What an amazing restaurant! Found this gem from a local a year ago and it's been my favorite please ever since. The ladies running the counter are such a pleasure to be around and chat about the day. The food oh yes the food... try to meatloaf it's delicious and the grits yum. I've done almost every meals on the menu and have never been disappointed. The best thing about this place is the people but the location is perfect. Lots of parking and it's right on 19 close to all the action. read more

Sara's Diner - The specials are amazing ! Try them all - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Great food and service. Coffee and the grits are hot! Biscuits and gravy are good but could use more sausage in the gravy

Nice spot dor the locals. The staff is really friendly, the service is pristine and with a smile. Their homemade burgers are thick and juicy, topped with bacon and cheese are so mouthwatering. We went on a Saturday at noon and they weren't over busy. There was no wait at all. We will be back read more

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The perfect diner experience. Friendly waitresses. Cozy atmosphere and the breakfast was perfectly prepared. I had eggs scrambled soft with bacon and grits. All was cooked exactly the way I like and tastes great! read more

Sara's Diner - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Affordable, solid diner breakfast! Head's up that none of the omelette come with cheese. We didn't bother our server about it but if you'd like cheese in your omelette, now you know to ask. read more

Sara's Diner - Spinach omelette (added turkey) and home fries. Generous portions! - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

was in the area for a weekend getaway with my sweetheart and her 12 lb "bodyguard" Toby!! needed a late breakfast/early lunch after exploring local springs and native burial mounds (highly recommended btw) Saw Saras on way to the attractions decided to stop on the way out. Our party of 3 (dog included) arrived and were graciously greeted and shown to a table. Our concerns for our "third" (4 legged guest) were immediately put to rest, dog was welcomed (smile) we were hungry for sure, my sweetheart was in the mood for chicken wings and myself always in a breakfast mode. Sara made sure we were taken care of. Staff very friendly and professional. Coffee was impressive as was the mushroom omelet and grits. My lady enjoyed her wings (crispy and hot) with a homemade wing sauce and salad. Our "bodyguard" of course sampled the omelet and looked very satisfied. Will stop again next time in the area...and YOU need to stop in as well. read more

Stopped in today for a late breakfast, was seated and had coffee and water.....20 minutes later, I was sitting there watching people eat and the staff walking around like zombies, not even asking if I wanted to order....Cooter the cook yelled at me for locking the bathroom door while I was in there, I told him if you don't want it locked, get rid of the lock! So after drinking half a cup of nasty coffee, I just got up and left! read more

We got the senior breakfast and everything was great. Service was great and the atmosphere was perfect for a diner. Open until 2:30. The toast was amazing; not white and not wheat but very good read more

Been here 20 minutes. Got my coffee. It's gone, drank it. No refill or waitress to take order. Hallelujah, she just came to my table. Finally got refilled on the coffee. Was going to order a bigger item, but opted to go cheap and went with a stack of pancakes. read more

IM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS PLACE! Reviewing from out of town. We had just seen the manatee and decided to catch some breakfast. It was DELICIOUS! Everything down to the the customers was impeccable. And might I just add that it's not everywhere that you get homemade cathead biscuits and bright red ripe tomatoes to go with your breakfast. Born in Mississippi and raised in the panhandle I'm telling you, They're doing country cooking right. read more

Sara's Diner - Chicken and Waffles w/ side of hash browns and eggs over hard - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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This was such a great breakfast! Everything was cooked the way we asked the biscuits are top notch, the waffles were very close to Waffle House (yep yep trust me), the bacon actually had flavor, the has browns were actually crispy and brown and the service was fabulous. Thanks Amye! read more

Everything about this place is just "meh ‍." The food was meh. Now, for the prices ($10 for a meal), you can't beat it. However, the food itself is nothing special. Actually, really stale. The service was also Meh. Sure, she was nice, but she never came over once to ask if we needed anything or any refills. While the location of this restaurant is prime - its in the center of town - it feels like it's trying to be something that it's not. The restaurant just felt... tired. The inside looked like it should have gotten a renovation years ago, but it didn't. Anyways, this place is just meh. Wouldn't really come back. read more

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Seems like a local favorite, and we could tell why after our breakfast. Excellent food, service, and friendly Eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and really good homemade biscuits read more

Stopped by here to grab a bite to go and sat at the counter. The servers could not have been nicer and brought me a soda while I waited for my food, but didn't want to pour my husbands since he was waiting in the car so it didn't get watered down - SO thoughtful! The food coming out of the window looks amazing with the most gigantic homemade biscuits! Kinda wishing I would've ordered that!! The sides are posted on a board and today they have broccoli, corn, peas & carrots, green beans, turnip greens, okra, beets, cole slaw, potato salad and sliced tomatoes! A true diner!! I saw a salad come out of the window and was shocked to see how large it was, also! Not that I'm even considering a salad with the goodies on the menu like meatloaf, smoked sausage, etc. Now for the REALLY good stuff, not to disappoint, they make their own ice cream... No wonder this place is hopping and the servers must get their 10,000 steps in without a doubt in the first hour of their shift! Don't miss Sara's Diner if you're driving through Crystal River - it's a MUST!! Mmmmmmm! read more

