My dad has talked about this diner. My mom has talked about this diner. Tales of huge plates full of food - delicious food plus plenty of parking (even for tractor trailers)..... well after such glowing reviews, I had to check it out for myself.
So my partner and I decided to head on over to Lancaster to have dinner. Yes, it was 50 miles away but we didn't have any pressing plans except a need to get out of the house for awhile, so why not?
We enjoyed the drive - my honey hadn't been over toward Lancaster in about 20+ years so it sparked lots of conversation as to how things had changed....or not. As we neared the diner, the sun was setting and the sky was a blaze of brilliant salmons, purples, corals and gold. It was beautiful! I was hoping he would take some photos, but he was too busy admiring the sky to capture it. At first I wasn't sure we had found the place because although we saw the diner sign, there wasn't anything that said 'Jennie's'....so we checked Google maps and had a laugh at the 'you have arrived'. So we parked and headed inside.
Warning - this place is cash only - but if you don't come prepared, they have an ATM machine out by the restrooms. (Luckily M caught the 'cash only ' sign as we went in so we could hit the ATM first).
The first thing I noticed were the servicemen - all around the top of the diner there are framed photographs of military folks - some of them are locals and some are relatives or friends of regulars. It was wonderful! The display just added something special to the atmosphere. The next thing I noticed were the truckers - relaxing and have a good hot meal. M and I had a good time listening to their conversations flow around us while we ate.
The service was attentive and quick. M started with a salad and I had a cup of the hamburger macaroni soup - both were tasty. Then came the huge plates. I kid you not. M had the roast beef with gravy over stuffing with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. I had the turkey & gravy over stuffing with regular fries. After the photograph, we tackled the plates. Everything was delicious. If I had to guess I would say there was enough meat on each plate to make at least 3 good sized sandwiches. M finished his whole plate but I ended up bringing about a third of mine home with me (unfortunately most of my turkey is missing from the photo).
So my partner and I decided to head on over to Lancaster to have dinner. Yes, it was 50 miles away but we didn't have any pressing plans except a need to get out of the house for awhile, so why not?
We enjoyed the drive - my honey hadn't been over toward Lancaster in about 20+ years so it sparked lots of conversation as to how things had changed....or not. As we neared the diner, the sun was setting and the sky was a blaze of brilliant salmons, purples, corals and gold. It was beautiful! I was hoping he would take some photos, but he was too busy admiring the sky to capture it. At first I wasn't sure we had found the place because although we saw the diner sign, there wasn't anything that said 'Jennie's'....so we checked Google maps and had a laugh at the 'you have arrived'. So we parked and headed inside.
Warning - this place is cash only - but if you don't come prepared, they have an ATM machine out by the restrooms. (Luckily M caught the 'cash only ' sign as we went in so we could hit the ATM first).
The first thing I noticed were the servicemen - all around the top of the diner there are framed photographs of military folks - some of them are locals and some are relatives or friends of regulars. It was wonderful! The display just added something special to the atmosphere. The next thing I noticed were the truckers - relaxing and have a good hot meal. M and I had a good time listening to their conversations flow around us while we ate.
The service was attentive and quick. M started with a salad and I had a cup of the hamburger macaroni soup - both were tasty. Then came the huge plates. I kid you not. M had the roast beef with gravy over stuffing with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. I had the turkey & gravy over stuffing with regular fries. After the photograph, we tackled the plates. Everything was delicious. If I had to guess I would say there was enough meat on each plate to make at least 3 good sized sandwiches. M finished his whole plate but I ended up bringing about a third of mine home with me (unfortunately most of my turkey is missing from the photo).
There wasn't any room for dessert but the cakes & pies we saw on the counter looked really good! I can't say it enough - truckers know the best places to eat!
So was it worth the 100 mile round trip - oh heck yes! I would make the drive again but I think this time, we would add some stops, just to make it interesting.
So was it worth the 100 mile round trip - oh heck yes! I would make the drive again but I think this time, we would add some stops, just to make it interesting.
Jennie's Diner is located at: 2575 Lincoln Highway East, Ronks, PA (which is between Paradise & Lancaster on Route 30. If you are heading toward Lancaster it is on the right. Just look for the cute diner surrounded by a huge parking lot - you can't miss it!
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