This is a true diner in the rawest sense. There are maybe six booths and stool seating at the counter. Watch the chef cook typical diner food and chit chat with the regulars. It's listed as the oldest diner in Bergen County, possibly all of NJ. Yes, everything is old, with decades of memorabilia lining the walls. The overall state of the facility is suspect with a layer of grease coating the condiments and no idea when that coffee was made. This is an opportunity to be a part of history, a journey through time. I've crossed it off my list of places to try. The itch is gone. read more

The service and food were overall good. I think they can improve on how often they check up on tables as I was waiting to ask for something for a little longer than I wanted. read more

This diner is over 100 years. The owner Lou is really nice and everything is made fresh and hot. The prices are reasonable. The old timers go there. There is a lot of memorabilia on the walls. read more

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Very nice and friendly service. Pancakes were delicious and made into a fun Mickey Mouse shape. Old school diner vibe, which felt very nostalgic. read more

Dumont Crystal Diner - Chocolate chip pancakes - Diners Near Me - Dumont, New Jersey

One of the best kept secrets in diners. Everything is made fresh, hot and fast off the griddle as the chef cracks eggs and jokes. Prices are still reasonable for pancakes, silver dollars, corn beef hash, crispy home fries or specialized omelettes. Walking into the diner is almost like stepping into a time capsule. The walls are lined with local memorabilia, and photos and the stools at the counter welcoming for orders. There are a number of booths around the diner windows that lend itself to having conversations over food. Crystal diner is one of those place you almost don't want to review so you can keep the short wait times down to grab a table. Always an enjoyable time with the attentive staff and funny owner, read more

Dumont Crystal Diner - a plate of breakfast food - Diners Near Me - Dumont, New Jersey

A little run down hole in the wall place. Boasts of nostalgic ambience; looks like it was not painted or renovated since 1970s. Very greasy grill, a small college dorm size refrigerator that stores meat and dairy products together. Two small bugs crawling under my plate made me lose my appetite and I left my breakfast unfinished. The owner shamelessly charged and took $10 without a word of regret. Very unhygienic place, to say the least. Wonder if it passes any health inspections. Google and Yelp ratings are a joke and misguiding if you are a stranger and trying to find a decent meal based on the reviews. read more

I am a DINER buff. When I went there for Breakfast it was like back in the old days. Food was very good. Will go back there again when I am in the area. read more

We pop in here every now and then and are never disappointed! Owner is super friendly, quick, courteous and entertaining. Everyone knows him and he treats his customers like family. A must try! Good for an abundant breakfast or lunch! Definitely not for a large crowd but they offer a lot of seating on the bar and accommodate about 6 booths. read more

Classic small hole in the wall diner, super friendly, reasonably priced, and tasty. with counter and few booths. Unique old nostalgic vibe, nice no frills spot to grab something quick and tasty. read more

Went there based on reviews. These reviews are lost on me! I walked in and immediately thought LEAVE but I felt bad for the guy as he was very welcoming and nice. I tried to ignore the smell in there which is a BIG ask. I tried to ignore the curdled cream--that can happen. I tried to ignore the state of the place (counter, booths, floor, and the fact that it could use some hot water and bleach!) I tried to ignore the sticky salt and pepper bottles. I tried to ignore the warped knife. I tried to ignore the dried glop of ketchup on top of the ketchup bottle. It's just too much and none of it good. The food was not even remotely ok. I can't even offer a suggestion for improvement other than tackle what I mention above. It may have been the spot for a moment in time but that time has passed and it's over. I want to see small establishments succeed but if this diner were a dog, it would need to be put to sleep. Do not waste your time, money, or stomach here. read more

Good food is reasonably priced Hidden gem on the heart ‐-----‐--‐---------'zzzzzzzzz read more

I really wish this place is closer to where I live. Most menu items are $10 or under. What!?!?!? Considering how prices have gone up everywhere in crazy double digit %, seeing the menu here is like getting a warm hug from your wallet. Aside from the unbeatable pricing and classic aesthetic appeal, the food here is no frills and legit. Pancakes were on point. Both sandwiches we got were done right. Cold cuts were sliced super thin and stacked nice and thick. Even the fries were expertly seasoned. Only down side is no a/c. But considering the price and food quality, bring on the heat because it's well worth it! read more

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Hidden gem. Fantastic breakfast joint. Great tasting food. Great portions. Friendly staff. Always a joy eating here. Don't let the exterior fool you. The place is small and might not be much to look at from the outside but the food is great and it is a cool experience to dine here. It's a typical greasy spoon but the food is always fresh and delicious. It's like a time capsule. Including the low prices which are amazing. Our last breakfast for 3 with coffee and drinks was $37! Left stuffed. Looks family run. Gotta support small family businesses. read more

