I wasn't really impressed with this place, but it is in a great location near Duke University. I got an omelet with cheddar and turkey sausage. The potatoes it came with were overcooked and flavorless. The price was great though. I think it was around $6.00. I was surprised that the Saturday night crowd was so heavy on little kids. I had been expecting a college hangout. read more

I had the TBA (Turkey , Bacon, Avocado) with salsa mayo and a side of their green beans ... it was amazing I didn't leave a crumb on my plate. I can't wait to come and try brunch! read more

3.5 stars. Elmo's Diner is a decent brunch spot with good prices but the wait can be long. The food is above average; however, I still find their brunch to be not as good as some chain restaurants such as IHOP and Cracker Barrel which is not saying much given how many great brunch spots there are in Durham. I ordered the custom omelet with 4 ingredients. The selection of ingredients are pretty wide from meats to cheeses to veggies. Their omelet was pretty plain and modest. The dish comes with 1 side and choice of bread. I also ordered a blueberry pancake which was decent but slightly burnt. One small thing that annoyed me a bit was that Elmo's charges extra for small requests like cheese on your grits or an extra slice of pickle. read more

My favorite diner go to. Simple, delicious, good pricing and always great service. There is usually a wait for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, but they're efficient. There is nothing fancy about this place, but it always makes me feel at home. read more

Cute little quaint establishment on 9th street. Went in on a Sunday morning for brunch and place was a bit packed. Wait time was about 10 to 15 min. Manager and staff was super friendly. Had the egg and salmon plate with grits. Very very good food! For sure will definitely be back to ty something new. read more

Good breakfast, I have huevos rancheros, and like other times (not here), it wasn't my best experience but at the same time not bad at all !

Prices are good. You get a decent amount of food for your money. The pancakes are good and so are their omelets. The spaghetti is good as well. Not a bad place at all. read more

My family has patronized Elmo's regularly for 5 years - going there for breakfast nearly every weekend. We have always enjoyed the relaxed and friendly atmosphere as well as the attentive wait staff and good quality food . We have seen many servers come and go and have watched the diner make its way through the normal ups and downs any business feels. Unfortunately, Elmo's has dipped to a low in the past several months that seems to be the new norm. I waited to write this review in hopes that things would improve but, after this morning's all time low, my family has decided to mark Elmo's off our list for awhile. Today, our server was only moderately friendly and not overly attentive. He only made one visit back to our table to check on us and to offer refills. We have noticed this with all the newest wait staff. What a disappointment! The quality of the food has also suffered in the past several months. We've noticed that the food, generally speaking, tastes like it's been cooked and left under a warmer or re-warmed. The quiche this morning was so dry that the crust didn't stick to the filling and the entire dish couldn't be washed down with enough water. The scrambled eggs are no longer true scrambled eggs but, rather eggs that are scrambled then fried on the grill and then broken up into pieces as to appear scrambled. We've also notice in the past several visits that the home fries, one of our favorites, also appear to have been cooked ahead of time and warmed over. Additionally, everything arrived at the table cold as though it had been sitting (this has also become the norm). If any of our last few visits to Elmo's had been our first visit, we wouldn't have gone back. I encourage you to think twice about going there for breakfast right now. Hopefully, they'll get it together sometime soon and will return to being the diner they used to be. read more

Elmo's is a Durham staple, what can I say... The breakfast is pretty good- not the best I've had in the triangle, but it is good. I like their blueberry waffle. The blueberries always taste fresh. The veggie burger is good! It's probably number 3 in my top veggie burger list of the triangle. The wait staff is great. No matter how crowded they are - they seem to always smile and act respectful. My mom always talks to the staff forever (she's a gabber) and they are really good about listening to her and not rushing off.... (staying at the table an appropriate amount of time). I appreciate that. I also love their tomato soup and corn bread. Although last time the corn bread was tough and the soup was in the world's tiniest to-go cup (when I got it to-go) it was really weird.. I am pretty sure last time I got it to-go...it was in a larger cup but maybe that was a mistake.......... Overall- a good stop every once in awhile in Durham! read more

Very budget friendly and the food is very good. We ordered the breakfast burrito and the bacon waffle. The burrito's very loaded its very satisfying. Love it! read more

Elmo's Diner - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Love taking family and friends here on Sunday brunch. Be prepared to wait as it is super busy. Great staff and awesome food!! Keep it up Elmo's!! read more

