NYC Question -- has anyone eaten at Stardust Diner?

[rkrivas]

We're going to see the tree tonight and wanted to try Ellen's Stardust Diner. Has anyone eaten there? Is it worth it? Given that it's a Friday night, should we try to eat early (like 5:00), or will we miss a lot of the entertainment/singing?

TIA!

 

[Kteacher]

I took my girl scout troop there after the Radio City Christmas show 2 years ago. It was the highlight of the trip for the girls The food is just basic burgers and sandwiches ( be prepared for NYC prices ). Ask to sit in the main dining room-if you're seated downstairs you miss out on all the fun. One of the waiters had the entire restaurant say the girl scout promise with us-we had a great time. The restaurant has a website-I think it is ellensstardustdiner.com-you'll find the menu on the website. Have a great time!

 

[ziggystardust]

My DBF's nieces have gone there a few times and loved it. They talked about it forever. I think it might be a bit overpriced though- I'm not 100% on that since I have never gone.

 

[jel0511]

I used to work down the street from Ellen's and we used to go there all the time. It's just your typical diner fare, though more expensive than a usual diner since it's in NYC. The cookies and cream milkshake is to die for!!!!!

 

[DaisyDebbie]

It's fun,fun,fun. You have to do it at least once. And yes go early.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We went but it was unmemorable in relation to the other things we did. I can't remember what we ate or anything. All I remember what the price was pretty high and some of the waitstaff sang. Good location, though - we never heard of it but stopped for a recommendation from a police officer and they sent us there.

I would think that children would love it, though. It wasn't crowded when we went, but it was lunch time.

 

[LJC1861]

Ellen's Stardust is wonderful!

As others have said....basic diner fare at NYC prices, but the singing waitstaff are worth the trip. These kids work SO hard to not only serve, but entertain you and all are amazingly talented. They are lucky enough to work in a place that works their schedules around their auditions for Broadway shows. Your waiter today may just be the Broadway star of tomorrow. It is a loud, fun, good time.

The earlier you can go to eat, the better. It is VERY popular with the pre-theater crowd. Whatever you do, don't go on a Wednesday...it is also popular with the post matinee crowd. Ask to sit on the main floor. Upstairs you can at least hear the music, but cannot see the performers. They use the downstairs if there is not a party and the restaurant is extremely crowded. As a previous poster mentioned, there is no entertainment downstairs.

The burgers are great as is the meatloaf. Save room for a milkshake or Sundae for dessert. All are wonderful.

Have a good time, and know that they sometimes take song requests.

Linda

 

[swanmom]

We took my DD for her birthday. She's big into theater and just loved, loved, loved the place. The singing waitstaff found out it was her birthday. They had the cutest guy call her up to the front.......danced her around the room..............right out onto Broadway (the street) in front of the restaurant window (with the wireless mike) and had her sing to "Lullaby of Broadway" to everyone passing by. She'll never, ever forget it! And she can say she sang "on Broadway."

 

[tubaman]

I went there!

On our 8th grade trip (last April) we had the entire restruant to ourselves for breakfast. I got sang to three times.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

OK...Twilight Zone time. Did you go Friday night? My family and I were there! We didn't go until about 7:00 - 7:30 tho.

It is a fun time. We had gone a couple of times last year, and one particular time we REALLY had a blast...one of the waitresses sang to my then 11 yr old DS, much to his horror. Friday night, we were a little disappointed that there were mostly male waitstaff/performers. The women, when we were there before, really did a lot of dancing on the back of the booths, whereas the men didn't as much. We asked our waitress when she was going to sing (we were getting ready to leave) and she said she was next, but she wasn't , so we left.

My DDs got a kick out of an Elvis Presley looking guy, with the puffy hair in the front, right down to the "moves".

It's a loud LOUD place tho. As far as the prices...they don't come close to the horribly high prices we paid at a TGIFriday's; would never have even eaten at a TGIF in NYC, except that it was "there" at the time we were hungry after hours of walking around the city. $17 cheeseburgers, pasta dishes all in the $20s, and lousy service to boot...never again.

 

[rkrivas]

OK...Twilight Zone time. Did you go Friday night? My family and I were there! We didn't go until about 7:00 - 7:30 tho.

We were there at the same time! We were on the first floor along the windows. For a first-timer, we had a good time and would definitely go back again. Given that there were 7 of us, I thought we were seated really quickly and the price wasn't too bad.

My DD loved watching all of the singers.

Thanks for everyone's feedback!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We were there at the same time! We were on the first floor along the windows.

Wow, it IS a small world after all! We were on the first floor, first table on the right past the hostess...right within cold windshot of the front door.