59 Diner
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17695 State Highway 249, Houston, Texas 77064 832.237.7559
MY REVIEW: We used to go more frequently, mostly for ambience and because it was so close by -- but honestly, the 59 Diner is terrible and overpriced for what you get. The food isn't tasty, the service is abominable. I keep hoping it'll get better each time we go, but it never does.
We went there tonight, and they were out of kid's hamburgers. We never got the mustard we asked for, and it took about 20 minutes to get drink refills. The burger I ordered was tasteless. Yea, it's diner food, but come on. The french fries were lackluster. Not very good.
NAME: Liz B.
SUBMITTED: 5/25/2008 LAST VISIT WAS: May 2008
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...
10407 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77024 713.984.2500
MY REVIEW: The first time I went there I got there Fried Catfish which was to die for,it had been fried for just the right amount of time.My guest got the Migas which he let me taste and I think it was the best thing I ever tasted.The service was a tad mediocore,but,hey,thats life.(The salsa was very spicy).
NAME: Fried is my life
SUBMITTED: 12/24/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 12/4/07
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times
17695 State Highway 249, Houston, Texas 77064 832.237.7559
MY REVIEW: The ambiance at the 59 diner is my favorite part of the eating out experience. You leave there with a true back to the classics feeling and a smile. The 59 diner just adds to the experience with their great food and good service. Its a great place to visit!!
NAME: Molly
SUBMITTED: 12/5/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: last week
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times
12550 Southwest Fwy, Stafford, Texas 77477 281.242.5900
MY REVIEW: I typically rate breakfast places by their omlettes, the worst places typically cooking what is actually a "scramble" with the egg and filling all stirred together and cooked. A true omlette has the egg cooked flat (like a pancake) and the filling either steamed or sauted seperately and then placed in the flat cooked egg which is then folded over to make the omlette. I ordered an omlette with hash browns, it was excellent, probably the best western omlette I've had in the Houston area, the hashbrowns were excellent as well. Unfortunately, the place was NOISY to the point where I haven't been able to talk my wife into going back. Sob...
NAME: SteveT
SUBMITTED: 11/14/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 09/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: BLECH! Haven't eaten here in years. Never will again. My favorite thing that had been on the menu in the past was the big bowl of beans with smoked ham and grilled onions. That is long gone.
I ordered the meatloaf blue plate. They served a single slice of dried out meatloaf - 3 oz tops. Side dishes were 1/2 full of cold mushy carrots and mashed potatoes heavy from sitting/drying out. I'm a fit man who eats very reasonable portions. It was clear that I would be leaving VERY hungry.
My guest ordered a salad. The server explained that they have been out of the balsamic vinaigrette for several weeks...that they "hadn't made it in awhile." Are you kidding me? What is involved in "making" a dressing that contains 2 ingredients?
We asked 3 times to get cornbread/rolls to the table. When another server finally brought them, it was obvious that they had been drying out in the warmer for hours. Now I realize why they weren't bothering to bring them to the table. The staff here were uninterested, uninvolved, seemed to agree that the place sucks, and thought it was a big joke.
Why was there ANYONE else eating here? Who spends money deliberately for this?
NAME: festusbodine
SUBMITTED: 10/29/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 10/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once
12550 Southwest Fwy, Stafford, Texas 77477 281.242.5900
MY REVIEW: Having lived in the area for the last 7 years, I am always on the lookout for great NEW places to eat at in this area and I was excited upon seeing the signs and renovation to the location that is now open! Late one sunday, after driving around looking for something GOOD to eat with my small son and wife in tow, I pulled into 59 Diner. The place was packed, our food (omelette & pancakes) were served hot and fresh and service was good despite having a full house of customers. My experience overall was pleasant and we will be going back I am sure! It is somewhat odd to me that so many of the other reviewers have had negative experiences!
NAME: Tyron
SUBMITTED: 10/15/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 10/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once
12550 Southwest Fwy, Stafford, Texas 77477 281.242.5900
MY REVIEW: First time was late night for just a malt followed by coffee. Refill for coffee was from one of the thermos-type jugs -- just barely lukewarm. Service OK, waitress said they'd been open for 6 weeks.
