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American Diner
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
415 E El Camino RealSunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 730-0287
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
99 reviews for American Diner
Review Highlights
"Breakfast is served all day."
(in 3 reviews)
"Great place to take kids."
(in 3 reviews)
"Everything went fast, and the food was good."
(in 9 reviews)
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99 reviews in English
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Review from Amy O.
2/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here
We like coming here for an easy dinner. He almost always orders the steak dinner. I like their california chicken sandwich. I have had a burger a few times too.We also like the salad as it comes with more than just lettuce...so you get croutons, onions, cucumber and tomato.
American Diner always has great service. They are super smiley and nice.
This isn't a gourmet place. It's an upscale Denny's, so expect that. The decor is screaming at you...think Americana having a baby with TGI Friday's.
We have only been here once for breakfast. It was pretty good. -
Review from Sue Ellen E.
Santa Clara, CA
Updated - 1/28/2012
Yay, American Diner's food is good again!
There just aren't many diner-type eateries around here, and that's what we wanted, so decided to try this one again. It had been three years and maybe they'd improved.
They have!
The service and food were wonderful. I ordered a lunch entree, and my partner had breakfast. It was odd that the fries were plain, when the menu specified seasoned fries, but I guess salt is seasoning. They were good so I didn't complain. I was very impressed with the freshness of the coffee, which was refilled several times. Overall, we were very happy with the freshness and presentation. It was just the right amount of food, no leftovers, no post-meal hunger.
The only nuisance was standing around at the register, waiting for someone, anyone, to come take our money. We could have quite easily walked out without paying. Dine-and-dash was never our style, but if it was, that would be very easy to do here. Wouldn't the management care about that? They must lose a lot of money that way.
We had to go wandering all over the restaurant to find someone, practically having to enter the kitchen just to flag someone down, even though a waiter kept going back and forth and clearly noticing us waiting. He would look over at us but then start wiping down tables; 'twas really ridiculous. It took longer to pay than to get our food!Listed in: My 'Hood, Be Treated Like Crap, Best Eats, Best Breakfast
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2009
I'd give only one star, except that we went there several times before the last two really bad… Read more »
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Review from Beth S.
Santa Clara, CA
1/11/2012
I really don't get why people hate on this place so much. I've been coming to American Diner for breakfast for years and I'll tell you what I love so much about it.
1) Their Bloody Mary's are excellent! They are one of the few breakfast joints in the area that even have Bloody Marys on the menu, and they make a good one. Get a spicy double and it's even better!
2) Their bacon is delish! Who doesn't love bacon? No one. Who is really picky about their bacon and the way it's cooked? Me. They have this killer, lean, relatively thinly sliced bacon that I order extra crispy. It's divine and melts in your mouth.
3) They have sugar-free syrup. So what, right? Well for people like me that want to save their calories for bacon (or for people that need to limit their sugar intake), sugar-free syrup is a requirement on pancakes, french toast and waffles. American Diner has the wherewithal to make it available, and I'm glad!
4) They have healthy choices! You can order egg white omelets, fruit, oatmeal (which is not made with fatty milk or cream) and they have sugar-free syrup (see above).
5) They have cinnamon roll French toast; a most decadent dish where they slice up their moist cinnamon rolls and make french toast with them. Yes, it's over the top good!
6) Their coffee has crack in it. Well, not really. But it's quite good, it keeps on coming, and I buzz when I leave.
7) They serve breakfast all day!!! So, so matter what your schedule or cravings demand, you can enjoy it any time of day at American Diner.
Give this little gem a try. It's my favorite place in town for a great breakfast! -
Review from Sabrina Z.
Long Beach, CA
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
From out of town and ended up here for breakfast. Great service, great food, great price!
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Review from Kimberly C.
San Ramon, CA
12/12/2011
3.5*
First time with the boyfriend. First note, pointed out by the bf, this is an older crowd that dines here based upon observations of the crowd walking out of the restaurant and patrons inside. Decor reminds me of a very patriotic Applebees which is not necessarily a bad thing. It is called "American Diner" after all. Service was prompt and straightforward, without the friendly, personable touch. This is a diner after all.
