Five stars for Ashley Watching her work is genuinely impressive -- she follows every food‑safety practice to the letter, keeps her station spotless, and prevents any cross‑contamination with a level of care that feels like an art form. Her attitude is consistently positive, her customer service is top‑tier, and she treats every guest with respect. Ashley is a big part of why I enjoy coming to this diner so often. She deserves recognition for her hard work, professionalism, and dedication. read more

I popped in for a late night breakfast sandwich. It was fast, cheap, and delicious. Service was excellent. 5/5 stars, with they knew what grits was though but I recon I'm far from home and the red chili really tied the whole thing together. read more

Cutest diner next to our motel. Very friendly staff. Very helpful for seniors that are technically challenged. Food was fresh made. Hot and delicious. Brought me back to my childhood with the bar stools and being able to watch them cook. Mel's Diner. Kiss my grits! read more

Stopped in to meet a friend to go do some shooting so we only had coffee, but this place is very cool and a place. I'll stop back by because watching the grill and the food on it, even though I ate breakfast already, makes me hungry! I might stop here for lunch on the way home! read more

The ambiance is charming, food was good and characteristic to a diner menu. Service was good.

Fun little diner!!! Ashley and Stacy are sweethearts and treated well. The food was great, had the Rio Grand Burger and Ruben, both were delicious! Highly recommend. read more

A charming little place that gives you lots of good food at a great price. we ate breakfast there twice!

We waited almost 2 hours for our dessert and our friends' food. The owners daughter was rude to an elderly gentleman. She actually was yelling at him that he could go to a fast food place to eat. Then our friends commented on the way the gentleman was treated and the daughter yelled at us and said that we had been banned from the restaurant and nobody had told us. By then we finally received our items so we all got up, paid, and left. Never eating the food that wasn't even cooked correctly. read more

Penny's was located a few steps from my hotel, the Travelodge in Belen, New Mexico, so my family and I decided to eat there after checking in. There was a help wanted sign on the door, and I could understand why since with just two employees working, they were seriously understaffed. I felt badly for them! The restaurant is located in a refurbished rail car, since Belen is considered the "Hub city" in NM, where all of the trains go through, so that was interesting. For some reason, they seemed to be out of quite a few items, and my family and I were wondering if the business was struggling. Again, I felt badly for them since they were definitely hustling to keep up with business. The food was pretty good actually! My mom had the patty melt, I had the Reuben, both of us chose fries for our side, and they were perfection! So crispy , hot and delicious! My dad and my aunt both chose the skillet scramble, which is basically eggs, meat, veggies, cheese, and your choice of toast, pancakes or waffles-it was a LOT of food! The prices weren't too bad, considering what a mess the economy is at this point in time (7/2025). Even though our server/cook was swamped, she still managed to provide good service. Hopefully they can stay in business because the food was yummy-hot and fresh, and the service was kind. I'll probably go back for breakfast before I head back home to California at the end of the week. read more

Penny's was great. Our first time was this morning. Great Burrito with red Chile. It's a small place but cozy and the food is terrific. How cool this place is to be where it is. I'm gatefull when businesses are still running with good food and a nice place. After Covid and all the crap that happend I'm glad to see businesses survive. keep up the great work. We'll see you soon. read more

Burn it down. It's the worst food ever. Staff is rude, especially to woman cooking. I would call her the cook, but she couldn't open a can of beans a cook them correctly. read more

Food was Amazing watching the cook prepare it was like art my Burrito looked so go pretty but it was as good as it looked staff very friendly food was delicious service was great I recomend it highlylets keep are small business rocking its like and old fashion style Oldies you would love it try it read more

Really good experience. Went late at night for about 2 hours. Environment was so fun. Ashley was so nice extremely caring and very attentive. Would absolutely go back even just to see Ashley! read more

TO MANAGEMENT AT PENNYS DINER, I am writing because I am extremely dissatisfied with the experience I had at your restaurant. The food I was served was undercooked/raw, tasted terrible, and honestly should never have been sent out to a customer. Management definitely needs to test the employees on their food servers' certificates because there is no way this lady passed hers.!! Beyond the poor quality of the food itself, I was very concerned by the lack of proper sanitation practices I witnessed from the employee preparing and handling food. The employee was not wearing gloves, had no hair restraint or hair net, and overall appeared to have little regard for basic food safety standards. As a customer, it was uncomfortable and unsanitary to watch, especially considering the condition the food had already arrived in. What made the situation even worse was the behavior of the employee when I tried to address the issue. Since she was not wearing a name tag, I politely asked for her name. Instead of responding professionally, she became rude, aggressive, and got directly in my face in an intimidating and confrontational manner. No customer should be treated that way for simply asking for an employee's name after receiving poor service and unsafe food. This entire experience reflected extremely poorly on your establishment. There appears to be a serious lack of professionalism, customer service, sanitation enforcement, and quality control. You need to get your business in order, so disgracing went from a good place, amazing food, to shitty workers and the worst food ever. read more

