I love the California omelet with grits and sunflower toast. Staff is very friendly. It is clean for being an older restaurant

Meh. Lots a food for decent prices. I had the meatloaf with red tangy sauce. However, the red sauce had a chipotle aftertaste which I did not care for. The mashed potatoes had a rosemary aftertaste which I did not care for. The macaroni and cheese could've use any cheese instead of just a cream sauce. I probably won't return because it's just not my style. read more

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Very nice restaurant with ample parking. Breakfasts are generous, with lots of choices, many unique. Terrific and friendly service.

What a fantastic place. Big menu- excellent specials too. They are doing a great job with covid protocols. Onion rings are fabulous. 4 year old got tomato soup and a grilled cheese and the soup was incredible. Almost as good as my own (sorry y'all mama can cook). 18m old got a pancake and it was huge and also delicious since we got to taste. Husband and I both had burgers which were good but I must say- the buns were not great. Choose literally any other bun for a burger. Mine was a bit dry and tasteless. My fries were great and the dipping sauces great too- I think it was chipotle dressing. So good. Good prices and very nice attentive staff. 4 year old got a kick out of having her duck drawing get put up on their wall of fame. All in all a great spot- close to the museum and a good spot to finish off our day! Deducting one star for the burger buns being not so good. read more

We had breakfast here. I had the Santa Fe bowl and my husband had the Huevos Rancheros. Both were so yummy! The waitstaff is super professional but friendly. We'll definitely be back. read more

Visited Saturday morning around 8:30. Very busy, people waiting outside. Only had to wait about 15 minutes. Food was good, service was great! Would return! read more

Can't believe I've been missing out on this diner for so long. Walking in you definitely get "home town" vibes that's definitely family friendly. During these Covid times they definitely seat you far from the other patrons so that's really nice. Food is a step above what you would get from maybe a Waffle House- so you'll definitely be full. Food was great, but my only complaint is that they said the huevos rancheros was spicy and there was no spice at all. But I still enjoyed it along with my pecan waffle! read more

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Service was great and the food was good!!!!!!!!!! I had an omelet and grits and the orange juice was sooo good. My hubby had the pumpkin apple bread and an omelet. Really Good! read more

Really long wait! We skipped out and went to jimmy's to not miss church but I was there on Sunday maybe another day of the week! Good service waiting etc. The host was relatable! read more

Great place for breakfast. I had the stuffed French toast. It was awesome. My wife had the shrimp and grits. It was equally as awesome. The young lady that was our server was spot on we didn't have to ask for anything and I never saw the bottom of my coffee cup. read more

Great comfort food. The service is always on spot. The staff are great, the menu is on time. The ambiance is relaxed and casual. You can come early morning, through lunch. I'm not sure if they are still open for dinner. But I do highly recommend if you are in Durham/9th Street, near Duke University. read more

I realize I'm in the minority, but after eating here about a half dozen times over the years, I can confidently say that I think the food is just gross. All my friends love it, but I don't get it. From French toast to grilled cheese, I haven't had a single item I've thought was good. read more

Decided to try out this spot with a friend, as we both have a thing for diners...they tend to have interesting menus choices. Elmo's is located in a nice spot and provides parking on the side of the building. The restaurant was pretty steady with customers as we came in on a Sunday evening after getting rained on at a downtown event. The waiter was average and provided ok service. We did ask for plastic utensils as the Standard silverware was housed in the smock of the waiter uncovered. I ordered the pancakes, eggs and bacon with an additional side of home fries. My friend ordered the spaghetti. To be honest I have certainly enjoyed better breakfast. The eggs to which I asked to be scrambled were a tad runny in the center, the bacon was cooked hard and the home fries were just not my cup of tea. The spaghetti looked amazing as it was so cheesy and my friend said it tasted as good as it looks! I wouldn't recommend the breakfast but it's a great family friendly diner and my friend certainly recommends the spaghetti! read more

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A decent no thrills diner experience. I recently went to Elmo's with friends for a brunch date. It's been a few years since I've been to Elmo's and what I always remembered about Elmo's was that it wasn't anything crazy or notable but everything was good. Much like a diner should be. Dependable. That's how Elmo's remains. I got the blue berry pancakes with eggs and a side of pork sausage. Every thing was very tasty and bonus points that they had pork sausage patties and not some weird duck/pork blend like Jaktar does. My wife got one of their sweet potato pancake specials and really liked it was well. Nothing blew me away, but everything was still very good. As many others have said, think of it as a better version of Waffle house or IHOP. The biggest surprise was just how good the coffee was. A solid experience and somewhere I'd easily return to. read more

