Stopped in to try this Diner on a Tuesday morning 8 AM. Upon walking into entrance, I notice a mildew smell. Thankfully, upon entering the dining area, the smell disappeared. Friendly service and full of locals. Western omelette and home fries were fresh and tasty. Huge omelette portion. Reasonably priced. read more

I've been a fan of Esther's for a couple decades. The food is delicious, the portions are filling, and the staff is attentive and friendly. A really nice, enjoyable, small town family restaurant. read more

Went here for breakfast and it was disgusting. Worst French toast ever. Wont be back here again.

All I wanted was some good old fashion hashbrown. They only serve pre made hashbrown paddies. I opted instead for homefries they came on the smallest plate the portions could barely be called a side. The coffee tastes awful. Honestly nothing good for me over priced and small portions for okay food. read more

disgusting!!!! Easter dinner was horrid, turkey tasted like it was frozen from Thanksgiving, nasty stringy dark meat with a small slice of white meat on top nasty pieces of black hard stuffing glazed carrots were mush with sugar corn starch glob. we didn't eat any of it, paid $30 just because we didn't want to make a fuss. will NEVER be back. avoid this place. I should've known when I got a 5;00 pm reservation on Saturday before Easter. place was completely empty and now I know why. You'd think a place run by bell and evans would have decent turkey. read more

We just finished racing at the local motocross track and we're starving this was the closest restaurant so we decided to go plus we love family style restaurants. We got there a little bit before they closed and it seemed as though they we kicking people out of the restaurant with to-go boxes in their hands and then right after they were out she locked the door behind them. Keep in mind they weren't even scheduled to be closed yet so we've been running around town for the past hour looking for somewhere to eat. read more

This was my first time here but my wife and mother-in-laws second time, good service and good food.

If the car accident wasn't tramatic and shocking enough fate had to kick me in the stomach. Im so happy to be alive, but the chicken n fries, probably were made last century. So I would only send my boss to this place. By the way, this place will Not Serve breakfast after 11, the drone waittress won't even try to tempt the cooks at 11:16. read more

We stopped to eat at Esther's with a bunch of friends after a day at the Pa Farm Show. It was the first time for everyone else and they gave them 5 stars. I have eaten at Esthers since I was a child and I have never had a bad meal and we live 2 hours away! My dad went to Esther's over 50 years. He started out as a young truck driver and now at 84 years of age is happy when I bring him a take out tray with food . My daughter remembers my father saying when she was little want to go for a ride with me and mom mom and they go to Esther's for dinner. thanks becky (bucks county) read more

A regular stopping place. They have room for several trucks to park, or bikes. Clientele is mostly locals with a few travelers mixed in. All the food is fresh, deserts are made in their kitchen. I have never had a bad meal here, and you will need to adjust your belt a notch or two after you finish. The staff are very friendly and service is fast as well. Definitely prefer this place over TA or Flying J read more

Ok food..little pricey...typical PA Dutch home cooking. The bacon and lettuce salad I had was not great-the lettuce was turning brown. I also got a cheeseburger and fries and it was very good. It is a so-so place and a nice stop when heading west towards harrisburg. read more

Why is America doing this to itself? Admittedly, I rarely dine at this type of restaurant (actually a thinly disguised diner). Perhaps that's why I found this to be one of the least healthy menus I have ever encountered. All salads consisted solely of iceberg lettuce and the oil provided when oil and vinegar dressing is ordered is corn oil. Much of what appears under the heading of "Vegetables" on the menu could not remotely be considered vegetables (e.g., jello, macaroni salad). Those vegetables/fruits that were available (corn and lima beans) come heavily buttered (well, it tasted much more like cheap margarine) or with much sugar added (pickled beats and applesauce). The entre items consisted of mainly fried items. The only thing more horrifying then the menu was the obesity of the overwhelming majority of patrons and wait staff. A shocking number of the customers would surely fall into the category of morbidly obese. If the items on the menu are standard fare for these individuals, then their health must be in serious jeopardy. read more

OK so here is how my husband & I came to stop at Esther's Restaurant. Driving past the sign I already wanted to eat there. My name is Esther & I never see my name on anything (shot glasses, magnets, etc.) so I said we have to stop here. Having no idea what the food would be like, I was enamoured with the name alone. As we entered, I told our server my name is Esther & she was delighted. Once seated, I noticed that my husbands' coffee mug had "Esther" printed on it and I had to have one. I asked to buy one & our waitress GAVE us 2 mugs with great pleasure. I ordered grilled cheese with bacon on rye because I thought, "how bad could that be?" Well basically inedible from the grilling in the most salted butter I ever tasted, to only one slice of white American cheese & only one slice of extremely salty bacon. The sandwich was approximately 3"x3" square & was cut in half. Thank God it wasn't bigger!! I was thirsty for hours afterwards. Yes I agree the patrons were on the very heavy side & everyone knew each other by name. As this must be the only game in town, this is gourmet to them. I must say thanks for the Esther mugs. We enjoy our morning coffee in them. read more

