Stopped here on our trip through upstate. The food was delicious. Service was a little slow, but honestly I think it might be because we were hungry. Blueberry pancakes 10/10 and the home fries were so delicious. Also the chicken parmesan sandwich was so good, not soggy at all! Would highly recommend swinging by if you are passing through. read more

Literally the biggest sandwich I've ever had. And damn good. Shouts to our waitress Ashley for holding it down! Get the turkey hero.

Diner food at its best and fast service, clean and friendly. Will be stopping there again when in the area.

Awesome little place! Clean, neat, friendly people, good food! Just what we needed on a break from a long highway driving day!

Stopped here during a road trip and was very happy! They did a good job of social distancing, the staff was very friendly, and the food was very tasty! We had the turkey club and an egg salad sandwich. Both were excellent. The fries were the delicious twice fried type, aka really really good! Recommended! read more

Stopped in for a late breakfast on our way to the Finger Lakes region. A small diner with ample parking. The staff was friendly, the food was very good, and patrons all observed distancing. read more

The Sportsmen's breakfast is delicious (eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, potatoes, blueberry pancakes). Service is friendly and the tab is reasonable. They cater events too and the food is delicious as well. We recommend the Circle E Diner. read more

Love this place! This is an American diner that's as good as it gets. My sister and I stop in for lunch whenever we're traveling from NYC to upstate. Anyone who eats here can tell that they care about the food they are preparing for their guests. They don't take their customers for granted. The staff is very friendly. The veggie wrap is delicious and made with a nice mix of fresh vegetables. The French fries are highly addicting, crispy, and cooked perfectly. The tuna sandwich is also very tasty. I highly recommend it. read more

Will suggest this place to anyone who's looking for great freshly made food and a friendly atmosphere. It's usually full of locals but that's because aside from the owners be well known in the area, it's just the best food in my opinion. You can order most anything from the menu and if you want to substitute anything, there's usually no issues. I love Saturday night Prime Rob dinner, every Saturday. Their pizza ONG are amazing (the only thing I'd like to mention about this though is the pizza maker at night is a bit better than they say time pizza maker. I find during the day my pizza is a bit more done than I like, but I also don't like it raw. So the owners son Dan is the night time pizza makers, and he's learned well from his AUTHENTICALLY REAL ITALIAN father. Their sauce BLOWS L.I.II out of the water. Flavors are great! I always ask for extra marinara if I get a pizza or knots (which also are amazing and they ALWAYS give you more than a dozen if that's what you order). On occasion they have wonderful home made cheesecake pies made by the owner daughter Britni, and they are TO DOE FOR!! I promise. If you're hungry, please visit the circle e! You most definitely will leave happy and full! Their breakfasts are really really good too. Especially the blueberry pancakes YUM! The diner might look like much from the outside but it's literally the SAME exact building from when I was a child growing up here. I love that it's the same. They made some small modifications when they bought it many moons ago. But fancy decor doesn't always make the food taste better! Everyone should know that! Lol The ONLY reason I took off a single star is because I wish their salads were made by hand. Well they make up your salad dish Ny hand but they use bagged greens I don't much care for bagged greens BUT when you're busy like they are and a lot of meals come with a salad I think ripping a head of lettuce apart every time would be a royal pain! Anyway, love love LIve this place. They treat me and my family with the utmost respect and my chills loves going here because they talk to her and show her how kind they really are! 1,000% RECOMMEND CIRCLE E!! read more

I dont give out 5 stars too frequently, heck none of us should. Cuz lets be honest, if everyone is a 5 star.....then NO ONE is a 5 star! I am sure my social-scientist liberal friends would have an opinion or two about that but we'll save those rants cocktail parties, shall we? The reason I am giving 5 stars to Circle E is for the coveted "X-Factor"! Now for those who dont know what I am talking about, the X-Factor is that special pinch of magic, that wonderful variable that kicks the whole equation over the top. Its the intangible element so crucial to a human experience whose impact ultimately results in a mass far greater than the sum of its parts. The X-Factor is what makes The Circle E anything but another diner in the Upper Delaware Region. The Circle E epitomizes authenticity, honesty, care, concern, consistency and hospitality. This is a place that would be just fine delivering burgers that didn't suck, and ice cream sundays. Heck there's like one other restaurant up there so its not like they are trying to differentiate themselves. These people deliver exquisite dishes, generous portions, rich deep flavors, entirely unique elements and composition for one reason alone....they love it and they just want you to leave happy! My fellow Yelpers, you and I both know that is all too rare a reality amongst eateries today. Do yourself a favor and dont order typical when you visit the Circle E, go for the chef's specials; Parmesan Breaded Encrusted Tilapia, Pork Dumplings, Artichoke Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tortellini and on and on and on. If you just want a tuna fish sandwich and fries you'll be fine but take full advantage of the depth, flavor, and spirit these folks so obviously throw into their work. I dont know how or why but this is one overwhelmingly typical diner delivering entirely atypical cuisine read more

