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Georgie
Citizen
Username: Georgie
Post Number: 54
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 11:48 am: |     |
Even though the service at Maplewood Diner isn't always top notch I still just love going there for its charm and convenience. Plus it has such a nice small town feel when you are constantly running into familiar faces.
But this morning was beyond exception. We got our coffee pretty quick as well as our order. But when I needed jam and a fork...we waited and waited for our waitress to check on us, and I found her eating at the counter.
Then my husband's pancakes were terrible. And its pretty rare for him to send his food back. So he did and waited another long time for his food. And then we had a hard time getting a coffee refill. Of course we had to hunt the waitress down again for our check. This was on a weekday not a busy weekend morning.
I hate to say it but the charm has warn off. I doubt we are going to go back. |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8684
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 11:52 am: | |
We could hope that the owners of the Parkwood Diner could somehow take over the Make Believe Diner. That would be a class act.
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BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 237
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 12:14 pm: | |
Are you talking about the Maplewood Diner on Springfield Avenue or the Maple Leaf in town????
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redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 2708
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 12:58 pm: | |
We stopped going to the Mapleleaf after going to the Parkwood. The food and service have really declined. The Parkwood is top notch, great service, and not too crowded! |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 2407
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 1:31 pm: | |
I just hope that the lack of crowding in the Parkwood diner is not a bad omen. I'd almost be willing to wait a bit in return for comfort that they will stay in business for the long haul! |
growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 739
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 1:51 pm: | |
Everytime I've been in the Parkwood, there are at least 5-8 tables full of people. I'd say they are in it for the long haul. And I'll never step foot in the Make Believe Diner after eating at Parkwood. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2852
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 1:56 pm: | |
I admit we've been to the Maple Leaf less since getting a few meals at the Parkwood, but it's still a great place to get the kids some ice cream and a root beer float, or have an inexpensive meal while in downtown Maplewood. Sometimes we're in town and it's a good option for us.
I would at least let the owner know about the negative experience. I'm sure the Parkwood as affected some of his business and the town can definitely use two decent diners. |
ashear
Supporter
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 1892
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 2:05 pm: | |
Even before the Parkwood we almost never went to the Maple Leaf. I'm not sure what's charming about it but I think its medicore on its best day. |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8688
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 2:08 pm: | |
I think the charm is having big windows right on Maplewood Ave. |
DeborahG
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1523
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 2:32 pm: | |
Yeah, but Leo's has that PLUS they do your nails  |
ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2781
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 3:14 pm: | |
what's the charm?
Tom is right about the location. Also, it's a good place to run into almost anyone from town. You have to admit, even those of you who don't like it much have been there.
I like the omelettes, and the french toast. Also, you can't beat the inexpensive breakfast specials. I like the coffee as well, and that's key in any diner. I agree on the pancakes however -- sometimes they are not good, so I've given up on ordering them.
For lunch, the chicken souvlaki sandwich is really good, and the reuben has also been good.
Folks, it's a diner -- what do you expect? It's good for a basic, cheap meal. A couple scrambled eggs at breakfast, a sandwich, maybe a slice of pie at lunch.
It's cheap, it's fast, and the coffee is good. That's enough for me. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 3638
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 4:31 pm: | |
ML,
I will respectfully disagree with you. Diners can at least be good, and in some rare instances, great (can think of two that fit that bill in my life...neither in the Garden State), but there's good diner food, and mediocre to poor diner food and the Leaf has always been south of mediocre in my opinion. I do walk in there and get iced tea to go and my father in law has been getting his morning coffee there every weekday morning for years, so it must be good. But long before there was a Parkwood Diner within our borders, I stopped eating at the Leaf...I think in some cases, folks are thinking its gone downhill recently because they have another diner close by to compare it with.
And by the way, the Faux got a full page story in this week's Rolling Stone and I ate at Klein's twice this past week. |
Georgie
Citizen
Username: Georgie
Post Number: 55
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 4:45 pm: | |
ML, I am usually pretty laid back but even basic, cheap meals should come with good service.
Maybe I am just being a pill...but its so rare that we can eat out as a family for breakfast during the week that I was expecting a more enjoyable experience.
We have been to Parkwood before and hands down their pancakes beat Mapleleaf's but I think Mapleleaf wins in the home fries department. I found Parkwood's potatoes a little bland, but I am willing to overlook it and go back.
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growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 743
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 5:13 pm: | |
Quote:I found Parkwood's potatoes a little bland, but I am willing to overlook it and go back.
Next time ask for the seasoned fries. Awesome! |
Arnomation
Citizen
Username: Arnomation
Post Number: 298
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 8:14 pm: | |
I think we ate at the Maple Leaf in town once or twice and we never went back. I prefer the place across the street that shares the parking lot with the Post Office (I think it's called the Village Coffee Shop or something) and the new Parkwood was very good the one time we were there. I'd even rather go to the Maplewood Diner on Springfield up past Boyden than the Maple Leaf.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1960
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 9:27 pm: | |
ML and Arnomation-
Have either of you been to the Parkwood? You've got to try it! The food is great! |
ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2782
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 11:54 pm: | |
The Maple Leaf is a five minute walk from my house. The scrambled eggs and toast are perfectly fine. I like the coffee -- that's 90% of the deal for me at breakfast. In fact, there's one place in town that I rarely go to even though I like the food, because I don't like their coffee.
