The Old Town Diner

Location: 
1450 W Patrick Street, # A1, 
Frederick, MD

Telephone: (301) 668-5370

     I've passed this spot hundreds of times, and had never bothered to stop.  I could just kick myself when I think of all the times I could have been eating there when I probably settled for fast food.  Honestly, this is one of the places that I'll be fondly referring to as a personal favorite from now on!
     I grew up with the privilege of dining in the DC area's finest restaurants because my stepfather wrote reviews.  For a couple of years, we rarely ate at home, and while other kids were eating hamburgers I was eating the creations of some of the areas finest chefs.  In truth, a big fancy meal is okay now and then, but my personal preferences have always been the common man's dining spots; run down little hole in the walls with vinyl floors with hand-written signage, and desserts made in someone's kitchen.  I'll take a grilled cheese sandwich over escargot any day, and in this light I found a true gem in the Old Town Diner.
     First, there's the prices.  Really, in today's economy?  This place should be mobbed.  The prices were as low as a business can run without sacrificing an ounce of quality.
     Secondly, there's the food.  For only $5.95 I received about 12" of a truly tasty Italian sub, a huge amount of the best French fries I've had in many years (perhaps ever, but I'm still racking my brain over this high honor), and a large cup of clam chowder that blew my doors off!
     The Italian sub was perfect for lunch in that it had everything a person could ever want in a submarine sandwich, and was on a sub roll that I'd swear had been baked within an hour or so.  I had so much food that I had to give a coworker the second half, and he raved about it, too!  The only suggestion I'd make would be to offer the popular "double the meat" option for people who prefer a bigger sandwich, but that's certainly not to say what I had was anything short of satisfying.  I just like having options, and not everyone wants French fries and soup with their meals.  No points were lost, trust me.
     The clam chowder?  Okay, I spent 15 years on Maryland's Eastern Shore, so I know a good chowder when I taste one.  The Old Town Diner's chowder was loaded with clams, seasoned just right, and plentiful!  I can't wait until winter comes so I can swing in to have some on a cold day, but saying it was wonderful on a 98 degree summer day with 100% humidity is one heck of a compliment in itself.
     But those fries!  Man, oh man!  Crispy on the outside, soft and steaming potato goodness inside...I was in French fry heaven!  Honestly, they were nothing short of perfect.  PERFECT!  I'm not one to toss that word around, so be sure to swing by if just to grab an order of them if you do nothing else.
     There was a traditional dessert rack, too, but I didn't have the time or appetite to sample anything yet.  Everything looked good, though, and the young man who waited on me pointed out which items were made in-house.  I'll have to try one on one of their  All You Can Eat nights when a dessert is complimentary with the dinner.
     The decor is somewhat aged, but that's perfectly okay.  I love places that have a nice lived-in look as long as they're clean, and I couldn't find a trace of dirt or grime anywhere.  The owner obviously puts real emphasis on cleanliness, and a small crack in the vinyl floor, or a missed spot of paint on the trim work here and there actually added to the charm, and took me back to the days of my youth when I frequented such establishments on vacations with my parents.  People ask, "Whatever happened to the old fashioned diners?"  Wake up, Frederick!  There's one right in your own front yard!
    Perhaps their finest attribute was the service.  I take service very seriously, so even a fine dining experience review will ultimately go in the toilet if the service isn't good.  No worries here!  I felt welcome, I felt familiar, and I felt appreciated.  The wait staff was as friendly as could be, and they communicated exceptionally well with regard to how my food was coming along as well as any questions I had about the place.  They kept up with me without ever once breaking their professionalism or seeming patronizing in any way.  I felt as though I'd walked into a Norman Rockwell painting where everyone was friendly, and life was good.
     The Old Town Diner is a true delight.  I just can't say enough good things about it.  I also hear their breakfasts are terrific, so that upcoming experience is high on my To Do List!  Give it a try.  I'm sure you'll walk away satisfied, and very full!