The Diner at Sugar Hill delivers a satisfying home-style dining experience with a side of southern hospitality.
By: Michelle Fasig | Photos by Karl Lamb
Owner and operator, Mike Emami, views food as a way to bring people together, and that philosophy rings true the moment you step foot into the Diner at Sugar Hill – where the greetings are warm and the smells are a combination of freshly made home-style fries and piping hot pancakes.
Customers are immediately greeted by servers who are authentically cheerful, and quick to greet regulars by their name. Families dominate the dining room, and several generations can be seen around one table. It seems as though its customers define the character of The Diner at Sugar Hill, the familiar faces who come in each day. “Some are here twice a day, for breakfast and dinner,” Mike points out, just as he excuses himself to personally welcome back one of his regulars. “This is a family place, a meeting place, a place for community,” he explains.
Having opened their doors in 2009, The Diner at Sugar Hill has the reputation of being the “go-to” place for any meal of the day. Open seven days a week, The Diner at Sugar Hill has defined the standard of being a “family restaurant” with something for everyone. The expansive menu ranges from their popular breakfast items, such as the decadent French toast prepared with challah bread, dipped in vanilla egg batter and covered in butter, syrup and powdered sugar, to the gourmet dinner entrees, like the 12 oz. rib eye steak served with house-made mushroom bordelaise.
With over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Mike prides himself on the consistency, quality, fresh and house-made ingredients in the dishes prepared at The Diner at Sugar Hill. Equally important is listening to what the customers want; “sit down with them, get to know them, their needs and how to pamper them. Make them feel like the “diner” family.”
Mention you are going to The Diner at Sugar Hill and fans of the restaurant will quickly tell you to head there for brunch. Favorites like the sausage and gravy skillet with cheddar cheese, diced onion, peppers and white gravy served over a mountain of home fries and topped with two sunny-side up eggs is evidently a “must-have.” As are their omelets, like the Southwestern filled with Monterey jack and cheddar, black beans and jalapenos, topped with black bean and corn salsa, served with grits and a homemade buttermilk biscuit.
jam-packed with cheese and fresh veggies, then topped with a delicious, house-made black bean and corn salsa.
If lunchtime food is more your fare, their oak-fired, grilled 10 oz. burgers are all ground fresh with their special blend of seasonings and can be customized any way you choose. With six different cheeses to choose from, and an array of toppings, like Sriracha mayo, caramelized onions, sliced avocado, and fried egg, guests can create a meal unique to their tastes. The menu does offer several signature burger options, such as the popular Chophouse Cheeseburger topped with imported Swiss cheese, sautéed wild mushrooms and hickory smoked bacon on a toasted sesame bun.
Dinnertime favorites also line the menu, like their classic Chicken Parmigiana: lightly-breaded chicken breasts smothered in mozzarella cheese, fresh pomodoro sauce and served over spaghetti; and the boneless pork chops served with a house-made bourbon demi-glace.
And while no diner meal is complete without dessert, The Diner at Sugar Hill offers some of the most delectable cakes around. With options like their volcano cake, birthday cake, and massive éclairs, your meal is sure to leave you loosening your belt a few notches.
For a diner that isn’t big on frills but delivers a punch of flavor, The Diner at Sugar Hill is an absolute must try. This community restaurant guarantees to deliver a delicious plate of home-style cooking to anyone who walks through their door, allowing for customers to have a truly exceptional dining experience.
