On the west side of Kennett Square, one of the area’s most historic diners, the Creek Side Diner, has been serving comfort foods at affordable prices for over fifty years. The original section is a 1920’s era O’Mahoney Diner. The space is thin and long with a counter down the center. A few folks sit on stools at the counter eating pancakes. The smell of sausage and scrapple waft through the air. The space behind the stools and the outside wall are barely wide enough to walk past.
According to John Vogel, the co-owner and cook, the diner’s original location was in Chester in the 1920’s, where the ferries shuttled folks across the Delaware River into New Jersey. The diner was eventually moved to Avondale and arrived at it’s current location in the 1950’s. According to the book, Diners of Pennsylvania, The Creek Side Diner “is the oldest diner in the five-county metro Philadelphia region.”
John explained what Creek Side is about. “We’re American diner fare, reasonably priced. We’re known for our sausage gravy and chicken salad is a favorite with diners.” A dining room has been added on the south side. It’s simply set up with basic tables and chairs. Classic tin signs and antique roosters give the room country flair.
As I waited for my friend Mark to arrive, John’s business partner Karen, who is also the waitress, refilled my mug with fresh coffee. A few men chatted business a few tables away, and two women sat in the back of the room catching up on each other’s busy lives.
The menu at the Creek Side offers a variety of choices. Breakfast is served all day. They offer several types of sandwiches and club sandwiches. Hot Platters include chicken fingers, shrimp baskets, breaded flounder and meatloaf. Specialty sandwiches include Turkey melts, monte cristos, patty melts, and the Mayflower, which is turkey breast, stuffing and cranberry sauce on a long roll with mayo.
Karen told us one of the most popular items on the menu is their sausage patties. “They are made locally, up in Chatham, and are only available in a few places.” Of course, I ended up ordering a side of sausage with breakfast.
I opted for the mushroom and Swiss cheese omelette. The omelette came with home fries and toast and the meal. The portions were generous and inexpensive. My breakfast was enjoyable and filling and the sausage patties were as good as Karen claimed they would be. After breakfast, Mark and I chatted for another hour, unrushed, and Karen kept the coffee flowing.
The Creek Side has a $3.99 breakfast special from Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. They usually run specials for Mother’s Day. On Father’s Day, they feature a meat lover’s omelette.
Creekside Diner is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.; and Sunday’s hours are 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. The phone number is (610) 925-2826. They are located at 717 West Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square.
