Tastee is the definition of kitschy, and perhaps I'm overly sentimental about it however think the food is above average and served hot. The long, flat top stove is the focal point of the diner and every customer can see his/her order being prepared. The old-timey wooden booths are a throw-back design and solid, refills of hot coffee are done regularly, and you can get your food cooked as you want it. It's old-style service, meaning that it's efficient, straight forward. All I've ever gotten here is breakfast, so can't speak to the lunch and dinner menus. Breakfast is available all day, so love that. I enjoy this place, puts me in a good mood. Last time that I was in (yesterday), the waitress was excellent, attending to our every need. The French toast was spot on, the sausage patties were hearty, and the eggs prepared nicely. The rye toast was lovely and balanced; a lighter rye not dominated by too many caraway seeds and toasted golden. 'Nuff said. read more

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Some places are "institutions" because they have served a community with great food for decades. Other places are institutions just because they're old and never bothered to renovate and as a result have become curiosities, like a museum exhibit -- a window into a bygone era. Tastee Diner is solidly in the latter category. The food is not particularly good, and not particularly cheap. It's just a very, very old room. Do yourself a favor. Step in, take in the ambiance, and then go have an actually good meal at one of the many other good restaurants within a few blocks of here! read more

Tastee Diner is a historical landmark, no frills, no latees, just good old-fashioned comfort food. We were seated in April's section, and she was an absolute treat! She's funny, attentive, and gives honest food recommendations if you're undecided on the menu. She's also incredibly talented -- we watched her balance six cups of coffee to another table without using a tray! On our first visit, a Saturday morning, we ordered the blueberry pancakes (I love when the blueberries are cooked into the pancakes instead of just sprinkled on top), scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, turkey bacon, potatoes with onions, and coffee. Everything was affordable and delicious, so much so that we came back two days later. On our second visit, a Monday, we asked to be seated in April's section! She actually remembered us because we shared the potatoes the first time and she even asked if we wanted to share them again (yes, please... and she brought two small plates!). This time we had scrambled eggs, potatoes with onions, turkey sausage, turkey bacon, toast, and a biscuit. We even dropped some quarters into the tabletop jukebox for the full diner experience. I'd definitely visit again and have already recommended it to relatives who live in the area! read more

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Representing 1930's of an American business, Tastee Diner started in Silver Spring in 1935 & opened in Bethesda, still at the same location in 1939. Silver Spring reopened in a new location in 2000 but closed in 2023. I went to both the Silver Spring once in 2010's as well as Bethesda once in 2010's. I appreciate the history here looks like an old diner car. I was never impressed with the food. It's standard diner food. I prefer another DMV local business, Silver Diner, as there is a much wider variety & higher quality. But if I'm in downtown Bethesda and find Tastee Diner to be convenient, I will consider it as a reasonable option. read more

This place may be a longtime institution, but the food was disappointing. The corned beef hash tasted like it was on the edge and not fresh. The scrambled eggs were cooked extra well and very tough. The T bone steak and eggs had an odd seasoning with a heavy oil or butter on top of the steak, and the steak was fatty with a lot of gristle. I was only able to eat one egg, one slice of toast, and about a third of the oily grilled steak. The rye toast was good, though even the butter tasted odd. The coffee was nothing special. It seems like more of a pancakes and French toast place. The dining room was extremely crowded, packed in tightly, and hash browns are an extra side order, so we skipped them. Breakfast for two was 44 dollars and the best things were the toast and orange juice. The service was good and we tipped well for the holidays, but I would not return. read more

Tastee Diner - Diners Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Updating my review! I had the hash and eggs this time and absolutely crushed that plate, everything was cooked perfectly and super satisfying. The portions were solid and the flavors really hit the spot. I also spent some time chatting with the staff, who were friendly, welcoming, and genuinely fun to talk to, which made the experience even better. Overall, it was a great visit from start to finish. Good food, good vibes, and great service. I can't wait to go back and try more items on the menu! read more

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Taster Diner has excellent food and truly great service -- the staff was friendly, attentive, and everything I ordered was delicious. The only major drawback is the space itself. It's very tight, and the noise level was extremely loud, which made it hard to enjoy the experience fully. Great food, great people, but the atmosphere could use some work. read more