To each his own. I can perfectly understand why many of you don't like the place. I just thought I'd chime in with my opinion. I go there with the expectation that I'm going to get something simple, and cheap, and quick, and I'm usually satisfied with it. If I want something more elaborate, I've got plenty of other choices in the Village.
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dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 461
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 9:18 am: | |
The roaches at the Maple Leaf are certainly prompt, though. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2441
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 9:30 am: | |
I agree completely ML. Simple, reasonably fast, and doesn't break the bank. If we're in town anyway, which we generally are at some point over the weekend, scrambled w/rye toast works for us. Plus - if we're there around lunch time - I love the chicken souvlaki. It's not the Ritz - and we don't expect it to be. |
sullymw
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 761
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 9:34 am: | |
Yes, bugs have kept us from returning to the Maple Leaf |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 238
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 9:37 am: | |
I said alot ofthis about the Leaflette along time ago when this thread first began...
The Leaf used to be a destination for Mr. S. and me on a Saturday before a movie or before we would go to the PaperMill. It was a quick good meal and we could bring our own wine and it was fine...
Within the last 6 months I see a huge change here. The waitstaff in the evenings is not trained properly-they are sloppy and I do not see the same care given to the food. This really saddens me because I really like Steve and appreciated his initial efforts to brighten up the Leaf and run a good business.
Breakfast there is fine and many times my friends and I meet early and enjoy some great omelets etc. I do not know what has happened and I wish that I could find a way to say something to Steve...once I tried to talk to him about a waitress after the fact and maybe he was busy but he was not too receptive. I hope that his business does not falter because the Leaf is a good anchor in town...I also love the Parkwood and it is a nice alternative for us-definately on Sundays when the Leaflette is jammed....
Happy Tuesday! |
mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 387
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 9:17 pm: | |
Where is this Parkwood all of you are talking about? We lived in Maplewood Village for 5 years and are now in S.O. two years plus and I've never seen the place (or maybe I've just driven by it without noticing). Sounds so good that it seems like our family should at least try it (although my 4 year old will probably object to the idea of a new place). Would love to have an alternative to the Leaf and the Blue Moon, which has positively horrendous service and awefully high prices.
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SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2443
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 9:45 pm: | |
The Parkwood is the old Sage Diner - it's on Springfield Ave. |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8739
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 7:15 am: | |
...on the corner of South Pierson Rd.
Tom Reingold
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Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1315
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 8:59 am: | |
I have always been--and continue to be--very happy with the food at the Mapleleaf. I have even had them cater a couple of casual events I've had, and my guests have always had good things to say about the food. It's a great place to go in town with the kids and get a meal out. The folks there are always VERY nice to me when they see me there by myself with my kids. Last time I was there the woman who is the hostess in the evenings took pity on me and gave me an ice cream on the house. I particularly like the Penne a la Vodka, Greek Salad and Roasted Veggie wrap. I think the problems with the place started when Steve lost his partner Jimmy and has had to run the place by himself, which has to be a gargantuan job! When I have spoken to him about catering jobs he's always been really nice and helpful and responsive. When I call in phone orders and he answers, more of the same. I suggest any of you who know and like him really try to speak to him about this, as I'm sure he would want to know. I am going to make an effort to do so as well. I agree about the service in the evenings, but I attributed that to the fact that the boss is not there watching over them, so they're slacking a bit.
I have also tried the Parkwood and it was fine. IMHO, I didn't really find it to be any better or worse than Mapleleaf. I intend to try it again, but my preference will always be the Mapleleaf because it is more of a "destination"--meaning the kids and the dog and I can walk in to town, browse the shops, see what friends and neighbors we see, pick up a few things a Kings, and eat a decent meal without breaking the bank. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 3973
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 11:31 am: | |
Thanks Meandtheboys, I knew someone would sooner or later, IMHO, support the Mapleleaf for being no better or no worst then other dinners in our area...
For many years, once a month I make it a regular practice to try and eat, or have a drink, at every establishment in our community. I almost always run into a friendly face, which is what this town is suppose to be all about anyway.
I certainly appreciate the Mapleleaf for being there for us all these years, as I'm sure the majority of our main stay locals do as well. Like most businesses everywhere, they have their good days and their bad days. Long live the Mapleleaf Dinner!
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Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8745
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 11:34 am: | |
Art, you gave me a big grin. We need more people like you.
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ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 3974
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 11:42 am: | |
Tom, we have a town full of people just like me... they just haven't lived here long enough to know it yet!!!  |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8750
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 11:59 am: | |
Aw, that's such a nice thought.
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Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 75
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 8:53 am: | |
Wow, and you guys wonder why restaurants close around here. But it would be the perfect place for a ...nail salon!
I have to say that I agree with Meandtheboys (maybe because it's me and the boys at my house, too). We enjoy the Mapleleaf and I've NEVER seen any roaches.