I have an Uncle and Aunt who have eaten here nearly every Sunday for the past 40+ years. In all that time they have both ordered the Chicken Croquettes... every single time. This place is a fav of truck drivers and blue-hairs, its one step above a greasy-spoon diner. (Make that a half-step.) The food is average, the desserts are good and the prices are moderate. read more

I decided to finally stop here to check it out, despite the not-so-positive feedback. This place is exactly what it is. Roadside dining. It's not really fair or reasonable to expect five-star accommodations. With that said, my visit was at about 9:00 am on a Saturday morning. Prime breakfast time, and the parking lot sure reflected it. It was busy! I was greeted and sat quickly. I noticed that the inside seemed clean and maintained, even down to the new-looking ceiling tiles. It seemed to be a favorite of local residents. The server quickly got me drinks and took my order. The coffee wasn't bad. It took a bit for the food to come out because of how busy it was, but not unreasonably long. The blueberry pancakes were no joke! Huge, with large juicy berries. The eggs and bacon were good. The prices were fair. I couldn't finish those massive pancakes. Overall, for what it is - roadside dining, independent business, I was satisfied enough that I wouldn't hesitate to come back. No complaints. Maybe they caught word of their bad reviews. They're right near a Redner's Warwhouse Market and not far from the Appalachian Trail (10 milesish to the rt 501 exit). read more

Ate there a few weeks ago. The food was absolutely disgusting. I had meatlaof with a baked sweet potato and glazed carrots. The meatloaf was horrible. I took it home and gave it to my canine companions. My son had chicken croquettes, mashed potatoes with gravy and 2 other veggies. He didn't like the croquettes. The mashed potatoes, which were instant, tasted like they were made with water. The gravy didn't look real. I will never go back and I will never recommend this place to anyone, even my worst enemy. read more

Esther's is a must stop for me as I travel Nroth and South to Florida many times each year. They make the best scrapple and their blueberry flapjacks are yummy. The service is wonderful and some of the waitresses,uniformed in white, have been there for over 30 years. Definitely a local destination but hungry travelers will enjoy the well prepared food and warm welcome I have always experienced.Try it; you will be glad you stopped. read more

Stopped in for lunch after visiting Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Fairly good diner food. Menu offers so many choices--daily specials, senior specials, monthly specials--sandwiches, salads and entrees, Service is good. read more

Keep going on the highway and don't bother. Everything is off the back of a sysco frozen food truck. Uninteresting. Waitresses were nice but so-so food is not worth eating. read more

Esther's is a must for anyone headed out route 78. Breakfast, lunch, and dinners are always filling. Just plain old good cooking!

Came in for a quick lunch on my way to Harrisburg, staff are nice and friendly, got chicken stir fry, and was excited to see they didn't skimp out on the chicken, everything tasted fresh and tender, also had some of the best pumpkin pie i've ever had there. Reccomended if you want a homecooked meal away from home. read more

Very very slow service. It's breakfast food so nothing hard to cook. At least it wasn't a work day for me or I would be screwed since I wouldn't had enough time to eat. Two tables got food before us and ordered after us. waitress didn't even apologize. She had those tables too so she knew. read more

Maybe it's because my husband and I are originally from "PA Dutch country", but we would reject nearly every review that we've read - except "Nancy from Staunton". The rest of you.....well...if you don't like comfort foods (which is what Esther's menu is in totality), you probably didn't like your Mom, apple pie, or anything but steak tartare and raw veggies. I'm wondering how a person tells from "the cars in the parking lot" that the place is full of retired people and cowboys"?! So why would you even stop there to eat?? WE LOVE ESTHER'S! and may all but us cowboys and retired people go somewhere else! read more

I was very happy to find a good veggie burger here! That and the corn nuggets are both yummy. Finish the meal with their blueberry crumb pie, and I am a happy camper! Some of the waitresses are more friendly than others, and the decor isn't great, but overall I enjoyed it and went back more than once. read more

I don't know how this place only has 2.5 stars. The food was fresh and delicious! I had the homemade chicken salad and fresh made banana cream pie. The waitress was friendly and helpful! Can't wait to come back! read more

Breakfast is great and cheap. But lunch and dinner is always hit or miss. Service is iffy as well. Morning servers are much more pleasant than other shifts almost like you are a burden for ordering a meal. read more

I pass by whenever heading back home, and recently stopped hoping to find some delicious homemade pie. was definitely disappointed, not with the selection, or staff, but taste. If they're homemade, they use plain old pie filling, the berry pie was thick and sweet, no blend of flavors. Even the shoefly, which I hoped, due to location would be outstanding, was not half as good as my grandmother's. sigh. read more

Staff looks like a old folks home! No happy faces. Menu is in need of an update. Runny eggs and "white"hash browns. And no one seems to care. AVOID!!! read more

