You walk in to see a counter with seating for four people, high back, swivel chairs. There's a…read morediner menu letter board up on the wall, yellow with age, announcing the flavors of milkshakes and ice cream. It's from the 60s and probably hasn't changed since they put it up 65 years ago. There's a whiteboard on the back wall with the special for the day written out. Bacon egg and cheese omelette or a sausage egg and cheese sandwich on toast. Five dollars. The kind of place with a few locals sitting at a booth having their morning coffee, one of the waitresses offering Jim the last donut because they know he will want it. He accepts it. This is, in my mind, a classic American small town diner. The kind of place I grew up, eating in my hometown of 500 people. It's not high cuisine, there's nothing fancy about the food although I did come across a few things I had never seen before on the menu. Fried mush. Meat grits specials, like the scuttle butt and the chili Bob. An age old, but perfected recipe of eggs, meat, cheese, and a starch either potatoes ( homefries) or toast. The coffee is weak and not much flavor to it but, to be honest, it's exactly what you would expect in a place like this and there's something comforting about that. Honest, simple food made day and a day out, catering to the local crowd and a few roadway, travelers like myself who happen to come across it. There's a certain charm and depth to places like this that have been lived in day and day out by the same people for decades. For those like up rounded, there's the nostalgia and connection to the many other people having the same experience day after day in communities across the United States. Forgive me if I wax nostalgia can get a little sentimental here, but this morning's dining experience definitely elicited that for me. I hope you can find your own version of this sometime today or in the near future.

I love their food is really great the people are so sweet and kind I would like to go there…read moresometime soon

For years I have wanted to try Payne's since I have driven by the sign on the interstate so many…read moretimes. So glad I finally did. The restaurant was a lot more kitschy than I was expecting, which I loved. Our waitress had a wonderful energy. She was very knowledgeable about the menu. The menu had several unique items. I ordered a Scottish soda called IRN BRU. I love trying food and drinks from around the world. It tasted like an Orange Crush soda. Our waitress said they were known for their Cauliflower soup. It was cold outside so soup sounded perfect. I also got a pepper jack grilled cheese. The soup came in a huge bowl. The combo of the soup and grilled cheese was very filling. My friends ordered the sticky pudding. I had a bite and it was delicious. I cant believe it's taken me so long to eat here. I throughly enjoyed it and cant wait for my next road trip.

My wife and I were visiting the James Dean museum in Fairmont on a nice sunny Saturday. The owner…read moreof the museum (Lenny) suggested driving a few miles north to Payne's for lunch. It's a few minutes off the highway, but certainly doesn't feel like you're in Gas City, IN. It looks like they added on an outdoor space recently. Nothing too extravagant, but nice enough for lunch. A nice younger man took care of us on the patio. The menu was quite eclectic and unique. The tortilla chips and cold bean dip was a great way to start. Both our soups were fantastic....cheddar cheese for one and leek soup the other. Fish and chips hit the spot and apparently a fan favorite. My wife had the club sandwich of GF bread. Great little local spot if you're ever in the area.

No coffee refills, biscuits are more like sugar-free cake? Everything else was good and server was…read morevery friendly. Just not the kind of breakfast I expect from this kindergarten of restaurant.

Very countryesque. Down home cooking with great service and really good food!…read more The portions are huge! From the menu I thought my meal would be on the smaller side. I am not a big eater at all and the menu Pic is definitely deceiving! I could only manage a little under half my plate! I would definitely stop here again while in the area. The only thing I can say that wasn't what I would order again is the biscuit. While tasty, it was a bit on the dry side and dense.

Would not recommend!!! First and last time going. Takes our drink order and comes back with the…read moredrinks and still no high chair, meanwhile holding on to my two year old and trying to keep him from touching everything or running off. My boyfriend asked for a high chair again and this time the lady cleaning tables kindly got one for us and no apology from our waitress. Our waitress comes back for our food order and mid order runs off to grab sweetener for the other person with us and then takes the rest of the order quickly asking no questions about preferences. The food came out cold, the Mickey Mouse pancake was not even close to Mickey Mouse shaped and huge for a kids menu. Never once asked how we were doing, if we needed anything or how the food was. I would not recommend, they were not busy and there were plenty of people working at the time. Prices are somewhat high for the quality you get, I could have made better at home for less. Tables and decor is outdated and worn, but cute. Side note: they threw out a pair of someone's prescription eye glasses as well after two days.