Food: decent price in comparison to Dennys. Tastes better thank goodness although I do enjoy those Denny's pancakes.. Their sausage is so good. Crisp outer casing, not your typical dark brown breakfast links. Bacon cooked to perfection, crisp just the way I like it. Biscuit wasn't my fave but decent. Hashbrowns and eggs cooked perfectly. Even their "skillet" potatoes were seasoned by the chef unlike ahem..Stacks or other chains which taste like the frozen Ore Ida potatoes.
From this, I hope others give it another chance. Service isn't rude albeit not the most friendly, but it is a comfortable breakfast spot I'd visit again just for their food. No it is not the best ever, but if you want standard breakfast, no frills, come here. Quicker, less busy option to breakfast chains.
What I learned: I'll follow where the seniors go! After decades of trial and error, they must have found their go-to restaurant. :P -
Review from Jennifer B.
Los Angeles, CA
8/20/2011
Unlike a lot of reviewers here, I found the American Diner to be pretty alright. I think what might set me and previous Yelpers apart is that love the good old U.S.A., and can only assume that those who gave it 1 or 2 stars probably hate this country and have no qualms exhibiting culinary treason.
Everything about this place screams America. Huge portions, unhappy people, cheap prices. I'm surprised a bald eagle didn't swoop down to serve my mediocre-quality food to me in its monstrous talons. I took my mom here for brunch, and she enjoyed her breakfast here, too, because she also loves America.
The food here is just a tiny bit better than Denny's, but also a little bit cheaper than Denny's (which I didn't think was possible). An okay alternative to the usual cheap eats for a hangover breakfast joint if you're on a budget.Listed in: Brunch is better than…
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Review from Heather violet B.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/11/2011
This place is close by me, so one time we decided to try this for breakfast. I tried to find a website or even a phone # for this place but it has no online presence. It's like a diner stuck back in time before computers. Hello?!! It's 2011!! ;)
I llike the decor of this place, lots to look at. The service was a little slow, considering it wasn't totally crowded. I ordered the spinach florentine skillet, and my fiance ordered the same thing. It came to our table looking delicious with big slices of avocado..gotta love it when a menu item delivers on avocado. I really hate it when I order something with avocado and you get like 1 tiny piece; I feel so robbed.
Anyways, the skillet was good, eggs scrambled with "campfire" potatoes, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers and melted montery jack cheese, and said avocado slices on top. (And a healthy dash of tabasco sauce, courtesy of moi) Besides their breakfast menu, I haven't tried anything else out and probably won't, as there are so many other good restaurants around, and I usually don't eat at diners for lunch and dinner. But it's a good breakfast spot. Portions are big. I've also had the breakfast quesadilla, which was good, it was huge though, too huge for me to finish. Prices are good.
After we paid for our meal I asked the hostess if they had a takeout menu, thinking next time I'll call in our order. They didn't even have that! No take out menu, no website...!!! They need to get on the ball with that, but their breakfasts are awesome so I'll be coming back for that. -
Review from A M.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/16/2012
The food was okay but the service was atrocious. The only time we saw our waitress was when she took our order. We saw her at other tables but not ours. I needed a refill on my drink and i had to get the busboy to get me a refill. We had to go to the cash register to get our check. This will be my last trip to American Diner
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Review from Ryan L.
The sign out front says "A Fun Place to Eat" but this is a lie. I was in the area and looking for a typical diner/family restaurant. I've driven by this place a few times and decided to stop. I got worried when I was the second car in the parking lot. I walked into to the front of the restaurant. It was decorated with Americana kitsch. There was a register on a empty glass cabinet. There appeared to be a large yet completely empty salad bar area. I wasn't sure if this place was even open. Soon a man came out and mumbled and gestured and I took a seat.
Breakfast is served all day. The menu is a typical family style restaurant menu. I decided to stick with the breakfast to be safe. I ordered a Country Scramble from the very unenthusiastic server. I looked around the place. American flags hung from every support beam. The rest of the place was covered in kitsch, reminiscent of an Applebee's but not nearly as well done.
My breakfast was served in a matter of minutes and was steaming hot. The breakfast was good. It wasn't the most amazing breakfast ever, but it was better than I thought it would be.
I paid and left quickly. I don't ever want to come back. Even though my meal was ok, I just felt sad. This place was full of sad employees who don't want to be there. It felt like it was one day away from foreclosure or closing and no one cared anymore. -
Review from Grant S.
Sunnyvale, CA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good, but a cheap version of Denny's. With higher prices
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Review from April B.
Sunnyvale, CA
11/12/2011
The service and food is always good. The breakfast is good for the price. Love the decor I always ask the server to run the train.
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Review from Sheila C.
Mountain View, CA
11/22/2011
I love this place. It has the best Chicken Fried Steak in town. I am recognized each time I arrive, and am treated cheerfully and I am allowed to sit where I want to sit. The service is very good, and my food is well prepared, hot food is hot and cold food is cold. The coffee is always very good. The corn bread is a very large portion, almost a meal in itself and I bring it home. I drive out of my way to eat at the American Diner.
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Review from David K.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/25/2011
I eat here once a month or so. Very solid breakfast food quality. Lunch and dinner is hit or miss on the food quality front. Service is always very prompt and friendly and the prices are downright low. The only thing that keeps me from coming more often is the coffee quality. It's in the "industrial" robusta category. Same as most diners, but there are a couple of other places in Sunnyvale that serve really good coffee that attract my business. Super friendly and patient with my 3 year old son. They even have a corner of the restaurant with toys and a foosball table. Big HD TV in one of the two dining rooms. Can handle big parties.
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Review from Kendra M.
South San Francisco, CA
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't know where to start with this place.
Sunday went in for breakfast. I was with my folks it seemed like things where going to be going into the right direction.
I have to say my favorite thing about this place has to be the decor and there is a lot to look at. I mean a lot to take in. Which is the best thing about this place. The other thing they do here is that you never have to ask them for more napkins they just have paper towels on the tables... which is kinda lame cause I could get that kind of service at home.... which is what you need here cause the wait staff is never around to help you out sometimes.
The place here is really quite like everyone that is in there eating is not talking to each other. The whole vibe about this place really does just seem to be off.... the whole thing is just really off. I can't put my finger on it.
The Dr. Pepper that we got didn't taste right and the water had a weird vibe. But i don't this is going to help any at all.
A high point about here is that they do have a full bar never been there for the bar but they do have one.
I think it will be another year or so before I go back here and give it a try. I do hope them the best here. -
Review from Steven L.
Sunnyvale, CA
11/11/2011
American Diner is all about service. What makes it stand out is that know what you want. By the third time we were there, they knew where we liked to sit, that we wanted cream with our coffee, etc. And they never let a cup go empty. You never sit around looking for someone to help you -- and you NEVER get the "oh, let me get your server" from them.
Is the food Michelin starred? No... but it's good value for the money theiy charge, and throw in the great service... and you just can't go wrong. -
Review from Rexster A.
Sebastopol, CA
8/17/2011
I had such high hopes. I loved the decor. You can never have too much red, white and blue. Even the train on the ceiling is cool.
I am a basic breakfast man. Don't need fancy, eggs and bacon or bisquits and gravy. They just couldn't pull it off.
The bisquits are real small and you can tell they have been microwaved and sometimes too long so they get hard. But the hot bisquit is over whelmed by the cold gravy.
Then the bacon is very wimpy bacon. For a diner you would hope they would be able to get a thick, crisp piece of bacon for a hearty appetite. Not the kind you find in a chain diner.
I will continue to search for a proper breakfast place. -
Review from eric c.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/14/2011
It's almost impossible to fathom that many of these reviews describe the food as good, or even as average. The food is terrible. The pancakes are tough and the eggs are dry and overcooked.
I hate to seem mean about it, but good pricing doesn't make up for the meals served here. Denny's has comparable prices, and the food is better, especially during off hours. -
Review from Jason K.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/4/2011
I have been twice, terrible service, worse food.
The pot roast almost looked white, it did not look smell, or taste like a pot roast should. I tried to give some to my dogs, but they would have none of it.
Both times I went there I was the only person in there, and could not get served for several minutes.
I asked for a beer, and by the time I got it, my to go order was ready. Beer was warm also.
Live and learn. -
Review from Maria G.
San Jose, CA
2/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
One star??!?! Service was horrible. It took forever for the waiter to get our order and also to bring out food to us! I was @ the point I wanted to get up and leave. Other customers were upset too that some people left.
Food was avg. had waffle, hashbrown and eggs. My drink was decaf coffee, when the waiter was rushing by going around refilling coffee in each table, he came to our table he started pouring the regular coffee into my decaf coffee, and said "coffee?" ! I didn't even get a chance to say it was decaf! When I told him it was decaf he apologize and said he would get me another decaf.... The waiter forgot!!!! I had to remind him cuz I was gonna choke on my food!
Customer service: Very poor!
Price: inexpensive
Food Quality: Average -
Review from David R.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/1/2011
I'm feeling patriotic.
With the massive collection of random items nailed every inch of wall & ceiling, it was hard not to.
Akin to other diner chains, American boasts low priced comfort foods and picture menus. Immense enjoyment was obtained by chowing into the engorged breakfast sausages, and the clientel kept decible levels high enough to talk with your mouth full without shame. -
Review from Samson W.
Milpitas, CA
6/20/2011
I finally tried this place this morning for late breakfast after recently hearing from a few other folks that this place has breakfast for $4.99. It used to be both a Lyon's and Sizzler, before the current management took over this place several years ago.
OK, now to the food. The food is very good. You can order any one of three combinations. I ordered cheese omelet, two strips of bacon, and two strips of sausage links.
When I got the bill, I was in for a complete and unexpected shock. Turns out that it was only $3.99, not $4.99 as what the menu stated. I said to the waiter "that it was cheaper than I thought." He reacted by smiling. Now, that's what is called great service with a great smile.
Having been here for the first time and having a wonderful experience, I will certainly patronize this business in the future. -
Review from Cherie S.
1/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the best VALUE for breakfast anywhere. (Good food, best value) From Monday to Friday all day long you can get a big breakfast for $3.49. I get the cheese omelet, bacon and English muffin. My husband likes the biscuits & gravy and the sausages. We both love the waffles. For a decent cheap breakfast, you can't beat it.
The $3.49 weekday breakfast includes THREE of any of these choices: 2 eggs any style (or egg beaters), cheese omelet, 2 bacon strips or 2 sausage links, country potatoes or hash browns, French toast, toast & jam, biscuits and gravy, 1/2 waffle, cottage cheese, fresh fruit, English muffin or 2 pancakes. For only $1.49 you can add an additional item.
The price for this breakfast is $4.99 on weekends, and it is well worth it. The coffee is drinkable and the service is attentive.
The décor is fitting for an American diner and is cluttered with sunflowers, American flags, and old signs. They'll run the miniature train if you ask them to. -
Review from Sandy T.
San Jose, CA
2/3/2011
This place has a lot of charm. It's not a super fancy restaurant, but the food is good, the decor is fun, and the servers genuinely enjoy being there.
Also, this place must be where seniors like to gather to gossip about hooligan kids, ha. I like that. One older waitress was talking with a group of seniors about her hibernating turtle and I just thought that was adorable.
When I'm an old lady, I want to bring my senior friends here and listen to stories about hibernating turtles as well. -
Review from Michelle C.
Philadelphia, PA
8/8/2010
Driving along El Camino Real at 2 PM on a Sunday. Starving. I don't know my way around here yet, and I have two friends in hunger delirium unable to make a decision to save their lives.
One points and shrieks, "A FUN PLACE TO EAT! Done."
Sharp U-turn. Terrible parking job.
I was so exhausted and hungover that I thought I was hallucinating when we walked in. The bright colors gave me migraine. Walls thickly plastered with weird kitschy americana decor, typos all over the menus.
Anxiety.
Why is the buffet empty?
Why are the tables empty?
Wait, am I in Jersey?
We had our fill of coffee and greasy, delicious diner food. And, after giving our smiley waiter a hefty tip, were on our way.
If you need some cheap mediocre comfort food in Sunnyvale, this is a pretty good bet. Also, they have mimosas. And after having AMERICA shoved down your throat fourteen hundred times on the way to your table, you'll probably need one. -
Review from Ruby G.
