

Fantastic breakfast lunch dining facility. Servers are friendly and attentive and the menu is giant. All items tried have been great and we are regulars here after church on Sundays and usually 1 other time during the week. We have never been disappointed with any menu item or the service. Desserts are home made and you can tell it. The diner has the small cafe atmosphere with tables and booths. Just a great place to eat with plenty of options.

Great atmosphere, delicious food, and impeccable service round out our experience on our Saturday morning! We had a variety of food and everything was delicious. Highly recommend the Mediterranean breakfast platter. The Country fried steak and eggs was delicious and the kids pancakes was perfect for our little girl. We will definitely return for a delicious weekend breakfast without the crazy wait!

This is a locals location for a good breakfast and lunch. Was at Mayo Hospital with time between appointments. Chicken salad sandwich was excellent and so was the service. Would definitely recommend this place

One of the best Caesar salad wraps I've ever had! could not recommend this place more. always have had a very pleasant experience ordering takeout here.

Went here for breakfast and I was extremely satisfied. The menu was impressive with lots of breakfast & lunch choices. We had the Corned beef hash and the Breakfast Burrito. Both were great. Large portions. Quick service. Excellent coffee. Will definitely come back next time we're in Jax beach.

Good food, average service, they seem to cater more to local/regulars as staff was very friendly to some they appeared to know and a little disconnected from us and others who might not have been regulars. We actually ate there twice this week and it was the same both times. The food is worth trying it. Hope someone from there sees this and maybe makes a change because it could be a 5 star with this little change.

Amazing service and food and ambiance ! Cannot wait to try everything on the menu. so far what I've tried has been superb!

I come here often enough to know a bad experience. I usually have the same server every time I come here, but this time we had Debbie. Her attitude really wasn't great, especially for the day after Christmas. I've never felt uncomfortable with a server who just didn't even want to be here.

We've going to Penman Diner for a few years now! Some of the best food and prices gives great portions and excellent service. The brothers really care about their restaurant and families who come in.

Great food! love this place, it's so close by and convenient for my mornings . I like to order ahead and get it on the go , they're speedy and delicious.

We searched for a highly regarded place for breakfast and found this place. Glad we did. Server was pleasant and efficient. Food was expertly prepared and the person who did so resisted the temptation to make it greasy or oily. Prices were fair. PD is well deserving of it's excellent reputation. We'll be back.

My children and I have been trying to do more local. They originally wanted a chain place but I convinced them to go local. Boy we're we not disappointed. There was a wait, the place is small but very clean. By the time we sat down we pretty much knew what we wanted. One kiddo had the Belgian waffles, poached egg and bacon. The other ordered scrambled egg with cheese and tomato, bacon and potatoes. I was starving and ordered country fried steak, poached egg, potatoes and biscuit. I also placed a side order of biscuits and sausage gravy and corned beef hash. We typically share each other's food but surprisingly they ate their plate and most of the biscuits and gravy and corned beef hash. One of my kiddos is not a fan of the bacon. She says everyone always cooks it weird, whatever that means. But she is also a fan of poached eggs and it's seldom that she approves of them when we are out. I was pretty sure Penman Diner would get her egg correct and they sure did. Will definitely be back. Almost forgot to take the pics. We sampled everything before I remembered. Lol

This time I brought my husband. Happy to say that service and food quality has been consistent. We were welcomed quickly and our server was very attentive. Our food came out hot and fast and all was delicious. My husband ordered the Mediterranean platter. We were surprised to see this as an offering. The sujuk (Turkish sausage) was delicious. I went with a basic egg and cheese sandwich with grits. All was cooked well and very filling. Did a little people watching also. Love how they treat customers like family. Definitely a cozy neighborhood diner I'd come back to.

Excellent diner. Food is delicious and fresh. If you are a true southerner, these are homestyle grits- not instant. Great service and a nice, comfy atmosphere. It's a great place for breakfast or brunch.

My husband and I love this place. We have been on multiple occasions and had a few different things. I've had the biscuits and gravy which I love very good comfort food. I have had the chipped beef gravy but, it wasn't my favorite item on the menu. It wasn't bad but to me seemed very flavorless, I had to add quite a bit of black pepper. I have also tried the New York Reuben sandwich. WHICH I LOVED. Absolutely delicious I didn't leave a single crumb lol. Great food, it's a nice spot

Good food! Service was quick and with a smile. Would definitely go back when next in JAX!

Best breakfast place in jax !! Creamed chipped beef is amazing! The service is always great and food comes out quick.

Got a order to go from Penman Diner. I was craving a sandwich and got a bacon egg and cheese. WOW! this sandwich was amazing- the egg and bacon were perfectly cooked and the roll was light and fluffy. The potatoes were a great addition. I asked for them super well done and they delivered! Penman Diner, you are my new go to restaurant for breakfast sandwiches!

This place is a hidden gem. Food is great, portions are great you won't leave hungry. Daily specials, Menu has many options. Our server Christy is very kind and attentive, if your unsure ask her she knows. Service is top notch. Very relaxing place for breakfast or lunch. Definitely would be a returning customer.

Love.. Love ....Love this place. Best breakfast at the Beach. Ask for Deb or Noel for your waitress.

We use to go to A more popular local diner and were always put on a waiting list (Even when they we're not full capacity) very close to where we live The diner was a hit or miss places to eat but lately has been a lot of Misses So we started going back to Penman diner at full capacity their service food and overall atmosphere was 100% more better than the other diner at half capacity and unlike the other place the servers remember what we like every time as well as they never give us a hard time about any special request we have but instead they pleasantly accommodate us with grace and a smile making sure we always leave happy (and I don't even have to ask for refills on my coffee) oh and by the way when we get Our ticket to pay the cost is always a bit lower for the same thing we get at the other place The quality of food it's always exceptional even when they're swamped so from now on this is going be our breakfast spot I'm sending out a big thank you to everyone especially my server today Michelle We've come here several times and I've never given them a bad Review or negative comments so I hope they keep up the good work we love coming here that's why they are now officially Or regular breakfast spot.