I've been here three times. Each time I come here, I leave thinking "I hate this place." Food sucks. Service sucks. Ritz is a waste of your time and money. It's even a waste of your saliva. Save your soul and DO NOT COME HERE read more

I used to be a regular diner of the Ritz. All I can say is it's gone down hill. We had two turkey wraps with avocado and honey mustard. Tortilla was extrenely chewy and the wrap super bland. Service was mediocre and the hostess was overwhelmed and verbally showed her angst eventhough it wasn't that busy. Best of Essex? Sad.... read more

The ritz diner Had my once yearly trip, that place is so bad. Waitress doesn't write it down and messes up two orders of eggs and pancakes. Then rings in a short stack of pancakes with the wrong topping and an additional $2 for a second topping that should have been half of each topping which is how the kitchen made it anyway. So there i am arguing with the owner lady at the register.....i mean, seriously, isn't $4.75 for each pancake a bit much?? Hate that place. read more

Human nature being what it is, my last visit to the Ritz Diner has convinced me that there are a lot of people able to convince themselves that extremely ordinary food can be delicious, if you've sufficiently overpaid for it. So many better diners, for so much less money . . . go figure. The notion that the Ritz Diner would merit a visit from Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives is simply mind-boggling. read more

I'd give this place negative 5 stars if I could. We were just eating brunch and catching up leisurely , and the owner lady took our plates away and said "you've been sitting here too long." Who does that? She's a nasty person. I'm writing this review in the hope that she reads this and learns to show better manners to her customers. We still left a good tip because it wasn't your waitress 's fault. When I had more time, I read other reviews of this place and other patrons have posted the rudeness of the spikey blond hair lady whose name is apparently Marion. She's the same person who treated us so rudely. Oh yeah, I'm going to name names. read more

I eat out 10-12 times per week, a practice I've maintained for 30+ years, or at least 15,000 meals. This morning was the first time I've ever walked out of a restaurant or diner without ordering. As my colleague and I were approaching a booth at breakfast time, we were assaulted by a shrill woman who upbraided us for not waiting to be seated. Never have I been treated so rudely in any retail establishment on any continent. That's quite a distinction for the Ritz, which should be renamed "The Pits." The place was more than half empty at 8:30AM. I didn't see any signage about waiting to be seated. In any situation it's inexcusable to treat anyone like that, be they customer, vendor, or sworn enemy. read more

I simply don't know why I continue to come here, aside from the fact that it's local. Other than Marion's chopped salad, I can't think of a single draw to this diner outside of any other local joint. The service is disinterested. The decor is dated and poorly upkept. The establishment simply doesn't feel clean. Not a fan. read more

I'm not sure why this place is packed? There are so many better choices in the area to eat. Things that stink about Ritz: The Service (talk about low level employees) The décor (has not been updated since 1992) It feels dirty when you walk in there. The front end staff (talk about least friendly) The food (gross) The price (over priced) Honestly save your time, money, and frustration. read more

Mediocre, underseasoned, overpriced food. Surly, disinterested service. Obnoxious crowd. Horrible parking. Badly in need of a renovation. What's not to love? This place for starters. I have no idea why my friends like it as much as they seem to... read more

Coffee is good, bathrooms and eating area clean but aged (but aged is fine), service is excellent. Well, they made a decent Bacon, Egg and Cheese on an excellent hard roll. They passed my litmus! And Pam- great conversation, beautiful eyes!! read more

After reading the many negative reviews of the Ritz, I felt it necessary to write a review. Let me just say that I grew up on this place. I've been coming here for 20 years now and if you order correctly and go in with the right mind set, you wont be disappointed. First off, keep it simple. If you want a fancy schmancy breakfast/lunch with top notch service, go somewhere else. Great omelets and my favorite pancakes on the planet. Their club sandwiches and salads are also great. As for the service and decor, it sucks. It always has, and always will. You're in NJ - you've gotta be aggressive at a place like this, and theyre used to it. Oh, and did I mention the apple pie and cheesecake? INSANE. read more

