Mark Twain Diner Restaurant
“We've never ordered anything we didn't like and their pasta salad really is as good as other reviewers say it is.”
“They did a really good job on this renovation in making it feel more like you're at home.”
“Huck Finn is great in its own right, but I felt more comfortable here.”
Mark Twain Diner Restaurant
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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SIDE OF PASTA SALAD IS MY ALL TIME FAVE and their sweetened ice tea!!!
Met with my gf and we decided to have our traditional "Disco fries" with mozzarella cheese and gravy. Can never go wrong with that. YUM! Must eat right away because it get colds pretty quick.
Since the renovations it looks really nice in there. Clean and service is very friendly. Plenty of parking and FREE WI-FI.
The reason for 3 stars is because I wasn't fond of the cheeseburger. I just felt the meat wasn't as fresh.
I did enjoy the Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese sandwich.
I will always come back for my pasta.
I was in the area and decided to stop in for a bite at The Mark Twain Diner. I used to come here as a child.
I was pleasantly surprised when I entered
the diner and found it had been completely remodeled. On the outside they added a closed in area attached to the entrance so when it gets busy you don't have to wait out in the cold.
When I stepped inside I was immediately greeted and seated by a woman named Erika who became my server. She was so friendly and pleasant. I was asked if I would prefer a booth or table…I chose the booth. Erika really did a terrific job checking to make sure my coffee cup was always filled and my food was to my liking… I wound up drinking 4 cups of coffee. She even came back to make sure my friend enjoyed her soup…
The menu at the Mark Twain diner is interesting and there is something for everyone. It was very easy to read and broken down into sections…
I chose item # 6 off the Mexican section… I ordered steak with sautéed onions, lettuce, tomatoes,sliced avocado warm tortillas and a chimi curi sauce and yellow rice….it was delicious!
My steak was cooked perfectly.. I never ever order steak in a diner but I was very happy I did….
My friend ordered The Maryland Crab cake Supreme Salad. It had baby arugula with pan fried crab cakes, diced tomatoes,red onions, minced olives, jalapeños with choice of dressing. She chose lime vinaigrette…. Her salad came with soup. There were many to choose from. She ordered the escarole with sausage soup. It had pieces of sweet sausage, carrots, onions, escarole in a chicken broth with orzo pasta… So comforting on a very cold day…The soup had great flavor and the sausage was a good addition…
Mark Twain has a liquor license so if you would like a beer , wine or mixed drink you can order it…
I'm giving Mark Twain 5 stars because I had really good service and my food was cooked perfectly med-rare and very tender…..
The diner was very very clean and I never felt rushed… I made it a point after I was through to let the manager know that he's doing a great job. My server was extremely pleasant and attentive and the remodel looks great.. He thanked me…
I will definitely be returning and I can't wait to try some other dishes..
To be fair, I shot s little high for a diner. One of specials was crab cakes and macaroni and cheese. It he Mac n cheese was ok but the crab cakes… . The service was excellent! Our server was super sweet, informative and suggestive (as requested).
My dinner came with chicken n rice soup— also wasn't all that great.
I heard they had recent renovations – it is a very nice looking diner. Looked pretty clean and that dessert case looked like heaven.
I want to give it another chance so I'll be updating this review.
This diner really deserves more than the 3.5 stars it's averaging. We come here at least four to five times a month and have never had a bad experience. The food is great, the prices are super reasonable, and the service is good (great if you get the right server!). We've never ordered anything we didn't like and their pasta salad really is as good as other reviewers say it is. Honestly, I think this may be one of the best diners in New Jersey.
My only recommendation is that their burgers could be a little meatier. I was a tiny bit disappointed when my Texas Burger came out with a thin patty. But overall, still one of my favorite joints in the area.
Great diner, even though it's not 24 hours (but the days of 24 hour diners seem to be past us for the most part, sad face). I always opt for the pasta salad – it's so good. Even if I get a meal that doesn't offer pasta salad, I ask the server for one.
They're good for tried and true diner options: Tuna Melt, pancakes, burgers, chicken fingers, etc.
Just your run of the mill local diner. Not anything I'd go out of my way to visit, but a good local place.
Lipstick on a pig. Rebuilt and maybe even new ownership but the same old mediocre food and less than stellar service abound.
The place looks really nice, remodel was well done. Problem is the food and service. Stopped in for breakfast and had a breakfast wrap which was not good. My wife's corned beef hash was equally disappointing. The server was very fast and attentive but didn't explain anything about the different options you should choose when ordering so in the end not very helpful as our dishes came out with a bunch of sides we didn't want and there are "no substitutions".
Bottom line is with many other options for diners choose another one.
I've always wanted to try this place but it was still burned down when I moved to NJ last year. Fortunately, it reopened. The diner's interior is trendy but casual; paintings of Mark Twain also grace the walls. The booth seats are long and pretty comfy but there are regular tables as well if you prefer those.
Gyro Breakfast ($9.99): Tasty and savory. It comes with five or so medium length gyro patties, three eggs your way, your choice of potatoes, and your choice of regular toast, pancakes, or French toast. The gyro was not salty or greasy and was served with a small plastic container of tzatziki. The eggs were over easy and perfect. Unfortunately, the cook added hash browns instead of the home fries I wanted. Oh well. Still, it was a nice golden brown, but just a little on the bland side.
Other items ordered were the Philly Cheesesteak ($8.99) and the Lamb over Orzo ($11.99, one of the lunch specials). The Philly cheesesteak was large and came with plenty of fries, while the lamb and orzo were said to be really tender and buttery soft, respectively. The cheesesteak comes with soup and a side (fries, cole slaw, pasta), while the special also comes with soup and your choice of dessert.
Service was spot on during my lunch here. By the way, Dana (sp?) is awesome! She took care of my group and always checked up on us. In fact, everyone here is friendly. I arrived exactly at noon but was seated almost immediately.
I wouldn't mind coming back here for all day breakfast or for any of their other items. Of all the diners I've been to in Union, Mark Twain is the better option. Huck Finn is great in its own right, but I felt more comfortable here.
I haven't been to the Mark Twain since it was redone and I must say they did a nice job. For a diner it looks nicer then some upscale restaurants I have been to, with its solid wood stained floors, cool paintings on the wall of Mark Twain and his famous quote, two wide screen tv's in both dining rooms and a well stocked bar. Their menu is not shabby and offers some pretty nice choices for the health conscious and not so health conscious. I tried two dishes one was the baked lemon chicken with lemon potatoes and capers. It was very good and something I would definitely have again. The second dish I tried but was not too impressed with was the gyro platter that came with pita slices, a small salad and french fries. The gyro meat tasted like it came from a box and was bland and the French fries taste soggy. I would definitely come back again to try more things on the menu. If you're in the area near Kean College and looking for a quick bite stop by the Mark Twain.