Really enjoyed breakfast! Eggs Benedict was great, I definitely recommend. My boyfriend loved his omelette, and we both left stuffed! We sat at the counter, it was decorated so nicely for Christmas. Service was quick & attentive. read more

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Basic diner food. We had the cheeseburger, cheese fries w gravy and crepes. Nothing was exceptional, but nothing was bad either. If you're in the area or just coming from that cool farm down the road and need to fill the belly, it will do the trick. read more

We enjoy this breakfast place. Our server was friendly and he was fast and helpful. We had the hungry man 2x2. The bacon was crispy, over-easy eggs were cooked perfectly and their french toast is huge, not dry and flavorful. read more

Marilyn's Cafe - inside - Diners Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

Although the food and service was awesome I cannot justify coming back here. First - charging people for bottled water is just bad business and not to mention bad for the environment. (I also thought this was illegal? Guess not.) I mean really- You can't give tap water to your customers that are already paying about 4x what they should be paying at a breakfast cafe? I racked my brain and I can't think of a single restaurant that doesn't give their customers free water. Please consider changing this. Aside from that, the prices are just so outrageous for a breakfast and lunch cafe - $18 for a breakfast burrito, eggs Benedict, and other basic breakfast items that should really be no more than $10 or $12. I understand inflation has been hard on everyone, especially restaurants, but $18 is about the price I would expect to pay at an upscale restaurant for a brunch item. Not a breakfast burrito with a side of potatoes. I would really love to come back here since the food was so great but I can't support a restaurant that rips off and nickels and dimes their customers. read more

Great little hidden gem in Chester. Fairly priced for a great hearty breakfast. Worth the trip.

Is small family owned buisness. Marilyn's Cafe had good American cooking. The owner of cafe was very friendly. However they only take cash.

I saw the bad reviews about overpriced water so I was hoping that they saw that and changed their ways... but no. 4.50 for a water and that's the only option available. No tap water given. Crazy!!! The food was fine but way over priced. read more

First time here and was worth the trip. Very nostalgic vibe and booths were comfortable. Service was spot on and the food didn't disappoint. Huge servings and enjoyed trying what I ordered. One note, the bacon was cooked well but a little chewy so it wasn't a perfect bite but still tasted great. Will come back for sure. read more

Marilyn's Cafe - Chicken fried steak smothered in sausage gravy, eggs Sunny side up, multi veg omelette, French toast, bacon - Diners Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

Great atmosphere. Delicious coffee. Service on point. But, you'll have to suffer the Trump memorabilia. The rest is lovely.

"WOW" Where do I begin. Now I must say I am not one to take time out to Yelp or utilize any rating system as I know it can be at times utilized in a unfair manor of practice regarding businesses and customer experiences. I am a strong believer that it's all about relationship building. Meaning there can always be a level of satisfaction and dissatisfaction but either end of the scale should be communicated as a courtesy to the service provider. Especially prior to getting keyboard happy and writing bad reviews before a service provider has an Opportunity to even know if there was an issue or fair chance to correct it. As a business owner I truly understand this. Now that being said, this review is much deserved. It was our first time at Marilyns. Ironically I brought my family because my wife's name is Marilyn. I always call her my Marilyn Monroe. From the minute we were greeted by ownership we were impressed with the warm invite. As we approached the table to be seated we were amazed at the warm inviting environment, the feeling of hospitality, a very at home family feeling, and extreme shock at the unexpected theme. Yes you guessed it Marilyn Monroe everywhere! Now I cannot put into words for us how epic that was. As you may expect with regard to what I have shared, you must imagine we also have pictures of Marilyn Monroe. The home cooking is far beyond expectation and surpassed what most try to achieve and don't come close. Everything was fresh, hot, well presented, and cooked to perfection. We ate a breakfast that was delicious. The eggs, French toast, pancakes, bacon, home fries, even the coffee in the big mugs that felt like your home. Was just damn amazing. Even the bathrooms are warm, cozy, clean, and well stocked. Bottom line everyone there needs to be commended. As it is clear a lot of thought and pride has gone into the whole experience. There is so much more positive that I can say and assessed being there. But then I would be bordering on writing a book. As we truly enjoyed the whole experience and genuine nature of ownership. They truly take the time to get to know there customers and treat them as family. That absolutely was clearly noticed and present. Summary; This place is just darn Awesome! From start to finish. Ownership took four walls and gave it a personality and a heart and not just four walls. It's all about the people and individuals that make up an establishment. Job well done. Thank you for that experience. read more

