Avalon Diner

Best frozen lemonade !! Staff seemed a little rushed but ok home style food. Didn't like all the piled up food supplies that were visible and the open kitchen is a little sketchy but if you face the door it's kinda fun in there more

Blue cheese bacon burger, simply awesome! more

I visited the River Oaks location on New Year's Day. As a native Houstonian, Avalon Diner and Pharmacy held a special place in my childhood memories. I enjoyed going with my grandparents, sitting at the counter and dining on the best grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate shakes. I'm sad to report that this diner could not be more different from that fond memory. First thing I notice is how filthy the place is. Food remained on the floor underneath tables from who knows what previous customers. And the manner in which tables are cleared is to roll the dish tub, dripping with whatever liquids have been emptied into it, through the diner. And since too many tables are crammed into a space better set-up for fewer, the dirty dish tub is now resting beside my table, less than 12"" from my face. After a couple of minutes, our waitress approaches and asks what we would like. However, we haven't yet looked over the menu because we haven't been offered one. She retreats to get two menus seeming annoyed. We can only assume that this is because we aren't regular customers? I order oatmeal and a small OJ. She returns to inform me the diner is out of OJ, so offers other juices (apple, tomato, etc.). I say no thank you, I'll have ice water. This does't sit well with her, so she continues to try to sell me on other juices. Once my order arrived I noticed the spoon was greasy. After wiping it off with the sad little thin paper napkin, I took a bite. My bowl of oatmeal was hideous, gummy, cold. Three bites and I pushed the bowl away. The waitress never returned to ask how things were. My fiance had to refill his own soda. The ultimate insult to injury was when we were paying, the gentleman behind the register asked how everything was. We both shared our experiences. No credit was offered. I'll never return. I don't understand the draw. more

This place would be like any other diner out there. Maybe it was good back in the day it opened, but now this place is nothing special. The food is like you would find at any other burger joint but the prices to match that food are surely not there. Paying 10 bucks for a burger thats just a little better then any other fast food chain out there is way too much for my wallet. This place is not bad but for the prices they charge, you could definetly find something better, fresher and cheaper. more

I ran in and grabbed a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Never have I ever found a BONE in my chicken noodle soup, from scratch or otherwise. And the soup was bland on top of that. I really wanted to like this place. I may try it again since I hear the burgers are where it's at, but this experience left something to be desired for sure. I used to work at 6420 Richmond and the deli in that building makes from scratch chicken noodle that puts this one to shame. more

This morning was my first time visiting the avalon diner and although the food was edible it was certainly nothing to get excited about. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate the food a 5. I am not opposed to eating at greasy spoon diners however when im paying almost 15 bucks for a simple scrambled eggs, sausage, hash brown and coffee breakfast I expect to at least get a little eye contact and maybe even a simple smile from the waitstaff. If you want to be treated nicely and get your day off to a positive start then I do not suggest getting that positive boost from the avalon diner. The hostess/cashier did not even speak to us when entering the restaurant, she just stared and we had to ask if we should just seat ourselves. We sat down at a booth near the short order grill and unfortunately that seat gave us views of things that I would have rather not seen. I saw two different servers move food from one plate to another with their bare hands and then serve it to people. These are the same hands that are touching everything else in the very filthy restaurant. In summary, the food is extremely over priced, the restaurant is extremely dirty, and the service is extremely unfriendly. Pros: Food was edible but nothing to get excited about Cons: Dirty, and unfriendly waitstaff more

Everytime I stop in and have an omlette at Avalon, my day just goes better. The food is hot and flavorful and served quickly. The waitresses are personable and informal--just the right level of service for a diner. Whenever they greet me with ""How you doin', this mornin'?"" I feel like Im at my Grandma's house. So what if the waitresses are eating breakfast with you at the counter? You're at home here! more