Returned for my traditional Saturday morning breakfast. The shrimp and grits are a can't miss selection! read more

We ordered brunch takeout from here a few weeks ago, the salmon cakes (which you can actually chose a side for, contrary to the online menu!) and french toast with cinnamon apples. After placing the order over the phone and letting them know the color/make of our car, our food was ready in ~15 minutes. We were able to park in one of the designated spots for curbside takeout and barely waited before someone came out with our food. I was happy to see that the quality and quantity of their food hasn't changed during the pandemic. All their options are delicious and I like the variety of sides you can choose from! This is the kind of place where despite having some favorite dishes, I'll keep trying other things that tempt me (that I end up enjoying a lot!) on their menu. read more

We have eaten here many times (before covid & when they were open at nite) & all the food was great! Its one of our favorite places to eat. But it's far away from our house so we can only come during dinner hours. We see today that their new hours are only 7-3:30. Very very sad that they are no longer open for dinner. We were really looking forward to eating dinner there tonight but won't be happening. read more

Great little diner in the heart of city; great service and awesome food. You have to try their Spinach Enchilada Diner! read more

Elmo's Diner - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We found Elmo's by recommendation from both a mom and salesperson at Tiny's and we can't wait to go back. My mom, toddler and I went to Elmo's for lunch on a Thursday afternoon around noon. There was a small (5 minute) wait. Elmo's is a classic diner. It has booths and customers from all walks of life like college students, stay at home moms, and businessmen. They offer a fairly large southern menu. We ordered the pulled pork plate, chicken and dumplings with sides of french fries, brussels sprouts, and okra and tomatoes; my favorite was the chicken and dumplings and brussels sprouts. Our total was about $26 (pre tip) that included a kid's grilled cheese. read more

My daughter and I stopped here for lunch after a couple of college visits. Everything about the place was perfect. It is a quaint place with tons of souther hospitality. Our waitress was so helpful and nice, really kept the lemonade flowing. My daughter had the veggie burger with fries , and loved it. I had a custom omelette with a side of bacon and white toast. Everything was perfect. We also shared the chips and salsa. The homemade salsa was amazing and fresh. read more

I am absolutely amazed that this place can be packed but a table of two was able to sit in 15 minutes. Everything moves fast year, but you never feel rushed to finish your meal. I had a breakfast plate with eggs, grits, turkey sausage, gravy and a biscuit. read more

I took a group here at 1:30 the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We waited a few minutes but we had coffee while we waited. Warning - their sign says complimentary coffee but it then says they will add the cost to your bill. The wait staff and host were friendly and honest. When we asked about the grits the answer was "they are solid" and they absolutely were as described. I had shrimp quiche and salad & a friend did too and we loved it. Overall the coffee and food was delicious - a great place that's pretty inexpensive, laid-back and homey. We didn't feel rushed and had a great time. read more

Elmo's Diner - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Crowded place with good diner food. Sweet waitress. There was a wait but seated quickly.

So never heard of this place until this morning. I wanted breakfast and this was closest to the VA. So the place itself is nice place with good parking. Interior is nice nothing to write home about. Was greeted and sat at a booth table. Waitress was very prompt and was there to take my drink order. I ordered a sweet tea which was sweet but not overly sweet. Next gravy and biscuits with two scrambled eggs and two pieces of patty sausage side of grits. I also ordered a single pancake. So gravy the gravy was a bit thick and not really enough on the biscuits as I like. They did bring me a little more when I asked but not much more or they would have to charge me. Even with it being thick it was good. The grits on the other hand where terrible I don't even know how you can mess up grits but there wasn't enough butter or sugar on the table to make them taste good. Last but not least the pancake. It was delicious not to fluffy and not to thin it was just right. The four stars are only because of the grits. read more

Elmo's Diner - Breakfast Food - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great experience for breakfast, we are from out of town-Virginia, had great service, great meal, prices very reasonable, good coffee, all around great experience, Denise took good care of us read more

Usually pretty busy place, but waiters were super attentive and responsive. Cute place, much bigger on the inside than appears on the outside. Decent sandwiches. read more

These people could not have been nicer and more efficient. Quick wait on a Sunday am. The chilaquiles were really tasty and a lot. And,since I was visiting the South, had to get a biscuit. It arrived kinda charred... which is apparently how people like em (on the grill...) The waiter offered to take it back but I ended up liking it. I can see why this place is so popular. read more