Train Station Pancake House is a family owned, local restaurant that sells way more than pancakes…read more The menu is broad with hamburgers and tenderloins and prices are great. The restaurant is in a renovated train depot. The decor is a mix of styles. We were seated in a comfy booth by a window. Daily specials were listed on a board. Our server was attentive and friendly. She was busy with the lunch crowd, but managed to check on us frequently. I had a patty melt with a side salad. The salad was huge and fresh. The patty melt was covered in fabulous fried onions and melted cheese. It was a tasty and filling. My husband had the tenderloin with fries. The tenderloin was hand breaded and delicious, but could have used a bit more seasoning in the breading. The fries and pickles were good and lunch was filling. The restrooms are clean and gorgeous. There is ample parking in their private lot. I recommend and will definitely return.

The service was great! Food came out pretty quickly and was really good! Dining area is clean and…read morebright. We will definitely stop again when passing through. I got the Sunrise Special.

Ample portions, good and friendly service, homemade food. Back-home ambiance to the place, feels…read morelike a step back in time. Dined here while visiting my grandparents and mother. It's one of their favorite local spots.

Such a great little diner! Food and service were excellent! If you like local diners, be sure to…read morestop in and enjoy breakfast!

Norms's has a true family atmosphere. Norm's isn't just a name, he's actually the cook. The food…read moreis very good and the portion sizes are good for the price!

Tried this place for the first time for lunch. The ambiance is a cute little coffee cafe & bakery…read more I walked up to the counter to place my order & it was brought out to our table in about 5 minutes. I ordered the Southwest Club sandwich ($8.50) & my son got the Turkey Pesto Melt ($8.50). The sandwiches were made on extra wide pan bread so they're big. I tried both sandwiches but thought the turkey pesto melt was better. The club sandwich came on white bread but it would taste better if it were toasted. I regretted that I didn't order the 1/2 sandwich & soup as the soups sound delicious. The freshly baked pastries looked really good, especially the brownies. I was too full to try one. The owner was friendly & told me that his sister (co-owner) comes in daily before opening & bakes the pastries from scratch. I would return here.

Wonderful service and pleasant staff. The food was amazing and the interior of the restaurant was…read morelovely.

We were looking for a place to grab a late breakfast/brunch. Stopped in here and enjoyed a great…read moremeal with great service. My son wanted lunch instead and got the kids hamburger which was adult sized. The pancakes were great as well as the skillet. Will definitely return when we are in town looking for breakfast.

I reluctantly now give Gabriel's two stars. Borders on one really. It had been a few years. This…read moreplace is not packed like it once was. It used to be a struggle to find parking. They still have the goofy hours closing at three. It felt dark & dingy. Pieces of trash on floor runners as walked to our seats. Pieces of napkin? The cloth seats of the booths are stained. Although it's always been overpriced, it's gone up even more, and it's just not pleasant now. Three women at the front hostess desk didn't acknowledge my party right away, and when one did, she seemed annoyed we were there. Our server wasn't any more welcoming nor friendly. Worse, actually. I received a large mug of decaf. No non-dairy options and given bowl of individual cups of half-and-half. While it proved to actually be devoid of caffeine, the coffee didn't taste good at all. Not sure what brand they must be using. No refills offered for our table, but I couldn't even finish this cup. $3.00 for this crap. Soft drinks are nearly $4, juice almost $3 and $4 depending on the size... Everything here is extremely overpriced. The portion of hash browns I was given was huge, but they were not good either. I normally have trouble with undercooked hash browns with no color when I go out. These were overcooked and too crunchy to get on a fork. Greasy. Rye toast okay. I'm sure real dairy butter. I didn't bother to ask... I'm glad they offer mushrooms. However, I could tell they came from a can. I also like that tomato juice is an option, but I didn't get that this time. Rye bread is a welcomed sight. Given checks before we were finished. No drink refills offered. I was never brought the straw the server said she owed me. She only had one on hand. You must take your check up front to pay. As annoyed as they seemed to have us come in the doors, you'd think they would have checked us out sooner. My two sides ala carte with coffee came to over $11 before tip. Not pictured, a lady at my table paid even more for a fountain drink and their granola and yogurt parfait with fruit. It looked good, but good Lord. $12 and change?? Just really unenthusiastic attitudes. Food quality and atmosphere went WAYYY down. I feel like I need a shower and to put my clothes in the wash from feeling greasy and having that oily smell cling to my shirt which was fresh when I went in. I don't know how this place is still in business other than the fact that it's one of the only restaurant options in this awful little town, so you don't have much choice if you want to go somewhere to sit down... I don't plan to return. The staff won't ever have to be inconvenienced by me again. You had one job...

Always great food and service. Prices are decent for the portions. Love their Alfredo and veggie…read moreeggs Benedict too!

Let's start with the atmosphere. Pretty mediocre. Located in a strip mall and interior is as basic…read moreas it gets. Service was average. Not bad. A few traits I liked, a few I didn't. Food was average. Decent breakfast fare but nothing special. With more care and time, there is potential.