Waiting in line to get a table at Avalon is exactly as stated...a line. Sometimes you have to fight it out with other people who cut in front of you. Avalon should shell out the extra cash for a hostess of some sort. I realize it would take away the tradition, but tradition sometimes has to give way to modernization. There are few things less pleasant than practically getting in a fist-fight with someone before breakfast, Once you get a table, the service at this Avalon is outrageously bad. It is shameful. I actually had one of the waitresses put a pile of silverware and napkins down on my table (not gently) and then stare at me for about 30 seconds before I broke the ice and asked her if she was ready to take my order. Since they closed the location on 59 a few years back I am forced to endure the horrendous service at this location in order to have what a consider to be one of the best breakfasts in town. Plus, many of the citys movers and shakers eat here, so I do enjoy the people watching. Most of the customers are river oaks residents who all know each other and there are many times people get up and move from table to table saying hi to friends neighbors or coworkers. That is fun to watch as well. The food is great. The hashbrowns are crisp on the outside, moist and hot on the inside. The pancakes and frenchtoast are super good. BUT THE SERVICE BITES. For many of these ladies, they have worked at Avalon for 20 years I'd bet. It's time to retire. Please help me and others have a better dining experience by either trying to be at least less rude if you can't pull off plain old nice. Pros: great food Cons: service, service, service more

Excellent diner chow. I especially recommend the Tommy Boy Dog, a 1/4 lb. hot dog, split down the middle,... more

Excellent diner chow. I especially recommend the Tommy Boy Dog, a 1/4 lb. hot dog, split down the middle, stuffed with cheese, then wrapped in bac... more

I had been having a fit on going to this place for some time. We arrived and were not greeted as we walked in. WE WAITED AS THE WAITRESS TOOK HER TIME (I think she was reading a magazine). No smile from the server the entire time (Mrs. Roboto). I could have cooked this meal at home. We waited forever for a second cup of coffee and the check. I was told not to give her a tip for the poor service but being a softy I did. I really did not think she appreciated our presence. By the way turn down or turn off that t.v. ----WAY TOO LOUD!! WE WILL NOT BE GOING BACK! Cons: Service, TV, Food more

My wife and I ate here based on the reviews here and elsewhere. I ordered a 1/3 lb. cheeseburger with fries. The fries were great but the burger nowhere near a third of a pound and seemed to be the generic frozen mass-manufactured patties that are served by sub-mediocre burger joints everywhere. The service both at our table and at the register was also very poor. I suspect that Avalon made a name for themselves in another era and has been sold to new owners somewhere along the way. Perhaps the breakfast is better but I will not return for lunch. Pros: Good cheese fries Cons: Low quality burgers, apathetic staff more

I can't believe I've lived here for over 20 years and I've never been to the Avalon before this. I had one of the specialty breakfasts that was a egg cheese ham tomato green pepper hash brown concoction that was absolutely delicious! and I don't usually eat green peppers, but the flavors just blended so nicely. The portions are more than generous, the waitresses were great, it is a good people watching place and it was fun to watch the regulars who all knew each other. The Avalon is a very comfortable layed back ole' timey place with great food, I can't wait to go back! more

Breakfast at Avalon is the best! The eggs, bacon, pancakes and grits are all awesome. It gets crowded on Sunday mornings, so be prepared to wait in line for a table. The waitresses have attitude and flair, so if you're a grumpy morning person, you might want to wait until lunch time....then grab a burger and a milkshake! Pros: best breakfast, fast service, funny waitstaff Cons: small restaurant, crowded, long wait in the mornings more

The Avalon Diner has been the standard for over 40 years! Pros: Burgers, Fries more

Grumpy servers, piping hot coffee, good omelettes, nice crowd mix - This place is perfect! Pros: staff, coffee, price more

hard to beat the omlettes, hash browns (ask for extra crispy- or else they are too mushy) and bacon with plenty of piping hot coffee. Always the same- always good. great service- reasonable prices. I eat there about once a week. Pros: fresh basic food more

amazing greasy food, but the service leaves alot to be desired more

The Avalon is a Houston institution. Their waitresses are the ones that make the place what it is. more

Not only is the food great but the service is great! Lunch is awesome!! The hamburgers is juicy and to die for!! more