Free coffee and water while you wait makes this a definite people pleaser for brunch. I was happy with my food, I thought everything was well made and tasty. My husband was mad that the fruit cup was not as described: he was told it was melon, pineapple, and grape. He went ahead even though he is not a melon fan. it turned out to be about 80% melon, 20% pineapple with no grapes, so he was kind of annoyed. He did enjoy the rest of his food - I think he got chocolate chip pancakes and I had an omlette. I don't know much about the non-brunch food so I can't attest to that, but I'm happy to get breakfast food here anytime. read more

They have the best blueberry pancakes! Well second best to my pancakes- but of course I'm not on Yelp...hahaha...my hubby says I struggle with being humble but I clearly don't see it! read more

I loveee Breakfast food, that being said, I love this place! huge portions of breakfast, tasty omelets, crispy bacon, and fluffy pancakes! I do wish there was more parking, but oh well. Great customer service and cute decor, just needs more space. read more

Elmo's Diner is a Durham institution, and for a good reason. Other than serving a killer breakfast, the servers are generally very helpful and knowledgeable and are always hustling, especially when they're busy. Even though they have a pretty extensive non-breakfast menu, I personally have the best luck ordering breakfast here. My personal favorites are the french toast and hot chocolate, while my husband really enjoys the shrimp and grits. The downside of Elmo's is that they are often very busy during the times that you would really want breakfast/brunch (think 10 am - 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays). You'll often see hoards of people waiting on their patio, which is generally a good indicator of at least an hour wait. Also, parking can be kind of a nightmare, so be sure to park in the lot down the hill from Elmo's (pay attention to the signs!) or in the lot across of World Market. read more

This place was awesome. My entire family was able to get something they loved for breakfast. Denise was fantastic dealing with our large party!! Will most definitely go here again!! read more

Food was fabulous, had a few different takes on basics that were perfect. Well worth the short wait to get in, would recommend to everyone.

I only gave two stars, because of the experience we all had, but I'll get to that in a second. We are visiting my sister & brother-in-law this week. They talked about how good the food was, and it was good food! We were seated quickly & got our drink order taken quickly. We ordered an appetizer, because we had to wait for my bro-in-law, but then the manager comes and tells us how long will it be until he arrives, we tell her, then she comes back and basically tells us we need to order now. So we did and got the food before he arrived. I've never been forced to order food; the manager was rude. Then we are told that they don't sit incomplete parties, like it was our fault we were seated early. And we were seated in a booth by the window and there were tiny ants crawling on the sill. Later at home, I found an ant in my purse. read more

I've never really had to write a bad review. At least not like this. So I ate here for the first time tonight and I went with my wife and my two year old son. I was super excited because the reviews seemed awesome. I ordered the Italian meatloaf with mashed potatoes and a roll. But I'm sad to say the meatloaf was basically a well done cooked hamburger patty with spaghetti sauce on top. The potatoes were cold. And my roll was hard as a brick. My son just got French fries which were actually cold too. I can say the service was fine. Very nice and friendly. But I am very disappointed with the food!!!! read more

I love Elmo's. It's one of my "go to" places for a good lunch or dinner. Part of its draw, beyond the tasty and consistent comfort food (I love the sandwiches, the salmon cakes, the chicken burrito, the tomato basil soup . . . ), is that the waitstaff there are friendly, attentive, and personal. I always feel welcomed there, even during the busiest of times. I'm mostly a lunch guy (tuna salad sandwich on wheat, fries, unsweet tea) - you'll find me at the counter most likely once a week. read more

Ahh Elmo's a true Durham institution voted one of the best in the state. When I read good reviews about this restaurant I wonder if the people that wrote them were brain dead. This restaurant is the epitome of a greasy spoon and by this I mean that you will struggle to find clean silverware. Everything in this restaurant seems very processed and pre- prepared nothing tastes fresh. The few times that I have been dragged into this restaurant by friends I always no that I am in for less than mediocre. I have tried several of the breakfast dishes, a burger, and some of their "home cooking." If you believe that this meal is just as good as your mother would make I pity you and your half assed childhood. Needless to say the food and the service in this restaurant are horrible. read more

Hands down the service was excellent. They handle crowds really well and the food camw out quick. The food was average and nothing to brag about. The salmon cake wasn't all that great, the pancakes was plain jane. All in all, the food is average, but great service though. read more

I undoubtedly could serve a higher quality meal than what my wife and i ate during our visit, the only issue would be buying all the groceries for less than what i paid for the meal. read more

This Elmo's was what sneaking out of your NCSSM dorm before curfew was technically up was created for. I remember the first time I went was when a friend of a friend came to visit from Chapel Hill and he took me up there for breakfast. I'd walked past the place a million times to get to Whole Foods, Cosmic, and other places further up the street. It looked so unattractive, but the inside is so cute! After one bite, it became my favorite breakfast place in Durham. Even during my time at Chapel Hill, I'd take a bus over to Durham so I could eat at my favorite little diner. read more

Friendly service, clean establishment and really delicious food. Was here for breakfast and wish I had been here before. Will be back.

