I think most people know this is a fine diner -- my review will just be another one singing the Kettle Diner's praises. Located in a relatively convenient spot from anywhere in the Jacksonville area, the restaurant has lots of room for customers, and so I've often found a table even in some of the traditionally busier times of day. The food and the service are always reliably great. Omelets, pancakes, French toast, and even hash browns (which, in most other diners, along with their fellow traveler in undesirability, grits, are best avoided), are far better than most other diners. A lot of thought, care, and, presumably, serious on-the-job training must go into the food. The efficiency and dependably rigorous quality are not surprising in a military town. If you're visiting from elsewhere, you will be humbled by the atmosphere, at certain times, when the young service members are having meaningful, hushed meals with their beloveds. Thinking of the hard work, brutal training, and potential life-threatening danger that such absurdly young looking people are enduring will make your worries about mice in the garage, smudged eyeglasses, and forgetting your travel pillow feel awfully insignificant and trivial. Unless you're a fleshly flaneur like me, in which case, a travel pillow and a heating blanket, are still pretty nice. Service is fast and just the right amount of attentive and friendly. On my most recent visit, Elaina was particular kind and efficient. read more

This is our first time back at the Kettle since returning to OC last September and it is just as I remember: tasty, down home cooking and friendly folks. I asked our very helpful and sweet server Jersey if she had only 2 choices with one being chicken fried chicken or the daily special Taco Salad, which would she go with and she said the taco salad. So, that's what I ordered. It was very tasty, loaded with 2 types of cheese a side of Jalapeño (which I gave to hubby) alot of fresh tomatoes and lettuce, a side of salsa and sour cream served in a somewhat crispy tortilla shell. And the shell is the only reason for a 4 star vs 5, the shell wasn't as light and crispy as I like it. It tasted as if they fried it several hours ago and honestly, I get why they did it that way as it saves time but the shell just left me disappointed. Hubby ordered a patty melt with fries. We came into town to scope out the Jacksonville Landing for future bass fishing mornings and when I told him we were stopping in here for lunch he already knew he was having the melt. I mean, he thought about it for 90 minutes lol. I've had their melts before and it is yummy. I think though the fries were the star on his plate. They were crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside and topped with something akin to Old Bay Seasoning. And they were HOT! Y'all, i mean, they're only fries but rhey were PERFECT! I am seriously alreasy looking forward to our 1st fishing adventure just so we can have lunch at the Kettle once we've caught all the bass. Jersey was quite attentive, but not hovering and warm friendly like only you'll find in the south. Oh, bestie told me to get the chocolate torte because she said, literally, "it's life altering." However, I forgot to so, just another thing for me to enjoy after our initial fishing trip. In some ways, you can go home again. read more

The Kettle Diner - Patty Melt & fries - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

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Food is great, and the service is friendly and professional. My favorite is a hot open face roast beef sandwich. Fries are fantastic always hot.. read more

Once again, Yelp has deleted my review, so here is a shorter one. Wait staff were friendly and made good recommendations The food was good and came out quickly. The cakes and pies in the display area were very tempting but we did not try any this time, maybe next. Prices were fair, so we will be back and try other menu items. read more

The Kettle Diner - Master Cheese Burger with fries. - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

Buffalo wings- Described on menu as deep fried wings. I asked the waitress if they were 'naked'. She said yes. They were noT. There was sO much bland breading I couldn't find the chicken. just sad. read more

The Kettle Diner - Buffalo Wings. Menu describes- deep fried chicken wings. - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

Great food, friendly wait staff. Cute diner vibe. Able to carry one a conversation without excess noise.

BIRRIA is the MVP!!! This diner has a lengthy menu with great variety, but we were sold on the special offerings of Birria in essentially any form: tacos, quesadilla, soup, omelette. I went with the omelette and it was the best I've ever had. We also tried the breakfast scrambler waffle that had veggies and meat pressed into a waffle topped with avocado and a creamy sauce. Our bellies are full but there are no regrets!!! Our server was also fantastic and so attentive and friendly. read more

The Kettle Diner - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

This place has the best huevos rancheros plate I have had in a minute! The initial hostess that sat us make us feel rushed but the waitress that took our order was an absolute sweetheart. This place has a traditional diner feel and was busy, but understandably so for their food. Generous portions, great flavors, wonderful price! read more

We were seated quickly with drink orders taken. Breakfast all day is a plus, and great coffee. Wonderful menu with the best of diner style selections. The staff is friendly and the restaurant is clean. But let's talk about the biscuits.... amaaaazing! Big fluffy and everything a perfect biscuit should be! This one is on repeat! read more

