Good diner food. Pasta dishes are good, because I love their homemade sauce. And don't get me started on those desserts!! Check out the display of desserts for yourself. Friendly staff. Conveniently off the highway. read more

In terms of diner life, this place rocks. I had the waffle special 6.95. The waffle was crisp and fluffy, the maple syrup was real, and it was perfectly portioned with some powder sugar. The eggs were normal diner quality. The bacon and sausage were exceptionally well done. Overall a good place to eat. PS great pastries in the display case, and my coffee was free. ENJOY!!!! read more

We were on the highway to central New York, and this looked like a legit diner on the highway, so we took a chance and stopped. Sure, at midday the clientele is positively Methusalahnian, but the fare is strictly down-the middle, and there are no surprises -- which is good news. My wife got a simple salad and I got a chicken spiedie wrap, and neither of us were unhappy. The service was prompt and friendly, and if I were ever in Apalachin again I'd get another lunch here for sure. read more

For the second time we were so disappointed with the service. The wait staff was so busy they actually walked away before we were able to complete our ordered. We had to share a veg because the kitchen said only one was on the order. Because the service was so slow we almost missed getting to a play on time. Food was okay but everything else as unacceptable. read more

First time at this diner by recommendation. We had the meatloaf and the turkey dinner. Both meals were very good, the bread they put on the table is of special quality and the fresh salads included with the dinners were excellent. read more

The Lemon soup was really good. The Greek omelet was also great. The lamb chops were also pretty good for a diner. Service is okay. Not bad not great. read more

Parents have been bragging for a year about the desserts here I had a casual attitude about it thinking I have probably had better. Finally I caved and went this past weekend. Holy cow! Largest most amazing desserts ever! I got the cheesecake with chocolate cake on top and it was at least 6 inches high! It was not only visually impressive but the taste was great too! I even think it was some of the best cheesecake I've ever had! Will definitely be returning when I am back! read more

Almost everybody I know that has eaten here has gotten food poisoning. Including myself...twice. Do NOT eat the tuna melts.

We were returning to Downstate from Western NY. We stopped to have a lunch at the only place we saw off the highway, the Blue Dolphin. Looked promising being packed for Sunday dinner. In line I overheard that most were local regulars and eager to have their delicious meals. Their pallets must have been on anesthetic and they must have been blind . When we were seated I observed huge plates of sliced roast turkey, and the like being served, with a mound of mashes potato blanketed with glutinous corn starch "gravy". These people took half their meals home actually volunteering to eat the same again ! Seeing this and it being a Greek diner, we opted for the Greek dishes. My husband ordered corn chowder , more accurately a glob of corn starch sauce. Then the Greek moussaka consisting of layers of grainy potato and ground up pre cooked, not fresh ground, meat. I guess they have never heard "Twice cooked meat is fit for no man to eat." Might as well have ordered corned beef hash. The spinach pie was undercooked in the middle with the overpowering taste of raw chopped onion. In short stay away , (24hour breakfast is not an option at this diner). read more

By far, one of the BEST dining establishments in Tioga County. Have been here several times and have never been disappointed. Wait staff are prompt and friendly and portion sizes are very generous. We've often been able to eat here for $20 (2 people) - a full dinner including drinks. They offer up great specials on a weekly basis - How can you beat Stuffed Shells, Greek Salad, bread and your drink for $6.95?? They make the best Greek Salad; it's perfect every time. The stuffed blue fish and the crab cakes are two favorites; they will broil instead of fry, if that's your preference. Outstanding all the way around! read more

Good food, good service. Menu is a smaller than most diners. Breakfast was pretty much ala carte. Everything was separately priced. French toast with bacon and a soda came to $10. Bacon was perfectly crispy, but the french toast (supposed to be their specialty) was merely average. No weekday breakfast specials. read more

Great diner. The food is delicious. The prices are affordable and the employees are friendly. I usually stop here on my way to canada every year and I will continue to do so. Stop by you will not be disappointed. read more

Traveling and we were looking to try someplace different. We both had club sandwiches and the were great. Portion were large and food was fresh. Walk past the dessert case if you dare. Plan on stopping for breakfast on our way out read more

What time do they open? No hours listed her and no website!What time do they open? No hours listed her and no website! This is for Ransom Steele. read more

The BD hosted my family (20+ people) twice this year for the funeral celebrations for my Mom and Dad. The hospitality and outstanding food provided by the owners, John and Despina, and staff Samantha and Marisa were outstanding and comforting during a difficult time. The food was outstanding, large potions, and very reasonable. I lived in Athens for 4 years back in the 70s and was eating feta before feta was cool. The Greek food is authentic and just like I remembered. The great thing the BD did was provide a private room at no additional cost for our post-funeral gathering of 50 people. Mom and Dad loved this place and it was great to enjoy a final meal in spirit with our friends and family at the Blue Dolphin. If you want chain food, keep driving to the next Cracker Barrel. If you want some great comfort food and want to expand your food horizons, give the BD a try. read more