Just had breakfast here and even though the town lost power this morning they had generators and were bustling with patrons. Service was fast and the food was delicious. Home fries were yummy and not bland. Owners and waitresses were all very nice. Would love to come back again sometime! read more

Marilyn's Cafe - Yummy crumb cake staring us down - Diners Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

This cafe is a quaint throwback to a time past. The decor is complete Americana with with photos of Marilynn Monroe, James Dean and other iconic entertainers. Harley Davidson artifacts and American football are prominent. News articles of local community members as well as the owner herself are interspersed. The staff who serve patrons are pleasant, attentive and quick. Being a person of habit, i order the same meal each visit. It is always prepared to my liking. Marilynns is one of those "must stop" eateries to place on anyone list for old school breakfast. Yes, be sure to order their Scrapple! Marilynns earns a high rating at 5 of 5. read more

Now this is what I call a diamond in the rough. Marilyn's is a fantastic café tucked away in the Chester Mall that I had never knew was there, especially with the number of years I have been driving through Chester. This place has been packed every time we've gone, never a long wait and always greeted with a smile by everyone who is working there, especially by Marilyn and her husband (I think he is, at least). As soon as you step into the restaurant you are transformed out of the mall to an old school diner. The food is fantastic and they put a great twist on a lot of your typical diner fare, which makes this place a lot more appealing than the local diner down the street. You absolutely can't go wrong with breakfast and they will make anything you want (especially if you want to mix and match menu items...or even double up on the 'Hungry Man'). I have done a few breakfast and lunch tours here and have been more than impressed and can say I have almost been defeated by the overly generous portions. Thumbs up to Marilyn's...if you're looking for a quick bite to eat and good...make that a great meal (especially breakfast!!!), drive right by the Chester Diner and pull in here. You will not be disappointed. read more

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The food is great. The portions are very large with prices to match. The two of us got pancakes with eggs; and an omelette. Everything was awesome, but we could barely finish it. So, go and enjoy, but be prepared. (Also, right now they're not doing tap water.) read more

Marilyn's is always my go to place for breakfast in Chester. They serve really good home style diner food. The atmosphere is cute/homey with a bunch of Marilyn Monroe pictures all over. This is definitely the place to come to for breakfast/brunch they should take over the Chester diners location lol. read more

Marilyn's Cafe - Diners Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

Long time establishment that had a great following. Now you sit down and there is sign allowing only 20 mins. To eat. It lost that friendly home feeling read more

The staff was very pleasant and we were seated right away on a busy Sunday. Food also came out promptly, which was positive. However, prices for breakfast were far too high for the quality of the meal. The food was not "bad", but my soggy breakfast burrito certainly wasn't worth $16. Other local breakfast spots serve better quality for half the price. Normally I order a nice meat side or two, but even a side of bacon was $10. For these prices, I'd expect heaping portions or much higher quality - this food was on par with your local diner. Finally, to charge $4.50 for bottled water is insane- especially when the restaurant refuses to serve tap. Not worth the price to return. read more

I love this place and so do a lot of locals. The food is good, the people are great, and it just feels very welcoming. The prices are about average for diner -style fare, but the portions are large and satisfying. read more

We planned on going to Bill's Luncheonette, but they closed the kitchen early. We ended up here because my brunch mate did not want to go the the Chester diner. I agree with most of the reviews, it is ridiculous to force your customers to buy bottled water. My brunch mate burned his mouth on the hot chocolate and only needed water to cool his tongue. I though the decor was cool, until I noticed all of the pro-Trump stuff. I just hate when businesses bring their politics to the table, it can easily ruin a meal. I also think that the food is over-priced considering the quality. I will not go back. read more

Great breakfast place with excellent food and service. The owners are extremely kind and always there.