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Tastee Diner is a throw back diner that serve basic ok food. Staff is engaging and provides good service. Food is ok. Medium quality cooked ok. Diner atmosphere is appropriate for a throw back diner probably because it needs a renovation. Seats and tables are loose; not coming apart yet but there at the end of their service life after many decades of taking care of customers. Overall an ok place to grab basic food for reasonable price with good service. read more

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I've only eaten here 3x and have enjoyed it each time. It's obviously busier on the weekends, but we got seated immediately at 10am on a Saturday. It's a no frills diner, the service and food is good. Everything came out pretty fast too. The prices are very reasonable which we can all appreciate considering how expensive it is to eat out these days. This spot has been around for 90 years and the employees length of employment is combined of over 100 years. Says a lot of about this piece of Americana! read more

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This is a true diner, built and opened in Bethesda in 1939, moved to this location in Woodmont Ave in 1958, and then expanded at the site over the years. True diner vibe, with juke boxes at many of the booths. On this visit, I had the vegi omelette with an English muffin and paid extra for a side of home fries with onions. My partner had the Senior turkey platter. The omelette was a nice size and was packed with vegis. The English muffin was buttered (the wait staff asked if I wanted it buttered) and there was plenty on each half. The home fries were pretty good, but a number of the potato pieces were really hard and difficult to chew. The onions with the home fries (extra charge) were a bit burnt, but I like them that way. The turkey platter was a little disappointing. The turkey looks like it's a sliced turkey roll, although it could have been sliced from a turkey. I suppose I should have asked, but, then again, it should be easy to tell the difference which makes me think it's turkey roll. The gravy that came with it was tasty, but a bit thick. The stuffing was good, as were the Brussels sprouts and the cranberry sauce. Overall, a decent platter, but unclear on the source of the turkey. Check out the picture below. The turkey also came with a nice sized side salad. The service here is overall good. The coffee is meh. read more

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I used to go regularly but cut back after getting exasperated with waitresses having to hustle me to finish up quickly. Then there was an incident when I came into restaurant and made an emergency bathroom stop first. A waitress confronted me when I emerged and informed me that I must buy some food to use the bathroom. That had been the plan but it was really irritating to be castigated under the circumstances. Quite frequently place is almost empty which may have been a factor one way or the other. read more

Good food and fast service! I love diner coffee. Very crowded on a Saturday morning but was seated right away. Scrapple is hard to find but they had it! I loved how thin and crispy they served it. That's how my family makes it. Quite loud but great diner vibes! read more

Tastee Diner - Triple play with scrapple - Diners Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Food was pretty good. Typical diner. Service was excellent. In and out quickly. Would eat there again.

Keep Bethesda funky! This is the last of the old-school joints in downtown Bethesda, and a throwback to a simpler time. Food is good, not great, and the service is fantastic (especially if you get to know the servers - a friendly word goes a long way). I do wish Gene would freshen the place up a bit. read more

I visited this diner for the first time on a Sunday. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. The food was far from good. The pancakes were burned and didn't taste good. Waffles were not good either. How can any restaurant mess up something as basic as pancakes and waffles? This is Bethesda. There are plenty of excellent dining options in the area. Sadly, it's unlikely I'll be returning. read more

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I visited today and had a chop steak that was made fresh from ground beef as opposed to a frozen patty. It was large and very tasty. I had it with eggs, yummy home fries, and wheat toast. It's really a classic diner vibe and the service was excellent! Even though it was slightly off menu it was reasonably priced. The check was less than $20 and included coffee. read more

Used to be my late night place when I was much younger. Didn't matter if the food was good because we were "partying". Went back recently to check it out - so bad. Coffee looked like it had oil floating on top. Breakfast was not good. Tasteless potatoes and sausage. Good place to go if you've been drinking and nothing else is open. Otherwise plenty of other better places to go in Bethesda. read more

One thing you have to understand about Tastee is that half the appeal comes from its unique, nostalgic atmosphere. Some of the staff here have been working at Tastee for decades, and the close-knit, family-like relationship of the staff is palpable from the moment you step through the door. It's a local favorite, and sometimes there's no better way to start your day than to come to the diner and grab your usual platter of bacon and eggs. I have yet to find a place quite like Tastee. It's where I go when I just need some good, comforting, homestyle food. read more

