Stardust Diner: Singing Servers Bring You Burgers
Written: Nov 09 '03 (Updated Jul 08 '05)
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Pros: Inexpensive, location, singing servers, decor
Cons: Very loud, servers occasionally collect additional tips and hawk c.d.s
The Bottom Line: Stardust diner: A fun and inexpensive restaurant in Times Square.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Ellen's Stardust Diner |
Want a great, slightly hokey, not too expensive, New York experience? Check out the Stardust Diner right in Times Square. Singer servers and 50's decor make this place unique.
DECOR
The decor has a hokey 50's motif. There are vinyls on the walls plus lots of other 50's memorabilia, a movie screen that shows clips of 50's movies including lots of James Dean and a toy train that runs overhead. The place is overdecorated enough to be hokey but not so much as to be garish. Those who grew up in the 50's will probably enjoy the nostalgia.
The restaurant is rather large with two floors. The top floor is mostly a balcony so diners can watch the show below. There are both booths and tables.
SERVICE
All of the servers wear 50's costumes. The women wear poodle skirts and the men wear checkered shirts and chinos. The service was pretty good considering that the servers took turns belting out songs that were popular from the 50's to the 80's. We were seated right away, the waitress brought drinks right away. Our food came out hot and on time. We had to ask for the check as the restaurant filled up, but other than that, we got everything we needed from a very nice waitress.
THE SHOW
The servers took turns with the microphone belting out songs. Given the 50's theme, I expected a lot of 50's tunes but also heard some Madonna songs and more recent material. Generally, the performers walked the aisles singing. Occasionally, they stood on the ledge between booths. They didn't engage patrons much other than a 30 second dance with some kids or ruffling a patron's hair.
The only downside to the entertainment is that the servers passed a bucket asking for additional tips. One server spent over a minute hawking his own c.d. of latin tunes. Another server promoted a show being performed "upstairs" for an additional fee. I really liked the singing and the servers generally had a lot of talent. However, the constant pitches got annoying by the end of our meal.
One other thought. Occasionally, the server with the microphone asked where people were from. Patrons responded mainly with Ohio or New Jersey. No one was from New York. In my experience, the minute a performer starts asking the audience where they are from, the night quickly descends into tourist trap hell. However, I thought Stardust Diner was pretty enjoyable and also thought the prices were decent for the neighborhood.
THE FOOD
The menu is not particularly inspired considering that almost everything they offer could be purchased in any small town in America. However, the menu was quite broad with lots of choices of ordinary food. Appetizers included nachos, buffalo wings, salads, fried mozzarella and cost around $5-7. Entrees consist mostly of sandwiches and burgers but there was also catfish, meatloaf, steaks and ribs. There was a good selection of desserts. My friend had a burger that was good but not great. I had a veggie burger that was good but not great. The roll was a little soggy and the bits of broccoli that came with it were clearly defrosted. Still, at $9, it was a bargain for the neighborhood.
AMBIANCE
Starlight Diner is a very casual place. You would feel comfortable in jeans. There were lots of families with older kids. The lights are very bright and the music is very loud. During the performances, I could barely hear my friend screaming conversation at me.
KID FRIENDLINESS
Children from 5 and up will love this place. The overdone 50's decor will most likely appeal more to kids than adults. Kids will also find the singers more entertaining than anything they have ever seen in standard restaurants. I didn't see a children's menu but there were plenty of burgers and other items on the regular menu to appeal to kid's taste preferences. The entertainment was all G rated.
LOCATION
Stardust Diner is apparently called Ellen's Stardust Diner although I don't remember seeing the "Ellen" anywhere. It is located right in the heart of Times Square. The address and phone are:
1650 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Tel: (212) 956-5151
Fax: (212) 956-5834
HOURS
The hours from the web site are:
Mon-Thu 7:00am-12:00am
Fri-Sat 7:00am- 1:00am
Sun 7:00am-11:00pm
OTHER INFORMATION
Vegetarians will have some choices. I had a veggie burger and thought it was pretty good.
Handicapped: The restaurant is on two floors, the second is accessible by stairs. The first floor is roomy enough to maneuver around.
We arrived at 5:30 on a Thursday night and the restaurant was almost empty. When we left around 6:15, the restaurant was full and there was a line. Given the proximity to all the theaters, I would expect a hefty pre-theater crown most nights.
You can find the menu and more information at: www.ellensstardustdiner.citysearch.com
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
Stardust diner is really cute and not too hokey for a tourist place. I have eaten at several restaurants in the area and find that the prices at Stardust Diner are very reasonable, especially considering that there was live entertainment. I definitely recommend this place.
MY MINI-GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY
Things to Do:
The Metropolitan Museum
Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty
Places to Eat:
Lucky Cheng’s has Chinese food for adults.
Ruby Foo’s has Chinese food for families.
Pipa is next to Manhattan Mecca ABC Carpet & Home.
Rue 57 fuses French and Japanese cuisine in Midtown.
Places to Stay:
The Roosevelt Hotel
The Hudson
The W on Lexington
Sheraton Manhattan
Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers
Broadway:
TKTS sells half-price tickets to Broadway shows.
Rent is an unusual Broadway rock musical legend.
Gypsy is Broadway at its best.
Wicked is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The burgers were pretty good.
Best Suited For: Kids and Families
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modernmarvel
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