We stopped for lunch yesterday and the hostess was very rude,we stood and waited for a table for awhile.My husband was scheduled for a CAT scan so as we decided to leave she then offered to seat us,I said we were about to leave, so she said"I can't be in two places at once" no apology for the delay. The food was very good and we did make it to the appointment. read more

I have lived in Apalachin all my life. I remember when The Blue Dolphin was "The Apalachin Truckstop", and how sad my dad was when the new owners took over. He was afraid he'd lose the place he went to hang out with his cronies and drink coffee. Dad was pleasantly surprised. He soon found that the staff was friendly and welcoming, the prices reasonable, and the food was good. They put in a bar complete with stools, so he didn't have to give up his place at the counter. When Dad was ill (cancer), the only thing he would eat most days was a cup of soup from the Blue Dolphin. I would go in and get it to go, and the young men behind the counter would always ask after his health and wish him well. Dad's been gone twenty years, but the Blue Dolphin is still an Apalachin icon. The food is reasonably priced and tasty, typical "home made" diner fare. The cheesecake is to die for, as are pretty much any of the desserts. With some diners, you go in and see a case full of gorgeous huge cakes and pies, but when you get a slice, you're disappointed because they're mostly too-sweet whipped cream. Not at the Blue Dolphin. Whenever I want to remember Dad, I drop in for some cheesecake therapy, and happy memories. I wish the family many more years of successful business. Rejoicing in the day, -Mary read more

I just left here can't tell you anything about the food. The restaurant was pretty empty and I waited 5 mins at the reception podium. The staff did not greet me or even acknowledge I was there. I was there to have breakfast and get a gift certificate for a friend. Left with neither. The staff is paid to bring in customers and make an enjoyable experience they have missed the reason they are paid. Don't waste you time going here. read more

This place is terrible for breakfast. The omelettes are awful. The only flavor the mushroom omelette had was from a hair the cooking staff left in it. The Spanish omelette is just a bunch of salsa wrapped in an egg. The wait staff is indifferent to guests. The coffee is horrid. Don't come for breakfast. There are plenty of better diners in the area. read more

Maybe a little low, but more on that. First of all, my wife and I have eaten here several times over the years. It was okay a classic Greek diner, with a wide range of choices. Never had anything bad there and the service is usually spot on. The place is very clean. This day we stopped with our two 7 year old grand twins for lunch. Service was great, the portions huge. I had a wrap and my wife had a tuna cold plate. My warp came with soup that was homemade and fabulous. The twins had cheeseburgers, fries and shared a milkshake. The fries were great, just the way i like them, the cheeseburgers were a large portion for a child, but and this is where I deducted a point, there was filler in the meat. For me, that is a point deduction. I understand keeping costs down, but either make it a smaller real burger, or charge a bit more. Otherwise very happy with our dining experience, the waitress was great and very attentive. The food was ample and delicious. We will be back. read more

Service is incredibly slow. Food isn't the worse I have ever eaten but isn't great either.

I always stop here when I drive up to Buffalo. Very nice novelty diner. Food is decent quality and I've never been disappointed with the service. read more

Pleasantly surprised. We're from NJ the diner capital of the world so it takes a lot to impress us. Slightly odd, cheesy atmosphere. Got the chef salads, which were excellent and huge. Service was friendly and food came out fast. We'd stop here again. Tip- the Balsamic dressing was amazing and seemed to be homemade. We didn't get the cabbage rolls but they looked good going by. read more

Great food- good portions- reasonable prices. Amazing desserts. Staff is always nice.

This is my favorite place to get a Greek salad, the best one in town in fact! I've been coming here since I was a kid, for me it's just such comfort food. The desserts are so decadent, you'll be drooling as soon as you walk past the dessert case! Stop in, it's a great local diner! read more

The food here was not bad. The service was good. It took an eternity to get seated, even though there were several places we could have sat. If You are staying at the Comfort Inn next door and need something to eat I would recommend you go here, being that it is well within walking distance. read more

Wonderful steak and eggs! The service was great despite how busy they were. read more

Blue Dolphin - What a cake!!!!! - American Near Me - Apalachin, New York

In the past, I would've given 4 stars to Blue Dolphin. They have great food and delicious homemade desserts (try the cheesecake!). This hasn't changed over the years, but the quality of service has. It is very hit or miss depending on which waiter or waitress you get. We've stopped in for a quick lunch and been there for almost 2 hours due to poor service, but we've also had excellent servers on other occasions. When we don't have a time constraint we'll still stop in, because we love the food. If service improves, then we'll return to being regular patrons. read more

I've been here a few times and finally found something I didn't hate... The meatloaf wasn't aweful. The crab cakes were junk, and I'm not a fan of there pasta or marinara sauce. Waaaayyyyyy too much sugar for my taste. I will say that their dessert case looked amazing. Unfortunately, I'll probably be back some day. They are located next door to a hotel I frequent for work. read more

