The New Atco

The New Atco Diner

Atco, NJ

June 12, 2012

By Sarah

Menu: 6          Pricing: 8

Food: 8           Coffee: 8

Service: 8        Decor: 10

Bathrooms: 4

Overall Rating: 8

The New Atco is, by far, the most adorable diner I have ever been to in my life. Upon driving up to it in the pouring rain, we first thought it was a bit sketchy (some of us may have whooped in excitement). It was anything but. Lace curtains, wood paneling, family trinkets (someone likes elephants apparently), and a plate collection are all features we found endearing. It felt like your grandmother's kitchen, with only a few booths and a counter and a small dining area off to the side. They were selling local art in the front. There were homemade crafts all around (including a pot man, named Mr. Pothead, in the entrance). A solid 10 in decor for sheer adorableness. 

This is our first diner in the experiment with food that is actually quality. The sticky buns were delicious, and despite a bit of a crunchy start, the bacon was tasty. Coffee was above average, definitely better than the normal diner coffee (and it was fresh brewed!) We didn't get full meals here because they closed at 9 PM and it was 8:15 PM when we got in (usually not being open until at least 1 AM is an offense for a diner, but because it's family run and pretty small, we forgive them), but the small things we got were great. The menu was pretty small (understandably), but the pricing and food quality made up for that. The service was also great. Our waitress reminded me of someone's aunt, and she was friendly, talkative, and pleasant, not to mention cordial even though we walked in close to closing time. 

This diner's biggest fault was its bathrooms. The first sign of their quality came from the ominous squeak of the door to get into the back hallway. A tiny hall led to tiny bathrooms, where you had to turn a corner to get to the toilet. I can't quite place why it was creepy, but it felt like the kind of bathroom you go into in a horror movie to get brutally murdered. The toilet cover container was askew. The shape was odd. All of a sudden those cute features were freaky. I call it endearing terror. It kind of gave the place more personality.