They have really good onion rings, and their grilled chinese chicken salad is a favorite of mine. We ate at the Parkwood and thought it was fine. Service was terrible, but I figured they were still pretty new. We will go back, but the Mapleleaf is closer to us and I love being able to walk with my kids for a weekend breakfast. We lived in Union County before moving here. The Mapleleaf is head and shoulders above any diner out there. I used to cringe if the kids wanted to eat dinner at a diner, not any more.
Just my 2 cents.
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Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 2032
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 9:18 am: | |
Camnol: I am with you (and me and my three boys, also). Sometimes the Leaf is good, sometimes not so good. Depends on what you order and what is going on that day in the restaurant. Not so different than any other restaurant. You learn what to order and what to avoid.
MOL can really hurt a business, just as it can help one. Look at Dasti's (which I have not yet tried). They opened, got a few negative MOL reviews, and then when Mem posts that she had a good meal there, people post back that they had avoided it because of earlier negative MOL reviews! While MOL does not represent the entirety of the marketplace, it has a lot of influence.
When Cranes opened, there was one negative MOL comment on something like the second day they were open. I told the owners to make sure they read it and respond, which they did. Not sure it helped them, but it definitely did not hurt them to answer. Freeman's is an example of someone using MOL positively to communicate with customers.
I do not have occasion to go into the Leaf that often, but I think some of you who do should tell Steve to read this thread and take it seriously. Even if he does not respond on-line (a difficult thing to do well without being defensive--again, Freeman's sets the standard here), it is a good source of insight into at least some of his customers' mindsets. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 884
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 10:59 am: | |
Dave23 & Sullymw I hope you have solid evidence of bugs & not just heresay . I have eaten in the Leaf for 15yrs. & have never seen a bug . |
ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2788
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 8:31 am: | |
ESL,
I'm with you on the negative reviews. I recognize that a lot of what I don't like at a particular establishment is just my own personal preference. You'll notice in my post above, I didn't mention the place that I think has bad coffee. Why should I? Just because I think the coffee tastes bad, why do I think everyone shares my taste? Also, if I've had a bad experience somewhere, I don't feel the need to run home and post it publicly on MOL. The best-run establishments in the world can have a bad day or a bad transaction. If I get habitually bad service somewhere, then I'd give it a poor review. But one negative experience? No. I don't think that's fair. I'd hate my work to be judged by my worst day, instead of my typical day.
So what I prefer to do is to use MOL to give a rave review to places I like (such as Carribean Cuisine -- thumbs up!). I'd rather try to steer people to a good place, instead of a away from a bad place.
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sullymw
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 763
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 8:37 am: | |
jet: 'solid', first-hand evidence would be correct. hey, I know that restaurants have bugs, but this one was in our food so we just can't go there any longer. it's a mental thing  |
dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 484
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 10:27 am: | |
jet,
I used to go there fairly often but stopped after what my wife and I saw. (It wasn't in my food, fortunately.) |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 15
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 6:17 pm: | |
My husband and I eat at ML very often. I do agree that the service isn't what it once was but that seems to be the case everywhere these days. I've been eating there since I was a little girl and it was on the corner. Never saw a bug. Saw bugs in some of the more upscale restaurants in town though. As for Crane's, what a pleasant surprise when we ate there for lunch this week. Fresh food, purple cabbage on sloppies, good old-fashioned interest in the customer. We keep going back to try each of their special sandwiches. Looking forward to more. The gazpacho is terrific too. Let's not lose this great spot to negative comments online, please. |
MC
Citizen
Username: Rrc
Post Number: 8
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 5:12 pm: | |
I'm new in town, and I have to say that the Maple Leaf was a big disappointment. It completely lacks charm, in fact seems kind of dirty and ugly. Downtown Maplewood deserves better. The Maple Leaf is an embarrassment. |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 22
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 5:52 pm: | |
It is a diner, for God's sake, not a New York upscale restaurant. Take it for what it is, a fun place to eat quickly, see your friends and leave. Where can you get homemade, fresh soup with a fat, grilled vegie and mozz cheese wrap for $4.95? Where can you get breakfast for $2+ and sit with your friends for 2 hours? MC - make some friends, meet them at the ML and enjoy just living in a small, diverse American town. |
Minuswitt
Citizen
Username: Minuswitt
Post Number: 12
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 10:39 pm: | |
Crane's is awesome -- I am so glad they came to town. |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 9:36 am: | |
Try the Crane's thread! |
Georgie
Citizen
Username: Georgie
Post Number: 60
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 12:59 pm: | |
Okay...I did end up going back to Mapleleaf diner this week (two times that is).
The first time I wanted to go to Parkwood for their pancakes but my parents were visiting and they love Mapleleaf. Well, its mainly that nothing thrills my father more than if he can take advantage of a breakfast special. The service was VERY good that day.
I also met a friend their yesterday. The service was not as good (they didn't have their bus boy working) but better than the time of my original post.
So I am giving it another chance...the service is inconsistent but it does have a great location, very kid friendly and very reasonable prices.
I definitely rather have the Mapleleaf than another nail salon!
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