Nothing like a good ol' hospitality meal. The cook was super friendly and had a great spirit. Mike and I got the Giants Burger and The Gyro. The burger only came with mozzarella cheese which surprisingly was really tasty with just the burger. Mike's gyro came with home made fries which were also seasoned really well. The gyro came with lettuce, tomato and avocado. If you want some Tzatziki, ask the cook for some! He whips some up for you on the spot. read more

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Welcomed by the rush of regulars, Dumont Crystal Diner appears to foster an environment of familiarity, as customers and owner/chef, Louie, converse like good friends seeing each other again. Around 7:15 a.m. on a bright Saturday morning, my guests and I were welcomed into this loving family, whilst simultaneously transporting back into 1925, as the diner remained seemingly unchanged from when it first opened. I felt as if I were in a time capsule, as hundreds of old photos and relics lined the walls. We got to sit anywhere we wanted and were quickly handed menus, as Louie came to take our order within a few minutes. It was incredibly captivating to watch our meal being made, as one signature of O'Mahony's diners was the ability to see the chef cooking your meal - and this remained true for the Dumont Crystal Diner. We received our meals incredibly quickly, so much so that we were finished eating within 30 minutes of arriving. Louie was so kind and humorous, he even made my pancakes into Mickey Mouse, and once I finished my meal he said, "Did you eat the ears first?", which made a huge smile leap across my face. The owner made sure every guest felt welcomed as he chatted with everyone. My pancakes were so delicious, and my guests felt the same about their food; the meals were tasty and so inexpensive, making the experience beyond worth it. The overall meal came to about $35 (with tip) for 3 people. No matter where you live, it is worth the drive to visit this hidden gem. read more

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Old school diner! No frills, no BS, just the way I like it. Wait staff and dude at the griddle are all good people.

Pull up to the counter or come with four or less cause there is no chairs, in this Oldest diner in Bergen county NJ, The food speaks for itself and the owner cook and his family run this adorable place. old style full of pictures and hand written signs everywhere. We went with one of the best tasting breakfast we have ever tasted! 4 of us had assorted omelets, one additional who had to sit at the counter cause no room for a 5th at the table had Pancakes that was like eating smothered butter and batter, one bite tells a story. My omelet was the Amazing omelet...OMG was it delicious, every veggie and ground beef with just the right spices Also secret spices! hash browns were perfect but I substituted for Tomatoes the owner heard I did that and added a side of cooked spiced tomatoes that were so good! loved this place and hope I can find my way back here some day soon. read more

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Atmosphere: The Dumont Crystal Diner is small and one of the oldest NJ diners. It has about 12 spots to sit.  It nearly blends in, in downtown Dumont. It's a small, unassuming building. Inside The Dumont Crystal Diner, it's like a blast from the past. You can tell the diner has been around for a while. All of the walls are filled with memorabilia from dollar bills to police patches, to old photos. Coffee: The coffee at The Dumont Crystal Diner was good, but there was nothing unique or exciting about it. The owner joked "no we don't have coffee" and I definitely believed him. Food: The Dumont Crystal Diner menu is small and you won't find anything healthy. It has all of the old school diner options from eggs, omelets, a few sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and pancakes. I wasn't sure what I wanted, but I decided to order the "amazing omelet." I asked the owner of The Dumont Crystal Diner what was in the "amazing omelet," and he said: "it's amazing like you"...but he never told me what was in there! When it came: it had chopped meats, burger, cheese, tomatoes, spinach, and onions. I'm sure there was more but I couldn't figure it out. The omelet itself lived up to the name; it was "amazing." Service: A Only one person was working and it was definitely the owner. He was one of the funniest guys I've ever talked too and one of the best diner owners. He chatted with each of the guests, made jokes, and our food came out fast. He was in the top 10% of diner owners I've chatted with. Overall Thoughts: I liked The Dumont Crystal Diner, and I can see why it's been in business for so long. Everything about it was great. You won't find a healthy option, but you will find quality food. read more

Dumont Crystal Diner - Amazing omelet - Diners Near Me - Dumont, New Jersey

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PROS: Keeping in mind it's the oldest diner in NJ the inside looked very nostalgic. It had a lot of memorabilia dating back over the decades ranging from sports to the military. The menu was extensive with great prices and the food tasted great! You can either sit at a table or talk to the very charming owner who's heavily involved in the community. CONS: The place is small and the tables weren't that clean. The chairs are ripped up and I didn't see a bathroom. They're only open till 3pm as well. OVERALL: This is a great place to eat when you want to grab a quick bite to eat. I suggest the burger for lunch and have a nice chat with the owner cause he's the reason for why the diner is very community oriented read more

