Jersey diners are a dying breed. You know the vibe—the chrome, the neon, the menu that looks like a phone book, and the smell of coffee that’s been sitting on a burner just a little too long. Most of them are folding under the weight of rising rent or switching to limited hours. But then there’s the Reo Diner.
Sitting right on Amboy Avenue in Woodbridge, this place is basically the North Star for anyone who’s ever been hungry at 3:00 AM in Middlesex County. Well, at least it used to be. Things have changed, but the legend stays.
The Reo Diner: More Than Just a Grease Trap
If you walk into the Reo Diner, the first thing you’re gonna notice isn’t the food. It’s the wall. It’s covered in framed, signed photos of celebrities. We’re talking Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and the late radio legend Bob Grant.
Honestly, it feels a bit like a time capsule. You’ve got these Hollywood heavyweights who’ve sat in the same cracked vinyl booths where you're about to eat a plate of disco fries. It gives the place this weird, unearned prestige that somehow makes the coffee taste better.
The history here is actually pretty wild. Back in 1926, it opened as the Hy-Way Diner. It wasn't until 1935 that it became the Reo. Fun fact: it was the first diner in New Jersey to stay open 24 hours a day. Think about that. Every late-night diner tradition in the Garden State basically traces its roots back to this spot.
What You’re Actually Ordering
Look, nobody goes to a diner for fine dining. You go because you want a "Fat Cat" sandwich or a triple-decker club that’s held together by pure luck and toothpicks. The Reo Diner menu is massive. It’s intimidating. You’ll find:
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- The Classics: Eggs any style, silver dollar pancakes, and Belgian waffles that could double as a brick.
- The Jersey Staples: Pork roll (not Taylor Ham, don't start) on a hard roll with cheese.
- The Weird Stuff: They’ve got a whole section for Italian specialties. Chicken Parmigiana at a diner? It’s a bold move, but in Woodbridge, it’s practically mandatory.
- Disco Fries: If you aren't ordering fries smothered in mozzarella and brown gravy, are you even in New Jersey?
Prices have crept up, though. You’re looking at about $15 to $20 for a solid meal these days. It’s not the "cheap eats" spot it was in the 90s, but the portions are still big enough to feed a small family or one very determined teenager.
The Truth About the "24-Hour" Legend
Here is where things get a little messy. For decades, the Reo’s motto was "Meet me at the Reo!" It was the 24/7 heartbeat of the town. But post-COVID, that 24-hour dream took a hit. Nowadays, they usually close up shop around 11:00 PM.
It’s kinda sad. The "night life" of the Jersey diner—the shift workers, the kids coming back from concerts, the people who just can't sleep—has mostly moved elsewhere. People on Reddit and local forums still complain about it. It’s a sore spot for the regulars who remember the old days.
Is the Food Actually Good?
Depends on who you ask and how much you’ve had to drink before arriving. If you check out sites like Hungry Onion or local Yelp reviews, opinions are... split. Some people swear by the matzo ball soup and the cheesecake. Others will tell you a horror story about a soggy panini or a waitress who was having a very bad Tuesday.
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That’s the thing about the Reo Diner. It’s inconsistent. It’s human. One day you’ll get the best Reuben of your life, and the next, the turkey might feel a little "industrial." But you don't go to the Reo for a Michelin star. You go for the atmosphere and the fact that it’s there. It’s a landmark.
Survival in 2026
In 2026, staying relevant as a classic diner is tough. Woodbridge has changed. There are a million fast-casual spots and trendy cafes nearby. But the Reo survives because it’s a community anchor. It’s where people go for a funeral luncheon or a Sunday morning hangover cure.
If you're planning a visit, here is the move:
- Check the hours. Don't show up at 1:00 AM expecting a seat. Call ahead or check their site, because they aren't the 24-hour haunt they used to be.
- Look at the bakery case. The cakes are legit. They’re massive, sugary, and exactly what you want after a salty meal.
- Stick to the diner "safe bets." Omelets, burgers, and clubs. If you start ordering the broiled seafood platter, you're playing a dangerous game.
The Reo Diner isn't perfect, but it’s ours. It’s a piece of Woodbridge history that’s still standing while everything else turns into a luxury apartment complex.
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To get the most out of your visit, aim for a weekday lunch or a late weekend breakfast. Skip the fancy stuff and go for a Cheeseburger Deluxe or the "Hungry Man" special if you’re feeling brave. Take a second to actually look at the celebrity wall before you leave—it's a reminder that for nearly a century, everyone from Jersey royalty to regular folks has ended up at the same counter.