MUST VISIT - super nice people with excellent food for very very little money - even the bathroom is CLEAN and there is a on of parking - wait time was fast on a busy Saturday morning! When I say the food is good, I mean the pancakes were crazy delicious - I have been dreaming about them ever since. Even the coffee is SPECTACULAR! THIS IS A MUST MUST MUST ON YOUR LIST! It is also walking distance from down town Chester if you want to make a day or afternoon of it! LOVE LOVE LOVE! read more

We recently moved to Chester and tried this place for Sunday breakfast. Surrounded on every wall by photos of Marilyn Monroe, they were doing a bustling business with many couples and family groups happily eating and chatting in the somewhat tight quarters. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, with superior service. We enjoyed a feta and spinach omelet and sausage and eggs. Both dishes were substantial and properly cooked, accompanied by oniony home fries and toast. We will definitely go back to try the large, fluffy pancakes we saw other diners enjoying. Spinach & Feta Omelet read more

My girlfriend took me to Marilyn's the first time I came to NJ to visit her family (Full disclosure: I'm from Louisiana). In my subsequent visits, I've all-but-demanded we come to Marilyn's at least once. This place made me realize that I've been missing out on good diner food my entire life. This is easily one of the best breakfasts I've had--and for the price, it simply can't be beat. The waitresses are friendly + fast paced. The environment is warm + welcoming. I love this place. read more

My mom discovered this place and loves it. She took my daughter and I for lunch and it was so amazing. Chicken salad and onion rings are really yummy. Decor is super cute and our waitress was so sweet. We will happily join my mom there again soon! read more

Marilyn's Cafe - Diners Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

Great cozy spot. The demographic skews older. The place is spotless and the service lightning fast.

Went to Marilyn's for lunch the other day. Her " rules" left such a bad taste in our mouths that we won't go back. First of all, we were told we couldn't order tap water because of COVID. What's that got to do with it? I thought maybe they didn't want people sharing glasses, but our $4.50 iced tea, from a mix, came in a glass. So it's just a way to force the customer to spend more. And there's a sign saying that on busy days, please limit your visit to 20 minutes. 20 minutes??!! Thats about how long it takes just to eat your meal. Guess you're not allowed to order dessert on busy days cause you'll exceed your limit! read more

I stopped in with a co-worker who lives in the area and frequents this café often. What's not to love? A local mom and pop restaurant that is quaint, charming, and full of ambiance. Lot's of nostalgia on the walls. I ordered the full stack Cinnamon French Toast with a side of sausage and a coffee. Make sure you don't miss the specials on the chalkboard because that's where I found my French Toast. My French Toast consisted of 6 large thick slices dipped nicely in a tasty batter. Delicious. My sausage consisted of 2 medium sized patties. Slightly overcooked and dry. As a coffee snob, I would say the coffee was good. The service was excellent and friendly. Prices were very reasonable. Plenty of parking. I wish I lived closer. The Men's room was clean which is always a good sign. read more

Great place, food and even better people always welcoming you. Must go for breakfast when in Chester area. Great Patty Melt too!