Palo Alto, CA
The experience was absolutely fabulous!
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Review from Susan D.
4/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Need a lil good ole fashioned American cooking in a joint that's decked out with good ole fashioned American gear? Then American Diner is your spot. They served up a tasty American breakfast with all the old-tyme American swag I could possibly want.
It would be a great place to take people who were visiting from another country, too.
See ya there. -
Review from Maralyn S.
San Mateo, CA
Updated - 5/30/2010
My bf loves this place and whilst my last visit was'nt the greatest, I def am more comfortable with this place......
after all their bfast menus are greatly priced and decent tasting....
adequate.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/3/2008
my order: chicken alfredo (way overcooked, dry chicken...soppy really)
his order: steak (a good… Read more »
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Review from Norma A.
4/28/2010 3 photos
Great service, the food was good, nothing to rave about. I will return for breakfast if I am really hungry. The beligum waffle was good but you know needed some fruit or something on the top other than just a scoop of butter. The camp fire potatoes are good, seasoned but not salty so those were okay.
For those who play the "out of state" punching game, great place to take someone for that they have lots of license plates on the walls lol -
Review from Omid T.
5/29/2008
America! F*** Yeah! Coming to save the motherf***ing day, yeah!
America! F*** Yeah! Freedom is the only way now!
I swear, the door at this place needs to play that when you enter. In fact, that anthem should be the restaurant's theme song, played over and over on the speakers in a loop, possibly interspersed with some Toby Keith every once in a while to keep it real.
Because, people, American Diner IS America. You don't come here for the food. You don't come here for the (admittedly great) service. You come here for AMERICA. (F*** yeah!) Love it or leave it.
If you don't love the Stars n' Stripes festooning every square inch of your dining establishment, LEAVE.
If you don't love a scale replica of the Statue of Liberty greeting you near the entrance, LEAVE.
If you don't love an eagle flying at your face like the intro of the Colbert Report when you open up the menu, LEAVE.
If you don't love big, huge, honkin', Texas-sized portions of mediocre, heart-attack inducing food served without any pretense of "presentation" or "taste," LEAVE.
If you don't love the arms of Liberty outstretched to all the world's poor, resulting in a group of friendly yet incomprehensibly non-English speaking waitstaff working hard for the almighty Dollar, LEAVE.
If you don't love the fact that the French dip sandwich has the offending "French" part omitted and is listed on the menu simply as "The Dip," LEAVE.
If you don't love all the kitschy Americana - from Route 66 signs to license plates to portraits of great American presidents to Razr scooters hanging from the ceiling, LEAVE.
This restaurant is ALL about America, baby. Low prices, lower quality, but high quantity. Because here at American Diner, as in America, nobody does it bigger or badder.
American Diner reminds me how proud I am that my credit's in the RED, my wife is WHITE, and my passport is BLUE.
And simultaneously why I'm going to LEAVE.
NOTE: There are themed walls of memorabilia here, like the heartland wall (all rustic and farm-y) and the Civil Rights wall (featuring MLK, Abe Lincoln, etc.). I almost deducted a star because they don't have a wall of memorabilia dedicated to America's Decisive Military Victories to honor our fighting men and women, but then I realized that there's nothing from before the 1950's here - no harm, no foul. -
Review from Flor D.
5/19/2008 4 photos
Stomach was grumbling on one fateful Sunday morning. In fact, it was mother's day 2008, and in case you are wondering why I was not with my mom, I was going to see her later that PM and bring her a gorgeous pineapple/apricot home made cake. Moreover, I wanted to shelter her from the zoo's I would encounter at all the various mother's day Sunday brunch restaurant fiasco's-glad I did.
Hobbes's was of course super busy
and
I did not want to head to Denny's...
Truly, this is my story and I am sticking to it.
You ever go garage sale'ing?
You ever seen those people that collect US memorabilia like license plates, old pictures of important US historical figures, ducks, statues of liberties, and other random stuff you may find in a museum?
American Diner caters to this kind of person. Campy all the way...and I give them props for realizing that THIS IS the only way they can differentiate themselves from Denny's. Everything else is the same.
