The Tacony neighborhood in East Philadelphia may never achieve toney status like East Passyunk or Northern Liberties, nor become gentrified like Fishtown or Callowhill, but being 8 miles from Center City also has benefits no longer shared with those better known enclaves. Up here, it is still possible to buy a townhouse for south of $100 grand, and catch the train to Suburban Station from Torresdale Septa stop. You can live among folks who have roots that go back generations, and fit in as a newbie welcomed to the hood. It is possible to find your pioneer spirit in the 21st. And, when you explore a little, you can find places like Athenian Diner on Torresdale Avenue that has been slinging excellent hash & eggs for over 50 years at the same row house location. Walking in and taking a counter stool immediately alerts you that some things just never change. The breakfast dishes are excellent. The waitresses have been there since at least the turn of the century, and they make you feel right at home with their first smile and easy urban offhand manner. Yes. You can eat the atmosphere; it is that timeless. I sat at the end of the counter across from the Bunn-O-Matic. My white mug of joe arrived quickly, and my request for milk over creamer was met with a short glass of moo juice just for me. Greek diner required a Greek breakfast, and the Greek Omelet seemed the only way to go. Tomato, onion, green pepper, & feta mixed with two eggs and a side of home fries, presented as beautifully to the eye as it was to the tastebuds. Rye toast with a touch of butter completed the ensemble. It was delicious. I love that salty tartness of feta blended with the more subtle savoriness of the onion/tomato mix. Even the potatoes fit in nicely, although I did leave some of them behind to save on calories. Didn't need nor miss that third egg, at all. I parked on a side street to avoid the meters, and to build a walk into the experience. It was obvious that despite some economic development on this main street, that Tacony still had a long way to go before it became an upscale desirable address. In many ways, that truth made it all the more attractive. read more

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Athenians is one of my favorite diners in the city. I have been coming here since I was a little kid. It is located in historical Tacony on Torresdale Ave. I love coming here for the nostalgia but most of all for the food. The breakfeasts are absolutely incredible. Serving classic diner breakfasts such as cream chipped beef, omelettes and much more. The lunch and dinner are just as good. Every Sunday they have Cream of chicken rice soup and it is the best I have ever had. There is plenty of street parking available. The staff is well trained and specific to your needs. They are very friendly and professional. Every time I come here I have a a terrific meal. I've been coming here for forty years and it has been consistent, now that is a nice streak. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a nice classic meal. read more

I got the Athenian Turkey Club Wrap for takeout, which came with fries and cole slaw. I thought the coating or breading of the fries tasted a little funny. It was a little sweet, like the dough on funnel cake or the breading on fried Chinese chicken like sesame chicken or General Tso's chicken. It was fine, typical diner food, I would go back. read more

The gourmet breakfast menu is to die for! The Mediterranean breakfast is my favorite so far but I am trying to try every breakfast on the gourmet list. I haven't seen another breakfast menu that sounds and is so delicious we are always beyond satisfied with the food and the service! Our baby actually waved for the first time to a passing server, that was not ours, who had stopped to wave and say hello to him it's so quaint and homey. My fiancé and his family have been coming here for years and I am new to the tradition. I CANNOT recommend this establishment enough read more

I went in this morning to check the place out. I drive by them all the time but never have a chance to go in. I am glad I stopped. It is a cute little diner nestled on torresdale ave. The atmosphere is dated but not in a bad way. I was told to seat myself and was promptly brought a menu. The server was such a delite. Very funny and friendly. I ordered the breakfast special. Only 3.85! And if included coffee. I was worried at that price the food would be subpar. But no it was delicious! And the order was done to perfection. I like my eggs done more than usual so I was sure it would be done wrong. But no. Perfect. I noticed that I was amongst a family of regulars. Everyone was on a first name basis and it was nice. I stayed longer than expected just because I was enjoying every moment of it. They do full dinner and lunch service as well. I am eager to try everything. read more

Athenian Restaurant - Diners Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Not in the best neighborhood. Park on the back streets saves from throwing coins in the meter. Stopped in the other day for breakfast. It's not the biggest place but still plenty of room and nice size tables. When I arrived I was welcomed by the owner who set me at a table. Then was greeted by a waitress. Who served me with a hot mug of coffee. Good menu with many breakfast options to choose from. I got the breakfast special. Comes with 2 eggs, home fries, toast and coffee. Not to bad you're normal breakfast. For under $5 Seems that many of you're everyday people when you walk in. Everyone knowing each other's name and hanging out. I would come back again for breakfast if I'm in the area. read more

It's just your average diner. Nothing to write home about..I went there once, and once was enough.

