Famous Restaurant

coworkers and i will stop in famous for lunch during the work week every once in a while. we’ve always been able to get out back to the office in time, as long as we tell the waitress that we’ve got an hour only. but then again, we usually target this one waitress who regularly serves us.
it’s a nice diner in newark. diners in cities are always suspect, as diners are more of a suburban thing. so normally, i’m very skeptical, but famous is on the good list.
there’s a wide selection of items on the menu, like all true diners. the daily specials are usually on point and a good deal. overall, the food is great — if evaluated strictly on diner food criteria. so expect it to be a little greasy, a little extra fatty, a little extra salty — that’s diner food. with this in mind, you won’t be disappointed. but hey, that’s my opinion.
i’ve done the drinks. not bad. they aren’t shy; you don’t get watered down at all. so, depending on how you value alcohol amounts in your drinks, it’s a good or bad thing.
and the place is clean. there’s ample seating with four dining «areas» — the classic counter, the booths at the right entrance, the long booth/​chair set up on the elevated mirror room, and then the bar. they have karaōke, but i haven’t been. though i’ve heard it’s good (but this was told to me a while ago).
so try it out if you’re fiending diner food and are in downtown newark.
tip for nearby worker bees: you can ask famous to fax you the daily specials to your office (plus, they will deliver in the area until 5pm or so).

This is a hidden gem in Newark. I came here for lunch and sat at the bar. I was very happy with my lunch special of a vegetarian quiche with soup. You can’t go wrong with the lunch special and it even includes a rice pudding. Yum!