I've lived in Livingston all my life so I've always known about the Ritz Diner. I don't normally get anything besides fries with mozzarella and gravy but I can say that their version is top notch and better than most diners I've been to. Tonight I had a unique experience though; I was ordering takeout from there for my family and when I got home, I realized they forgot an order. I called them up to confirm that an order was forgotten and the lady handed the phone off to someone named Tony. I'm assuming he was the manager because he started to apologize and let me know he was going to personally handle the mistake. I drove back (I literally live only a minute away) and met up Tony at the diner and he let me know I could take whatever I wanted from the bakery case, free of charge while he finished cooking my order. I took a "Petit Misu" which is just a small tiramisu and then Tony came back out to apologize again as well as hand me my order. We shook hands and parted ways. All in all I was impressed with the handling of a simple mistake; most places would just say "come pick it up" and then that's it. He acted professionally which is something I don't see too often in food joints, especially in New Jersey. Plus, the tiramisu and fries taste amazing. read more

1985 called- they want their diner back! Haven't been here in a while and boy was it different than we remembered. Not that pink and turquoise didn't have a place in design history but when it is obvious that that is the last time this place has had a face lift, it is of no surprise that the carpet looks dirty, the railings outside are rusted and the bathrooms left a lot to be desired. Should have known when we walked in and the windows were dirty with ripped dessert menus taped to them. They do have a big menu and the food isn't bad but pretty pricey for what it was. It sad to see since this was an 'institution' back in the day. read more

We settled on this diner from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. We walked in and were seated promptly but the odor of sewer hit me. Should have just turned right around but we got seated. The place was packed for Friday lunch (and pretty loud) but I just don't get it. The pastrami was blah, the brisket was super dry, my husband said his carrot cake cupcake from the bakery case tasted like it has been there a while. Big menu for sure but still not the easiest selection for us gluten-free people. The only thing worse then the smell in the dining room was the smell in the bathroom. The dining room smelled like a toilet, the bathroom smelled like a double toilet. No need for this tourist to ever return. read more

The best salad, Caesar Italia, but ask for the balsamic vinaigrette dressing instead! It's huge & delicious! Enjoy! read more

Came from Utah, driving out to Niagara and decided to stop. We LOVED it. Everyone was extremely satisfied with the atmosphere, service, and of course the food. Highly recommend to anyone who's looking for some great diner food. read more

I almost always read Yelp reviews before eating out and it's a good thing I didn't get a chance to before coming here - probably would not have come given the bad reviews. But, my wife and I were really busy and hadnt eaten all day and passed by the diner and it was 3 PM and we were hungry. Granted it was in between lunch and dinner and while the service was not great, it was good enough. The place had a few customers and I think 1 waitress but the service was ok and nothing like what others have described. The food was good and portion size very good and price reasonable. I ordered a California omelette which should have been spicy and was done well. My wife's chicken salad was also good. I've said on other reviews that there should be half stars because this place should get 3 1/2 based on the good food. To me, a 4 star review is a standout. This place is not a standout but is pretty good and I'd recommend it for a diner and would come back. read more

Surprised by the 2.5 start rating considering I had a pleasant experience here when I came last week with some family members. I had the steak and eggs. The steak was a little chewy but still not too bad. My cousins had the turkey and mushroom burgers. We all shared an order of the buffalo wings. And finally, the kids had the mac and cheese. Overall, the food was solid. Everything on the table was devoured, which is a testament to the good food or we were just really hungry, or maybe both! For 3 adults and 2 kids, the total bill came out to a little over 50 dollars. Call me crazy but I thought that was a bargain. Not to mention our waitress was very friendly and attentive. She gave the 2 little kiddies some dessert on the house too! Would love to come back when I'm craving some NJ diner food. read more

This place can't suck enough. I went this morning, placed a takeout order, and then sat there with my squirming toddler and watched it sit on the counter forever. "There's no way that's my order, just sitting there, when I'm clearly right here waiting," I thought to myself. Then a woman finally bagged it up and it continued to sit there, only now it was in a bag. Then the hostess walked over, realized it was mine, and said "they never told you it was ready?" YES, lady, they told me but I just like to sit here with my 9.5 month pregnant starving self and my squirmy toddler tugging on me, just because the ambience in your fine establishment is so lovely. So I thought I would just let my food get cold there on the counter while I just enjoyed myself immensely on this rock-hard bench. Screw Ritz Diner. I have late-pregnancy anger issues and today they are my victims. read more

