By Alyssa Breunig

Contributing Writer

Step inside Athens Diner and you instantly feel nostalgic. The radio’s old school soul songs harmonize with the clanking of dishes creating the ultimate warm and welcoming diner ambience. The classic, narrow one-room metal dining car was a digitally operated jukebox, a black and white tiled floor, and a snug countertop with red chrome swivel stools. Sitting perfectly on top of High Point Ctr. hill, Athen’s Diner piles on the oversize comfort food in an intimate, classic diner-style atmosphere

Walking in the front door, my friend and I were immediately greeted by a friendly, older woman. “Welcome to Athens!” she cheered happily. The place was packed for an early Friday afternoon and with customers of all ages. We passed the high-top diner go-ers who seemed to have been regulars, engaged in conversations with the waitresses behind the counter. We fell into the vintage, worn in cracked seats and began to examine the menu.
The retro mom and pop establishment features standard diner fare with a Greek twist. The four page, all-day menu includes a handful of omelets, Belgian waffles, sandwiches, and Greek entrees.

Our fun and energetic waitress immediately welcomed us. In fact, I began to notice how friendly the environment is. Our waitress returned with our drinks and soft clouds of steam rose from my coffee. The aroma of fresh ground diner coffee filled the air. Lightly roasted, the coffee warmed my mouth, mellow and flavorful. Easy-drinking on its own and delicious with milk and sugar.

I ordered the “Little Athenian” ($10.95) and my friend ordered the Irish Eggs Benedict ($10.25). Regardless of the packed house, our food arrived within ten minutes. In my several visits at Athens, the service is quick and efficient.

The three plates were gently placed in front of me: one for my toast, one for my bacon eggs and home fries, and one for my pancake. On another plate butter seeped elegantly through crisp, golden bread. At last, the wafting aroma of warm powdered sugar.

My friend’s plate, the Irish Eggs Benedict looked picture perfect. Two poached eggs, corned beef hash, over a grilled English muffin, topped with Athen’s own delicious hollandaise sauce served with home fries. The egg was poached so delicately. The hollandaise was piled on thick. The corned beef hash looked as tender and juicy as it tasted. The crispy thin slices of the English muffin held the masterpiece together.

Our breakfast lived up to its hype. My meal so simple, yet mouthwatering. The cheesy eggs were soft and fluffy. The home fries tasted as good as they looked. Their warm golden skin slipped off leaving the taste of steaming potatoes. For sure, this mountain of food could feed two. The tender and delicious buttermilk pancakes had an extravagant taste. The first flavor to unfold on my tongue was the sweetness of the syrup, quickly followed by the delicate, buttery flavor of the pancake itself. I scooped up another bite to replace the one which was quickly dissolving in my mouth, and then another.

Before I knew it, all that remained on my plates were dribbles of syrup and the crusts of toast. The only thing I didn’t care for was the toast, which could partly be due to the fact that it was the last thing I tried. I was so invested in my delicious entree that I completely forgot that I was not alone. My friend and I were stuffing our faces with so much food we barely even said a word to one another. You could definitely say breakfast left us speechless.

For sure, the food is what creates the overwhelming hype, but we cannot forget about the companionable employees that treat you like family and cozy ambience that brings you to your home away from home. This is what keeps their customers coming back. At Athen’s, they make sure breakfast is the most important meal of the day.