Fred’s Diner
930 Home Ave.
Phone: (330) 535 3733
Open: Friday thru Monday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Website: https://fredsdiner.net
What waits inside Fred’s Diner is a blast from the past. It’s the picture of an old-school diner, from its floral wallpaper and vintage Coca-Cola plates on the walls to the yellow rotary phone at the counter.
This was always the dream of the restaurant’s namesake, Fred Spencer, said his son, Donald Spencer. He recalled a photo of his father as a child selling hot dogs from his mom’s backyard shed.
“He was always going to own a breakfast spot,” Spencer said. “He loves breakfast.
Located on the edge of Akron’s North Hill neighborhood, the vintage sign with big red letters that sits in front of the low white building with the red roof says, “Breakfast Anytime” just below “Freds Diner” (no apostrophe).
Spencer started working at his father’s diner in eighth grade as a busboy. “And I was terrified every week,” Spencer said, remembering how nervous he was when clearing tables and interacting with customers.
Now 29, Spencer is a manager at Fred’s, and he bustles around the place with ease.
“I love just watching the food go out,” Spencer said. “People look at it and go, ‘Oh wow!’ And then they eat it and they start nodding their heads. It’s just such a good feeling.”
Spencer’s favorite meal is the “Cordonny,” crispy or grilled chicken with ham and swiss cheese on Texas toast, served with honey mustard, but he may be a bit biased – the sandwich, after all, is named for him. But there is plenty more on the menu.
“Can’t go wrong with any breakfast item,” Spencer said. “You get a half pound of bacon per order. Just hope you’re hungry.”
From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., customers can enjoy a free cup of coffee (or a soft drink) with their breakfast from the comfort of a blue barstool at the diner’s vibrant orange counter or a cozy seat in a booth. The snug diner seats 53 people and the mornings are pretty busy, but Spencer said customers should not be intimidated by the line. It moves quickly.
At 10:30 a.m. on a Friday, patrons can be found grabbing a bite before work. Servers’ families stop in for breakfast and a quick “hello.” Service is fast at Fred’s, a testament to the phrase printed on the back of the employees’ shirts: “EAT. PAY. GET OUT.”
But don’t worry, the service is friendly, which keeps Akronites coming back year after year.
“They must like us because we haven’t gone anywhere,” Spencer said. “And it just keeps getting busier and busier.”
2nd Place:
House Three Thirty
532 W Market St, (330) 572 2885
3rd Place:
Niko’s Sandwich Board
1947 W Market St. #104, (330) 794 5444