Good home cooking. It tastes and looks like something your mom would have made. Assuming your mom can cook that is. Place stays pretty full with patrons; which is a good sign. read more

Elmo's is one of our favorites here in Durham. Their food is great (especially the BACON WAFFLES! yum!) and they have a nice, open floorplan with lots of windows that adds to a great atmosphere. Of course, they are crazy busy on the weekends-- be aware that if you're meeting a group, all must be present before they will seat you. But all in all, Elmo's is very friendly and a solid choice. read more

I'm in love with their chicken Caesar salads: the tangy dressing is the best. Service is always kind, friendly and attentive. The rest of the menu has a lot of good stuff--it's standard well-prepared diner fare, and that's its charm. It's the closest thing to a hangout for locals that D-ham has, and that gives it a great vibe and atmosphere. read more

Better than typical diner fare. Excellent selections of regular menu items and a full page of specials. The chef is very creative. Options abound. Service staff attentive. Loved it and will be back. read more

Eat here at least twice a week. I true diner in a great location. A wide raging menu. 9th street durham

The popularity of this place baffles me. I have been here twice with friends, and whenever we go out now and take suggestions for a restaurant, someone brings up Elmo's so we can all have a good laugh. Perhaps I wouldn't have been so disappointed if I'd come in with lower expectations, but I expected a simple good ol' American diner meal, and got served...well, not what I expected. Either it's bland or it's odd tasting. For the food and atmosphere, it's not that cheap, either. One friend ordered a $2 orange juice, which arrived in a glass barely larger than a thimble. We stared at it. When the waitress left, hilarity ensued. It's not without its good points, though. The sundae was cute and yummy, and the shepherd's pie left me feeling full. I also have nothing bad to say about the service. We tipped nicely and thanked them. But I'm not coming back. read more

Okay, I have to admit that I have returned several times to Elmo's since my first review. They have an amazing waffle with bacon that I refer to as crack on a plate. The waitstaff is extremely friendly and concerned that you enjoy the food. I spent Valentine's 2012 here alone for breakfast after class. I sat there wondering, I think they used to put flowers and balloons on the tables. Maybe that was a different time, and a different me. read more

Everything is wonderful here! One of my favorite places to come to when visiting my daughter at Duke. Not once did we have a bad meal or bad service!!! See you soon read more

I've gone to Elmo's about 6 times now and have been blown away every time. The food is phenomenal and well priced. The waitstaff is always friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. A great place to take your family and friends for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. read more

Elmo's is a good place to go to for comfort food and affordable food (especially if you're a college student like myself). I got the Chicken and Dumplin's and it was just simply comforting. I got Mac n' Cheese as a side and it was a little bland, but still good. The vibes are just so friendly and our waiter was attentive and nice. We were seated immediately when we came, the place was bigger than I thought! We tried parking in the Elmo's customers lot, but that was a crazy mistake. We were stuck in the lot for 30 minutes and I had to get out the car to help maneuver my friend's minivan out. I wish the lot space was a bit bigger! Other than that, Elmo's is pretty great! They have a huge menu and you would want to try everything! read more

The veggie burger is their own creation and is very good. Nice vegetarians options. Helped me get through Lent. :-)

When it comes to Diners, Elmo's is the best that you're going to find in Durham. The food is always delicious and reasonably priced. The service is always great. Can't recall a bad experience I've had there, and I've been more times than I can count. They open early if you're in the mood for an early breakfast, and they serve breakfast all day. Their dinner and lunch entrees are great as well. I really wish they would open more of these, for instance in California where we really lack good, authentic diners. read more

Server was clueless and kept messing up orders. Food was bland. Not going back.

There is southern cooking and there is gourmet cooking. The two mixed together isn't advised in my opinion but if you don't know the difference or if you don't care for authentic southern cooking, then you may enjoy this place. (Still Don't get the meatloaf.) This is a well loved community breakfast spot but I honestly think the home town dinner vibe is what people like and not the food. Supporting local businesses even when they suck is a theme of this neighborhood because it's full of transplants who want to believe Durham is mayberrys when its not. (The biscuits are also like dry crumble) Go to the pit if you want southern food with a gourmet feel, The Pit is amazing. If you want to feel like you experienced a neighborhood small business dive bar then go sit in Elmos but don't waste money on the food. read more

Cheap, friendly, delicious. Very close to Duke Regional if you want to avoid the cafeteria food. My Western Omelet rocked! We'll be back in a couple weeks for lunch!! read more