Subsequent visits have all had problems. Once I ordered Chicken Fried Steak sandwich with slaw instead of fries. It came with fries. The Lemonade was absolutely tasteless (I know they buy it in cartons, but it was probably watered down from sitting in a pitcher with ice.)
Next visit was for Chicken Pot Pie with green beans and squash. It came with carrots, no squash. (squash was right behind, reported the server as she took the plate back to get beans instead of carrots). After eating 3/4 of thr Pot Pie and beans, the squash finally appeared. "They had to make some more."
Next visit, I ordered whole wheat pancakes -- You guessed it, buttermilk pancakes were brought to me. I sent them back and had to wait for proper order. Manager/in-charge person offered coffee from thermos. When I asked if it was hot, she took the top off to show steam, but it didn't steam in the cup and was not HOT.
Latest visit was for breakfast -- Migas with refried beans. They came with hash-browns. Waitress brought beans after error was pointed out. I was sitting in a small booth near the counter and had to listen to an argument between another waiter and the soda jerks.
I don't know if I'm snakebit or what, but I think 59 Diner has some serious management or procedure problems with so many errors in ordering/serving the food. I don't know if the wait staff can't work the computer correctly when placing orders or if the kitchen staff can't or won't read the tickets when preparing the food. Wait staff certainly has no idea what the customer ordered by the time they serve the food.
I welcomed the restaurant to the area so I wouldn't have to go down to Farnham location, but everytime I go, I wonder, "what will go wrong this time." It's almost a game now -- eventually I'll wise up and go back to D*enny's.
NAME: Glenn
SUBMITTED: 10/9/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 10/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: Sadly, sadly, sadly...I've been a patron since college days, over 40 years ago, before its move to Farnham, when Phil greeted you. I've entered those doors for the LAST TIME. The experience is not what it used to be. I live about two blocks away so it has always been convenient. My former once-or-twice a week visit has been - over the years - reduced to once every two-to-three months, after hours, when everything else is closed.
*The waitress last night was friendly and attentive and earned the good tip we left. (I can not be so complimentary of the flock of wait-staff congregating in conversation at the coffee-and-water staging area for the back room while dishes sun-baked under the heat lights of the kitchen's ready station.)
*The new owners cost-cut the kitchen, and it is evident. The food was as promised (the pre-formed, pre-fried hash-browns have finally gone but they have not been replaced with freshly grated hash-browns on the hot griddle...) What we ordered was what we got, word for word, production to perfection, except for the eggs, which showed individual handling and care. The front area from the door, past the newspaper stands, past the photo booth and check out counter remain essentially unchanged.
*BUT we HAD TO CHANGE LOCATIONS in the restaurant THREE (3)TIMES! There was music, two televisions spewing their separate play-by-play coloratura at top fan-hype volume, and people yelling to each other over the volume of sports TV, just to be heard in simple converastion, yelling as well at top volume at their children to "settle down", the kids obviously bored and unengaged in the conversation because THEY COULD NOT HEAR. Was this a late night diner or a SPORTS BAR?
*So why did we go there if we live just a couple of blocks away? (1) Nastalgia, (2) a simple "comfort food" meal, and (3) an enjoyable end-of-the-day "diner-dining" experience. Well, that's three for three, sports fans: that's the LAST TIME we enter the 59 Diner after the breakfast/lunch shift is gone for the day.
*My $26.00 + check may not mean to much in the scheme of things at the 59 Diner...but it will mean something to a restaurant somewhere else. *I'm sorry, Phil, may you rest in peace. Your absence is really felt.
NAME: Michael B...
SUBMITTED: 10/7/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: Oct ober 2007
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...
12550 Southwest Fwy, Stafford, Texas 77477 281.242.5900
MY REVIEW: Hard to tell what was worse...the food or the service. If you like to wait for your food for nearly an hour (the place was half empty), have the order messed up when it does arrive, and have your food served lukewarm and dried out then this is your place. Most of the staff seemed more interested in watching the game on the big screen TV than taking care of the customers and the manager had plenty of excuses but really didn't do anything to correct the problems. If you have a desire for diner food there are a couple of other choices in the area that are much better in terms of service and food quality.