I sat in the backroom and ordered the Cinnamon french toast. It wasn't bad, but I recall having something similar at Denny's. My pal ordered an egg scramble mess that was loaded with flavorless potatoes. As much as I like supporting the small guy, this joint did not fill the bill. Food is cheap, and it tasted cheap. Not a good combination. I should have stayed home. I want my calories back. Only saving grace was the service. It was nice.
On a side note: I enjoy seeing pics of sports people, however, someone tell them to update the stash located in the backroom. Michael Vic is still up and it made me feel a little queasy.
ALSO...THEY HAVE A FULL BAR! IF YOU WANT A CROWN AND COKE AT 8AM...YOU SHALL HAVE IT HERE! -
Review from Melanie A.
Santa Clara, CA
10/22/2007
I have always thought this would be a great place to go and eat right after you got your U.S. Citizenship! With all of the red, white, and blue and the American flags everywhere, it would be a great photo opportunity for new citizens.
I ate here for the very first time a few weeks ago, during a very early breakfast with coworkers. It is basically your average diner with good prices.
I liked that you are able to choose 3 breakfast items for $3.99. There are a lot of good options and you aren't stuck with eating breakfast meat, if breakfast meat isn't your thing.
I had pancakes, eggs, and hash browns for $3.99. The pancakes and eggs were very good, but the hash browns were kind of like a brick of fried potatoes. Even without finishing my hash browns, I was full into late afternoon.
The service was pretty good, but the bathroom had a gross musty smell.
I might go here again someday for breakfast and try something else. Perhaps on the 4th of July...Listed in: Because meat is gross
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Review from Jim G.
Sunnyvale, CA
8/6/2009 9 photos
One of the hardest things to do in the Silicon Valley is to get a good lunch at noontime without massive crowds and long lines. I have been to American Diner several times for lunch and have seen few other customers. Get right-in and get done quickly; no lines no delays.
So AD is decorated in a fun way with lots and lots of little things on the walls. One wall is dedicated to JFK while the next wall is all Corvettes. So it is interesting to visit AD and look around.
The service is OK, the food is OK, the prices OK. AD is best compared to Denny's. Frankly, I think Denny's is a slight notch above AD. The food at Denny's is better. But hey, for a quick lunch with low pain/effort, AD is fine.Listed in: JimG944's Favorite Eats
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Review from Mercy B.
Milpitas, CA
10/31/2007
It's been a long day at work and Halloween Night. I don't want to cook - I just want to give out candy to the kids and relax. After running some errands - I'm hungry, didn't have any lunch. Most dinner places at this time of day (around 4ish) aren't open yet - so, Japanese food (my favorite) as out!
We decide to go to the American Diner. Ok, so this isn't gourmet, but it's better than some of the other diners in the area.
I ordered the meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gray (definitely comfort food!) and the b/f had the pot roast sandwich. We were both pleased with the serving amounts (I couldn't finish mine) and the pot roast actually tasted like pot roast!!
Our waitress, Karen, was great and very attentive. The restaurant wasn't full (like I said, we were there early), but I can imagine that this is a great place for families with smaller children as there's an area where they can sit and draw and move around.
It was a good experience and we'll definitely return. -
Review from Amy Y.
Santa Clara, CA
6/30/2011
This place is a great little diner. The food is good and the prices are decent. This is a place where if I was retired and older, I would be a regular. And there are tons of regulars there. The place is decorated with tons of road signs and old business signs and tons of misc. things, which makes it kind of fun. I am vegetarian, so I'm happy there are lots of good options for me to choose from. Also, the service is always willing to make a non-vegetarian item into a veggie one for me. They serve burgers, salads, soups, pasta, breakfast, sandwiches and desserts. The cheesecake eggrolls are awesome!
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Review from Debra E.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/25/2007
I've only been to the American Diner for breakfast and only takeout. I'm happy with the fact that I can call in my order, gather my stuff together and by the time I arrive at the restaurant 10 minutes later, my order is ready or ready soon after I arrive. Being an early bird, I appreciate the 6 am opening time.
I started going to American Diner when they had the All American Breakfast Special of 3 items for $3.99. But I still get get 2 good sized pancakes, two sausage and 2 eggs or hash browns for less than $5 bucks. This meal usually has me full until mid afternoon.
