Bluebonnet Diner

We were out in North Hampton for our son’s wedding when we came across from this gem. The staff so friendly and the food was delicious. Had the broasted Chicken and I would travel the 2 hours just to have that dinner again. We took my son’s in laws there the morning of the wedding for breakfast and everything was delicious. So refreshing to have such friendly staff, delicious food in a relaxing diner.

I am from Alabama but my wife has family in Massachusetts. We ask her Mom where she wanted to eat for her birthday and she wanted to go to this diner. The food was great. I had the roasted chicken and it was fantastic. The waiter was a pleasant enough person but the customers at the bar were extremely loud, drunk, and obnoxious. They were apparently suffering from paranoia since everyone in the world were out to get them. Their language was foul and their behavior was just and bad. I know some will feel this was not the fault of the diner but I feel like anyone could have ask them to calm down and lower their voice. I mean it was the middle of the day.

It is what it is, but for what it is, it’s good! Yes, some of the items should be avoided, like the mashed potatoes, but it’s a great diner with a good menu. The service is definitely often strange, but Bluebonnet has arguably the most interesting cast of characters in Northampton when combining waitstaff and customers. A true sociological experience in terms of peoplewatching, and the food really is good diner food, too. Since it’s a diner, I don’t feel like I need to recommend specific items, but the chicken rice soup was great, grilled cheese very good, sandwiches are all good. Known for the broasted chicken, cooked to order, which I haven’t had in year, and will definitely be back in to try soon.

My mother and I decided to go to the Blue Bonnet Diner one day recently. It’s not really my type of place, but Mom wanted to go. My mother is 90, is very mobility challenged and uses a walker. I was happily surprised to find an open handicapped access parking space right outside the front door. However, when I investigated, in order to get in the front door you have to climb about 5 steps plus another to actually get into the diner. I looked around the side of the building and spotted a ramp. There were no parking spaces (handicapped or otherwise) next to it, so I pulled up, got my mother out, and had her wait while I parked the car. When we got up the ramp and inside, there was a sign that stated we had to go to the front of the restaurant to see a hostess. As we began to make our way in that direction, luckily a server asked us if we would like a seat and seated us right where we were.
Okay, now for the food. Since it was a cold, drizzly day, Mom and I both decided that the home made beef stew sounded delicious. Mom ordered a bowl, and I ordered a jumbo bowl, thinking I could take any leftovers home to my husband. Mom ordered a coffee, and I ordered a seltzer. Our beef stew arrived, and our bowls were hardly different in size. Sure, I only paid $ 1.00 more, but jumbo should be jumbo, right? Upon tasting, I found there was absolutely no seasoning. I ended up using a ton of salt. Mom didn’t like hers for a different reason; the chunks of meat were too big. We were both very disappointed.
When the bill arrived, I realized they actually charged me for seltzer — $ 2.49!
Our server was adequately friendly and efficient.
Needless to say, we won’t be going back.

Always love a friendly diner where the coffee never ends. Had a choice between Bluebonnet and Burger King next door. Glad I chose Bluebonnet. Soup and coffee are great on a frigid day.

This is the second time me and my boyfriend have been there without service for over 10 minutes while the waitresses wait on people that just walk in the door. NEVER COMING BACK! normally the service and food is great besides the past two times. Apparently we have to be old to get service especially when it’s slow as crap in there.

I thought I would try the Bluebonnet diner again.
The service was much better if the food was excellent. We have the same waitress we had the first time we went. She was very attentive. I will be going back again.

Very consistent food and service. Not a fancy place, but decent food. Has not changed much over many years.

Excellent food… great Boston Cream Pie… as well as Blueberry. A must to take home.
Daily Specials are great… especially Mac and Cheese on Fridays.
Packed on Saturdays since about the only place in town to have breakfast… no matter what you order the food is good.
Long lines on Saturday — Fridays as well.
Only negative is the hostess who is horrible… slow, disorganized… out of her element… need to get someone who can do more than 1 thing at a time. Saturdays is horrendous but not much better during the week. When crowded plan on waiting to give name and if lucky no one will jump a head of you!

Love this place! Monday’s chicken pie special is really good… biscuit topping. Real mashed potatoes. The best Cole slaw in the area. Don’t miss their custard puddings… my favorite is the grapenut. One of the best breakfasts in town too… with real homefries!

The most traditional diner with original 1950s décor and counter patrons who have been dining there for 60 years. Chrome trim and Pastel Formica… Enough to give me chills of joy.
Slightly… Ever so slightly overpriced for such fare. Thus the one star off.

This diner is bad. It should be on thr v shoe Kitchen Nightmares. I was there for lunch with my family and ordered baked ziti. It should be called microwaved ziti with watery sauce. My wife’s club sandwich was to be made with roast turkey it was processed. I will never go back. Crap place.

Solid diner food, friendly staff.
Date of Visit: 9÷19÷14
Stopped by the Bluebonnet on the way back from Bradley airport, and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of both service and food. We ordered the Triple Decker Club and Clam Roll, and both were some of the better versions of each I’ve had. Well seasoned, good portions, great prices.
While it may not win any décor awards, this place knows what it is, and does it well.

