Lenox Hill Grill

We ducked in here on a rainy day after spending the afternoon at the Met. (Biggest draw? It was within crawling distance of our train.) The ambiance was cute. The fries were pretty good, and hubby liked his burger. I decided a Monte Cristo sounded good, and it was a lot of food, but a bit bland (liked the challah bread French toast on which it was served, though). Not a memorable meal, but if you’re looking for something non-​touristy after a day at the museums on Fifth Avenue, walk on over here.

They should turn on the air conditioning and maybe they would get a few more customers.

A typical diner type of experience. The service was nice, but slightly awkward at times (our waitress welcomed us then stood there looking at us). The prices are very affordable for big portions, so that makes this place more of a 2.5 rating. However, I felt like I could’ve made all the food myself. The potatoes that came with my omelet were way too salty, and the omelet itself very dry. The big breakfast option had strange tasting sausages, as well.
Overall a quick spot to grab some food out of necessity, but not a culinary experience by any means.

Usually the expression «stuck in a rut» has a negative connotation, but with restaurants a more positive way of looking at it would be having a go-​to place, right? A place you can count on, if not to be extraordinary, then at least to be comforting and reliable. I don’t remember exactly how it started, but this has become my go-​to place for lunch/​late breakfast when I’m on my way to visit one of the museums on 5^th Avenue.
There’s usually plenty of seating, I can’t remember ever having to wait, and the service is efficient if not always exemplary. The menu has all your diner favorites on it, breakfast all day and triple-​decker sandwiches and the like. The food usually tastes pretty fresh, the fries aren’t soggy, and the price isn’t exorbitant. I do wish they had refills on soda, that’s pretty much the ultimate sign of penny-​pinching. I wouldn’t make this place a destination, but for years when I’m on my way to the Guggenheim or the Met or the Neue Galerie, this is my rut, and I don’t feel stuck, just happy to have some classic NYC diner fare to fuel all that walking around the museum.

So sorry for all the previous reviewers who had bad experiences. No, seriously, I am sorry for you all. I popped in last Sunday for brunch after leaving Best Buy on 86^th Street. Walked right in and grabbed a petite booth in the front window overlooking the street. Great view for people watching and soaking up some natural sunlight. Server came over with a menu immediately and took my drink order. I decided on the bleu cheese burger brunch special with coffee and a mimosa. At only $ 14 for the package deal, I didn’t expect much. In NYC, we are conditioned to expect to pay that for one mediocre drink.
I was blown away by this delicious grilled bleu cheese burger. Prepared perfectly medium-​well as I had requested and arrived in under 10 minutes. Didn’t taste like those perfectly rounded frozen mixed-​mystery meat patties at all. This was the real deal! Server was super polite and always available but not constantly popping up at my table. Just what I like.
No free refills on coffee and the mimosa was mostly juice. No complaints– juice is probably what I needed anyway. Would I come back? Yah!

Nice dinner in upper eastside. My group had all sorts of food and it was all prepared great. Friendly wait staff. Good meal and room to sit on Lexington. A rarity.

I came into the diner looking for a quick fix for breakfast. I ordered the Green Eggs (scrambled eggs with arugula pesto). There’s a sign that says «No Farm, No Food.» I hope that means it’s local products. I forgot to ask. The eggs were delicious! I would come back just for them. The potatoes were so-​so but went well with the pesto sauce. Low key environment so it was good for some coffee and reading. Staff was nice as well.

No refills on iced tea, and they didn’t tell me that when she filled it back up. Never coming here again. Food was awful too

Right around the corner from NSLIJ Lenox Hill Hospital. Fast service, decent food.
I ordered the Eggs Benedict, was «okay» but clearly out of a package. The Hollandaise sauce was almost a neon yellow color.

Typical diner food, pretty good prices for Lexington. I really LOVE the fact that they are near the subway. If you get here a little earlier (before 9am), it’s not too busy, even for the weekends. It’s a fairly clean place, waitresses are attentive but not chatty (which is a plus). This was one of the first places I came to for breakfast when I first moved to NYC so it holds a special place in my heart!
Recommend it if you’re shopping in the neighborhood and need a quick break! Plus, there’s a puppy store 2 doors down and it’s always a good excuse to go play with the puppies after food!

I love the ambience in this diner. It’s right by the train and close to central park. The food is really great well cooked and the staff is very pleasant, I would recommend this place to anyone who loves great affordable, comfortable diner food in NYC.

I went to Lenox Hill Grill yesterday and was thoroughly disappointed. Their was garbage on the floor from previous customers (paper and food). The waitress took our order and checked back on us one time. The food was mediocre diner food and the prices were not too bad. After checking up on us one time the waitress decided to go to the back of the restaurant with the other two wait staff and they had a very long conversation. I couldn’t flag down the waitress and eventually had to get up to look for her after waiting about ten minutes. As soon as I got up another waitress quickly snapped that our waitress would be over.
While in the restaurant one of the waitress dropped a packet of jelly while walking a plate of food over to a customer, she didn’t bother to pick it up and left it on the floor for someone else to get it – but no one did for 20 minutes. Then finally one of the wait staff picked it up, but instead of throwing it in the garbage they put it on top of the bar countertop as if to have someone find it and reuse it for another customer – disgusting!!! It should have gone in the garbage.
On our way out I made a stop in the ladies restroom to find a small dark dingy bathroom. Right next to the toilet was an overstuffed garbage can with soiled toilet paper hanging out (I don’t want to get to graphic, but it was soiled with fluid that could only be found in a women’s bathroom) – unbearable!!!
Don’t go here!!! I’d rather go into the hospital cafeteria to eat or go to a pizza or bagel shop next time.

