Very good food, and plenty of it. Nice setting in a retro bus. We happened across it quite by accident when driving in the area. Service was ok. We didn't care for two of the servers arguing about one owing $20 to the other. It was obvious that there was some bad feelings about it. Then one left and sent back a man (who apparently works at the hotel next door) to settle the matter. He came across as a bit of an enforcer. Made us uncomfortable. Apparently the hotel has an interest in the diner, as the servers and "Mr. Enforcer" appeared to be wearing identical uniforms, and we heard the server say, "oh, oh, here comes my boss" as he walked over from the hotel. Would recommend for the food. Not so much for the staff. read more

They get two stars for being open 24 hours. The bad is, the food is waaaaaay overpriced and they actually weigh everything on a scale, so you get tiny portions for all the price. If you're hungry at 2am, then go. Otherwise it's just a trap for travelers staying at the hotel next door read more

In town from Texas and stop in to Penny's for breakfast! I have one word for this place...awesome! The food was delish, service amazing and the cook was a true chef! read more

Very cute dinner. Burgers were yummy. Lots of great dinner fare. Steak fingers were not as impressive. Desserts looked good, but we were too full after our meal to indulge. Restaurant was clean and servicr was very good. read more

24 hr. Comfort food, done right. If your order the BLT, and want crispy bacon, ask for it that way. Great burgers, shakes looked great, fries also good. It's the only 24 hr. restaurant in the area, serves breakfast all day. Good food, value and good service make it a good choice. read more

Best kept secret in Belen! When is the last time that you had made to order burger was not only delicious, but it stayed hot from first bite to the last!! Fresh made pies and even an old fashioned malted milk shake! Loved it! read more

Good late night food When everything else is closed you can count on this place to be open. Good is good and not expensive read more

It is now called Penny's Diner. Food was fresh and homemade. Breakfast skillet was delicious and loaded with veggies. My husband loved the biscuits and gravy. Great service. Atmosphere is reminiscent of a 50's diner. Very cozy! read more

A tasty green chili cheeseburger can be found here. The place is a typical diner with lots of locals and some tasty vittles!

Food was tasty. Service was a little slow. After we got our food the waitress didn't check up on us once. However, prices were reasonable and they have a nice variety on the menu. read more

I've eaten here a few times on previous visits to New Mexico and loved the place. This visit was beyond bad. Got a "roast beef open face sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy. I watched being made and it was no "roast beef". It was frozen raw chopped meat cooked on a hard top griddle Consequently the meat came of "crunchy" (over cooked). The gravy and mashed potatoes were the only things that worth eating. And that was marginal. I understand the management/ownership has changed and it is very apparent. What a shame, since it is just across the street from the hotel I stay when I visit Belen. read more

This fifties-style diner looks almost as if it's a converted trailer home. It has a soda-jerk counter and several formica tables. Food is OK, but not great. The plus side was that it seemed to be the only sit down restaurant open over the Easter weekend, and it's right on Interstate 25 next to several motels. With more local feel than a fast food place, it would still be my choice over McDonalds. I had a New Mexico flat enchilada--fair, although not very hot. My brother had a taco salad. He only ate about half of it. Maybe he just wasn't hungry. People watching was more interesting here than it would have been at a fast food place. It's worth supporting somebody local and giving it a try. read more

Absolutely great. We were down in Belen to go to the train station and watch the trains go back and forth and decided to get breakfast at Pennys. I got hash browns eggs and a chicken fried steak and it was all exquisite. I don't use Exquisite that often. It's not a big place, probably holds only about 50. What they lack in space they make up for with enthusiasm and quality Chow. Don't miss this gem. read more

The kind of little diner where it's hard to go wrong. Good basic burger and fries, chicken fried steak and gravy kind of place. Dependable fare- and it's in NM, so you add in great chile and huevos rancheros and it makes this a "can't miss" destination. Grandkids and grandpas alike will find this a good spot. Finish the meal with one of their homemade milkshakes and you've got all the makings of a memory-making spot for the grandkids. read more

It's a diner! I'm not from the east coast so I don't have much to compare to. But I really like having a 24-7 place to get diner food. The food is good not great. My family enjoys the diner car atmosphere. We have always found service was better than expected for a diner. You can see them prepare your food and everything looks clean and often your server is the one making your meal and does a great job considering they're the cook and waitress. read more

Small, intimate classic Diner. Green Chile Cheeseburger w/ Bacon was excellent. Good price. A good stop if you are in the area!