Excellent food and service! I LOVED this place. My friends and I were headed home from a weekend in PA and needed to find a diner to get some breakfast and/or lunch. We ended up here by chance - it wasn't too far off the highway. WOW..am I glad that we found this place! Our waitress was a gem! I wish I knew her name so I could give her a shout out! But everyone there was friendly to my group of 5 NYC slickers LOL. The area has a nice small town feel to it, so we weren't sure how they would take to us loud NY'ers. They were awesome! My friends and I ordered like we had never eaten before...and EVERYTHING was awesome. Fried mushrooms ...A MUST!!! They were to die for. The fried cauliflower was also delicious..but if you eat mushrooms..they definitely beat out the cauliflower. Both were delicious. The bacon and sausage...YUMMMMMMM...the scrambled eggs were nice and fluffy. If I'm ever in the area again...I'm definitely stopping by!! read more

Find a reason to drive through or near Hancock and don't let anything keep you from this gem. A diner with a gourmet chef? Yeah. Amazing. Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives needs to feature this place, and soon, before some other TV personality takes credit for discovering this unique little restaurant near the top of the Delaware River. Inside the main menu chock full of standard diner fare you'll find the "chef's menu." From duck to steaks to a variety of fish, this is where it's at. We went with a 16 oz bone-in strip steak topped with crab hollandaise, and the pan seared cod with fried garlic and roasted tomatoes. The cod was cooked perfectly. To call out the steak for being cooked a hair beyond medium rare would be nit picking. For sides, our collard greens were smoky with a hint of citrus, our brussel sprouts were tossed with cream and bacon to produce a texture that was simultaneously silky and toothsome. As we ate, everyone around us raved over their choices. Noticing that we were a few bites away from devouring these huge meals, our wonderfully charismatic and attentive server asked if we'd like desert. We NEVER get desert when we eat out. But we had to try the chef's creation for the evening, baked-to-order chocolate madelines with a caramel chocolate dipping sauce. Piping hot, slightly crispy on the edges, these practically melted in our mouths. Living twenty minutes from NYC, we've been to our share of "upscale" restaurants. But this dessert, not to mention the whole experience would rival anything we've had in the city. Great service, great food, no pretensions. Food Network, what are you waiting for? read more

3.5 stars. Pizza was thin and crust was decent. Cheese could be improved. For up here 5 star pizza especially considering its a diner! This place is a tie for me with Villa Como pizza for best pizza within a 10 minute drive from the camp I work at in the summers. read more

Circle E Diner - Diners Near Me - Hancock, New York

See all

Love this place! I am up here at least 2x a month. I have sent so many people here that were traveling from LI to Binghamton. I love everything. My friend visited on my recommendation and she said "BEST BLT SHE EVER HAD!!!" Cant beat the prices - Check it out! read more

I was on a road trip in NY and decided to stop for lunch and a break. Ordered the Circle E burger with mushrooms, bacon, and cheese. Burger was absolutely delicious; one of the best I've had actually. I was surprisingly pleased. Loses one star because it definitely has that "small town" diner feel in that I felt like an outsider. The servers and cooks came out and were visiting with the tables and talking to each other but conversation with me was limited to the food. Don't get me wrong; I don't want to be chatted up during my whole lunch, but I felt very awkward while the place yelled across tables and laughed with each other and stared at me like "who's that chick?" read more

Great place. Food is freshand delicious. Staff are friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go back.