NAME: Won't be back
SUBMITTED: 10/1/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 09/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once
10407 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77024 713.984.2500
MY REVIEW: My husband and I moved here from Dallas a month ago. We have been trying new places to eat after church on Sunday's. So far every place we have been we would go back. This was our first and probably last time to 59 Diner. First the service was very slow.....they need more wait staff. It took about 15-20 minutes just to get our drinks ordered. My husband ordered cheese fries as an appetizer, we were disappointed with the out come. We were expecting cheese fries like you get at "c*hedders", they were basically fries with a slice of melted cheese. He did order a pinapple shake that was good however, the mushroom burger he ordered was not good at all. The meat was very thin and overcooked even though he ordered it medium. I had the texas breakfast plate, which was eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, ham, and two whole wheat pancakes. It is hard to mess up breakfast...the pancakes were wonderful, but not worth going to again with the service and other qaulity of food. Our waitress was nice, but had to many tables. The other staff was not unfriendly or friendly. We will probably not go back. To bad, I love this type of food.
NAME: new to Houston
SUBMITTED: 9/30/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 09/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited once
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: I have eaten at the Katy and Farnham locations, and while I can't address the service issues of other patrons, I think it has always been acceptable. During our most recent visit the service was fine, and this was around 7 on Saturdy evening. We're always fine passing the time together and with two teen girls there's never a shortage of conversation.
The food was terrific! Baked potato soup was tasty, onion rings were crisp, caesar salad was green and fresh, amd the chicken salad sandwich was awesome! I love their chicken salad and almost always get it, even though I know I should try something else. I think I first tried the chicken salad in 1998 and it has never disappointed. We like the atmosphere and the scooter and the murals and the rest of it. We've never had a bad service experience at either 59 Diner and we love the food.
NAME: 59fan
SUBMITTED: 8/4/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 8/07
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: We used to go to 59 Diner every Sunday morning. Stop for a while but started up a couple of weeks ago. It was a mistake. The first time back we had to wait a long time for the food. When it got there, it was cold. Refills on coffee are slow. This morning (04/22) we sat down and waited to be served...and waited. We decided to switch to a booth next to the counter..and waited...and waited. That was it for me...I won't be going back. In fact, we drove across the street to Le P*eep. Too many other choices to put up with bad service and cold food.
NAME: helpwanted
SUBMITTED: 4/22/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: Apr 2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: A few months ago, 59 Diner went "24/7" and the service went south...so now I'm going elsewhere. My last three visits which were in the late evening and twice after 10:00 were greeted with S L O W S E R V I C E (to the point of having to hail another waiter/waitress to get a glass of water and cup of coffee, both of whom said something to the effect of "This isn't my area, but I'll help you." [...this after waiting AT THE COUNTER for as much as 3 and as long as 4 minutes without so much as an acknowledging greeting!]) They were not short-staffed for the number of customers for the shift [10:00 - 10:30pm]. If anything, they were under-busy, but moreover they were under-supervised!
Both times I ordered the meat loaf (with the red sauce ON THE SIDE)and the meatloaf came with both the sauce over it and an apology; I ordered the mashed potatoes (without the gravy on them!) and once they came with the gravy on them (and an apology) and once with gravy on the side. The Chicken Pot Pie is still wonderful, but unfortunately I won't be eating it again...I'M NOT GOING BACK AFTER THE LUNCH SHIFT LEAVES!
59 Diner is still the BEST BREAKFAST in town and the wate-staff is like a good skillet: well seasoned, even-tempered and able to deliver what you intend to eat... The three Angels are professional, proficient and prompt in greeting you, getting your order to the kitchen, giving you refils without being pushy, gracefully placing your order in front of you and enquiring of any further needs and then leaving to wait on unthers until it looks like you are done, offering you another refil and then placing your bill on the table and saying "Thank You."
NAME: Two over-easy, side of ham,...
SUBMITTED: 3/9/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: March 1, 2007
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...