I feel like this place went downhill in the 3+ years I've lived here. The main turn-off is the interior. So many mirrors-- who likes to watch themselves eat?? And chipping paint everywhere. The building feels like it's falling apart. Food-wise: On my last visit, I ordered the brisket dinner. Dry. So very dry. And the potato pancakes were wet. So very wet. If my grandparents and their cooking are to be trusted, it should have been the other way around. Matzo Ball Soup: A-ok! read more

The ritz is amazing. And any livingston native that says otherwise is lying. It's a diner at its core. A HUGE menu, old style decor, waitresses that sometimes have bad nights, and homestyle good tasting food. Sure, it isnt a five star taste but that's not why you go to the ritz. You go because it's nostalgic, because you probably spent your childhood there and countless high school nights. Or you took your kids, grandkids, after a band concert. Like I said, it's a diner, what do you expect? It's a place to get disco fries and catch up. If you're looking for an at home feel then you can't find any place better than the ritz. read more

Ritz Diner - Disco fries! - Diners Near Me - Livingston, New Jersey

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My food was rather mediocre. French toast was decent, but didn't feature the challah bread prominently displayed. One piece was particularly dry. My girlfriend had a much worse meal with a bland matzo ball soup & mediocre potato pancakes that were not cheap. The service was even more subpar. Our server seemed annoyed that we would even ask questions about the menu rather than knowing instantly what we wanted so he could turn the table. In fact it seemed like he barely wanted to speak to us at all. We were never asked about coffee nor desert, which was fine because we couldn't wait to leave either. To top it off the cashier didn't even look at me as I paid. Of course she didn't ask us how our meal or service was. Maybe she already knew, now you do too. read more

This restaurant is the most horrible place I have ever eaten!! Do not waste your time or your cash!!! They rushed us through our meal so they could provide seating for other people, the food is tasteless and the pasteries are worse! We wasted our money on 4 cannolies, a pretzel and an eclair..... Yuck! Honestly, I walked away speechless. This place was featured on diners and dives?? I can outcook, outbake and out serve this place on any day of the week. They should be ashamed and embarrassed!!! read more

No. No, no, no. People who swear by the Ritz Diner either have been going here since the food was good (at least 25 years ago) or just have no taste buds left. There's cheaper, there's better, there's more diner-like atmosphere, there's more room to sit, there's _certainly_ more room to park, all over Livingston and neighboring towns. L-town residents know to go to Golden Touch if they want to eat at a diner. If you want a local breakfast, hit up Livingston Bagel. Anything is worth a 5-10 minute drive away from the Ritz. read more

We normally do not eat at the Ritz because we all actually want to eat at the Ritz. Rather, we eat at the Ritz because we cannot agree on some other place. Then, it usually turns out that someone in the family refuses to eat at the Ritz and that person has left overs while the rest of us eat Take Out. The food is average. It has a nice menu for a diner. If there is something you want and cannot decide, you will probably find something on the Ritz menu. We usually get normal diner type food. If you go too far off the normal diner food path, you may not be happy (we sent friends there; told them to stay on the normal diner food path; they did not; and were all disappointed). Normally, I will get a triple decker or something like that. The prices are perfect for the food you receive. I will, sometimes, order fish at the Ritz. Sometimes it is really good (like yesterday), and other times I take a bite and throw it in the garbage. The matzo ball soup is pretty good. The onion rolls are the best!! My mother loves the blintzes. My wife loves the apple pie. I really like the chocolate babka. read more

I'm trying to hang in there but have to get ready to abandon ship. I got a hamburger deluxe to go and got home (im 3 blocks away) took a few bites and was literally grossed out. the meat had a focusing smell a simple medium hamburger . The fries smelled old oil and could not be masked by ketchup. I threw 2/3 s away The past 6 months have been down hill. Bad tasting food and rude behavior toward my kids ( THE owner literally said "If those were my kids I'd slap them" after they got a little rody after waiting ao long) I 'was going to get up and leave but the kids were hungry and I ate but did tell the waitress that behaviorally towards customers is not how to run a business. It, s a Diner not a pallace hall. It makes me question spending money here the only thing keeping us here is location. HOW SAD read more