This was our second time coming here, as my first review boasted good food and service. I think I may have been a bit on the generous side-or things have changed here at Circle E- as it wasn't the best dining experience we've had. My husbands eggs had a curly hair in them, my muffin was missing, and as far as refills and other luxuries go, we had to fend for ourselves it seemed. But alas, we did eat and I didn't have to cook the food, so we are grateful to have a meal and another beautiful morning shared together. read more

Hidden on a back street, wedged up against a hill. Friendly service, and if you keep to the simplest parts of the menu, you will do all right. Had an excellent corned beef sandwich, made with Boar's Head meat (The best!). Avoid the industrial-looking pies and desserts, though. Great little town and people. read more

Hit the Circle E up on the way home from a road trip. Start with its not an easy off/easy on from the NY Quickway. Service was a little slow for a mostly empty diner at 230 in the afternoon on a Sunday. There was plenty of staff available not dealing with the few patrons seated. Onto the food. I did a bacon cheeseburger (diner staple right?) I got a greasy burger with barely melted cheese and two pieces of bacon. One was slightly undercooked and cold. The other was burned nearly beyond recognition. The other meal at the table was a turkey club with fries. I didn't try the club, but the review was positive. The fries were properly cooked. She got gravy with the fries - the bowl was a congealed tasteless brown blob with the consistency of chocolate pudding. Overall, I'd say hit the diner in Roscoe or Liberty instead. read more

We luckily happened upon this diner after a long drive and were delighted. We were seated and served immediately by a very sweet, young waitress. Our food (burgers, chicken clubs) arrived quickly and was delicious. Shortly after we arrived a very elderly man and his son were seated next to us and the waitress obviously knew the older man. Her kind attitude and respect towards him were just amazing. You often hear people treat the elderly as if they are simpletons or children, but she was not at all condescending. It was a pleasure to hear their interactions. Great food, outstanding staff, we highly recommend this spot. read more

Go to Micky D's for breakfast instead! Waited twenty minutes to be served and walked out. They apparently prefer locals!

First of all this place is adorable. The salad bar is no frills but everything is fresh and delicious including the homemade Mac salad. There's even a buffet that you can opt for and get unlimited salad bar, pizza, wings, and garlic knots. The dinners are all good. It's comfort food. The pie is out of this world. Try the upside down apple! read more

NOW HEAR THIS!!!! :) My name is Eric O'Shea and my Grandfather, the greatest man in the world, George Evanitsky, FIRST OPENED THIS DINER in 1964 after selling his other diner "Wimpy's" in Brooklyn...(he then moved into the house right next door to the Circle E) He used the freshest ingredients, made his own hamburger patties, peeled the potatos for REAL home fries with onions (not the shredded stuff), had top notch specials of T Bone steak, stuffed cabbage, the best macs and cheese on a Friday, and a baker names Ella who would make the desserts every morning.......milkshakes, stools that wrapped around the whole diner and booths with a jukebox that played the best hits of the summer....I was born in 1970 and these were the best days of my life....he taught me to work hard, shave, drive, and was a true role model...."Gramps" opened at 4am for the truckers and had coffee ready after turning on the grill.....every day...without fail....no internet, no cell phones, no pizza, no hot dogs, or "easy" food like you see today....only the best...he was the best...and is missed everyday...we love you, Gramps! George Evanitsky (1919-1996) Eric O'Shea...comedian of 23 years...www.ericoshea.com...:-) (PS...I wish the new owners the best) read more

My wife and I had a take-out of Shrimp Alfredo last night and I will say it was easily the best Alfredo we have ever had. The penne was perfectly done. Not too al dente nor over cooked. The sauce was delicious! Not so thick with butter and cream that you were quickly filled. There were nine huge succulent and tender shrimp. We travel often and have eaten in many fine restaurants and we both agreed this was the best Shrimp Alfredo we had ever experienced. Kudos to the Circle E. read more

The breakfast food was awesome! I especially loved the meats (the bacon and the sausage) were fantastic! I also had blueberry pancakes which were so full of blueberries I think they used an entire pint in my pancake stack. The waitstaff were friendly and professional. Thanks Circle E for an excellent meal! read more

Food is probably the best in Hancock. Service is always friendly. Maybe a tad bit on the slow side. But overall your best bet for quality food with wide variety selection. read more

Fantastic meal with my fellow workers here. Staff was very pleasant and the food was truly great! I would 10/10 recommend this gem.

