Northvale, NJ: Northvale Diner

Northvale Diner
247 Livingston Street

Northvale, NJ

Northvale Diner

Tips: The Northvale Diner holds a special place in my Jersey heart.  Like the "Peach Pit" to 90210 and "The Max" to Saved By The Bell, the Northvale Diner was the place for the Northern Valley Regional High School (Old Tappan and Demarest) students.

This is the place we went to late at night, after church, to hang out (because we essentially had no where else to go) and eat French Onion Soup, Disco Fries, and endless amounts of Burgers, Steak Fries, and Breakfast food. 

Since, the Diner (as locals fondly refer to it as if there is no other) received a major exterior and interior facelift, changed management, added more healthier and organic options, and a full bar.  They pride themselves in "offering a vast variety of comforting and sophisticated dishes" which they "make in house" while buying "only the highest quality natural and organic ingredients."  A far different cry than when it was my local hangout. 

What is a continued cry is its popularity.  They now offer booths, small and large, and well as tables.  Sunday brunch is obviously a consistent popular time, but if you're only with a party of two, don't hesitate to by pass the wait and head straight to the high chairs by the bar in the center console.  A first come first serve area that is also filled with action and drama.  It's a spot where servers will often recenter their serving trays and joke around with the cashier/bakery lady. 

Grilled Salmon Wrap

Food: I had a hankering for seafood, and was excited to see that they had a grilled fish option: Grilled Salmon Wrap.  Grilled Salmon on spring mix with tomato relish and wasabi sauce wrapped in an oregano/basil flavored wrap, served with mixed greens in a balsamic viniagrette.  I asked for the tomato relish on the side to lessen the potential of a soggy wrap, and also to avoid losing the flavor of the salmon.  They however forgot to give it to me.  The wasabi sauce ended up being more of a wasabi mayo that made the wrap so soggy and difficult to eat.  The salmon was good quality, but a tiny portion, as well as a small portion of the spring mix inside the wrap and the sad looking side of mixed greens, which I got with a side of honey mustard sauce. 

Eggs Burrito

We also ordered the Eggs Burrito described as stuffed with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, peppers, ham, onions, cheddar-jack, guacomole, and salsa.  Similar to the Salmon Wrap and opposite of how they described it on their menu, there was hardly any eggs, barely any ham onions or peppers.  The scoop of guacomole was around turning brown. 

Extremely disappointed by the fresh quality they pride themselves on

Final Thoughts: Unfortunately since its change in management, the Northvale Diner has also changed in terms of quality and freshness.  Perhaps it was never fresh to begin with, and I just never realized from a 16 year old perspective, but the bottomline is if they are advertising themselves as using fresh and organic products, they have failed tremendously.  They also state that they are "famous for their generous portions which are ideal for sharing," but with the skimpy portions offered today, I barely had enough to feed myself, let alone share with someone else. 

New Jersey is a state known for diners.  There are plenty of them in my radius.  Sadly, I think it's time for me to let go of my memories and build some new ones. 

Happy Eating Bergen County!