17695 State Highway 249, Houston, Texas 77064 832.237.7559
MY REVIEW: I have been to this location a few times and I always hope things will get better the next time I go. No such luck! My husband and I went Friday night for coffee and dessert after a night out at a comedy club. We had to track down a waiter just to get coffee, then again to take our dessert order. The waiter never came back to give us a check, so we walked to the counter to pay and had to tell the man checking us out, that we sat at a table not a booth about 3 times before he finally understood us. Then he couldn't get our order right after telling him that another 3 times. Finally the waiter came up to the counter with our ticket. It was a terrible experience. To top it all off the dessert wasn't even good. We were left frustrated and angry. We will not be going back ever again!
NAME: Barb
SUBMITTED: 2/5/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 02/03/07
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times
17695 State Highway 249, Houston, Texas 77064 832.237.7559
MY REVIEW: First visit was very discouraging. Place looked sad and deserted around dinnertime. Should have been my first clue. Wanted a shake but they were out of ice cream. They were out of a LOT of items. Waitress seemed friendly but disappeared for a long period of time, even though there were not many patrons. Had a sandwich with fries which was okay but not worth $7.
NAME: empty_refrigerator
SUBMITTED: 2/4/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 2/07
FREQUENCY: Visited once
10407 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77024 713.984.2500
MY REVIEW: Best service,Best Foof,we loved it,and we countinue dinning at 59diner.
NAME: fred
SUBMITTED: 1/10/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 01/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times
17695 State Highway 249, Houston, Texas 77064 832.237.7559
MY REVIEW: I had the Roast Beef Sandwich. The meat was so tough, I couldn't even finish it. The sandwich itself was salty and had salty au jus on the side. The last time I ate there, I had the Chicken Pot Pie. There were three chunks of chicken and the rest was breading and vegetables.
Second time was a charm for me. I'm not impressed.
NAME: Rather'dHadShoeLeather
SUBMITTED: 1/5/2007 LAST VISIT WAS: 1/2007
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times
10407 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77024 713.984.2500
MY REVIEW: tried the katy freeway location for the first time. service was terrible!! it was awful. there was no one in the store, no customers and what seemed to be, no employees. finally after standing akwardly by the door for about five minutes, a voice from the kitchen yelled seat yourselves.
it was about 5 to 8 minutes before someone came to get our drinks. and then about another 5 before they came for our order. it seemed there were two servers but both were just walking around. we finally got our food, without silverware and out of drinks. then a large group (about 8) came into the restaurant. we never saw an employee again except for when he quickly threw our bill on the table.
too bad i always loved the shepard location.
NAME: never returning
SUBMITTED: 11/22/2006 LAST VISIT WAS: November 2006
FREQUENCY: Visited once
10407 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77024 713.984.2500
MY REVIEW: We visited the new Katy Freeway location (pity the old one got torn down for freeway expansion). The menu has been augmented a bit, but still keeps that 50's "Happy Days" feel. We had onion rings as an appetizer. These are very thin rings, but were still flavorful. They were a tad greasy but tasted good. My wife had the chicken fried steak, which was so big it also turned into two lunches for her. She was pleased. I had the Diner Cheeseburger, which was as a cheeseburger should be... juicy but not fatty. We split a strawberry shake (very good), too. Aside from slightly greasy onion rings, I have no complaints.
NAME: Bill in Memorial
SUBMITTED: 9/21/2006 LAST VISIT WAS: 9/2006
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times
17695 State Highway 249, Houston, Texas 77064 832.237.7559
MY REVIEW: New lunch menu has some good things on it. Breakfast is always good and the service is usually good to great but can be poor to bad, but it is always better than you find in like resturaunts.
Migas with some chili added will keep you going all day........ My wife always gets this. We have eaten about everything on the breakfast menu and have not seen a bad meal, but some are better than others. And you can order the hash browns "crispy" or fried for a change.
NAME: Always Eats Breakfast
SUBMITTED: 9/11/2006 LAST VISIT WAS: Sept. 11
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: This was the second the time we went and this time be brought a large group before the Astros game. The food was a great value and the service was wonderful! The fried mushrooms were a home run!
NAME: Carey
SUBMITTED: 8/15/2006 LAST VISIT WAS: 07/28
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: I've read many of the reviews that people submitted before me, and agree with most of them:
1. Breakfast at 59 is the best. Great portions. Tasty traditional breakfast. The breakfast tacos are AWESOME. If you don't think 2 tacos will fill you up... trust me they will.