As a current and Past customer I must dispute TONY G's review. He uses fancy words and insults the waitress but, I must say he is dead wrong. He may have received a bad experience but it in NO WAY is the norm for this long lasting restaurant in this comminity. The food is very, very, good and the place is full most every day and on weekends it is sometimes standing room only to get in. NOW, if this is the case why would people be standing in line to eat. TONY G, you are grossly mistaken in your review. People try it for yourself and then decide. John H. read more

I've read a lot here about the locals liking it...well...as a local living 1 whole minute away from Esther's, I don't eat there. Worst food in a 30+ mile radius. If you must eat there, be sure it's before breakfast ends. Yes Kevin from NJ, PA Dutch Chicken Pot Pie has no crust. :) However, it's not supposed to be tasteless! read more

I've just read all the reviews and got a chuckle from them. I have lived everywhere from New Jersey to New Orleans to New Zealand (well okay, not New Zealand) and in between and have visited Esther's every time I'm near it for the past 50+ years. It's not that it is a gourmet's delight - it is what it is - a good old place that serves Pennsylvania country comfort food. I go there for the chicken croquettes every time, served with some of their wonderful sides - cucumber salad, potato filling, etc. If you're looking for something more, go somewhere else. Chicken pot pie is fixed differently in Pennsylvania Dutch country - deal with it. read more

Got off the hwy in need of a good midway point, assessed the reviews and made a conscious choice to try out Esther's. On entering, all seemed as expected - decor is well-worn, simple. Got seated immediately and as soon as we all closed menus, a kind waitress came over to take our orders. We asked for her favorites and ordered - I got smoked pork chop with baked sweet potato and pickled cabbage with peppers. And I was very pleased! So naturally I wanted to try out the pie. We all ordered to share - rhubarb strawberry, blueberry crumble and apple. Rhubarb strawberry and blueberry crumble were really good counterpoints to their strong coffee. In all, this was a satisfying road stop experience. Thank you Esther! read more

Very good restaurant. Friendly service. Good food. It may be a step back in time in appearance but well done menus and friendly service.

Filled with locals, if you know what I mean. Food tasted like it was reheated and lacked flavor. Waitress was nice. Food and dinner rolls had the same taste, nothing. Two stars for quick service, too quick if you know what I mean. Very popular with the locals. Someone from New York City will feel like an alien here. Down home with a touch of moth balls. read more

Love Esther's. The food is fresh and the pies are the best around. I have been known to reroute trips just to eat at Esther's

It's like a family diner restaurant lots of locals good halfway point for us to pull off the highway. Very good dessert menu especially the pies read more

This was an excellent restaurant. The service was superb. They genuinely cared for their customers. If you are in the area between Allentown and Harrisburg, PA, stop for an exceptional, home cooked meal. They also have take-out. read more

Great food and prices. 2 adults and 2 kids and 2 pieces of delicious strawberry pie under $40.

This place is a dump. You are sure to get some kind of silver ware/cup/plate/or bowl coated with old food that the lazy dish washers didn't get off. It's happened everytime I've been there. The atmosphere is old folks home, that's all that eat there. Apparently after a certain age you lose all sense of taste. The food is below par. Tasteless and for two people for bfast $20!!! that is crazy!!!! Anywhere else you can spend no more then $10. One time my mom got a salad with ranch dressing and on the bottom of the bowl there was orange french dressing. How disgusting!?! Reusing dishes with out washing them!!! The whole restaurant makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!! Save your frustrations and go to mcdonalds or wendys any where but esthers!!! I don't think I could dislike this plase anymore then i currently do... read more

Saw the great big sign on the highway for Esthers on our way to Harrisburg from Ct last summer for a 14u girls softball tournament and my daughter and her teammate were pestering me for food for the last hour in the car being really annoying so I said what the heck I'll take a chance on this place seeing there are not many options on this stretch of highway. Once we walked through the glass doors into the place the girls, who dress very fashionable with short shorts and skimpy tops and makeup like your typical teenagers do at least in Ct in July, knew they stuck out like a sore thumb and were touristy. This is def a locals only place. Everyone was dressed in farmer clothes and nascar hats and were overweight. The waitresses and there were many, had sad depressing looks on there faces and were dressed in what my daughter said were old nurses outfits from the 70's. Kinda a like Alice from the Brady Bunch. It seemed to have a gloomy atmosphere to it stuck in a time warp, heck I thought I was in a mess hall of a mental institution. As far as the food goes it was edible and we were starved but that as far as the praises go. We all ordered the fried chicken basket with mashed potatoes and I got the apple fritter to go which later was a mistake I should have known it weighed about 3 lbs in a tiny container. Best thing is we still laugh about this place when someone is telling funny trip stories and for some crazy unknown reason we plan on stopping here again this July on our way back to the softball tournament. I think we need to get our heads examined. read more