If you haven't ever been to this place you are missing out. I have been coming here for years! I get the same thing - the southerner- extra gravy- over easy eggs- hash browns and toast and IT NEVER FAILS to knock my socks off. The sausage gravy is amazing, I've had other food here and I haven't been unsatisfied. The service is AMAZING, legit, better than most places these days. Its a real hole in the wall, feel like a small home town breakfast place after church type of environment. If you come here and do not enjoy everything i would say it would be your fault! Must come! P.S. I am not local and travel 40 mins to come. read more

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Portions have gotten much smaller. Esp cornbread, baked potatoes, etc Waitresses could dress. Appropriately with longer shorts and a jacket with name of establishment. Im an 85yr old man and do not like being called honey, sweetheart....why not sir ! read more

What a great stop anytime of day for a meal . The service is wonderful always friendly and they know the regulars . A perfect diner atmosphere well lit and clean comfortable seating . They even offer a senior menu read more

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Awesome food and service. Best place to eat in town. Doesn't matter what meal it is Breakfast lunch or dinner

Eat there often. Really like the food. Good home cooking. Good portions. Friendly people. Highly recommend. read more

I'm still doing keto and the Kettle Diner allowed me to stay on it. A perfect meat omelet and I skipped the toast and the potatoes even if I was really craving them. The restaurant was super busy at 10am on a Sunday and super crowded with tables packed pretty close together. Our waitress was hustling and stopped a number of times to refill coffee and ensure we had what we needed. [Review 18886 overall - 3371 in North Carolina - 2409 of 2022.] read more

The Kettle Diner - Omelet at The Kettle Diner - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

Stopped in for lunch about 1 pm . Holy smokes was it busy . We were seated right away which really surprised me . The server was very efficient and eager to please . I had a Rueben with a generous portion of meat ! Would recommend this dinner . Be blessed read more

People hype this place up but the food is very average diner food. The service is always amazing tho, never had a bad server.

My favorite diner in Jacksonville, NC. Not only is the food great, but the staff is amazing. It is a family friendly environment and they get to know you by name. For a long time I would frequent the Kettle Diner as it was on my way to work. Since Covid, the hours have changed and I work from home now. I don't go there as often but when I do stop by to have a meal, they still know me, the food is still great, and it is like I never missed a day of eating there. read more

From the start the restaurant was okay I got my drink and it was good but the wait for the food was a little longer then it should have been but considering it was mothers day so it was fine. the vibe was good and welcoming and the heaters were on and it was raining so that was also good. When the food got here it was good I liked the chicken tenders they were crispy and juicy but filling and the potato salad was also very filling and good. Over all I liked it so did my mom and family I would recommend this place. read more

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The food was amazing, but what made the restaurant stand out was the service. Lilly was the absolute sweetest server!! Thank you for making our breakfast so wonderful, Lilly! read more

Just okay for a diner. Nothing to write home about. Service was good though. Portions are just the right size.

Good food the service was good and the ambiance of your normal diner. Now the food was flavored good but is it me or is that omelette kids sized for a adult male. Looks like 1 egg I have eaten here before and I remember a year ago ordering the omelette and having leftovers I'll just order over easy next time or do the chicken and waffles I done mind the sugar packets or syrup containers but I get it read more

Gonna make this simple and straight forward. Service = 5 Food = 5 Value for what you get, Amazing This place was a suprise. Was not expecting real potatoes, good collards and fresh food. Great all the way around. Thanks for having us.. read more

Just moved to Jacksonville NC a week ago. My husband and I stopped and ate at Kettle Diner after a long day of working on our new house. The diner decor was old school diner style, the service was good, the priced reasonable, and the food was tasty. I will definitely go back. read more

This was my first time here ever. I've lived in the city for over 15 years and just never visited. I always see tons of people here, with a full parking lot. I would like to start by saying I love the decor. Super job. It still has that diner nastalga feeling which I fell in love with. I got the daily special it was fried chicken. The chickens as moist, the crust was crunchy and full of flavor. I got the Lina beans which I liked also. The potato salad wasn't anything special. Sweet tea to drink was on point. read more

The Kettle Diner - Lima beans - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

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The breakfast burrito is amazing! I highly recommend it. Service is great and ambiance is nice. read more

The Kettle Diner - Kettle Breakfast Burrito. - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

Food consistent, Ms. Jersey- my waitress today, has been there 22 years -since they opened! WOW. Love their stylish aprons a regular customer makes them they tell me read more

Great little place. Not a true diner because the menu is not as large and diverse but you'll find something to eat. Breakfast all day and great service. read more

The food is tasty, and the menu is excellent. The place is always packed with people, and there is always a long wait. Overall, it is a great, cozy place to enjoy a meal. read more

Great food, fast service...can't ask for anything more than that. The fish tacos were amazing. The French toast was even better! read more

