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    Empire Diner

    3.7 (99 reviews)
    ModerateDiners, American
    Closed 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Empire Diner Photos

    Business Info

    EMPIRE DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Empire Diner

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    Reviews With Photos

    Diane S.

    My husband is obsessed with the awful waffle and he said it is good as ever. I loved the $10 steak deal with sides they even included shrimp. Service was fast on a Sunday, they take card and have waiters for drinks and parking is free. I liked the Halloween decor

    The awful awful
    Serena L.

    For those who have ever had the OG awful awful at the little nugget, the empire diner brought it back and it's pretty spot on. Do we need a pound of fries with our giant burger? No. But do we enjoy the pound of fries that comes with it? Absolutely. It's definitely a meal for two. Our server was friendly and our food came out quick. Don't judge the diner because it's at the Baldinis, it was definitely busy the whole time we were there.

    Senior Breakfast
    Lana O.

    Yay! Empire Diner still offers a Senior Menu. There are approximately 10 entries for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Today, I enjoyed the 1/4lb Beef Patty, Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, and Sourdough Toast--a large portion for under $10.

    Awful awful
    Ben H.

    Not a bad place to eat. Prices are right and they have specials all the time. My review is for the awful awful. Burger is a little small, the top half of the bun completely fell apart after the first bite so that was disappointing. You do get a ton of fries like the original so that's a plus. The fries were really salty though, I mean really salty. I'm glad they went back to using plastic cups instead of paper cups they were using for a while. Service is usually good. Interior can use some updating but it's not bad.

    John G.

    Hard to find this diner being situated in a casino. It was worth the search. Cat, my server, was amazing. Excellent bus support as well by the Spanish gentleman.

    2/21/23 $12.99 New York Steak & Shrimp promo with fries
    Lee D.

    Quality/Quantity - We got the following today: Two orders of the NY steak with shrimp specials, one with fries and one with brown rice. Who do you think ordered the one with fries, LOL. I also got a small cup of chicken noodle soup for 99¢ more. It was hearty, but too salty for me. Fresh fish of the day = just okay. Senior fish and chips as my buddy is an even lighter eater than I am. Overall, all the food was okay. But the fried foods, fries and shrimp, were done very well! I would come back just for this. I was torn between ordering this versus the prime rib; the advertisement photo sold me. The food looks much better than it tasted. Atmosphere - Good space, looks larger than it really is with all the mirrors. Booth and table seating. Actually, the booths were fairly large, and could seat 6 comfortably. This place and casino advertise towards locals. Very local focused. Open 7 days a week. Plenty of casino parking. Service - Waiter was good, okay. The bus girl was awesome. She was proactive, checked up on us more often, friendly, etc. Price - $50 + generous tip due to the bus girl. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success. Great job with your deep fryer, but I suggest working on your other recipes...

    Prime Rib
    Red B.

    While visiting Reno for Hot August nights, we happened upon Baldini's Casino. While playing a slot machine, my wife was awarded a free steak & shrimp dinner, so understand that this meal was comp'd. The food came out very fast. I had the sirloin steak & shrimp (free) dinner and my wife ordered prime rib. My steak was on the smallish size, however with the 4 shrimp, it was the perfect portion size. Everything tasted good and my steak was tender. My wife's prime rib was also tender and delicious. The only weird thing is the water had an unusual taste. It wasn't a soapy taste but I cant quite put my finger on what the taste was. It may have been iced tea remnants, I just can't say. We will go back again.

    Christian D.

    Finally got to try the famous Awful Awful burger after so long! The burger lives up to the hype--absolutely delicious. I'd highly recommend checking this place out. The service was great, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting.

    Baldini's....not worth the effort to walk in...especially in a storm!
    Julie A.

    One star. I stood in line waiting for the hostess to seat a line of people. Hostess not to be found. The poor cashier could not help. She had a line to cash out. If you only have a short time to eat, waiting in line for a hostess is not a way to have lunch. So disappointing. The hostess/ manager should be fired! I asked to speak to a casino manager. Waited another 20 minutes. He did not show up. I just left. Wasted my lunch hour. Service was horrible. Julie A

    Pamela M.

    Danny and Reese are AMAZING!!! Super kind and welcoming, not to mention the Awful Awul burgers are back and just as good 10/10

    Awful awful burger.
    Aubrey J.

    My mom and I went here to try our first awful awful burger and it was amazing! It was a huge burger with a TON of fries. The flavor was outstanding! We definitely could have shared it. Our server was Danny and he was awesome!. Even the busser that was on shift was attentive to us and was very friendly. Great experience all around and we will definitely be back next time we're in the area.

    Tex mex eggrolls (very good, new item) & ribeye
    Chastity L.