Sara's Diner - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

This place is top notch!! I've traveled all over Florida eating breakfast in various locations always ordering the same thing. Western omelette with sliced tomatoes and rye toast. The servers here are all very long term, loyal and friendly staff. Pros as you would say. Helen, Betty, Suzie, and I'm sure I'm missing some. The kitchen staff is wonderful and you see it on the plates. Do yourself a favor and stop at Saras family diner and try and prove me wrong. My only concern is the consistency of the toast quality. Keep up the great work!! read more

Sara's Diner - Western omelette with sliced tomatoes and spinach added - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

This restaurant was once AJ's diner. It was sold and became Sara's diner with the same menu. My husband and I used to come here when it was AJ's and were happy with the food, service was as could be expected in a little diner establishment- okay. Since being bought out, the food is just okay at best and the service needs some work. This is a little Mom and Pop style diner that is only open for breakfast and lunch. To be honest- the menu has more choices for breakfast than they do for lunch , so if breakfast is your favorite meal- you should be happy. Since I prefer lunch I found the choices somewhat limited and routine- nothing really unique or eye catching. With that being said- we started with an appetizer. Fried mushrooms. Nothing to complain about but nothing spectacular either. Premade, frozen, all ready breaded mushrooms just dropped in the deep fryer served with a side of ranch dressing. They did come to the table hot which was nice. This was the highlight of my meal. I like a little hot sauce mixed with my ranch and when I could get the attention of our server I asked for a bottle and received a bottle with (if I was lucky) a half teaspoon left in the bottle! My husband had a good laugh over that one but I used all of it nonetheless! My husband ordered their chopped steak, mashed potatoes and gravy and a side vegetable which was red beets. No dinner roll with butter. My husband was disappointed that there wasn't a dinner roll with his meal. He thought as well as did I- it was common practice! I ordered a salad plate that I ordered many times when it was AJ's diner that I enjoyed immensely. This time however, I was dissatisfied with my meal. The salad platter gives you a choice of a scoop of three different salads. My choices were chicken salad, coleslaw and potato salad on a bed of lettuce with tomato wedges, hard boiled egg. The chicken salad and coleslaw were dry and lacked flavor. They needed salt also. I understand the no salt part because of the high percentage of elderly customers and their salt restrictions but flavor could be added with other spices. The potato salad was the best out of the three different salads. Served with a handleful of various wrapped crackers that were stale- I felt it wasn't worth the price I paid. The inside needs a good clean up. Under the seats at the counter, it was filthy and needed a good sweep and mop. My side of our table was a sticky mess - I'm guessing a leftover of a pancake breakfast. I cleaned it myself with an antibacterial wipe that I keep in my purse because I could not flag down our server. All this place needs is a good amount of elbow grease and problem solved. The servers are typically what you would expect in a diner. I would have preferred a little more attention to our needs like my husband waiting for his gravy that he requested when he ordered and refilling our drinks before we had to wait awhile. Two of my biggest peeves when it comes to service- I noticed here. Cell phones sticking out of pants pockets, waitresses checking their phones and wait staff counting their tips in front of customers especially when my glass is empty and I'm thirsty! All in all- not the worst place I've eaten at and not by a long shot the best but if you're not as finicky as I am or if this stuff doesn't matter than go ahead and try it! I guess I want as much bang for my buck that I can get! read more

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Second time we've stopped at Sara's. We made a point of returning on the second visit on our travels back home. It's worth the trip. Food is delicious and prices are reasonable. read more

The sign on the door said they close at 2 and we got there 1:25 to have them open the door and tell us they weren't serving any more for the day!! Really?!?!?!?!? read more

Stopped in while driving by. Breakfast was served hot and fresh and speedy service. Portions were very large and our server Susie was so friendly and fun. Definitely worth stopping in..... read more

Sara's Diner - Short Stack of pancakes - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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We stopped back by again for breakfast and boy how this place has changed. It took a few minutes to be seated and that's a good sign it's a good place. They took our order quickly. It took longer than normal to get our order but that's a good sign it's cooked to order. When we got our order we wasn't impressed. My biscuits and gravy was luke warm I had time to eat one before it was cold. The table next to us sent there food back to be reheated. I got sweet tea with very little ice in it. I think the tea was warmer than the gravy. We was never offered any service after the food hit the table. We never got a refill offer on our drinks. The food was just ok. read more

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This a typical breakfast diner except for the biscuits, they were giant! I had a chicken biscuit with a side of gravy and my husband had the country fried steak. My food was just okay while my husband quite enjoyed his. Of course everything was very salty, to be expected I am sure. The gravy was good, had to find in my experience. It was busy and great conversation was all over the place. The service was great and you can tell it is a neighborhood favorite. Try it out! Their lunch menu looks good too. read more

We have eaten at Sara's for breakfast twice, both times were ok. The staff is very friendly and the service was great. Unfortunately, the hash browns were pretty minimal and too greasy, and the biscuit was pretty average. We might go back at some point in the future and give them another try. read more