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So lets start with the word "diner" You think what? Greasy spoon? good food, with gruff people? Dirty establishment but great food? Late night eating? Well let me tell you... this place is amazing. First off, it is clean! Like can eat off the floor clean. Under every table it was clean. Why do I look under tables you ask? Because i have had three boys, that have crawled under a table or two a few times in our days. Staff all over. Helpful and friendly. Constantly moving and grooving. Food was typical of a diner but it was fresh and literally can change or make anything up as you go! Want blueberry pancakes... they can do that. Chocolate chip, sure why not. Egg white steak omelet- you got it! (Literally asked someone what they ordered as we left and she said she made it up as she ordered) I had chicken fried steak, eggs and sourdough toast... I couldn't finish it. I felt like i was stealing the food it was so cheap! Breakfast or lunch food all day long. Totally worth a try. read more

The Kettle Diner - Girls day. - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

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We've been customers of the Kettle Dinner for at least 12 years and have always had a pleasant experience until today (09-06-2024). I was one of several pickup customers that arrived within 15 minutes of each other. The young lady Cheryl was very pleasant and doing her absolute best to accommodate us. Because of her caring demeanor, nobody was inpatient or upset, she was doing an excellent job! We were all smiles! Until....Miss Liza, the manager made her dismal appearance. It was as if a dark cloud dissented over our sweet spot at the front door. She never offered a smile to any of us waiting, made no attempt at conversation or an acknowledgment or kind reply when a customer actually complimented her headband, she absolutely cast a gloom over the whole situation between the few of us that were still waiting. Once this happened, I watched her interaction with the staff, there was no difference, no encouragement, kindness, or gratitude towards them at all. These ladies were hustling and with a smile, mind you! I realize that prices have had to react to rising inflation, you had a host of seniors who were paying $30 to $60 for orders within the 20 minutes that I was there. The very least a manager could do is to show appreciation to those that still patronize The Kettle instead of choosing a less expensive site. There were elderly and probably widowed customers who made attempts to speak with Miss Liza to no avail. These simple, short, and sweet interactions could possibly be the only conversations that the elderly clientele have throughout their day and it'd be nice if the "leader" would demonstrate the same upbeat and respectful attitude I saw the wait staff pay towards their senior regulars. I actually left after getting our order with a mixture of feelings, unsure why there was someone with no interpersonal skills managing a staff who were doing their best, angry at the blatant and total lack of response to a kind remark from a customer, and overall shocked at why someone would have a person who clearly didn't enjoy her role as a representative of these hard-working wait staff at this well-respected diner. My family is involved in the restaurant business that's not local, I recognize poor leadership. You must do better, there was absolutely no excuse for her behavior today. read more

Always delicious and always incredibly busy. The waitresses are always so friendly and the wait is never bad enough that I want to leave.

Service here was great. Gigi was our server and she knew her stuff. Our food was good. I had fish tacos though and the fish was a bit over cooked. Pumpkin spice cake was homemade and delicious. I would definitely return. Just remember they have daily specials that are inexpensive but good quality. Kids meals are priced right. After all they are kids not adults. So why should the meal be adult priced like most places do. Highly recommended. read more

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Take a step back in time with the kettle diner! The food is great and they have a wide range! And are willing to do add ons that are off menu! The staff is super nice, the wait is a little long but the great time inside makes it worth it! read more

So I was looking for a good breakfast sandwich, you know the kind you get from old timey dinner. I passed by the Kettle diner and saw a lot of cars outside, usually that's a pretty good indicator of a good place to eat. I ordered a breakfast sandwich which consist of eggs,sausage,cheese and I prefer English muffin. And that's what I got,but the sausage was those jimmy dean small sausage patties, not a hand patty and the egg was definitely a single egg and the English muffin wasn't toasted. I got something that was akin to shoe lace potatoes stix s not hash browns. All in all just a lack luster experience and the food was definitely something I can make myself. Things that could have made it better experience. Sausage Hand Pattie's would make the sandwich better than those little jimmy deans. Real hash browns. 2 eggs instead of one and crispy English muffin. read more

Kettle diner was good. I was pleasantly surprised to have a wait when we went on a Saturday morning, because a wait is always a good sign. We only ended up waiting 10-15 min for a party of three. The inside is clean. The menu has your classic breakfast items: eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and homefries. I got the kettle country omelet with sausage, bacon, green peppers and onions plus grits and toast on the side. The omelet was loaded with the fillings which I really enjoyed. The rest of the food was alright and that's how my friends would describe their meals. They both ordered coffee and were unhappy with the taste. The service was good. It's definitely your classic, local diner. read more

The Kettle Diner - Kettle Country Omelet - Diners Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

Been coming here for a few years when in town and the consistency here is solid! A great diner with good comfort food and everything you would expect in a southern greasy spoon! Solid service and staff is always happy you are there! read more

Food was great!! Service was great!! Only bad thing was listening to "Need A Runner!!!" being yelled from the kitchen over and over!! read more

I won't order the burger for seniors again. It was kid-sized. They didn't have the chicken salad that I heard was the best. Maybe I'll try it again but can't recommend it unless I do. read more