Had a great brunch here. The raspberry pancakes were AWESOME! Got the short stack and could barely finish...though I wanted to because they were so good. Service was top notch from start to finish. The guy who seated us was attentive and patient. Our waitress was super sweet and checked on us multiple times. Finally, the ambiance is cozy, charming , and laid back. I need to read all the cute quotes through out the walls. Will definitely be coming back here! read more

I stopped in for lunch, I ordered a cup of chicken orzo soup and a grilled cheese. When I sat down I asked for water , which a waitress said they only had bottles, I agreed, but I don't understand why they can't serve tap water? The chicken noodle soup came is a mug, which is kind of cool and unique , however the soup was very very salty , I couldn't drink the broth because it was so salty. The chicken and vegetables in it seemed fresh, but I wasn't able to finish it. The grilled cheese was good , and I have no complaints about that. My biggest complaint about this place is when the check came . They charged me $ 3.50 for a bottle of water .... but they don't serve tap?!?! That is just a rip off . The grilled cheese was almost $ 6.00, and it didn't come with fries , just the sandwich and a few pickle chips . I want to support mom and pop restaurants but I'm not sure I'd go back to this place based on their prices and quality . read more

Our favorite place for breakfast. The portions are so big, my wife and I split our order and we're still full. Service is awesome. Coffee is great. read more

Great little place! With Marilyn cooking and her grandson serving. Very friendly atmosphere! Good food! Great service!

Great service, delicious food (Roast Beef Sandwich w/ fries & Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich), the absolute best part was the crumb cake!

It's a wonderful cafe, the cooks are great! The owners are not so nice to their wonderful staff, which includes mostly family, they are treated poorly, they expect everything, they turn their back on their family, degrade them, and more than most never get put on the books. They won't give you free water, charge you for bottled water. Like I said food is great from the cooks, just be careful you don't get the owners hair "Marilyn's" hair in your food, because when you're trying to bring it out, she is busy standing at the crowded area at the end of the counter, talking about everyone, and everything she hears, yes, maybe even you. So if you don't want your personal business spread all over Chester, just eat, foods great, but overpriced! read more

Food was great and so was the waitress! But when I asked for tap water they said "oh no we don't do that here- only bottled". And THEN have the audacity to charge $3.50 for a Poland springs. The waitress then explained that they were embarrassed when they have to tell people they don't have tap water because everyone's reaction is quite similar and they've tried to talk to the owners but they don't listen to them. Needless to say I just bought a drink at the Walgreens next door for $1. Please try to not blatantly rip off people from now on because obviously the profit you're making off of the bottled water isn't worth losing loyal customers. read more

Disappointed a salad for about $14.00 with grilled chicken. It was a mountain of iceberg lettuce, a couple of small pieces of chicken, white onion sliced, and slivers of peppers. So sorry to have eaten here!!! read more

Stopped in for breakfast. Place was crowded but we were quickly seated and coffee was offered (and accepted). After looking over the menu, we ordered the biscuits and gravy, and the chipped beef. Both dishes arrived promptly. When i took the first bite of the biscuits and gravy, something was off. Not spoiled food but off. Second bite, I realized the gravy tasted "lemony". Had my husband try and he agreed. His chipped beef was just Stouffers poured over toast. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. Service was very good. Coffee was good and refilled often. Do take note. If taking your young son, refrain from letting him use the men's room -- as an inappropriate photo hangs there. Won't be returning. read more

This is really the only true Jersey "Diner" in Chester. It actually has good food for one and has that true diner "feel". We usually stop in for breakfast on the weekend and can easily find a spot. Everything I have tried has been good. The one thing I always come back to is the chicken fried steak, with an egg, sausage gravy, and hash brown potatoes, toast on the side. Fantastic. My wife usually gets an omelet of some variant, the kids pancakes, and both are very good. I wish the sides were a little less pricey though. The fries are pretty standard and the coleslaw is just OK at lunch time as a side to a sandwich. Breakfast is the real winner here. Coffee is good and the juice sizes are nice. Would definitely check this place out when in the mood for some good American Diner food when in the area. Ca$h only! read more

I would agree wholeheartedly with the 3 reviews before me- great place for "diner" type food. Pleasant, helpful, smiling servers. Reasonable prices. EXACTLY what I was expecting! PS- Please note they take only cash and checks- NO credit cards. read more

Great place for breakfast. The portions, service, quality and price can't be beat. I recommend the sausage and cheddar omelette. It's enough for a man and a boy. Lol. I always leave a clean plate though. read more