This was a small spot with counter seating along with booths that had old fashioned jukeboxes. The menu had something for everybody, and the service was quick as well as friendly. I had a BLT ($6.95). It was done right. The bacon was crispy, while the lettuce and tomato were nicely cut. There was the perfect amount of mayonnaise while the bread was slightly toasted. It was what I wanted at the time. I also tried a pancake and club sandwich. The pancake was okay, a little dry without much flavor when no butter or syrup was added. The club sandwich was just a BLT with turkey. The turkey was cut thick and flavorful. It was pleasant. Will I go back? Yes. read more

Tastee Diner - BLT - Diners Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Stopped in here while having my car serviced nearby. It's a no frills place but with everything you'd want, especially for breakfast. I had the hash and really enjoyed it (and I'm very particular about hash) quite a bit. Reasonably priced and fast. read more

So glad this institution is still around! Popped in for breakfast and they had everything I wanted for a proper diner morning. Service is very friendly and fairly attentive. It's of course fast paced and quick service but everyone was friendly asking us if we needed anything else. I ordered the pancakes with scrambled eggs and grits. The pancakes were huge and delicious. The eggs were what you'd expect from flat top scrambled eggs from a diner - tasty and nothing crazy. The grits were really good - as a southerner it can be hard to get solid grits but these were great. My dining companion had the corned beef hash and breakfast potatoes. The portion was huge and he couldn't finish everything. Everything is reasonably priced and they even have senior pricing. Will definitely be back here to enjoy the old school, gritty yet friendly, casual atmosphere with some yummy food that is good for the soul. Give them some love! read more

Tastee Diner - Grits close up - Diners Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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The Tastee is a throwback--I used to go in high school. Nothing has changed in the past 30 years. If that's appealing to you (as it was to me today), just wait for the complimentary side order of homophobia from not one but 3 of the diner's staff on a snowy Monday morning. (The deliberately unflattering picture of Hilary Clinton in a broken frame was a yellow flag when I sat at the counter.) The homophobia is a throwback, too: apparently Tinky Winky still has the power to upset people after all these years. Thankfully, I was almost done when I heard--spoken at full volume--"they took rainbows and purple away from us." How quaint. If you want an good diner in downtown Bethesda, Old Georgetown Grill is just a few blocks away. Their corned beef hash comes out of the same can as the Tastee's hash and the atmosphere is free of bile. read more

Wife and i came in for breakfast at noon on Friday. Immediately you feel the warmth and know you will Enjoy it. Layout was Dated but you enjoy the juke box in every booth for .25 cents. Service was Great. Changed order and it was noproblem after 15 minutes. I would highly recommend it ! read more

My kid and I ate here two separate weeks this summer, and we were so grateful for the service, friendliness and conversations. It the THEE diner experience you've been looking for. I had to leave earlier then my teenager (Camp volunteer) and the staff looked after them like they were their own. Thanks, Tastee read more

Everything a diner should be: good coffee, great grill, food, and a friendly neighborhood atmosphere.

We finally made it to the Tastee Diner in Bethesda, Md and we were very impressed with the delicious food that tasted like our proud home-cooked breakfast! The people and the place were warm, friendly ambiance, clean and an old school diner atmosphere. The old wooden booths were nostalgic. Keep in mind that this spot is located at an intersection in an upscale part of town. "Marisol" was our server/ambassador/historian and lovely human being! She provided twenty-plus years of Tastee Diner love and pride. My wife ordered the delicious fluffy buttermilk pancakes and juicy sausage patties. I enjoyed my spinach omelet, potatoes and onions and biscuit. The coffee was true and real. Mini jukeboxes were at the tables. I believe you could also play Lottery. The back-and-forth banter of the employees demonstrated a family-love. As Detroit Lions fans we were able go at it with the old 'Skins-Commanders employee fans. "Queen" Beth was very friendly and funny! You knew she owned and loved her Diner. Please have patience and find metered parking on the street. After 11am you can park at the Marriott across the street. Looking for a great Diner, please go... Ask for Marisol! read more

Ambiance is "old diner" decor. The food is made to order fresh & absolutely delicious. You're greeted when enter and wait staff is friendly & attentive. Plenty of table / booth seating as well as at the counter. You immediately know that regulars are there in suits, jeans, cutoffs, etc. Don't miss this extraordinary experience. read more

Hands down best Diner I've ever been to for breakfast. The man cooking your food is super welcoming and makes everything better. He even customized my order to make the eggs a different way. Highly recommend! read more

