We Wandered Off-The-Beaten Path And Discovered This Adorable Small-Town Diner In Pennsylvania
By Beth Price-Williams|Published April 26, 2024
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
A little bit of spontaneity sometimes leads us off of the beaten path and to some of the most unforgettable gems. That’s one of the reasons I don’t like to plan daytrips in too much detail. Sure, I’ll map out the tentative route and the final destination – in this case, a farm outside of Erie to catch totality during the solar eclipse – but where we’ll stop for breaks, to explore, or grab a bite is more spur-of-the-moment. That’s what led us to Kim’s Waterford Diner, one of the cutest diners in Pennsylvania.
Driving along I-79 to Erie promises beautiful views of the landscape – we were lucky enough to catch a breathtaking sunrise with shades of pink and purple painting the sky – but there aren’t really any places, except rest stops, to pull over.
While it’s easy to find all of the chain restaurants and shops just off of the highway, we tend to look for small-town diners where we can really get a feel for the area. Winding roads that meandered past farmland, Edinboro University, and small communities brought us to the tiny town of Waterford and Kim’s Waterford Diner.
There are several roundabouts in the area with one leading to High Street, the home of Kim’s.
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Downtown Waterford is just like we've all seen in old movies – several blocks of storefronts with picture windows, some outlined in twinkling lights, wide sidewalks, and even a town square with a gazebo.
Kim’s Waterford Diner sits at the far end of a block. If you don’t know it’s there and even with GPS, you might pass it by. It’s easy to circle around, though.
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Stepping into the diner really is like walking back in time; it’s a quaint place with locals chatting over breakfast, and a waitress offering a friendly hello.
Although it’s rather small, the diner offers plenty of seating, in booths, tables, and at the counter. Just take a few minutes to soak up the ambiance and check out the décor – an oversized red M&M, a Pepsi sign, an old stoplight hanging from the ceiling. The more you look the more you’ll discover.
The menu’s chock full of breakfast classics – from scrambled eggs and toast and pancakes to breakfast sandwiches and omelettes. The portion sizes were generous (my daughter and I left with to-go boxes) and the hot chocolate, with whipped cream on top, divine.
While the diner was pretty busy, from what seemed like eclipse traffic, our food arrived within minutes. If you like to start your day on a sweet note, try the pancakes. They’re absolutely huge, and you can add blueberries, chocolate chips, or bananas to your stack.
Even if you’re stopping by for breakfast, check out the lunch menu, too, that’s brimming with such tasty options as salads, cold and hot sandwiches, and subs. Chicken tenders and shrimp are both offered as baskets and include a side.
This adorable Waterford diner’s ambiance isn’t the only thing that’s old-school; the prices throwback to yesteryear, too. Two breakfasts and two drinks totaled less than $15.
Have you been to Kim’s Waterford Diner in Pennsylvania? What did you think? Do you think it’s one of the best diners in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! If you’re ready to explore some more, Waterford is just a short drive from Presque Isle State Park in Erie, where you might want to go on a hike.
