Many students returned to school in the fall to a rude surprise. Jay’s Diner at 2612 West Henrietta Road had been bulldozed and all that remained was a sign telling us that it would rise again.
While many of us hoped that this new diner would be bigger, cleaner and nicer, we only got part of the equation. It is bigger and cleaner, but it’s not nicer ? and it’s definitely a lot bluer.
The service is still the same, and many of the servers from the old Jay’s haven’t gone anywhere. Whether this is a good or a bad thing depends on your own opinion.
The service is still undeniably Jay’s Diner. You have to flag down a waiter or waitress for a refill, it could take a while before they get your order and the bill could take a while coming.
Charming as this may have been when Jay’s was the crusty little diner down the street that was good to study at, it doesn’t make sense at the newly rebuilt diner.
Crushed expectations abound at the new Jay’s. Along with the mediocre waiters and waitresses, the food hasn’t gotten any better. My suggestion is to stick to the chicken fingers.
In general, their “home fries” are barely edible and the pasta is heavy enough to take out a plate-glass window. And it’s all overpriced in my opinion.
On the bright side, I’m told by a number of people that their rice pudding is fantastic. It’s a dish I don’t care to try, so I’ll take their word for it.
The most common complaint I’ve heard is about the lights.
It’s blue inside. Very, very blue. It’s a little bit better since they added some normal incandescent lights, but in general it makes for a feeling of swimming underwater. I don’t like it. It makes studying difficult, and the times I’ve ventured in I wanted out as quickly as possible.
The construction feels shoddy, but at least the bathrooms are nicer now.
Overall, I suggest going to Denny’s instead.
Paris can be reached at tparis@campustimes.org.