2. Lunch/dinner is hit or miss. The blue plates can be out of this world. Of course they can also be the worst meal you've every had. I used to go just for the chicken and dumplings that was served on every Tuesday or something. But that was a while ago. Now its every once in a while, and they changed the recipe. Not as good. The burgers and sandwiches are okay. Yes the buffalo chicken strips are great. The regular chicken tenders used to be great, but they got skimpy. Now they're not worth the price.
3. The service...also hit or miss. Usually it's adequate. Occasionally its good. But if you go to 59 enough, eventually you will get some waiter who stumbles to your table 15 minutes after you sit down, forgets your drink order, and screws up your meal. It happens. Get over it or don't go there.
4. The milkshakes are to die for. Forget the fancy-schmancy Ben and J*erry's, A*my's Ice Cream or whoever else. Just a basic milkshake. I'm a chocolate shake kinda guy, and 59 has one of the best I've ever had.
In short, it's a diner. Don't get bent outta shape about the service. Stick with the specials... the blue plates. GO FOR THE BREAKFASTS.
NAME: eatouttoomuch
SUBMITTED: 7/9/2006 LAST VISIT WAS: 06/06
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: History repeats itself. When the original owner of Phil's sold to the new owners and they changed the name to "59 Diner" it did not bode well. They tinkered with the menu and the restaurant suffered. Eventually, Phil was called in as a consultant and brought back the familiar and cherished menu items such as the blue plate special, available until they ran out. Things were better and gratifying to those of us who had loved Phil's at the old location and here.
Of course the prices changed and some things were added or went away- the "rings of fire" onion rings were a pleasant addition. But it was still much like Phil's.
This month, after an unusually long lapse in visits I tried to eat at the Farnham 59 Diner, and "tried" is the operative word. The menu had been changed drastically, all glossy and with only a remnant of the comfort food we all loved. I'd missed the cutoff time for the one limited blue plate offered and the rings of fire were no more. I asked for an ice tea and some time to study the menu. The place was not at all busy, which should have been a clue, but my waitress was far more interested in chatting with folks in a back corner- apparently other servers and staff, that being very attentive.
When she finally came back, I mentioned how unhappy I was to see the menu changes and got a desultory "yeah, they changed it." I was very hungry and said I guessed I'd settle for the chicken fried steak. She nodded and took off, came back with the check, which I found weird in itself and then disappeared permanently. I sipped tea and read the newspaper trying to ignore the stomach growls. After 15 minutes, I happened to turn over the ticket-nothing on it but the tea. For reasons unknown to me she had just blown off my order. maybe criticism is punished with starvation now.
When I realized I was not to be fed, I took my ticket to the cashier who did the usual "was everything OK" routine and I said that it was not. I explained that the server had basically failed the simple task of taking my food order, that she had never even checked to see if I needed more tea, and that they had lost the sale and probably would never come back again. Their charming customer service consisted of "Oh."
The food offered is now not remarkably different from a D*enny's, except that it is more expensive. Unless you enjoy bad service and an indifferent menu, cross 59 Diner off your list permanently, unless they come their senses and reconnect with the spirit, service and food offered by Phil.
NAME: The Food Fox
SUBMITTED: 6/23/2006 LAST VISIT WAS: June,2006
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...
3801 Farnham St, Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.2333
MY REVIEW: It was maybe really late at night.. but that hamburger was freaking awesome. Wash it down w/ a strawberry or mint chocolate shake.. wow!
NAME: your foodie friend
SUBMITTED: 6/20/2006 LAST VISIT WAS: June 2006
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times
17695 State Highway 249, Houston, Texas 77064 832.237.7559
MY REVIEW: This place is great! Im glad that they are always serving brakfast now! THe lunch and dinner aren't very good. The service is ok. I absolutely love the chocolate pancakes!!!!! (with whipped cream) and the hot chocolate is great to!! THeir milkshakes are pretty good. I would definately recommend this place for brakfast.
NAME: lex
SUBMITTED: 4/16/2006 LAST VISIT WAS: 1/06
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...
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