Hunter Dinerant

The Hunter Dinerant in Auburn, NY is a "gem" of a diner in many ways. The fact that the building has had very little alterations done to it over the years, that it was almost certainly built by the same company that built the Little Gem in Syracuse and it literally sits over the Owasco River makes it a worthwhile trip to check out this diner for those reasons alone. Oh, and it also has very good diner food on top of all those things.
Situated at 18 Genesee St. in Auburn, the Hunter is an 1951 O'Mahony built diner with tons of stainless steel both inside and out, it is also cantilevered over the Owasco River for added effect. It replaced two older Ward & Dickinson diners that had occupied the property over the years (but they were not cantilevered over the river, they sat against the wall of the building next door).
A big thanks to T Barry for joining me on this day trip for an early lunch for me (I had the deluxe hamburger, very good) and she had a late breakfast (the mushroom omelet and declared it delicious) it was her first time there, but I had eaten there a few times in the past. We then wandered around town snapping some pics and checking out the Auburn Flea Market. 

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Art Deco Buildings
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more Hunter Dinerant photos

Dee's Diner

Another one of my old standbys that I keep returning to over and over again. Again, good diner food and an endless cup of coffee. I can enjoy just sitting and reading the newspaper and not have to worry about how long I've been sitting there, they will just keep filling that cup until I just say "no" and because I'm such a regular, if they see me coming up the parking lot, they will have coffee waiting for me at my regular table and have my order in before I sit down. My favorite item on the menu is the hamburger with a side of mac salad. If your looking for a good burger, I would recommend you try out Dee's. Located on Rt. 11 in the Mattydale Plaza (1900 Brewerton Rd.) next to the post office.

http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/newyork/article-5467-howling-success.html

Friends Diner

As most people who follow me on foursquare and facebook know, this is my usual Saturday morning breakfast spot. Although they have been in this spot for only a few years, the diner has been around in various locations over the past few years. First on James St. in Eastwood and then on Wolf St. (in the old Stella's), then on Rt.11 in N. Syracuse next to the bowling alley and finally at this location (3600 Court Street). I've followed them to each and every location, not only because they serve good diner food, also because developed a friendship with Denise (the owner) and Mike (the cook and husband of Denise, who also cooks for the Palace Theatre).

Canal Walk Cafe

While not a diner in the classic sense, it has the basic simpleness that keeps it a diner and not elevate it to more of a restaurant. Located in an old storefront at 23 Syracuse St. Baldwinsville, NY, it serves your basic diner fare, with a roast beef hash on the first weekend of every month that is really good and worth going there just for that alone. While it is warm and friendly inside, it has a bit too much "Martha Stewart" decor for my taste, mixed with homemade nick-knacks for sale, that sometimes you wonder if it's trying to be a diner, a store or both. It is the good homemade food that keeps people coming back despite the clutter.

Canal Walk Cafe

J.R. Diner

Again, another diner that I drove past for years before I finally stopped in. Once I did, I was not disappointed. Nice friendly family atmosphere run by an older Greek couple. Again, the food and coffee is good, solid diner food, nothing fancy, but good enough to keep me coming back for more.
J.R. Diner is located at 1208 Wolf St. just outside the Syracuse city line. The diner is a remolded Rochester Grill which started out as Griffeth's Swanky Diner.

More info:

• Waymarking.com: J.R.Diner

• Yelp.com: J.R.Diner

• Syracuse New Times: Howling Success

Redwood Diner

I've driven by this diner for years not really knowing if it was open or not. It always looked empty and abandon. I finally decided to check it out. While not a huge place, it is nice and cozy inside with a small seating area in the backroom and counter seating in the front.  The food is your typical diner fare, nothing fancy, but good and filling.
The Redwood Diner is a remodeled Ward & Dickinson located at 121 E. Manlius St. in
E. Syracuse, N.Y. The diner still has some of it's original details.

More info:

• syracuse.com/restaurants/redwood diner 
• Redwood Diner: Yelp.com
• NYDiners.com