Crossroads Eatery
Wayne, New Jersey
Every morning at 6, the retired regulars file in for breakfast and banter. As the jokes pour out, so does the freshly brewed coffee. Married couple Valerie and Steve run Crossroads together, a venture they embarked on in 1989. A quarter century of history floods the interior, where pictures of celebrities, musicians, athletes and local customers hang on the walls of this classic coffee shop.
Its name is derived from the adjacent train station that shuffles commuters to and from Manhattan on weekdays. Families and tourists pile in on the weekends for the atmosphere and the prices (both of which are reminiscent of another era). The food is prepared right in front of you and each meal comes with a side of genuine conversation. This is what a diner should be.