I have been here 1/2 a dozen times, never had a bad meal! Lots of food for your $, the wait staff has always been very nice, very attentive - but not overly so, food is cooked right in front of you so you don't have that "I hope the cook was clean and wasn't touching my food" thought. It is just a nice place to come in, sit down, order, eat and leave feeling full, satisfied and glad you chose that place to eat. It isn't "fast food" but it is quick, you don't wonder if they lost your order or forgot you were there. Open 24 hours and you can order anything on the menu. read more

Pretty cool atmosphere, food is typical diner with some New Mexican flair thrown in. Great place to stop by in the middle of the night for pie and coffee. read more

This is the second time we have been to a Penny's Diner. We also went to a location in Cheyenne, WY. It was 4:30pm on a Saturday and only one booth was open, every time a booth opened up, it would fill up again but there seemed to never be a wait, just good timing. There are only about 10 parking spaces and the booths fit 4, if you get a chair you can fit 5 but unless you have small children that can fit on one side (3 to a side) or smaller adults and a child, I wouldn't recommend trying to fit more than 5 per booth. The waitstaff and workers were nice and kind, all you can ask for. This time we decided to have a burger, and we weren't disappointed. We got the Bacon Cheeseburger and it tasted wonderful. The bun was not soggy, bacon cooked well and the meat was done perfectly. The fries were crisp and delicious. We were very happy with our order and will be returning to Penny's Diner again. read more

Over priced meal which is measured for weight with a small unwashed scale behind the counter. If you're looking for a small snack eaten in a trailer, this is your place. 8 French fries does not constitute an order in my opinion. Plenty of parking available due to the lack of business. read more

Great small dinner right off of I-25 in Belen and right by Hotel's. Open 24 hours a day and good food and price.

I've lived in Belen for 12 years, and here's the scoop. There are 6 decent restaurants in town. Montano's, Rutillio's, Pete's, Fat Sat's, Harlamay's Fat Boy Grill, and Rio Grande Diner. If you want fast, decent and easy, go to Rio Grande Diner. The best New Mexican food, Montano's. A real local experience with good people watching, Rutillio's (Rudy was the Mayor a few years ago), The best ambiance, Pete's, the best menu selection for a big group, and a good selection of beer/wine/liquor, Fat Sat's, and the best hamburger in town is at Harlamay's Fat Boy Grill (located in the old movie theater). I won't recommend one over the other, but I hope this helps if you're looking for something to eat in Belen. read more

Nostalgic! Probably the best breakfast skillet I have had in years. They do not use potatoes as a filler and good portion of breakfast meats, ham, bacon, sausage and vegetables. Eggs, were prepared to order, a rarity and important. Extra treat for Mother's Day, pies were also homemade and not pre-frozen. Highly recommend and worth the drive. read more

On a cold Sunday night in January, I had to meet my son somewhere on the road between Albuquerque and Socorro. I was taking him some supplies from home as his college spring semester was getting ready to begin. Looking at the map, almost exactly in between, there is the south end of Belen. So I look for a place that would be visible and near the highway, and I found the Rio Grande Diner. My son showed up and actually, we had a both had already had dinner. But I still wanted to spend a little time with him, so we went in to the diner. It's a great-looking diner, straight out of the 50s, with good music and a good atmosphere, a lot of locals eating here.The menu is what you'd expect, meatloaf was the special, but we really just wanted something quick.We split a breakfast burrito and hot coffee. Service was friendly and fast. Without asking they cut the burrito in half and my son and I enjoyed it. The green chili was mild, and I would've preferred much hotter, but otherwise it was very tasty. Overall a pleasant experience. I'll be coming back to try the shakes, malts and a burger next time we have a supply run. read more

Recently stopped here on a trip to see family in the area. Horrible food and service. Our food took forever and we had to ask them to pack it up to go. Doesn't look like the cleanest place and we will not stop here again. read more

Penny's looks like a cool Valentine style diner, but the food is really the star here. The food is consistently good whether it's New Mexican, a chicken fried steak, meatloaf, a burger, grilled cheese, or an almost $5 shake. It's right off of I-25 so it's convenient for travelers looking for comfort food and a bit of time travel to the 1950's. There's a lot of kitschy stuff on the walls but what makes it a throwback to the 1950's (as I'd imagine anyway) is the fresh food and friendly and ever vigilant waitstaff making sure your coffee cup is refilled and checking in to make sure everything is to your liking. Prices are really reasonable and the portions are generous. Even if you just need a cup of coffee to help you along your travels, stop in for the laidback atmosphere and chat with the cook or waitstaff. The shakes really can't be beat and can be easily shared but that can sometimes be hard to do on a hot summer evening. read more

We go for brunch often, service is friendly, food is consistent. My husband and I usually share the omelet or breakfast burrito. Serving is amble for us when we share. We enjoy the location, it is close to where we live and always find a booth available the times we go in, although it doesn't seat too many before it is full. Open 24 hours, good mud pie if you get a desire for something sweet at night. read more

the food is terrible. the manager was rude hateful and argumentative. the prep area is dirty. the floors are dirty. the cooks are dirty. the tables are dirty. don't waste your time. read more

Penny's Diner - Unwashed pan and spatula - Diners Near Me - Belen, New Mexico

Went to Belen to visit the Harvey House Museum and stopped here because of the giant billboard and the old rail car building. It's small, friendly and quaint. What makes this place special is the food... It's great diner food. Flavors are great, right amount of spice and served super hot right from the grill, no warmer here. This place is great, glad we stopped before hitting the museum. read more