Friday Food: Square Diner
On Saturday, I checked another stand-alone diner off of my list when I went to the Square Diner in TriBeCa. Although I live uptown, the Square Diner is directly off the 1 train so it's a straight shot for me, and it's literally steps away from the subway station.
Like the Pearl Diner, the Square feels very out of place for its neighborhood, which makes it all the more remarkable that it's survived the popularity surge and celebrification of the surrounding areas (aka, all of New York). It wasn't very busy when I arrived at about 11 am, but it was full when I left an hour later. There is ample seating outside, which is another quirky and somewhat unexpected perk not usually associated with diners, and I'd love to go back when (if) the weather finally gets warmer.
The inside doesn't seem to have changed much in years (the outside definitely has), from the faded pink vinyl booths and bar stools to the wood panelling and stainless accents, it's classic diner décor through-and-through.
The thing I love most about the Square Diner is that the building is actually triangular, which makes for some awkward spaces where the sides narrow to a point. They even have a circular logo — in fact, the only thing square about the Square Diner is it's name.
I ordered a waffle, and while it was perfectly acceptable it wasn't anything spectacular. It's a little bit more pricey than other diners I've eaten at, but probably a lot cheaper than some neighborhood alternatives. The service was fast if not entirely friendly, so it was a pretty typical diner experience in an above-average space.
I would put the Square Diner above the Pearl Diner in décor and architecture (although the Pearl has a better sign), but below the Empire, which I have a feeling will remain on top. The food was comparable at both the Square and Pearl — I got waffles at both — and I'll have to go back to the Empire for breakfast if I want to see how it stacks up in the waffle department (my guess is fantastically).
I still have two more stand-alone diners in Manhattan on my list, and then I guess I'll have to start on the outer boroughs. There are definitely more stand-alone diners/dining cars left outside of Manhattan and I see a lot of waffles (and diner coffee) in my future (not mad about it).
