I drive by the Redwood Diner nearly every day. I watched the exterior transformation in real time, like a slo-mo of an HGTV Curb Appeal episode and when they added the red siding, I said to myself – I want to go to there. Today they added their new neon sign. And today was also the day that the diner’s tight hours of operation (6:00 AM – 1:00 PM) fit into my schedule.
Presentation: Redwood Diner is primarily a breakfast nook but on Fridays they do a fish fry! Elaine was in town from Florida and when I said – I think I want to do the fish instead of breakfast, she said – me too!
Elaine ordered the fish with a side of macaroni & cheese and I ordered it with the fries. Her order arrived first then mine without the fries and I had to wait a bit for them. The fries were hand-sliced potatoes with the skin on them. The fish came on a toasted and buttered bun.
Taste: I loved the fish. It was very light, very fresh! I liked the taste of the potato skins. That was a different take – I’ve never seen that before and it gave the restaurant this homey feel. Elaine enjoyed the mac & cheese. I would have preferred a little side of coleslaw but they didn’t have it on the menu as an option.
It was all really good! And our fish lunches were only $12.00 each.
Restaurant Experience: So you enter the space and it is a traditional diner with barstools at the counter in front of the short order cook style kitchen. Then you slide into a back room with six or seven tables and it sort of feels like you’ve entered Dr. Who’s Tardis because it is way bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. Lots of customers inside! Everyone happily eating, mostly breakfast items. We arrived at 11:30 AM.
The staff was exceptional. Wonderful people. Friendly, happy to be at our service, the kind of people who have a passion for their jobs and I just love that so much.
It was a lovely experience.
Location: Redwood Diner is located at 121 E. Manlius Street, East Syracuse, NY 13057, right in the village of East Syracuse.
Parking: There is a small parking lot behind the building. We parked on the street right in front of the diner! That was a lucky break because the parking lot was a bit icy on this day.