    I'm giving 2 stars because half my order was correct the other half was not. Asked for a grilled cheese with lettuce tomato and onion and ended up with a ham sandwich. Which I couldn't eat due to dietary restrictions. I get hash n eggs all the time and that's always great. They remembered my drink for once so thats a plus. I went 30 minutes before closing and didn't look at it til I got home. Everything I give the benefit of the doubt it always wrong. Gonna have to make it a habit of checking everything before I leave.

    Veggie skillet

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    6 months ago

    Over priced to go buffet not impressed with the quality of food and service improve on the price to go order a buffet, please thank you

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    Ask the Community - Empire Diner

    Chickie's & Pete's - Chickie's & Pete's view of bar and dining areas from main entrance.

    Chickie's & Pete's

    3.2(405 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    We haven't been to Grand Sierra Resort in quite some time, so it was nice to be back--especially…read morefor a birthday celebration. We were greeted by hostess Julie, who was warm and welcoming right from the start. I really appreciated that the staff acknowledged the birthday without us even having to mention it. Our server, Mary Jane, already knew, which was a great touch (likely from reservation notes which, honestly, was a refreshing change from a past experience at Peppermill). Mary Jane was excellent--attentive, consistent, and on top of everything. Even with how busy it was, she made us feel like we were her only table. Chloe, our food runner, kept things running smoothly. The atmosphere was lively with trivia night and team competitions going on, which added a fun vibe. They also have outdoor seating available. Food was good overall. The birthday boy loved the Crabfest! Tried their sampler platter and Lobster fries both were just okay. Our shrimp came out overcooked at first, but they quickly corrected it and the second round was great. The seafood pasta, fish & chips, shrimp, and poke tacos were all decent, but nothing particularly memorable. Service is definitely 5 stars. Food is closer to 4 stars--but still a solid experience overall.

    Our group (family) came here for dinner, and we had a great meal. It was a rather quiet afternoon,…read moreabout 3 pm, and we were seated between the fireplace wall and the bar. We were greeted by our server (John, I believe), who took drink orders and brought those, but then he took about 15 minutes before taking our meal order. We could see hi working tables between the bar and the casino floor, so we know he wasn't hiding, but it was not the promptest order taking. We ordered a lot, so I'll try to remember them all! We started with onion rings, calamari, and the combo platter (wings, calamari, mozzarella sticks, onion rings). For entrees, there were Cobb salads (Romaine, iceberg, spring mix, crumbled bleu cheese, cherry tomatoes, corn, bacon, eggs, pickled red onions, cucumber, green goddess dressing) but with bacon on the side and extra dressing on the side as well. We also ordered a kid's cheeseburger, and a Paddy Melt (Smashed beef burger, Guinness-braised onions with cheddar and American cheese, bacon, Burger-zing sauce on garlic, grilled sourdough). There were other dishes, but these are the ones with photos! The food came quickly and was nice and hot. Except the salads. The onion rings are always well fried, crisp and not oily. The combo platter is also a favorite, and the calamari went fast as well. The salads are fresh, colorful, with textures and tastes that really come together, and the Green Goddess is a perfect choice. The Paddy Melt was cooked perfectly, and nicely presented, and the kid's burger (1/2) was just the right size for a 10-year-old. All things considered, it was a great meal, and once we got the order in, the service was attentive and professional. Looking forward to a return visit here.

    Photos
    Chickie's & Pete's - Chickie's & Pete's view main entrance with host podium.

    Chickie's & Pete's view main entrance with host podium.

    Chickie's & Pete's - Philly cheesesteak

    Philly cheesesteak

    Chickie's & Pete's - Bar area

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    Bar area

    Parlay 6 Brewing - Menu front 5-3-24

    Parlay 6 Brewing

    4.4(147 reviews)
    2.3 miMidtown
    $$

    4/10/26 So this was…read morefirst time here and it was great . Heard good things just never had a chance to get to. Came with Wifey and Good friend. Cool Decor and TV's and pool table in the back . Service was great , Avy was our server and she was excellent. I ordered the coconut stout and it was so good , along with that I had the smash burger with onion rings which I heard from a friend and saw reviews that it was great. It didn't disappoint it was very tasty. The onion rings were nice and crispy too. We all enjoyed our food. Will be back to try other stuff and different beer too . Enjoy !!!!

    FYI this place closes at 8pm on Sundays-Thursdays, and their menu is reduced drastically. NO WHERE…read moreon their website indicates this. I unfortunately found this out the hard way, going with a group of friends on a Sunday night. Furthermore, the kitchen does last call at 8:30pm. We had a friend arrive shortly after 8:30pm, and the waitress refused to take his order- mind you, it was for a simple smash burger. The waitress said "the kitchen will get mad at you if you place an order", a very unprofessional and rude response. Overall, The food was subpar too, dry hamburgers and overpriced. I used this come to this restaurant when they were open for lunch, and they were great. Friendly service with good food. However they are only open for dinner now. I only recommend this place for their beer.