Love this place for breakfast and lunch. The service is always great and fast but you may have a wait during peak breakfast or lunch hours. My favorite item the shrimp and grits and south western grits have been moved into the daily special rotation. If they are available when you come definitely get them. I also like their fluffy blueberry pancakes but you can't go wrong with the create your own omlets. One time for lunch they had a shrimp burger on their daily menu and it was amazing. The portion sizes are huge especially since with most breakfast items you get eggs, a side, and a bread side. The biscuits are pretty big but delicious. They also make really good quiche. read more

Elmo's Diner - South western grits with breakfast potatoes and a biscuit...oh and of course breakfast is incomplete without a mimosa! - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Exactly what you would expect of a diner: large servings of comfort food for decent prices, a mix of people eating with friends or families and regulars at the bar. It's a popular brunch place so there's usually a bit of a wait, but the turnover is relatively fast. The diner is much bigger inside than it looks from the outside, and the parking lot also could be described that way. read more

Elmo's Diner - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Excellent food and service. Place was very clean and the waitress was top notch. Will definitely be back for more.

I have been going to Elmos's for years. Great breakfast and fast service! Everything is fresh, not from a box, which is great. You must try the cranberry granola pancakes as they are out of this world! I also enjoy the omelettes and quiche. read more

If you're looking for a diner to serve your diner classics, look no further! Came here on a Sunday afternoon & waited about 25 minutes or so for a table. We expected the wait and honestly thought it would be longer. We ordered the cheeseburger, pumpkin pancakes, onion rings and biscuit and gravy. I thought the pumpkin pancakes and onion rings were delicious but the gravy on the biscuit tasted a bit under seasoned. The biscuit itself was airy and fluffy. I wouldn't order this dish again but there many options here. I'd definitely return and try something else! read more

The pulled pork and especially the shrimp sandwich are delicious. Great food will come again.

Meh, it's just ok. People talk about this place like it's one of the greatest restaurants in Durham. And I don't get it. There may literally be hundreds of better restaurants in Durham. Nothing I've had there has been bad but nothing has blown my skirt up, either. I would definitely not consider it a quintessential Durham experience. read more

Great price for delicious brunch! Tried very traditional pancake and omelet and both are surprise! The eggs are soft and have lots of choices of bacon and mushroom. Love the oatmeal top on the pancake. read more

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Food was great, Waitress was very attentive. Breakfast French Toast was excellent recommendation from waitress.

Our group of 6 came for dinner on a Friday evening, and we had a 15 minute wait. I ordered a custom omelette with a biscuit and potatoes, and it was incredibly filling for less than $10! The servers are all young and polite. They have a sufficiently sized gravel parking lot. I'm excited to come back and try more things on their extensive menu. read more

Elmo's Diner - Omelette (front), regular French Toast (back) - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great food for breakfast lunch or dinner This is probably my wife's favorite place The staff are always nice polite and can tell you anything about anything on the menu without having to ask someone else read more

Best all day breakfast Restaurant. You might have to wait for table for a few minutes because of their popularity. But they are so organized that you won't mind waiting because they are fast and efficient in cleaning the table. The service staff are superb, they know their regulars and even if you're just a new customer you will feel welcomed and like an old timers too. Food is great and pricing as well. Worth the visit as the restaurant itself has a nice interior that you'll be busy looking while waiting for your food. read more

This past weekend I had brunch with my family at Elmo's Diner for my birthday. They did not disappoint!!! I hear people at work talking about how great they are all the time so we had to try it out. I could not believe how diverse their menu was! We all ordered something completely different and everyone loved what they got. Their mimosas were absolutely to die for!! Probably one of the best mimosas I've ever had. My Dad ordered the Ruben sandwich which he loved which is saying a lot because he is hard to impress, especially when it comes to a Ruben. My Mom and I shared a traditional Mexican breakfast dish; chilaquiles. It was incredible!! It even had eggs and breakfast sausage!! My boyfriend had a bagel with dill cream cheese and salmon. It was served with kalamata olives and breakfast potatoes. He was in Heaven!! Someone had shrimp and grits and someone had an omelette. Service was excellent and the prices were reasonable. We plan to become regulars! read more

Elmo's Diner - They brought out my Mac & cheese with a candle in it for my birthday! Love it!!! That's my incredible mimosa in the background!! - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina