Croton Colonial Diner

221 South Riverside Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520, 914-271-8868

How do you review a restaurant that you visit once a year, on the exact same date?  Let us explain.  A number of years ago on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, with holiday company gone, Brian and I decided on an impromptu outing. We drove up one side of the Hudson River Valley, crossed over the Bear Mountain bridge and followed the river back down through all the towns along the valley. The day was dreary and cold but Christmas music was playing on the radio and we held hands in the car throughout much of the drive. After many hours, hungry and in desperate need of a restroom, we stumbled on this diner in Croton.

We settled comfortably into a warm booth and ordered a couple of hot open-face sandwich platters.  One brisket, one meatloaf and both came with a small bowl of soup, a salad, mashed potatoes, gravy and a vegetable side.  In truth, the broccoli and carrots were soggy and flavorless but otherwise the food was quite good with tender meat, creamy potatoes and tasty, well-seasoned gravy.  It was good, old-fashioned diner comfort food and perfect for a chilly day.  We would have ordered a hunk of diner pie as well but we knew we still had many left-over Thanksgiving desserts at home.

Rested, warmed and well fed, we headed home but we'd enjoyed our romantic day so much that we've recreated it every year since and always with a stop at this diner.  We've come to understand that it's been there for 40 years and that alone says a lot.  Apart from the tasty food, the restaurant is clean and in good repair for a place that old.  The service is efficient and friendly and the menu has the typical wide selection of diner classics.

We've also noticed that there are always other customers there no matter what time it is and that also says a lot.  It's not five star dining but it's a perfectly fine diner and, if you're in the area, we recommend you check out that hot brisket.