Breakfast of Champions The most important meal of the day can also be the most delicious way to start it. “West Chester’s a hard town to crack,” explains Krissy Flynn, manager and part-owner at The Classic Diner on Gay Street. Lucky for us, Krissy and her partner, Tom Farrell, have been able to not only survive, but thrive here. Tom opened their Malvern location in 1995, and it was an instant hit. While scouting a second location, their friend and local real estate developer/restaurateur Jack McFadden showed them this space, and it was love at first sight. Exposed beams, stone walls, and wrought iron banisters bespoke their signature clean, industrial style; they added white beadboard, and The Classic Diner opened its West Chester doors in 2014. Their locally sourced ingredients, like thick-cut bacon, and their generous portions, fresh fruit, and scratch bakery ensure
full and happy patrons. They accepted Ram Bucks to bring in students and established BYOB for mimosa-sipping special-occasion brunchers. West Chester is a town of loyalists, and it was a bit of a slow start for the new location. Dauntless, the owners made small changes and additions that paved the way for their present success. The switch to Lavazza upgraded “diner coffee” to “show-stopping coffee,” and it’s the best brew I’ve had in a long time. The gluten sensitive can order their French toast on Taffet’s quinoa bread, delivered daily, and an ever-evolving menu showcases what’s seasonally fresh. Not in the mood to go out? With Door Dash, your strawberry and Nutella French toast is just an order away. The best part of dining in-house, though, is eating off your friends’ plates as well as your own. The menu at Classic Diner is as clean, classy, and straightforward as their design. The diner food you want, i.e. buttermilk pancakes and Taylor Pork Roll, tuna melts and corned beef Reubens, are front and center, but foodies will find themselves mired in indecision. Customizing options abound: add a smear
of basil pesto to your roasted pepper and egg sandwich, or include filet tips, goat cheese, and fresh herbs in your three-egg omelette. Don’t think you’re a caviar fan? Pair it with the bite of red onion and bright, fresh dill cream cheese in the Norwegian smoked salmon and bagel. Although Classic is known for breakfast, don’t overlook their lunch. The Ahi tuna BLT with lemon chive mayonnaise seriously raises the bar, but what really caught my palate was the seasonal Cobb salad; yes, I’ll take their bacon any way I can get it. The owners’ forward thinking and desire to serve the freshest, most delicious food available has made The Classic Diner’s dream a reality. It even extends to the art on the walls: the black and white photographs are by local artist Darcie Goldberg. In some shots you may recognize local West Chester inhabitants, holding written expressions of their own dreams. Visit this spot soon to see Tom and Krissy’s dream realized, and reap the benefit of their hard work: a really, really good meal. photo & story BECCA @homebeccanomics
BOYD
PUBLISHED BY THE WC PRESS
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