Let me state at the outset that I'm not giving it 5 stars because it serves outstanding food. In truth, it's not any better or any worse than your typical diner, serving standard diner fare. Were I to rate it on the food alone, it would probably rate a 3 ("OK"), or maybe a 4 ("Good"). It gets the higher rating because of the circumstances I found myself facing yesterday. Christmas Day.
My oldest friend was going to be in the area to visit relatives (we grew up in Wayne), and asked what I was doing for X-mas. I answered, "Me? I'm working." "Jeez, even Scrooge gave Bob Cratchit Christmas Day off! Never mind. How about breakfast?" "Sure, but is anything open?" "Don't worry; we'll find something."
Once, years ago, I found myself alone on Christmas Day. Initially, the novelty of it appealed to me in a weird sort of way. No ties, no responsibilities, no forced jollity. I decided I would head up to New England, take photographs. It was eerie. No people in sight, very few cars, stores all closed. It felt like a post-apocalyptic vision of a world denuded of humanity, or the episode of Twilight Zone where Earl Holliman had only a mannequin for company. I didn't even have that! That line from the iconic Stooges song kept rolling around in my head: "No fun to be alone...walkin' by myself...no fun to be alone...in love...with nobody else..." By the afternoon, I was standing on an isolated hillside in Amenia, NY-- freezing, forlorn, dead tired, hungry. Starving, in fact. I cut short the trip, heading back home, worried now about what I was going to eat. I figured Chinese would be my best bet. Actually, it was the only bet. I detoured off Rt. 287 S, and found a lone Chinese restaurant on the border of Wayne/Lincoln Park. I dined that night on Kung Pao chicken, steamed dumplings, and Wonton Soup. It wasn't the turkey and ham that I usually associate with X-mas cuisine but it was far preferable to the one or 2 cans of soup I had stored in what passed for a pantry in my "domicile."
Yesterday, as I drove into Wayne to pick up my friend at his hotel, my worst fears were confirmed. Coming down Hamburg Turnpike, every store was closed. Parking lots were empty. Even Starbucks was closed. My friend, however, pointed us in the direction of the Park Wayne Diner. And...yes...it was open. Very much so. The parking lot was packed. Obviously, we weren't the only ones adrift and hungry on X-mas morning.
My friend ordered something light. Me? I ordered the "He-Man" breakfast (a more apt description would be "Fat Man" breakfast). Two large pancakes, scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, and a Coke (deadpan, my friend asked, "Diet Coke?"). The pancakes were drier than I would have liked, although tasty enough. Slathered with syrup and butter, they became suitably moist. Portions of everything else--- eggs, home fries, bacon-- were plentiful enough to satisfy both "He Men" and "Fat Men." My friend had gotten sausage patties with his order and he spooned one over onto my plate. Tasted good to me. He also offered me his buttered toast, but I declined. I keep eating like this and I'll transform from "Fat Man" (although I like to think of myself more as "Not Quite Fat Man Yet") to "Dead Man." But I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The diner rates another star from me because they were open X-mas morning when absolutely nothing else was. I don't think even the Chinese restaurants open until at least noon.
The diner earns still another star because the waitress servicing our area was superb. I wish I had gotten her name-- she was a middle aged woman obviously working at maximum capacity and then some. Despite the fact that our side of the diner was packed, and she seemed to be working virtually alone, she serviced everyone efficiently, quickly and pleasantly. A nice woman doing her difficult job exceedingly well.
I tend to b*tch a lot about moody and/or indifferent service, so it feels gratifying to be able to finally give forth an enthusiastic thumbs up for the quality of the service. Here's an example of an exemplary work ethic. I hope the people running this place appreciate her and her contributions to the smooth running of their establishment.
Next X-mas, despite my increasingly "Bah! Humbug!" antipathy towards the commercialized nonsense that X-mas has become in our society and culture (speaking as an agnostic, too many of the people I know and see and hear who profess a reverence for the teachings of Christ are as un-Christlike a bunch as I could ever imagine, but I digess...as usual...), I wouldn't mind being with family or friends eating ham and turkey (and maybe even a little lasagne, if I happen to be partaking with my oldest friend and his family), reminiscing, enjoying good times and warm fellowship with those I love and know best. However, if that doesn't work out for me (and with my bad luck, who expects that it will?), I wouldn't necessarily mind passing at least part of my X-mas with the fine folks at the Park Wayne Diner. read more