I met my brother today for lunch~~we had not seen each other in months and we each drove half way to meet~~we met at noon and at 1 pm we were asked to leave as «they had people waiting» I have been a server for 45 years and my brother was a general manager in the restaurant industry for years. I told the waitress that we had not seen each other in a long time, to no avail. Needless to say. we will NEVER be back

Pretty solid no flair diner fair, I must admit it has been eons since I last ate there but things are pretty much the same as I remember. I ordered the beef stew, it looked more like a soup than stew when it arrived;however, it was quite flavorful, had a nice assortment of vegetables including turnip and it was filling, perfect for a quick in and out lunch. I would return again if I were in the area.

We have been eating here for over 20 years off and on. Your basic «all American» food is found here. Nothing fancy but nothing to complain about. Low on salt, if you know what I mean. Clean place with many loyal followers. Prices have increased to where we wonder if we should have gone to another restaurant that would be a bit more flavorful and less, shall I say, toned down. Casual place. Bar on the side.

My daughter just moved to the neighborhood. The breakfast here was perfect. Coffee was great and the service was fast and friendly. This is an old fashion diner so if you are looking for designer coffee and baked goods this is not place. We liked it so much we went back again. They also serve real maple syrup with your pancakes!

Really good authentic American diner food. A big selection of exactly what you would expect, and hope for (you did opt for a meal at a diner). Fish n chips, club sandwiches, turkey croquettes, burgers, prime rib, and their signature broasted chicken, are all just as one would hope. A great bunch of sides to choose from as well. And, there is an electric train chugging along in a circuitous route along the ceiling!

Best Whole Belly Clams I have had in a long time. Better than the cape from this past summer. Maybe it’s just the right time of the season to order, but they were awesome.
Great Eggplant Fries too. Not greasy. Light and fluffy.
Awesome desserts too.
I can’t wait to go back!

Solid diner, and a regular spot for my family over the years. There is a classic old dining car on the right with a counter, a handful of booths, and the ubiquitous pie case… and then on the left, there is a large, newer dining room with big comfy booths that will seat as many as 6 or 8 people each, a toy train that occasionally circles overhead on a track that runs around the perimeter of the ceiling, and a juke box… and behind that is the «lounge» with handicap entrance, a full bar, free self-​serve popcorn cart in the corner, and an assortment of booths and tables… then beyond that is the banquet room.
As other reviewers have mentioned, don’t get the mashed potatoes unless you’re in one of those moods where you’re all about gravy and don’t really care what lies beneath. They’re instant. You’ve been warned.
I also would suggest steering clear of the salads. It’s possible that they’ve changed… I haven’t tried them in quite a while… but they never used to be very good, and even the «entrée» sized ones were served in smallish bowls and consisted mostly of iceberg lettuce.
Some of our standard faves:
Thursdays are the corned beef day at the Bluebonnet, and Bluebonnet’s corned beef is surprisingly FANTASTIC. I highly recommend the New England Boiled Dinner special (all of the specials are offered all day, not just for dinner). It consists of a healthy serving of corned beef, cabbage, turnip, a couple of new potatoes, and some baby carrots. If you ask nicely, they will omit some and give you extra of others (I always get just cabbage and turnip and skip the potatoes and carrots).
Split pea soup. Like the specials, the soups change daily and as my luck would have it, my favorite Bluebonnet soup (split pea) happens to be available on the same day as my favorite special (boiled corned beef dinner). Thursdays. It’s always a last-​minute decision which to get.
Corned beef hash. This is on the menu on Fridays, conveniently following boiled dinner Thursdays :)
Tuesdays are meatloaf days and it’s consistently good. Nothing fancy, but solid comfort food (and a big portion — enough to take home leftovers).
Turkey club. Big, straight-​forward.
Western sandwich. I get mine grilled on rye with swiss cheese. Highly recommend requesting cheese otherwise things can be fairly dry.
Broasted chicken. I don’t think it says so on the menu, but you can actually get any of the chicken pieces a la carte, and they’re cheap. I think the drumsticks and thighs may be something like $ 1 each, and the breast $ 2? So if you’re getting something light, like a bowl of soup, a piece of broasted chicken can be a good add-​on. Or if you’re getting something completely unrelated but the curiosity is killing you, cough up the $ 1 and grab a broasted drumstick.
Omelet. They’re not on the lunch/​dinner menu, but they’re available all day so don’t be afraid to ask. They’re the big and fluffy kind that has the «filling» ingredients mixed right into the egg rather than folded inside, and they come with toast and homefries.
«Oatmeal a la Eric» …this was my father’s daily order at the counter because Eric always made it al dente for him, rather than mushy.
Bluebonnet’s sides change daily, but there are usually a dozen or so to choose from at any given time. I love the fried eggplant. It comes with marinara on the side for dipping.
Onion rings. Breaded rather than battered, not greasy, REALLY good.
They always have a selection of freshly baked pies for dessert, but we are pudding people and usually go for either the grape-​nut or bread puddings.