Dumont Crystal Diner - Diners Near Me - Dumont, New Jersey

Love this place! Not a run of the mill diner! Lou, the owner makes everyone feel like family and he cooks great and tasty dishes!!! I highly recommend a visit to the Crystal Diner!!! read more

This is one of the best diners I've ever been to. It's family owned, and is the oldest diner in bergen county. Once you step inside, it feels like you've travelled back in time. They even have old cash registers for if you pay in cash, they do take debit though. The food was great as well especially for the price. Everything is made by the owner, and he makes everything taste like a hearty home cooked meal. The service was great as well. The owner and his daughter always checked on us and they were also very considerate, asking if we wanted anything on a separate plate or if we wanted anything on the side. Needless to say, if I'm ever looking for a brunch or lunch, this diner is now my go to! read more

Dumont Crystal Diner - Waffle House omelette - Diners Near Me - Dumont, New Jersey

a old school diner in dumont nj thats boast as being the oldest diner in nj and from the inside interior i would agree. its open till 3pm and thats ok cause i am here for a typical diner breakfast which is exactly whats on the menu, eggs, pancakes , coffee, oatmeal, bacon , corn beef hash, etc, and the lunch menu is the typical all american kind with burgers , fries , soup, sandwiches, meatloaf , turkey and you know the rest. took a seat at the counter on a stool and being a booth person its a change on my part but place has the old school retro vibe that i am digging . scramble eggs with corn beef hash , home fries , dry toast , orange juice and its a wrap. if you find yourself in dumont and want breakfast or lunch and dig the old shack looking diner then give crystal diner a visit for some good comfort food. read more

Funky is the key word when describing this diner out of the twilight zone. It's 50's style decor is original. It's a one man show. Food and cleanliness are suspect here. Stay with the breakfast menu as it's probably the safest bet. read more

Dumont Crystal Diner - Diners Near Me - Dumont, New Jersey

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One of the BESTTTTTTT DINERS I've been too. My husband and I were in this town and decided to stop in not knowing what to expect. The owner is very friendly!!!! You feel very welcome / the French toast was unlike anything I've had and we have breakfast out 3 times a week!!! Everything was impeccable. It's about 30 minutes away but I'll be sure to go there again and tell people about it! read more

Dumont Crystal Diner - Diners Near Me - Dumont, New Jersey

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Service is amazing! Food is great for the price. Love going there with my kids and husband!

The staff was very friendly and the food was very good I'm even met friends there so I highly recommend this place it's a family family diner read more

Awesome! Throw back in time. Owner and young H girl waitresses were super nice. Food was good ! Loved it!! Going back! Best BLT Around. Son loved the pancakes. Good coffee - read more

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Excellent food, prices and service. Best part, u walk back into time, maybe 1930's style. Everything inside is original to it's time period. Opened in 1925 and it oldest diner in Bergen County. Well worth visiting. These types of places are so hard to find. read more

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If you're looking for a cozy, divey diner with great atmosphere and great food this is a place to come to. I Pass by here all the time and I've always wanted to stop by. This weekend decided to stop by for breakfast with my wife and son. The place has about 8 to 10 stools by the counter and also about 4 to 5 Booths. The whole inside of the diner was covered with nostalgic pictures dating back into the early 1930s through the present. When we walk through the door we were immediately greeted by the owner and made us feel like if we had been coming there every day for ever. His daughter gave us the menus. My wife ordered a burger that came with home fries and me and my son both had a meat lovers omelet that came with toast and homefries. The food was delicious and the coffee cups were never empty. We would definitely come back to this place again. They definitely make you feel at home. read more

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Stopped by for a quick breakfast and was very content with my meal. Ordered the mushroom + swiss omelette, came with home fries and toast! Super filling. This place is great if you want a cheap, easy meal. I noticed that there was only one guy working the tables (I think his name was Lou) and he was super friendly with everyone in the diner. Super hospitable, would love to come back if I'm in the area. read more

What a wonderful neighborhood diner. Egg sandwich was perfect and corned beef hash. Loved hearing all of the locals stories. Really really nice owners who just want you to be happy and not hungry. So welcoming!!! read more

Changed owners recently, so it's open longer. Family business. Great people, great service, great food. It's the kind of local spot where honest people are making an honest living the right way. Owner has a shirt that says "good food, bad jokes"... Gotta love it. Food is fresh and good. Have since moved from town, but always stop in when I'm around. read more

