The Norfolk Diner

The Diner in Norfolk
4110 Colley Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23508

Phone: [phone]


by Archie R. Whitehill

Well, folks, I have eaten at The Diner in Norfolk four times now, one dinner and three breakfasts and I’m still hoping for improvement. The potential is so great, a neighborhood diner less than two blocks from my home, with breakfast served whenever they are open, and 24-hour service during the weekends.

My first experience was less than stellar. It was the diner’s opening night, so allowances may be made. The meatloaf I was looking forward to enjoying was overly salty, very much so. A complaint to the waitperson drew an apology, but no satisfaction. Next, a warm-up of my decaf coffee, cup still half filled with coffee, was accomplished with hot tea. As interesting as that sounds, it was not that tasty. At least the waitperson brought fresh decaf coffee for me. At least, I hope it was decaf. My dinner companions, Cleriece and Richard seemed to have fared better than I did, although Cleriece got the half coffee and half tea with me. Not on purpose, mind you.

Thinking breakfasts might be better, we tried on a Sunday morning. The food was good, eggs done as ordered, tasty sides, nice presentation. However, the waitperson had to be asked for each item, such as jam, cream for the coffee, butter, and so forth. On two other breakfasts, the same thing happened. Items that should have come automatically with the breakfasts did not. Even earlier this week when a business associate, Ron, and I had a breakfast business meeting, his pancakes did not come with either butter or syrup. My toast, buttered in the kitchen, came without jam.

Perhaps I’m being too hard on The Diner in Norfolk; the food has been better at breakfast, but the service needs work. On the positive side, the wait staff has been upbeat, friendly and cooperative in bringing items forgotten. They cheerfully rectify their errors of omission, and harbor no ill will for your reminders. I do wish they’d label coffee pots, decaf coffee pots and teapots clearly (tea/coffee mix up occurred again during one of the breakfasts I had).

I’ll not give up yet, and I will recommend you visit The Norfolk Diner for a most interesting selection of dinners, breakfasts and sandwiches. It is an ideal place for a breakfast other than the fast-food biscuits, an ideal place to have a quick lunch, and a nice change of pace for dinner. Just be ready to micro-manage your service.

Addendum:

Call me foolish, but I keep trying this place out; it is close, and what can you do to ruin breakfast. Well, the food is good, but the service is still wanting. If you want a decent meal at a fair price and don't mind waiting and micromanaging the server, by all means, try The Norfolk Diner. The do seem to have remedied the coffee/tea mix-ups.