I've eaten here in the past and have ordered to go many times. I've always had decent food...never an issue, however the service leaves something to be desired. They were clearly sleeping during the general training session on customer service and didn't show up at all to the session on service with a smile. If you want to feel like your bothering someone, especially the larger African American cook, you are. I go out of my way to be extra friendly and still get a look that could kill. So far I've survived but not a good feeling going in there. read more

Tastee Diner is a vintage diner with juke boxes at some of the tables. It's old and outdated, but a good ol' classic and nostalgic feeling. The food is classic diner favorites. We happened to go for breakfast, so we had the traditional bacon, eggs, and toast. Very good food, nothing fancy. read more

The best Mushroom and Swiss burger I have had. The service, product and price were excellent, I will recommend to others.

Great old-fashioned style diner which is not too common in this area - have been here several times and really enjoy their omelets (I usually build-my-own). Service has been great ..taste & portion size are spot-on. There is a convenient parking garage nearby if you cant find street parking. Great spot for some comfort food - although there are salads, too! read more

Tastee Diner - Menu - Diners Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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Ordered a basic cheeseburger and fries. The bun was stale and I don't even think they bothered to butter/toast it at all. The beef was under-seasoned, tasteless and lacked crust/char. Lazy cooking on the flat top. The fries had some seriously unappetizing coating on them and they seemed to be small odds-and-ends from a french fry processing facility. I won't be going back. read more

If you are looking for an old school diner experience then this is your place. Sunday Breakfast was hopping so be patient. It's worth the wait! I sat at the bar since it was just me. Cooks were slanging breakfast. Bacon was literally sizzling on my plate. Over Medium eggs cooked perfectly. When it died down some no breaks were taken. Cooks broke down the area and were cleaning. Coffee was HOT af but strong Great experience. Very satisfying. Thank you. read more

Tastee Diner - Piping HOT coffee - Diners Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Best lunch spot in downtown Bethesda:) Mr. Al is so friendly and makes every dish with love. I love the clam chowder on Fridays! Country fried steak with gravy, T bone steak with eggs, hamburger steak, omelettes, pancakes, anything you order will be delicious. Most places in the area are overpriced, but you get large portions and sides here at Tastee Diner. The staff are welcoming and will remember your name. Check out their dessert options too! read more

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Street parking can be really tough, but if you drive around enough you can find it. There are several garage nearby, a Bethesda city garage very close actually, but when I visited they were having issues because they have transitioned it to one that reads your license plate, instead of a ticket. You walk in and have the choice of turning right, left, or taking a seat at the grill. We chose a booth. The booth is old and has a slight rigid posture, and it was kind of uncomfortable. I had the steak and cheese and it was really good, so good that I forgot to take a picture. I am used to steak and cheese sandwich is being served on a submarine roll, we're only one side of it has been cut, this one both sides of the roll had been cut. That made it a little messier than I'm used to but with gooey cheese and good flavor, it was a great sandwich. With a side of fries and water to drink it came out to $20 with tip. You can also buy lottery tickets there if you want. All around just a great lunch spot. read more

Loved it. Great old school diner. Had an omelette with home fries and creamed chipped beef. All amazing! Great attentive service with constant attention to drink refills. This will definitely be one of my breakfast "go to" spots. read more

This place is a gem They have great food and the price was reasonable. The staff was so nice. They were so warm and friendly Findlay the Aloha spirit outside of Hawaii is always the best. Hope they all enjoyed the chocolate macadamia nuts that I gave them. read more

Friendly service in this rail car turned diner. The booths in the first area are very tight, so if there are 2 normal to large people, try the booths in the back, a bit more spacious. The menu is the standard fare, breakfast served all day and the such. Pancakes were fluffy, corned beef has was unfortunately from a can. There is a lot of construction in the area right now so you will see workers coming in to grab a bite, so stay away from the seats near the door, they open and close often. Glad to see this historical establishment survive Covid and the local construction. read more

Tastee Diner - Old fashioned greasy spoon in the middle of a posh neighborhood. - Diners Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Stopped by here while our card was being serviced and it was worth it! The prices are affordable and they have weekday specials as well. The staff were friendly and helpful. The food was very good, I went for the 3 stack of hot cakes and a side of bacon, I could only finish 2, they were HUGE!! Definitely a spot to come back to whenever we're in the area. read more