I stopped into this place before getting on the train, it was very convenient, located 20 feet from the stairs but my experience could have been better. I liked that The server came over to my table quickly to take my order and that the food came out fast. I was however, disappointed that my eggs came out scrambled. This was partially my fault because I forgot to specify how I wanted them but I thought the server should have asked how I like my eggs and not just assumed. The other thing I didn’t like was that they never gave me my check, I sat there for at least 7 min after I was finished. I wasn’t in a hurry so it wasn’t a big deal for me but I felt a bit neglected compared to surrounding tables. The good: great sausage, quick initial service, and great prices for the area. I would go back because of the convenience and price.

Places like this are reason enough for Unilocal to offer the option of a zero star review. Awful in every way imaginable.
I got a salad with «grilled» chicken on it. How does a restaurant mess a salad with chicken up? Ask the fine people at Lenox Hill. The chicken was not grilled and was legitimately disgusting. The salad was watery and gross. Is vomitastic a word? It should be.
The service was also appalling. Not once was my party asked if everything was good or if we needed anything. We also had to chase down our waitress to get the check. The restaurant was not even busy (not that that would be a sufficient excuse). There were 3 tables in use in the entire place.
It’s a good thing it’s next to the hospital. That makes it very convenient for patrons of this restaurant to seek treatment for food poisoning.

I too don’t see all the negatives a couple other reviewers claim. Stopped by in the early evening on a weekday and it was pleasantly quiet and comfortable. Service was average but friendly and multiple employees asked if I needed anything. Décor is nice but the floor was a bit dirty– I’m looking at a strawberry, pickle, and knife hiding under a table. Other patrons’ meals looked good. Can’t say I’ve been to a diner-​type place with a full menu, beer, fruit, and hard liquor before, so this place has something for everyone.
I had the Cajun burger. Not bad but the meat had a couple gristly pieces. Fries weren’t too bad, maybe a little better than average, but I’m a bit of a snob in my penchant for fresh-​cut fries. Milkshake was very good but was served in the plain, cheap, old-​school plastic tumblers like what you see in a roadside diner. You know, the ones that will still be around long after you and I are gone. Kinda felt like eating a steak on a styrofoam plate.
I saw nothing that will keep me away, but a little more attention to detail and this place could go from very good to outstanding. I’ll be back.

Not a bad spot and certainly not as bad as some of the reviews here reflect.
Dropped in early afternoon on Sunday to grab a late breakfast. The place itself is not all that large but has good seating and a pretty nice décor. Wasn’t too busy when I walked in. I took a seat at the counter area with my paper which was empty and peaceful.
Basic diner type menu. Prices seemed ok. Just ordered a few eggs, toast, home fries, bacon, and coffee. Sometimes you just want to stick with the basics. Nothing fancy. Food was fine for what it was.
Service could have been better, as no one came by to refill my coffee or see how my food was after it was given to me. Too bad, as the coffee was pretty good here and I could have downed another cup easily. Alas, I just asked for the bill and ambled out when finished.
I might go back again if close by and in need of a diner fix for breakfast.

So happy we stumble across Lenox Hill Grill! My wife and I are visiting here from Los Angeles Ca. after spending 3 days of touring a variety of restaurants with over priced food smothered in cream sauces and bars, all I wanted was some good old fashion American Chicken Noodle soup and a Grill cheese that would be settling on my stomach on a cold winter day before hitting up Central Park.
BINGO! — We scored!!!
Restaurant — Traditionally decorated, yet VERY CLEAN.
Service — quick and super nice people!
Food — we ordered the Chicken noodle (home made & fresh ingredients) and a Grill
Cheese which was just like mom use to make when you were in 4^th grade (very, very lightly buttered with any cheese or bread slices you choose).
Prices — very fair $$
I’m very very glad we found the place! NY needs more places like this.

I’d been told you can tell how good a place is by how busy it is. But you know what? Sometimes you want a quiet place you can walk into, grab a seat, and enjoy a quiet meal. or me, this was that place.
It’s a nice enough little diner, with a bar up one end, and more seating hidden around the corner. The food was solid. Nothing to write home about, but it was pretty tasty, and there’s a huge menu, so lots to choose from.
My waiter was more interested in chatting up a girl at the bar, but the cashier was friendly, and she chased up my bill for me when I was ready to leave.

I only know about breakfast at Lenox Grill-​another spot right near my local’s union hall. Decent omelets, pancakes a little too brown for my taste and good breakfast sausage but the corned beef hash tastes like cat food! Average diner atmosphere (booths, counter with stools, AM radio music playing, waitresses dressed in black.) Note that the pancake syrup comes in those mini, single serving, plastic and foil thingies which is a pet peeve of mine. I like my syrup poured from a bottle or pitcher. This restaurant definitely does not go out of it’s way to make a great impression.
On the up side, the staff here is really kind and menu prices here are pretty low compared to other diners in this area of the city.

Staff was polite & the fries I had weren’t bad. Nothing special but okay. Seems this is one of the few places in this neighborhood that won’t kill you with their prices.
Only downside was this old lady who apparently was the self-​appointed sheriff here, loudly proclaiming how loud people were talking. I was being interviewed here & she was doing that crap to me. I muttered something nasty to her under my breath & noticed her shut up after that. She moved on to make cracks about 2 gentlemen sitting a distance from me and my interviewer. I wonder if the management knew about this or encouraged it. Is she part of this experience on a late Saturday afternoon?