I usually find most diner food too greasy and/or too salty. American Diner makes a basic breakfast just right. -
Review from Mario L.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/26/2011
This is a fun place to eat. Not the best food, but it's cheap, tasty, and a fun atmosphere. There's all sorts of crazy decorations and the staff is great. They serve breakfast all day, a big plus as far as I'm concerned, and the quality is orders of magnitude better than Denny's
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Review from Michaela S.
San Jose, CA
7/11/2006
How many times have I said "I wish the Creamery was closer to my house"? Well, this place isn't a Creamery replacement, but it's decent.
I had a hankering for the greasy, breaded non-pressed-n-formed chicken tenders you get in diners like this. They are on the menu as an appetizer but not as an entree, but I asked and they put one together for me. This meant they came with a wholly superfluous biscuit and a portion of overcooked carrots, broccoli and green beans, which I ignored. I think next time I'd just get the appetizer portion and steal fries from others. The chicken tenders are pretty much the exact same ones they used to have at Lyon's, which this restaurant used to be (2 restaurants ago). This is fine.
My boyfriend overestimated the potential burger density and ordered a double bacon cheeseburger, only to receive two ginormous patties of meat on a bun. No thin patty this! I tasted a corner of the (ample) remainder and it seems like the burger may be cooked over actual fire -- perhaps even over the Sizzler grill, which this restaurant used to be (1 restaurant ago).
Oreo shake: not bad. We split one -- each person gets a fountain glass' worth. I asked for a chocolate Oreo shake but they must've only heard the Oreo part, but that was OK.
One thing: the kitsch level of this place is out of control, which to me is actually kind of off-putting. The walls are plastered with those metal old-timey signs except they are all clearly brand-new, and American flags and tricycles and Razor scooters (the hell?) are nailed up everywhere. It's like Chili's plus five more truckloads of crap from the crap warehouse, which is pretty bad if you think about it.
We peeked at the salad bar on the way out -- the taco area was singularly unappetizing. Avoid that part.
Not a destination restaurant, but it's got those fried American foods you crave every once in awhile. -
Review from C W.
San Jose, CA
1/28/2008
I went here hoping for a decent breakfast in Sunnyvale. Oh well. Have no idea how folks can call their breakfasts "good". You'd think the Denny's taste would come with Denny's portions, but you get smaller portions of the same bad stuff for more money.
I have not seen characters like the ones in this restaurant since my last cross country trip. I felt like I had been transported to a town in the middle of America.
The lunch and dinners are better. Oddly enough, the portions for these meals are disgustingly large. I like the club sandwich and ice tea. The fish and chips are decent.Listed in: Sunnyvale and Mt View Eats
-
Review from Bryan T.
Mountain View, CA
9/3/2010
Diner was empty on a Friday evening (6:30pm) except for a family in the corner.
Restaurant was dank and smelly. What's up with the yard sale crappy "stuff" on the walls?
Why I was seated directly next to the kitchen when the whole place was empty is a mystery. The cooks and waiters bantered non-stop from kitchen, I heard them joking around with each other making fools of one another in Spanish; don't think they cared we understood them. Though the waiter was attentive, the food pretty much sucked. Food for my kids was at best so/so. The oil in the frier should be changed as the fries had an off flavor.
I give this palce a 6 mos. before it folds. A one star review for the waiter only. We wont be returning. Everyone else must feel the same, only one other sucker came in while we were there.
I hate giving one star reviews. Where's the manager? -
Review from M C.
Fremont, CA
8/6/2011
The American Diner is hilarious. Walking in, the first thing you see is a human-sized Statue of Liberty. The decor is fantastically kitschy. I get a big kick out of explaining all of the decor to my kids. Even better, they have a small kids' play area, including a foosball table, where my kids like to play while we wait for our food. The food itself is good, nothing really remarkable but flavorful and we have always been served quickly and efficiently. We've also found that the other people eating there are nice - it's like a small-town restaurant where people actually speak pleasantly to each other rather than talking on their cell phones the whole time. The American Diner is one restaurant that we like to visit regularly.
