Review: Miss Adams Diner Reopens Under New Management
Established in 1949, the historic Worcester dining car at 53 Park St. has an extensive menu, delicious food and a friendly waitstaff.
The night we dined there a couple of weeks ago, "The Beverly Hillbillies" and the movie "Grease" were playing on televisions located at each end of the car, pictures of James Dean, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe were hanging behind the counter and the sounds of '50s music could be heard the second you walked in.
After a short stint as a seafood restaurant last summer, the diner reclaimed the Miss Adams name and reopened on Nov. 9 with manager Annmarie Belmonte, who has been in the restaurant business for 24 years.
"I had been looking into opening the diner before it opened as the Captain's Tavern," said Belmonte, who ran Corky's Deli for a short period. "When the opportunity arose again, I wanted to bring back the Miss Adams Diner name and redecorate the inside."
Belmonte says she is thankful that business has been very good so far.
"Usually restaurants are slow over the holiday season, but we were still quite busy," she said. "Business was a lot better than I thought it would be."
On this particular Saturday afternoon, business was certainly steady. My husband, David, and I had planned on a midday snack before returning home from the Berkshire Mall but instead enjoyed an appetizer and early dinner.
Miss Adams Diner |
53 Park St.
413-743-5300 Features old-fashioned diner food: hamburgers, hot dogs, floats, meatloaf and fish dinners. Hours Serves breakfast, lunch & dinner Monday & Wednesday: 6:30-7 Thursday-Saturday: 6:30-9 Sunday: 7:30 to 1 Tuesday: Closed |
We both chose the clam strip dinners with french fries and coleslaw. Our meals were hot, quite delicious and the portions were generous — large enough to bring home a doggie bag as a late-night snack.
Knowing that we would bring our children the next time to dine, I was pleased to see child-friendly food on the menu. It also offers a traditional breakfast menu.
Customers can start their dining experience off with one of many favorite appetizers including onion rings, chili cheese fries, jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks or chicken wings. For the soup lover, try clam chowder, chili or the soup of the day served in cups or bowls.
My boys love burgers and the menu has a wide variety from which to choose. There are nine different types of burgers ranging from the classic served with lettuce and tomato to mushroom Swiss, chili cheeseburger, the Western burger, the Mexican burger and the Greek god (served with sliced ham, cheese and black olives). If a hot dog is more your liking, those are on the menu, too. All burgers and dogs are served with french fries and coleslaw.
Additional menu items include a turkey dinner wrap, grilled Reuben, BLT, Monte Cristo, chicken parmesan and turkey club. All sandwiches are served with potato chips and a pickle. They come with a choice of white, wheat or rye bread.
The blue-plate specials and pasta dinners include meatloaf, turkey dinner, shepherd's pie, fish and chips, jumbo clam strips, spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant parmesan over pasta and pork roast and gravy. Prices range from $5.50 to $7.50.
Before you leave make sure you try one of the delicious deserts, such as carrot cake or chocolate cake with mocha frosting. At least they looked delicious. I really wanted to try one but was already stuffed from our meal.
One thing you won't get is a beer with your burger. Miss Adams Diner will not be pursuing a liquor license.
"When you think of a diner, you don't think beer and wine," Belmonte said. "People should think coffee, tea, soda and ice cream floats."
Customers who are in a hurry are encouraged to call ahead and take advantage of the diner's takeout service. The diner is open Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is closed on Tuesday. The phone number is 413-743-5300.