    Photos
    Parlay 6 Brewing - Menu back 5-3-24

    Menu back 5-3-24

    Parlay 6 Brewing - Basque Marinated Tri Tip sandwich

    Basque Marinated Tri Tip sandwich

    Parlay 6 Brewing - Us at the bar!!

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    Us at the bar!!

    Charlie Palmer Steak Reno - Ribeye steak 21 oz

    Charlie Palmer Steak Reno

    3.6(861 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    We were staying at the GSR and wanted to check out Charlie's happy hour to grab some small bites…read more We made a reservation and were sat immediately. Our server Forest was great he explained the menu to us and advised what was covered in the happy hour. The food was also good, the bread basket was the best. We had the lamb lollipops 10/10, Oysters 8/10, loaded baked potato 6/10, lobster bisque 9/10, prawn cocktail 9/10. I definitely suggest giving them a try!

    So we have a little unpacking to do here... First off, Charlie Palmer's is NEVER less than 4 stars…read moreon the quality and presentation of its food. Not sure who the haters are but maybe they lost money in the casino. In the many time I have eaten there, it's always been good to great, and last night was GREAT! My buddy Mike and I make this a mandatory stop when he comes into town, so thanks, buddy, because I was gleefully pleased (and stuffed) when we finally waddled out after a truly enjoyable 2 1/2 hours. The Food: The bread basket and 2 types of butter is always a great way to start and the selection is tasty. Just have to be careful not to overindulge and ruin what follows. The pacing at Charlie's is welcome as they are not trying to turn tables quickly and allow you to enjoy each offering. Mike had the Cobb salad which is always a treat. Next up came the unexpected little mini short rib pies in a delectable crust. Three bites of pure heaven! We could have eaten 12 each and called it a night. A wonderful pallet cleanser of liquid sorbet followed as a prequel to our mains. Mike had the bone in pork chop which he gave a 9/10 to and I had the 6oz duck breast special over succotash cooked to a perfect medium. YUMMMMM!!! Some of the best succotash I've had and the duck was perfect. I ordered two sides, the roasted carrots and the baby summer squash, which again, were perfectly cooked and delicious. Now borderline too full for dessert, a glance at the menu and we couldn't resist. Sorbet for Mike and the deconstructed chocolate banana cream pie for me. I couldn't help myself and devoured the whole thing! We polished off a beautiful Willamette Valley Pinot and sat back and relaxed. The Ambience: For a casino steak house i think it shines pretty well. Fairly light and modern, and classy but not over the top. The spacing of the tables is excellent, so you are not abused by other people's conversations. A wonderful place for a date, I suppose. The Service: OK, this is where the 5 star rating really takes place. Being a great server I feel has become a lost art. Probably the main reason Mike and I make this a regular stop isn't the excellent food, but the friendship we have created with Donovan! He shines at his craft on a higher level than any restaurant I have visited. He's funny, concise, informative, etc.... Pure precision and perfection from start to finish. I'm honored to be able to consider him a friend, and it brings the dining experience to the uppermost level! Thanks Buddy. Probably a good idea to ask for his section when you dine there and you will understand. As always, will look forward to my next visit to Charlie's in a month or so. Cheers, JimG

    Photos
    Charlie Palmer Steak Reno - Dining room

    Dining room

    Charlie Palmer Steak Reno - Prawn cocktail

    Prawn cocktail

    Charlie Palmer Steak Reno - Smoked  A-5 Old Fashioned

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    Smoked A-5 Old Fashioned

    Old Granite Street Eatery - fettuccini - sun dried tomato arrabbiata sauce

    Old Granite Street Eatery

    3.9(997 reviews)
    2.5 miDowntown
    $$

    Went there last night with my wife and our friend. The ambiance was great and our server nice. My…read moreold fashioned had good flavor but the mini ice cubes melted quick and watered it down. I guess I needed to drink it faster! The apps were solid. The pretzel bites and beer cheese kicked ass and the hummus was excellent. So far so good. I ordered the 6oz. sirloin, medium rare, and boy did I learn my lesson. I've eaten here about 20-25 times and should have stuck with a burger or something that didn't require effort. That sirloin was so well done they must have cooked it twice. It was like eating a middle school burger with a knife and fork. This place is decent. Just stick to burgers and wraps and you'll be fine.

    Old Granite Eatery is a local spot that has been around for a while. This is a charming place to…read moremeet your friends OR for an old fashioned date night. The atmosphere is small and quaint and holds some history. Built in 1893 and at one time a wedding chapel. We enjoyed a few appetizers, on the happy hour menu that were quite good. And ended sharing the Barramundi with seasonal veggies. Super light not heavy and prepared perfectly. Lauren was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. She made sure we were taken care of, and everything came out in a timely manner. Definitely a spot we will go back to and I highly recommend.