The "E" stands for "Excellence." My 7 co-workers and I were in Deleware County on a buissness trip when we were faced with a dilemma. Our rations were depleted and starvation was setting in. The closest place was this establishment (The Circle E Diner). We ventured to this place desperate and were estatic with what we recived. The food was succulant and plentyful. The service was quick. The atmosphere was warm and quaint. Parking is also very limited which means the place is exclusive. Will return if we ever come back to Deleware County. read more

See my review of Bluestone Grill, and you'll understand why we appreciated Circle E so much. After a lousy experience at Bluestone, we drove past Circle E and saw lots of happy people parking, entering and eating. We were delighted by the staff, and truly appreciated a menu filled with diner fare along with a list of organic, local vegetarian dishes including Baked quinoa with roasted vegetables. The meal was great and what was lacking in ambiance was well made for in friendly and attentive service. This neighborhood joint was filled with friends of the owners along with people in town to visit their kids at camp. Skip the snooty, over-priced Bluestone Grill and have a great meal at Circle E! read more

Was not impressed the circle E has gone downhill since I was a kid!!!!! Got to love the dirty looks that we got as soon as we walked in and all of the staff talking crap in the back like nobody can hear you!!!!! WE CAN! MORE DRAMA THEN GOOD SERVICE!!!!!!!!! GROW UP A LITTLE read more

There was so much hype surrounding Circle E when I went to French Woods a few years back--possibly because we were all so incredibly sick of the same old boring camp food that it was a breath of fresh air to leave camp in hopes of better food granted it were from a roadside diner. My bunk was unfortunately not one of those who won any of the clean-up contests so we never were rewarded with a meal at Circle E; however, en route back home from camp, my family and I stopped here (as did a few other camp families, but not together), and from what I remember, it was pretty decent, but nothing special. Whatever, there's really not much to Hancock except French Woods anyway. read more

We have been going here for over 25 years. We usually go for a great breakfast but never a problem with anything else. If you like old fashioned diners, this is the place for you. Burgers and fries are always a good choice. They are also known for pizza all day long, but mostly take out. Service is always quick and accurate. Quick on/off route 17 if you are just passing through. read more

Called for pizza got put on hold and forgotten about so my husband drove to town and ordered. When he picked up the food part of the order was forgotten. He was told part of the order would be comp due to mix up but was charged full price and the celery that comes with the wings was dirty. This is not the first time our order was incomplete when we picked it up but after giving them many chances we will now be ordering pizza somewhere else. read more

So have been working up in Hancock for the past few summers (and back up again this year)..and had heard about Circle E when I first arrived. I went and had some lunch there the week I arrived..and it was a nice diner lunch..nothing extroadinary,,but good..clean..and the wait staff was very friendly. But as I got to chatting with the waitress...she told me that I should come back for dinners,and sample Chef Trevors food, and special menu. So I came back a few weeks later, on an evening off...and I was totally BLOWN AWAY. The food was superb...the choice of entrees...amazing...and as someone who comes from metro NYC, and is surrounded by fine food choices....I couldn't believe I was eating this in Hancock. Have been going for the past few years...usually 3-4 times a summer...and am so excited to be heading back up, in just a few weeks. Kudos to Chef Trevor !!!! read more

Within a mile of the highway. Fast, friendly service. We got egg salad BLT and chicken salad BLT sandwiches. They were double-deckers! Fresh, tasty ingredients. French fries were golden fried and crispy. Not at all oily. Very nicely done. Would return any time. read more

Just an average diner, nothing too great, but meets the needs when traveling etc.

My favorite "go to" place for a consistently good meal. The quintessential diner with an Italian twist. I highly recommend the pizza (My godfather was a pizza man... I KNOW PIZZA!) and anything with Ray's homemade sauce. Delicioso! read more

Stopped at this place after a long drive. Took a while to get seated. Good coffee but how do you screw up a waffle? Serve it soggy.

I keep giving this place a chance. Its hit or miss with the food quality and service and yes they do make you feel like an outsider. I usually leave dissapointed ....there aren't many places to eat in Hancock NY so when enough time goes by to forget my awful experience from a previous visit ....I go back only to wonder why I did. Lol. read more

If it were possible to give this "diner" 0 stars I would. I didn't expect much but still somehow they underdelivered. Food took 45 minutes for diner food. The bacon on my BLT was borderline raw and only on 1/2 the sandwich. The server was rude when we first arrived. My GFs omelette and homefries was borderline inedible like my BLT. read more