Our first visit was to Crossroads Diner in Watertown, NY. At first glance, this little roadside diner may not appear to be anything to sneeze at, but what it lacks in outside appearance it more than makes up for in homestyle charm. When we arrived at the Crossroads, the locals immediately turned and noticed us. We were clearly newbies. And while that may not be a good thing at your average establishment I am happy to say that the folks at Crossroads were more than happy to welcome some new faces. They sat us down, got us a couple of cold ones (Pepsi and Root Beer!) and asked what we would like. Naturally we asked them what their specialties were.
They guided us in this direction:
Kelly's Meal: The Cowboy Burger with Fries
Served with fries and a pickle, this barbeque burger was as juicy as it was delicious! It came topped with five slices of cheese, several pieces of bacon, grilled onions and their own sweet BBQ sauce. This was recommended by our server, and cost $7.99.
Jessica's Meal: The Super Supreme Burger
Served with fries and a pickle, this burger came served with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and their own special sweet sauce. The sauce was similar to a jelly style sauce and gave the burger a delicious, overall light taste. This meal cost $7.95.
Our Dessert: Pineapple Pie and Peanut Butter Pie:
It must be noted that Robin, the owner of the Crossroads Diner, gets up at 4:30 every morning to begin preperation on her perfect pies. And boy, you sure can tell!
Rich, creamy and dreamy are the only words we could use to describe the delectable decadence of the Peanut Butter Pie. Quite frankly it was one of those desserts you couldn't stop eating, despite being fuller than John Goodman on Christmas. Robin topped this pie with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
The pineapple pie happened to be a special request from a regular customer, so this was not only a first for us, but for the owner as well. The crust was cripsy and delicious with a hint of cinammon and a flavor similar to apple pie crust. The only negative we'd have to comment on is the amount of pineapple in the pie (there was a lot of it). However while we found it a little overwhelming, some may view this as a positive quality. You certainly wouldn't fing them giving you heaping helpings at your average franchise joint!
In fact, we should tell you that everything at the Crossroads Diner is made in house and much of the food is grown locally. In other words, none of that frozen-solid, cookie-cutter cookin' here. Everything is made to order!
Also, not only is the food more home grown, but the prices are more affordable as well. Some of the sandwiches are as low as $3.99!
Perhaps the most noticable thing about the Crossroads Diner however wasn't the food, it was the familiarity. As each customer entered we noticed that our waitress knew each one by name. "Hey Bob!" she called to one. "How's it going Sue?" one customer asked another. If this place didn't make you want to sing the Cheers theme song, I don't know what will.
Summary:
In summary, we loved our experience at the Crossroads Diner and were thrilled it was our first restaurant on this journey. The place had good food, great atmosphere, and welcomed us like friends. We would highly recommend the Crossroads Diner for couples, friends, or family. It's versatile and afordable, and we can only hope all the dives we dine at are half as delightful!
Specialties:
Appetizer - A few of the regulars highly recommended the crab soup
Breakfast - L.A. Cinnamon Bread
Lunch/Dinner- Friday they make their famous Fish Fries and homemade Mac and Cheese.
Dessert: Peanut Butter Pie
Other Info:
Where: Route 11, next to the Firehouse in Watertown
Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday, 5:30AM - 3PM (Closed on Sundays)
To Go Orders: Yes, with an additional 25 cents
Atmosphere: Downhome and Friendly
How Long in Business: Over 20 Years
Family Friendly: Yes, includes a small play area for children
Who Owns It: Robin and her husband Charley
Most Likely to Hear: "Hey Bob!"
