The B’ville Diner

We left Rochester a-morning. Our destination: Baldwinsville, near Syracuse. Our more precise destination: the B’Ville Diner. Dave ate here as a teen. Its reputation permeates the environs of Western New York. When diner aficionados walk down dark alleyways in neighborhoods of ill repute, they oft hear whispers of, “the B’Ville Diner…”

The Thruway miles melted away, still not fast enough. Finally, we exited and took Route 690, some side roads, and entered the Village of Baldwinsville. It was close. It was real close. We could not see it yet but we could feel it. As if this car was being sucked towards the diner. Whatever was going to happen, it was not going to be the way they called it in Rochester.

We jetted into the parking lot. Dave had the opportunity to park in a pull-through, but he squeaked, with understandable anxiety, “I don’t think that’s a parking spot!” It was totally a parking spot, though. His first mistake. Hopefully it would be his last.

There was a slight wait for a table, but, as we were a mere party of two, we were seated right away, in the counter area. The place was quite large, and almost every table was full. Apart from the counter area, there was a larger sit-down zone (more families were there).

The menu was like something out of a dream. The back cover listed the breakfast items, including a few nuggets that these wide-eyed Rochester boys had never even considered! Meatloaf bennies?? What a country! Dave ordered the meatloaf benny; Bo ordered the B’Ville benny. A short stack of sweet cream pancakes were to “share.” Let me tell you something about the bennies: it was like nothing we had ever eaten before.

The B’Ville benny was delicious – hollandaise in proper quantity; the egg yolk was perfectly cooked (solid but gelatinous); and the ham carried with it the flavor of all of the political battles in which the pig from which it came had fought, and lost. Bo was a bit jealous, though, at the meatloaf benny. It was equally as delicious, but it had the added bonus of being unique. The seasoning in the meatloaf was something neither of us had had over breakfast, but it fit well. Savory met savorier. Another plus for the meatloaf benny was the consistency and ease of use. While the B’Ville benny had the unfortunate habit of falling apart, resulting in piecemeal eating, the meatloaf benny stayed together, so that all ingredients could be enjoyed simultaneously. The hashed browns (a.k.a “shred potatoes”) were a fine side piece. The potato cubes were good, too, but the B’Ville diner hot sauce was quite strong. It was over used (this was user error – we are used to the weaker stuff!).

Then came time for the sweet cream pancakes. They were literally the best pancakes Dave had ever eaten (Bo does not necessarily agree, but nor does he disagree). These sweet cream pancakes did not skimp on the sweet. I’m in no position to tell anyone how to live. But if you, dear reader, never eat these pancakes, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. These cakes get inside you. It’s what lights you up; you can’t deny it. Downside: you’ll be craving for a fortnight.

The whole smorgasboard ran us just over $21.

With 10 as a must-eat, this eating experience rates a 9. (Dave, always the rebel, wondered whether it could be a “high nine.”). Sure, Dave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZVaAwPinbs

Don’t Miss: Everything! Everything we tried was amazing. Meatloaf benny, sweet cream pancakes. Everything.

Pro Tip: Bring your own maple syrup. And if you’re in a larger group, be prepared to wait a bit or sit at the counter.

Pro pro Tip tip: I think this place is open 24 hours!