Server was friendly. They still charged me for the two slices of bacon I ate. I felt that should have been comped considering she served me an entire plate of greasy, disgusting slop read more

Penny's Diner - Scrambled eggs was just a fried egg that he messed up and then cut up a bunch. Had black grease bits mixed in lol - Diners Near Me - Belen, New Mexico

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the good, the employee, and the atmosphere was very good. I do have one massive critique. is Sunday morning and they only have one person working. the employee is covering all the positions and doing everything to keep everything flowing. co workers have all dip with no explanation. management needs to do a better job at staffing. i do not know why other employees never came, but if that's happening then something ain't right. I used to work at a dinner before and I know the feeling when others don't show, management ignore the issue and just expect extra work with little to no reward. the food is pretty normal for a dinner, but with very few staff is hard to get It on time. read more

Good food! Good service especially the Swiss mushroom burger. Always open. Great staff

Ambiance is nice. Service is good and professional. It's small and somewhat cramped. Our food was competent, maybe even good, but not much more. You can probably do better but if you're here already, don't fret. It's not bad. read more

Everything from the waitress to the cooks to the manager who runs the place your plate comes with two sides and you get your plate and all there is is one side you ask for your corn and she tells you I forgot to tell you we don't have any vegetables. Also don't get a side salad there although they'll give you is a bowl full of lettuce. and don't ask the waitress her opinion on the meatloaf she'll tell you she wouldn't even eat it. read more

I stopped by with my family for dinner. The atmosphere is really cool and gives a small town vibe. The food took some time to come out, but I'm okay with that. The food was made to order so it's naturally going to take some time. We ordered a variety of things. I was disappointed with the fried pickles, probably the worst I have had. However the burger was great, the fries were great and the breakfast burrito was one of the best I've had. Definitely will return. read more

Walking in the diner was full and there was only the cook and a waitress so I knew the wait was going to be long. Food took about 25 minutes which wasn't bad considering how busy they were. The ambiance in here is a little loud but it doesn't bother me. I ordered the CFS smothered in red chile and it was very good. This is my usual meal from here. My kid had chicken and waffles and it doesn't look like a lot of food but it really is. Everything tastes good and the service is always good with a little sarcasm but this place has never disappointed me. Burgers here are great as well! Two thumbs up from me, I'll definitely be back sometime soon. read more

Penny's Diner - Chicken and waffles - Diners Near Me - Belen, New Mexico

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I came in and sat down right in front, clearly visible, and waited over 5 minutes without a single person acknowledging me. No "we'll be right with you," no greeting--nothing. I watched staff walk right past me multiple times without a word. I honestly believe I was ignored because I'm African American, which is unacceptable. On top of that, the kitchen area looked dirty--grease buildup, unclean stove, and stained walls that looked like they haven't been wiped down in a long time. Just take a look around and you'll see for yourself that cleanliness doesn't seem to be a priority here. This was a disappointing experience, and I won't be returning. read more

Today was the day when I rode my motorcycle 200 miles round trip for a chocolate malt and a patty melt. Totally worth it. Cute little train car turned into a diner. Yes, it has AC. Very clean, impeccable service and the food was delicious. Affordable too. read more

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Been here 3 time closed 2 .it's a 24hr dinner.foods fine exactly what's to be expected. But if your not open when I drive across town.ill stop driving across town read more

Food was uneatable Service was non existing We had the horrible experience of getting a server who has no idea what's he's doing Robert , and the new diner manager Jonathan Sanchez was cooking, the absolute worst food I've ever not eaten . Don't go here it's nasty . It's dirty there's a bug stuck to the wall behind the grill , looks like they never clean it . And my good friend Gene showed me a pan covered in rat poop. read more

Penny's Diner - Rat poop on a lid used for hot food - Diners Near Me - Belen, New Mexico

I realize when you order carry out food it is not as good as fresh out of the kitchen. Therefore I will give this place another shot probably dine in for breakfast next time. The dinners we ate from our carry out order were not that good. The fish and chips were abysmal and the chicken fried steak was a little better. The worst part of the meal was the chocolate cream pie! It was clearly an Edward's pie but unlike buying from Walmart, this slice was freezer burnt with that disgusting flavor and texture of being in the freezer improperly stored for a long time. Tossed it in the trash. Blech So sad we have no good restaurants in Valencia County. The food trucks that are popular here are better! read more

