A beloved, inexpensive small-town diner with generous all-day breakfasts, friendly regular-oriented hospitality, and occasional reports of waits, uneven execution, or poor treatment of walk-ins.
Best Friends Family Diner earns its standing through strong food quality in breakfast staples like omelets and home fries, plus a loyal following of regulars. Busy-period lapses in consistency and occasional walk-in neglect keep it from a higher standing, while shared tables and entrance drafts limit its comfort.
Best Friends Family Diner is the kind of small-town stop people build into their route: a busy, cozy room near the Canadian border, filled with locals, families, and travelers looking for straightforward food at kind prices. The prevailing feeling is warm and homespun—one traveler essentially described it as a genuine slice of Americana—though the shared-table setup and occasional entrance draft are part of the no-frills package. The cooking is classic American diner fare rather than ambitious dining: all-day eggs, omelets, home fries, burgers, sandwiches, fried seafood, pasta, and a broad pie case. Breakfast is the star, especially the filling Trucker's Special, eggs Benedict, and well-liked home fries; reviewers also celebrate regional Michigan-style hot dogs and poutine, although those items are not present on the supplied current menu and may be specials or older offerings. Prices are genuinely modest, with most current mains below $18 and desserts at $4.25, making the generous portions an easy part of the appeal. Families should find this an unusually easy fit. The menu includes pancakes, French toast, eggs, oatmeal, grilled cheese, burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, spaghetti, fries, and plenty of desserts, while reviewers specifically mention accommodating picky eaters and a child enjoying a first meal here. It is not a chef-driven or highly specialized menu; it is comfort food designed to keep mixed-age groups fed and happy.
Area vibe: Quiet, small-town waterfront and cross-border community known for boating and local services
Safety: Generally safe with low crime, well-lit main streets but limited late-night activity
What's nearby: Near Lake Champlain waterfront, Route 11/22, small downtown, ferry and border crossings, local shops and service businesses
The strongest choices lean toward hearty breakfast plates, praised home fries, and classic diner desserts, with a few regional specialties that may not be available every day.
Expect a friendly small-town diner with affordable portions, but plan for possible waits and occasional inconsistency when the room is busy.
Best Friends feels like a busy slice of small-town Americana, where local warmth comes with shared tables and a few rough edges.