Stopped in for breakfast. They cannot do enough for you. I had the cheese omelet with bacon. My wife had poached eggs. Coffee and tea were excellent. We cannot wait to come back again. read more

Moe is a great cook and even better person. Going to relate a personal story here. Unfortunately I haven't eaten here in years so this is more about what a great person Moe is than anything. As a young boy my father owned the drugstore up the street. Every morning he would stop in for a taylor ham, egg and cheese on a hard roll (yes, he has had heart surgery since to put a stent in). I would pull up at the counter next to him and order the same thing with a chocolate milk. Barely being able to look over the counter to watch Moe at the grill I would sit there feeling like the mf'ing boss while my dad read the paper or chatted up the locals. I felt like I was in a classic movie looking at all the old photos that lined the walls of the converted railroad car that now serves as the dining room. It's about as Jersey as a Jersey diner can get. Every once in a while I would be allowed to head down the block to get lunch on my own. I would pull up to the counter and order something ridiculous (chocolate chip pancakes) that Moe would gladly make. Then he would tell me to take the money my father had given me up the street to the baseball card store and have some fun. Never took a dime. Never. Now maybe the years have made me nostalgic but I had some great mornings in that diner watching the regulars chat it up and pour their own coffee behind the counter. Places like this are slowly going away, which in my book is a sad state of affairs. I'll always remember Moe's for its authenticity and the love that his family had for the place. read more

Classic place to step back in time and have a burger, fries and a Coke. The friendly service and the terrific photos and old newspaper articles on the walls make it easy to give this place 5 stars. I put up a bunch of photos that tell the story better than I can write it. read more

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Really nice place for a diner. Pretty small but there's plenty of seating. The service is amazing; the one man who took my order was delighted to serve me and was really generous and lively. He gave me a discount and it was only my first time eating there. I ordered an egg sandwich which left me with no complaints. There are not many diners around here, so if you're looking for one, Crystal is a must! read more

We went in for breakfast around 8a having yelped this place the night before. The owner/cook was friendly and the place looks like a time capsule with all its old photos, the atmosphere is friendly. This diner is not the cleanest place and somewhat cluttered, the food does not live up to its reviews breakfast tasted like old oil, the sausage was not very appealing either. The eggs and steak sandwich was and order of steakums the was overcooked and dry. The only good thing besides the attitude of the owner/cook was the coffee. read more

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Felt like I was eating a hearty home cooked meal in my own home. Love this family owned business- Louie and his children are the sweetest and most personable people and the food is great. read more

Food is amazing and the atmosphere feels so cozy and like you're back in the 1970's, and the owner is so chill, God Bless!

The several people who've already written positive reviews already have covered the waterfront, so I've not much to add to their comments. Except for a couple of things. Not only is the place a throwback to a bygone era of Northern New Jersey diner lore, it's in many ways a historic landmark. As a young kid who grew up in Dumont, it was amazing to me that the seemingly tiny diner was the go-to place for many commuters who'd drop in on their way to/from NYC or elsewhere, back in the days when a commuter train ran through town. Later, it was a popular lunch destination for many of us when we were at Dumont High School, and afterwards, on returning to visit family or friends in Dumont, it became a rallying point for friendly get-togethers to catch up on the local news and gossip, over either breakfast or lunch. It's true that many of the diner's patrons are locals, and in my opinion it's these colorful characters who add a splash of panache that's so patently absent nowadays at other eateries, where you wouldn't dare think about going behind the counter to pour your own coffee. Or where, on an honor system basis, you could just lay your money for the tab on the counter by the cash register, with a tip, and just leave because Moe was too preoccupied with cooking, prepping, cleaning up, or engaged in a conversation with other patrons. Virtually no one back in the day (or now, for that matter) expected anything but wholesome, filling food at a very reasonable price, great conversation with lots of ribbing and joking, and, of course, the superb personal, hands-on service of Moe, the owner, who like a one-armed paper hanger runs the place virtually single-handedly - chief cook and bottle washer. The walls are lined with photos and memorabilia going back 50 years or more, with sports stars and celebrities there to give the diner a special, uncontrived and authentic ambience not to be found elsewhere. One of my faves is an autographed photo of Frank Howard, the former Yankee great who lived in Teaneck, just a few miles away. Moe tells the tale behind the photo, explaining that Howard would sit outside his home and warmly welcome any autograph hounding youngsters, and offering each kid some words of encouragement in pursuit of their dreams. Where else can you get such local color and commentary these days from any proprietor of a local diner or eatery? Five stars, frankly, aren't enough. read more