Every time we tried having a meal at this place, we received the most horrible service. Walked in with a party of 7 wanted to sit in the only table available, which happened to be the outside table. The waitress stopped us and said oh no we never serve anyone out there. Then she proceeded to say you can wait for a table inside but we are so busy it will take about an hour. I never been to a restaurant/ diner where there's excuses to welcome and serve someone. This is plain laziness. So unfortunate for the owner, having to deal with these type of employees who are ruining their business. Second try, came back on a Saturday at 1pm, another excuse. Sorry we don't have a cook come back at 5pm. By this time I said no more trying this place it's a scam. Hahah why do you advertise open 24/7 but you don't have a cook at lunch time. So confusing! read more

Go to Arby's. Ordered ice tea and was told they didn't have any, I guess that was only for me a few minutes later another guest was given ice tea...what the? Ordered a mushroom Swiss med rare... not even close, it was SUPER greasy and very well done. Bacon on my husband's sandwich was hard as a rock. Very disappointing experience. read more

I struggled between a 3 star rating and a 4 star rating, settling on 3 because of the state of the floors. This is a cute nostalgic diner. The decor really makes me feel like I'm in the 50's! I walked in and sat down. The waitress came up to ask my beverage order and gave me a menu. She was very nice and pleasant to talk to. I ordered a Sunrise Skillet with turkey sausage, as the menu says it can be substituted free of charge. I was a lottle disappointed they didn't have any and chose bacon instead. The food was delicious! The jalapeños were a little spicy, but did not overtake the rest of the flavors. I was so happy that they got the Over-Medium cook on the eggs right. That's a kind of rare experience for me! The only reason I didn't give this place 4 stars is the floors. Even booths that are closed off for covid had a pile of dirt under the table. The rest of the place looked pretty clean, so I will probably come back anyhow. read more

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Super cute diner on the outside, and that's all I can say that's good about this place. I received the worst service I've had in years, the food wasn't right, let alone it wasn't good. Our iced tea came 20 minutes into waiting for our food, which took about 30 minutes (for a terrible club sandwich and a mediocre burger). No silverware or napkins. After asking for them, we were given one set of silverware, with the one napkin wrapped around it. The people behind us got food other than they ordered...so I know it wasn't just us. Service was so terrible it almost seemed like I was getting punked. There's an Arby's in town - should have gone there. read more

Nice traditional American Dinner. Friendly staff. Clean. Hidden away but near the highway. read more

Penny's Diner - Breakfast burrito smothered with green chile. - Diners Near Me - Belen, New Mexico

Been there many times in the past. Always enjoyed the food and service. Nastalgic and homey. Gets my vote.... for good food as a diner. You won't be disappointed. read more

I ordered a cheeseburger, Food was not good. The party of 4 didn't finish the food. Service was poor, only once did the staff check in on us. We waited 50 minutes after ordering to finally get our food. Place was kinda clean. No music was playing. I don't think we will go back nor would I recommend. read more

We found this place on Yelp! It was a small diner. Food was typical diner food. Food was Cooked fresh and tasted good. Restroom was big and clean. The server was very nice and even reminded us to use the Yelp $5 off coupon. We will be going back to try some of the other choices. Green chile cheese fries looked great~definitely on my list. read more

Penny's Diner - First time here, just waiting for our food. Smells good in here. - Diners Near Me - Belen, New Mexico

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On the road and needed a Pancake Supper for Shrove Tuesday. Pancakes were delicious and bacon perfectly cooked. Great service.

Food was ok. Took forever to get waited on and I was 1 of 2 people in there. The cook and waitress were more interested in talking and helping the kids that were there that worked there on their day off to get their discounted or free food. Too bad because it's a cool little diner. read more

Adorable train car diner. The waitress was fantastic! I had a club sandwich and my husband ordered the french dip, both were really tasty. We will definitely stop here again. read more

AVOID THIS PLACE IF THEY ARE BUSY! Only 3 people were working. I ordered a sandwich, salad, and a milkshake. NEVER got the milkshake. The woman working the register never even asked if I wanted a glass of water while waiting for it. Food was not worth the price either -- who puts taco seasoning on a French dip???? read more

Very delicious but severely busy. Friendly staff and simple yet good breakfast 24 hours.

This restaurant is one of the very few options that is open 24 hours. Everything on menu is very good, and they have the best milkshakes in town. Their chicken fried steak plate is huge and one of my favorite entrees. They usually have one cook and one waitress on duty, but I've even been there when the cook did it all; cook, wait tables, refill drinks and bussed tables, and was awesome. I highly recommend this place to everyone! read more