    Photos
    Old Granite Street Eatery - Cod (after I had ruined the plating by taking a chunk off the fennel and a bite of the fish)-the iPhone does not do this justice

    Cod (after I had ruined the plating by taking a chunk off the fennel and a bite of the fish)-the iPhone does not do this justice

    Old Granite Street Eatery - Pork chop and turnips

    Pork chop and turnips

    Old Granite Street Eatery - Berry crisp

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    Berry crisp

    The Spot - Revision Beer Battered Cheese Curds

    The Spot

    3.9(102 reviews)
    2.5 miDowntown
    $$

    It was such a beautiful day.... where can we eat outside?…read more I found "The Spot", its in the old Smee's location on the river. When we showed up, we asked if we could sit at a table outside, the guy was a little overwhelmed, he said "I can sit you in 10 mins". I said "can we have this table". OK, but....just know I'll be with you as soon as I get caught up, I'm totally fine with that I said. . He bought us a couple menus to look over. Then a table on the railing with shade opened up, I didn't care about the table was dirty with dishes, so we decided to move. I love to look at the river and watch the people go by. The server said, I'll be over soon! He was never so happy when Sierra showed up to help him out. He came over to our table I said "I hope you don't mind, I moved to be in the shade, I know I'm one of those pain in the ass customers". Then he started joking with me and it was the perfect ice breaker. My server and part owner's name is Casey! He is an awesome guy and such a hard worker to ensure his customers are taken care of. I love that. We had a couple beers, he has quite the selection of beers on tap, he supports the community breweries such as Lead Dog and Revisions. My husband had the breakfast burrito $13, it was huge with homemade tortilla chips with salad and guacamole. I had the fish and chips. You get three large pieces of fish, fries and yummy coleslaw. I love how they put the tater sauce and ketchups in personal cups for you that shows class. My fish was absolutely delicious better than the old Smees and especially the new location. You get a nice meal for $20. They have indoor, outdoor, bar seating. They have a little merch area and a gaming bar if you feel lucky. I know the Open Championship Bowlers are in town, if you're looking for nice comfort food "tavern style" location this is the place for you on the Reno Riverwalk 50 N Sierra. It upstairs.

    Very interesting place. Went here for happy hour, but the website is wrong and there was no happy…read morehour...but they had football specials. Either way this worked out, as we decided to split a smash burger and hubs beer was on the football list of drinks. I got an IPA..it was only 8 dollars normal price. The place inside is small, and it was cold outside, yet people still weathered the outside to see the river. The bartenders were doing a great job with service. Out food was very good and we loved the French fries. It got chaotic at the end, as a bar crawl of some type showed up and overwhelmed the staff...not their fault. It got very rowdy in there so we left. I will come back during better weather. I only suggest you fix your website to be more current.

    Photos
    The Spot - The bar

    The bar

    The Spot - Crispy Calamari

    Crispy Calamari

    The Spot - Revision Beer Battered Cheese Curds

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    Revision Beer Battered Cheese Curds

    Homegrown Gastropub - Garlic fries

    Homegrown Gastropub

    3.9(768 reviews)
    2.3 miMidtown
    $$

    What an amazing place!…read more Went here for a mother's day brunch. We had a reservation and were seated quickly. I ordered Guinness and the pour was perfect. Also no bitter aftertaste, so they know how to maintain their lines The Billionaire Burger was amazing. Harris Ranch beef, local fried egg, perfect acids from the kimchee and pickles and superb bacon rounded out this organic burger But the fries really made the meal to the point where i ordrred a second order to go with my second pint! Service was top notch, too This restaurant is worthy of a Michelin Star!

    After eight years, I think it is time for an update…read more Our most recent visit was overall good. We made a reservation, but on a Thursday evening, it was not full. We were given a choice where we wanted to sit. Water and menus were brought right away. Kenyon our server, took drink orders and on returning took our meal orders. Overall service was good and our satisfaction was checked. I had the Tiger Prawns and Grits. My best beloved had Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Both were very generous portions. The prawns were very good. The grits were a bit runny (I prefer dryer grits) but tasty. My husband said the chicken tasted good, but was a bit overcooked. We shared a Tiramisu for dessert. We felt the food was good, but nothing swoon worthy considering the price. The atmosphere is cozy, but did not feel closterphobic. Is it worth a return visit? Yes.

    Photos
    Homegrown Gastropub - Dining area in back room

    Dining area in back room

    Homegrown Gastropub - Mussels and Clams

    Mussels and Clams

    Homegrown Gastropub - Bar area at Homegrown Gastropub.

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    Bar area at Homegrown Gastropub.

    Empire Diner - diners - Updated May 2026

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