Authentic Southern breakfast theme with a pleasant staff and large tasty portions. I'd of given 5-stars if more eco-friendly (bike parking, recycling and assurance that food is sourced ethically) They also do not offer menus in braille for visually impaired customers. read more

I to support local businesses. Highly recommend to Eat at Sara's! Great fish sandwich and BLT a to die for. Going back to try the breakfast in a couple days read more

worst service I have EVER experienced. Went back three times and each time it was horrible. Extremely slow. The fried chicken had been left in the deep frier so long it turned to dust when you tried to eat it. read more

This is a typical locals hangout. The ominous "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone" sign hangs on the wall behind the register. What does that really mean? If they found out I was a liberal Yankee, I might have gotten booted. The place is clean and relatively friendly service. Plenty of choices for breakfast and lunch fare. I got the scrambled eggs, home fries with sausage gravy, and toast. The eggs and potatoes were good, the toast fine, but the gravy was below average. Gravy was edible and hot temperature, but the predominate taste was peppery and blandness beyond that. If there was any sausage in the gravy, I couldn't tell. I ordered a side of grits that was never delivered. The rest of my food was filling so I didn't say anything. The prices seemed fair for what you get. read more

My wife had 2 eggs with cheddar cheese. Not much cheese on it all. She also had the corn beef hash and it was covered in oil! She took 2 bites and didn't eat anymore! Lol she used a napkin to get rid of grease! I had Belgium waffle with strawberries & whip cream ! It was good! read more

Freaking delish! This place is exactly what you'd expect from a down home diner. Servers and staff as super sweet, food is on point. Biscuits were super tasty and so was the country steak. Not too salty which is what sometimes happens with biscuits and gravy. You should def check this place out. read more

As reasonable as you're going to find, and consistent quality, portions, and friendly service.

Went here for the first time today for breakfast. Everything was awesome from the food to the wait staff. We live over twenty miles away but will definitely be back and try something else from their menu. Good old fashioned home cooking to be enjoyed. Easy to see why the place was filled with customers. read more

I ordered fish taco's. Was given a plate with 3 very small soft shelled tacos, each having a chunk of a fish on it, all cut from one fillet. Also on the plate was a handful of chopped onion, tomato and lettuce, that's it. I had to ask for tarter sauce. The price was a dollar some higher than in the menu. I changed out the French fries for coleslaw which was very good. I would have been better off ordering the fish player for a cheaper price. I won't be going back. Very disappointed with my first fish taco. All my friends said that fish tacos were really good. I guess just not at Sarah's Dinner. read more

Not sure while I put off trying this restaurant.. I think I thought it was just a breakfast place.. Boy were we wrong... Best food in town ...Grace was amazing . Do yourself a favor if you have not tried this restaurant go immediately.. 5 stars for sure read more

Sara's Diner - apple chicken salad ...OMG .. good .. grace was our server . best food in town...no joke .. - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Expensive and the meals don't seem to be prepared with much thought, not the first time at this establishment and tried to accept the fact thats its a mom and pop small business but honestly they just don't seem to care. On the way out after a meal today an obese woman was changing her foot wrapping with her foot in the aisle for all to see and smell! Not very appetizing to say the least and just shows the "atmosphere " of this place, never again. read more

Nice breakfast & lunch spot. Staff is quick and friendly. The place is clean, and has one of the cleanest men's rooms I've ever used at a restaurant. The food is B+ and the portions are generous. What you'd expect from a family diner. My hamburger was made with fresh meat and was at least a 1/3 lb. size. My wife had a 2pc. fried chicken which she liked. Additionally we ordered a 1/2 size, deep fried mushrooms which I liked, since they were fresh with homemade coating, but they weren't as impressive to my wife who likes the factory produced frozen ones better. A good place to eat if you're hungry before 2pm. read more

very typical Mom and Pops. Food was good, service as well. Hash browns were closer to room temperature and when our waitress stopped by to check on us I mentioned it. she came right back with a double order, piping hot! obvious regulars greeted warmly. will definitely stop next trip through. read more

Great food and service! The biscuits and the pie!! Ask to sit in Susie's section. She is da bomb!! read more

Sara's Diner - a plate of food on a table - American Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Breakfast cannot be beat at Sara's Diner. Generous portions served hot. Wait staff is friendly and always greets you with a smile. The gravy is delicious. Give them a try. I don't think you will be disappointed. read more

The food was amazing -- especially the home fries! We had Susie as our server and she was so kind and helpful. Look forward to visiting again! read more

Stopped here while looking for another restaurant that has apparently closed. Sat at counter...waitress was quite prompt, had iced tea and grilled cheese and tomato. Place was busy so order took a while. Processed American cheese and probably 2/3 slice of tomato....I've had a lot better. happy trails read more

Happened to be in the area about 50 miles from home I thought we would give this diner A try. What a pleasant experience, the food was excellent the prices were extremely reasonable and the service was outstanding. Although it's 50 miles from home we plan to make a trip over there just to have lunch at Saras Diner. read more