Highly unusual seating practices Rude bus boys The smallest "large" drink size ever Sub-standard food This place is a dump. 'Nough said.....but so packed all the time. Maybe they're perceived as the only deal in town? Idk.....smh. The Waitress was kinda nice though..... read more

Guy Fieri must be a great actor or the places he visits must hire a different chef when he visits because this is the second diner I've tried on the show and they were not even average but gross. The diner itself is small and feels run-down. Decorated in the 80's for sure. My boyfriend's booth was annoyingly squeaky. I've sat on a squeaky chair, but never a squeaky booth. I digress- let's get to the food. My boyfriend had the lobster bisque and I had matzoh ball soup to start. We both had very low expectations for the bisque so we were surprised that it didn't taste too bad. There was a seafoody flavor to it but the pieces of lobster were fake. Also, there were mushrooms in there?? strange... The matzoh ball was ok. Forgettable. My bf ordered the steak sandwich and I ordered a greek salad to be safe. TO BE SAFE! We got the food and I immediately found a hair in it. YUCK. The waitress apologized and brought me another. I hope it was a new one and not just the same one doctored a bit. Anyway, my appetite was gone, I picked at the salad, all the while fuming that this nasty salad would cost me 9 bucks when I could be having an awesome greek salad across the street at "it's greek to me" for the same price. My bf's sandwich was okay. Under seasoned and not worth 12-13 bucks. The fries were an utter abomination. Either sat out for hours or were refried. Stale and nasty. The coleslaw had no flavor. We did not try their famous apple pie. On our way out the owner(?) offered a free desert to go but we declined. I'd rather have had 5 bucks off my hairy salad if anything. Guy Fieri. You suck. EDIT*1/20/10 - My boyfriend insists the lobster pieces were real. read more

This place has an incredible selection. The menu has pages of specials. The Ritz was featured on Diners, Drive-In and Dives, and are known for their pastries, especially the Apple Pie. The Pie is available in 3 sizes: Individual (really serves 2) medium (serves 4-6) and massive (serves 6-8). They dust powdered sugar over the top right before servicing it to you. Lots of nice pastries. I took an apple Cinnamon danish home. It was very good! They suggested warming it slightly. Better yet with Vanilla ice cream! I had the Italian Burger Deluxe (comes with lettuce/tomato and fries for slightly more). $8.95. A bit salty, spicy and dry. I should have selected a bacon cheese burger. Service was friendly. Ample parking surrounding the diner in their private lot. read more

Worst Tuna Melt I ever had... And the French Onion Soup was made with mozzarella cheese and barely melted. It was so disappointing- since they are so proud of Guy Fierri's show visiting them. I have no idea why they highlighted this place on his show. Food was horrible. I tried to get a slice of the "famous" Apple pie to go on the way out and the woman who was seating people (must have been owner or manager) was sooooo rude to me, I just walked out. What a disgusting experience! read more

There are a lot of good diners in NJ. This is not one of them. Came here for breakfast and ordered the corned beef hash. Aside from forgetting to bring me the eggs that came with it, the dish looked like it came from a can of dog food. Add some undercooked homefries to the mix and you got something truly unappetizing. I really wanted to like the place. It's got a colorful decor, like a Florida beach restaurant. Sadly, the food really disappoints. It heartens me somewhat to see I'm not the only one who had a bad experience. read more

Hit up Ritz Diner for lunch once. It was pretty packed. Like the usual diner, the menu has a little of everything - breakfast foods, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Nothing outstanding, but pretty decent and good portions. Service is usually attentive. review 2/10/2008 I.M.Y. read more

I wouldnt call the Ritz a typical diner, its more a basic american restaurant in a diner environment. You can actually order fish or steak here, and get a good fresh meal. Most diners, i stick to breakfast and club sandwiches. They're also well known for their desserts and during holidays, there will be to go orders lined up the entire length of their counterspace. Why only 3 stars? The Ritz is always packed to the gills and its a kind of who's who of the small town it sits in, but that can be a turnoff at times, and the service is downright awful. Also, its a little more restaurant than diner, and while the food is pretty good, i like my diners to be diners. read more