I ordered a bacon omelette with a side of scrapple and for the price I've paid I must admit i am pretty disappointed in the portion sizes of my food. The quality of the food just looks horrible. Have your cooks take pride in making their food this is unacceptable I wish I could honestly give you zero stars read more

Athenian Restaurant - Bacon omelette - Diners Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Delicious food for a small price. Good service and nice people. I always feel welcome here. Breakfast here is the best. My favorite is the feta and spinach omelette. read more

Stopped by for lunch after visiting the nearby library- it's a very pleasant place where the diners all know and say hi to one another with great coffee, however the food was mediocre. I had a bacon egg and cheese sandwich that had a thin sheet of egg with a smoky aftertaste, which made me question how the egg was scrambled and if it was a real egg and not from powder. My bf got the roast beef special of which he could barely eat half. Bless his heart, he accepted our waitress's offer to pack the rest up to go, politely left with the container, and promptly tossed it in the trash can across the street. read more

Haven't been here in 15+ years. Originally discovered this place when I went to the chiropractor down the avenue. Went after the lunch rush and originally wanted to get breakfast. Saw the $7.50 specials and focused on the chicken coquettes, eggplant parmesan and homemade fish cake. Great deal. Substantial fresh salad or cup of soup, main course and one side plus coffee. My bleu cheese dressing was 50 cents extra. Got 2 wonderful croquettes, moist, filled with real white and dark meat, celery, carrots and potatoes with good gravy and a dab of mashed potatoes to hold them on the dish. Coffee good and strong. I had deep fried potatoes as my side. Ice cream additional. Service excellent. Very clean. I'll be back with Senior Management to see if it meets her high standards. read more

Athenian Restaurant - Chicken coquettes and deep fried potatoes. - Diners Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Had a wonderful experience here! The waitress Denise was one of the sweetest, best waitresses I have ever had in my life! My 96 year old grandma was having a rough day. She helped cheer my gram up. Went above and beyond!!!! read more

Athenian is a friendly Greek-American diner on Torresdale Avenue. I recently had lunch with a friend here. We both ordered a large bowl of split pea soup and side salad. The split pea soup was unexpectedly flavorful. Although the soup was blended, it was easy to distinguish the tastes of hearty split peas and smoked ham. The side salad was nothing special, but considering that the meal turned out to be less than $6/person, there's no sense in complaining. Come here if you're in the neighborhood and want a quick, cheap, and satisfying meal! read more

One of our local regular breakfast places. Mayfair's best kept secret. This little shop front diner has the best "cheap eats" around. We have been coming here for years. Breakfast special $4.35 includes coffee/tea 2 eggs breakfast meat, toast and home fries. The ladies here are like family and always remember your order. Nothing fancy, nothing spectacular but if you want a good home style breakfast served with a smile the Athenian will surly satisfy. read more

Ok, I feel so confused lol. I got breakfast from here for me and my kids. The food at this diner literally taste like nothing which is strange because eggs, potatoes, and bacon all have their own taste but at this diner the food really have no taste. I was dumbfounded as I kept trying to find the tastes in my eggs... like where's the egg flavor? Imaging putting food in your mouth but you can't taste it you can only feel it , even the peppers and ONIONS had no taste sooo weird like how does your cook manage to erase natural flavors from eggs, potatoes, bacon, pepper and onions? It has to be magic! Their pictures are very deceiving. Get a new cook please. I'm not going to lie I was scared like why I can't taste nothing, I went to the and brought some chocolate and other junk to make sure my taste wasn't gone read more

I come here occasionally for breakfast and it's always been consistently good, just what you'd expect from an old-fashioned diner - affordable and satisfying. Waitresses are down to earth and attentive. Neighborhood has seen better days. read more

I went here for the 2nd time, and it was just as nice as the last time. The breakfast special comes with lots of goodies and is under $5. Can't beat it! The waitresses are very friendly and nice to chat with. The atmosphere is great-- a very classic diner feel. The Northeast has been losing gems like this over recent years, so it's very cool this place remains. I will definitely be going back. read more