Decor is cheesy. At best. Besides that, wonderful little diner. Owners are Greek and anything Greek on the menu is awesome. Though that's far from all they offer! Hubby loves the lemon soup. We go there about once a week so he can get some! read more

I've eaten at this diner a few times in my life. Now that I am older, I find the quality of food to be sub-par. Normal diner greasy spoon. Nothing healthy. But it won't kill you. read more

I love this place...don't let the cheesy decor fool you. They have seriously good food here. Just got the stuffed parm shells and they were outstanding. Tons of favor in the sauce and it looks like the shells are homemade. This place has great comfort food. read more

Three people in a row in three different cities recommended this place when they found out I was working in nearby Elmira. I was not disappointed. Solid menu; classic ny/nj Greek diner. The desert case is amazing enough just to come for mid afternoon carb and coffee. Serviceable alcohol selection. Waitstaff are friendly and helpful pros. Right off the interstate. read more

The food is aways good. But this place really needs a hostess. Same person is trying to ring people out while the line to be seated backs up to the door. read more

Drove two hours today to get here to surprise my Mom and sister at lunch. I haven't been here in twenty years, and I don't think the decor has changed a bit. (The bathroom is especially dated, and though it smelled clean, the corners in the BR were gunky and there was a lovely wad of gum in the floor in the stall.) We were quickly seated in the back banquet room because they couldn't manage to accommodate 4 adults and child in the front room. This might not have been a bad thing but for the fact that there was a party of 20+ people in the room. The rest of the room was absolutely empty. So where do they seat us? Right next to this very loud group. It was hard to hear anyone in my party. The entire time we were there, there were many empty tables, so there was no real reason they needed to put us right next to this crowd. It was noon, but my daughter wanted an omelet and home fries, so I asked if breakfast was still being served. The waitress said yes, but no home fries, waffles, or poached eggs were available, so DD nixed that idea. The waitress seemed seriously stressed and said she needed five minutes to get out order, so we told her take her time. When she did come back, she was snappy about the order she wanted to take our orders in. When she brought the drinks, she brought them to the wrong people. She was finished actively waiting on the large group, so I'm not sure why she seemed so stressed out. I ordered spanikopita. Everyone else ordered sandwiches/wraps. I mentioned that the lemon soup was supposed to have been good, so my mom ordered it. The soup was...not fabulous. It had potential, but my mom didn't like it at all, so she gave it to me. I tried it, and it definitely didn't taste like real lemon. It tasted like cheap citric acid powder with a bad aftertaste, like in cheap candy or lemon drink mix that has been sitting around too long. If it weren't for that bad aftertaste, it would have been good. I suspect that real lemons aren't too closely related to this soup. The servings of our lunches were huge. My spanikopita was about $7, and it was three times as big as a similarly priced piece would be where I live. My daughter's grilled cheese was huge and she said the bread seemed homemade. Unfortunately, big doesn't mean good. My spanikopita was really greasy and not anywhere near as good as any piece I've ever had. I ate a small amount and was done. We asked if the waitress could tell us what desserts they had. We had seen them on the way it, but there was no dessert menu and there were no signs next to the desserts, so if I asked for the cake with chocolate frosting, it could have been one of four cakes. The waitress said, "well, I could, but it would be WAY easier if you went and looked at them" in, quite frankly, a very rude way and walked off. How would that help since we didn't know what anything was called? When I did get up to help my daughter with the selection, the waitress passed me with the box she was bringing for my daughter's leftovers. She said, "don't you want a box?" I told her no, I didn't. "Well, are you done?" "Yes." She then went to the table and grilled my sisters about why I wasn't taking my (greasy) spanikopita home. Lay off, lady! My mom got a piece of chocolate cake with "fluffy cream" filling. It wasn't good at all- I'm pretty sure there wasn't any real food in it. My daughter's cheesecake was somewhat better, but even my little sweet tooth said it was too sweet. It was very inexpensive ($50 for 5 of us with two desserts) but I won't be eating here again for at least another twenty years because the service was absolutely awful (and yes, I get it, I was a waitress) and the food sub-par. read more

The Dolphin is one of the few non-fast food restaurants in Apalachin. If your here early, don't do the pancakes. If your here any other time the gyros are delicious. The souvlaki is also very good and for dessert go for any of the displayed dishes, the serving sizes are usually generous. read more

Clean, nice staff, and food order came fast. The food good. Perfect stop for a quick meal and right off the highway.

Typical diner fare. Huge portions for a good price. Noting spectacular about the food.

Meh....nothing special. I ordered the steak salad...it was terrible. I was excited to try a dessert...that inevitably disappointed. The service was friendly and the atmosphere was typical diner. read more

The crab cakes were dreadful! The very wet and smelly insides were surrounded by this breaded crust on the outside. They gave you two large patties but they were so bad, I could hardly eat half of one. My wife had an Italian dish, the sauce was very basic, out of the can. It looked good but it wasn't. I sampled the dish as my dish was so bad, and was not impressed. The homemade bread was good. I understand the Greek food is good too. I don't think I will take that chance again. read more