Ellens Stardust Diner- Page 2

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 9:21pm

While I thought it was a "fun" evening (my 8 & 11 year old LOVED it); I thought the food was pretty disgusting and WAAY over priced.

I'd bring my kids again, but wouldn't venture in on my own.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 9:26pm

The food is ok, if a little expensive.

Don't go there if you want to carry on any kind of extended conversation with your friend, however. It is very loud in there.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 9:40pm

^It is pretty loud. I have been back to NYC a few times, but the last time I went was when was when I was in the city with a friend that had never been to NYC before. She loved it. But we did wait a bit for a table; it is always crowded when I end up there.

As for as diner food goes, I've had better. But I grew up in NJ, where there is a better diner 5 minutes from my parents' house where they don't sing, but the prices and food are awesome :).
Updated On: 12/3/08 at 09:40 PM

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:28pm

I love Ellen's. Everytime we go to the city we eat there. We have never had any big problems. The food is good but a tad bit pricey. I was just there yesterday and had a great time!

[Parks]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:59pm

John's isn't too expensive... it's like 16 bucks or so for an entire pizza. That can be split among 2-3 people... as opposed to the oh so mediocre strawberry shortcake I had for 9 bucks at Ellen's. I'd take John's over Ellen's any day.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:13am

They messed up my $10 grilled cheese sandwich when I went there. Just saying. Haven't been back.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 5:26am

Nut John's isn't as good, IMHO as either Rays or Famiglias. And I'm fairly sure their whole pies are even less than $16.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:42am

I think John's is much better than both of them, actually.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:50am

Eh, fine. Wait in a long line for mediocre pizza. LOL. Guess that's why there are so many places. I don't find John's bad...just not worth all the hype over it.

Oh...and back to Ellen's... What they call "shortcake" really isn't in the proper sense of the word. It's more sponge cake. I found it pretty good though. but it's NOT shortcake.

Updated On: 12/4/08 at 06:50 AM

[LyTeMyCanDyI]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:45pm

I eat there literally every time I go to the city. It's so much fun and great if you're in a rush. I've gotten food in under ten minutes there. The burgers are great and I like the chicken parm, even though its chicken fingers and not one big piece of chicken. Still delicious!!

[madbrian]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 12:52pm

If you're looking for fine dining, don't go. If you wish to have a quiet supper with hushed conversation, don't go. If you don't mind crowds, love singing waiters, and enjoy diner fare, it's the best game in town.

[Mamie]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:38pm

As others have said, Ellen's is an 'event' that can be a lot of fun if you're more in the mood for fun than fabulous food. That's not to say the food is bad - it's just pretty typical for most diners and pricey due to its location. I took my niece to NY for her first visit last July and she completely fell in love with the place. She was seeing Wicked that night for the first time and we walked in to one of the waitresses singing Popular. She was in 7th heaven! I enjoyed it a lot more with her than I had when going on my own a few years back. Neither time did I have to wait to be seated or waited on. I did have to wait a bit for the bill though.

[morosco]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 1:47pm

"...John's isn't as good, IMHO as either Rays or Famiglias."

Years ago Rays had a funny sign hanging on the wall.
It said "CPR for Customers Only".

[Patash]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 4:47pm

I've only been to Ellen's once -- for the most overpriced, mediocre (hmmm, maybe that's being too kind) breakfast I've ever had in NYC. Terrible food. Asked for new toast to replace the burned stuff -- never got it. I can see how it could be a fun place and two of the singing waiters were surprisingly good -- but is there a way you can go and NOT have to eat their food?

[mc1227]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 9:57pm

I've been there a few times and love it. Great peanut butter and banana sandwich. Great shakes and classic diner food. Just be prepared to wait a while for a table if you have more than two people.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 12/5/08 at 12:39am

I love Ellen's. Occasionally, the service is a little slow, but I don't mind because I love to just chill and listen to the performances. Last time I went was with a friend from home who was visiting and one of the waiters sang a song from Newsies, which is one of our favorite movies. We squealed.

Their malted milkshakes are amazing. I love the classic burger. And the peanut butter sandwiches are delicious, although it's pretty difficult to mess those up.

Some of the desserts are great. I've had better luck with the ice cream concoctions than the pies.

I've ordered below the minimum before (I didn't even know there was a minimum) and it's never been a problem.

[iDEFY_forgood]

Posted: 12/5/08 at 10:40am

Ellen's Stardust is awesome! It is a little more expensive then a regular diner, but it's totally worth it IMO. The service is pretty good, and even if it takes a little longer, you have peole entertaining you. The staff is wonderful and most of them are really talanted. They even come over and interact with you at times.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 12/5/08 at 10:52am

My daughter would live at Ellen's if she could. Like most everyone else, I think the food is definitely iffy and overpriced but the atmosphere and entertainment is what sells the place.

I'm not a fan of John's either. There was nothing particularly wrong with it other than the fact that I could have gotten as good or better pizza in my own backyard.