Not a bad spot. Typical diner food. It's a small place with a small menu and short hours. The food was on par with other diners in the area. Cash only but the have an atm in the restaurant. No parking lot, street parking with meters. read more

If I could give this place no stars, I would. Went for breakfast, service was awful; waitress ignored us, ate her food instead of bringing us our food and when we finally got it a half hour later, not only was it cold, but we were charged for food items we did not receive. She got an attitude once we asked to correct the bill. Our coffee was cold, the orange juice watered down. Better service at McD's! Avoid this place. read more

This is a diner in the truest sense of the word. It's cheap, fast, and good. They have a "hungry man breakfast special" that will pretty much cover half of the table with food for around $8. read more

I love the Athenian, reminds me of a shore diner even though it's in the hood. I only eat breakfast there, but there breakfast is bangin and the price is dirt cheap. I've noticed I get the best service from the older waitresses, probably been there forever. A few times I've had a younger waitress and they sucked. Coffees not so great, but I'm giving Athenian 5 stars for the homey atmosphere, overall good service, and DELICIOUS breakfast!!! There pancakes, French toast, scrapple, porkroll, eggs, home fries well done with onions are da bomb!!! Love this place read more

Had Breakfast/Lunch with my brother here. This place is just fine, nothing special. The place was clean and had a classic diner atmosphere to it. The service was fast and friendly and the food was reasonably priced. The selection on the menu is basic diner fare with a few exceptions not worth mentioning. The food taste and quality is what you would expect with a place like this. It was tasty and the portions were good but it won't knock your socks off. All and all a solid place to sit and eat in the area. read more

This place is like Cheers, everyone seemed to know each other and was very friendly. Being from California the prices seemed really low for the amount of food I was given. Best cabbage soup I ever had by the way. read more

Foods great as for service it depends who you get as a waitress. Most are good. But every now and then there are people who just give you your food and then don't even bother asking if you want anything else like another cup of coffee. So far there is one waitress that does that but the other ones are good. read more

Here's a local restaurant that has been on Torresdale Ave as long as I can remember. A good variety of courses are offered. The place is clean, and the food is good. I eat here often. Good for coffee, breakfast lunch or dinner. read more

Decent breakfast and nice waitstaff! Old-school diner vibe, love it!

I love this restaurant! Great service and not expensive at all. This place has been here for a long time. You have to try it!

Friendly staff. Relaxing and great food at a great price!! Highly recommend the soup!!

Great Diner that was amazing soups. I'm a big fan of cream of broccoli and cream of chicken. Perfect for a cold day. Prices are extremely reasonable and service is fast and friendly. Greek specialties are very good. read more

I've been going to this diner, since the 80's. Even when, it was across the street! You cannot, get any better food, for the price, in Philadelphia. The best breakfasts, with the most pleasant wait staff! read more

Absolutely the worst corned beef special ever! You need a heartier, thicker rye bread like a good jewish rye. Also, drain the liquid off the coleslaw before you put it on the sandwich and the rye bread you use is too soft. When I tried to pick up the sandwich to eat it, the bottom was so soggy from the coleslaw liquid, too much russian dressing and the too soft rye bread, the sandwich literally fell apart in my hands. What a soggy mess! I ended up having to cut it up and eat it with a fork. And most of all, buy a better quality corned beef. Horrible! read more

Food good for the price. When not busy, waitresses are friendly and talkative. The variety of food is what I like. From wild Cornbeef Special Sandwich to a filling and healthy Greek salad. Side orders are good if you are looking to do something different for lunch. read more

I have been eating at the Athenian Resturant for over 20 years. In the last 15 years I have started going in more often. The Staff is friendly, food is good, prices are great. As with anyplace or anything, once in a great while you may come across something you don't care for. That is usually about one in 300. John and I usually go every Friday night, Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Other nights in between we go for dinner. If I am off from work we will stop in for lunch. Prices are great, place is clean and it save from having to make dinner. For the meal you get, it is cheaper than cooking at home. Customers are friendly and everyone know everyone. If you want a nice dining experence stopby here and I am sure you will be back. Enjoy read more