The breakfast special at Tool's
Old-school.
One of our favorite places to get breakfast is Tool's in Delmar. Everything about the place seems a little anachronistic -- the food, the decor, the prices. It's like it exists in a bubble where 1989 never ended. And it's great.
Here's why.
We like to slide into one of the vinyl booths in Tool's front room and order a breakfast special. It's nothing fancy: two eggs, toast (get the rye), bacon or sausage, home fries, juice and coffee. For $5.49. (If you get it without the meat, it's $4.49. And if you skip the coffee, they'll give you a larger juice.)
It's a straight-up, solid breakfast at a good price. But we love all the little things about Tool's, too: the decidedly older-skewing customers, the friendly servers, the owner who chats with regulars, the Sinatra that often plays on the weekends, the frequent Ward Stone sightings.
The lack of pretension and near-denial of the last two decades is kind of soothing. Chain restaurants? Tapas? Statins? The 1990s? It's like they temporarily don't exist. And that little vacation from the present leaves us happy every time.
Find It
Tool's Restaurant
283 Delaware Ave
Delmar, NY 12054
(518) 439-9111
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Comments
and I thought I was the only guy that liked this place, had dinner there once....it was rad, like 1989 rad, and your description is spot on
the only other thing I know that comes close is Sam's
... said JVG on Jun 16, 2009 at 10:20 AM | link
Good old Tools! My step fathers favorite spot in town.. and one of those regulars you mentioned. No other diner would do when I had a day off school or called out 'sick'. There's a very homey feel to it that I like.. must be the mini-bar behind the counter.
... said kimelodic on Jun 16, 2009 at 10:21 AM | link
I've always been mildly afraid to step foot in there. I shoulda known!
... said jess on Jun 16, 2009 at 10:35 AM | link
Ever since I stumbled upon this place while exploring Delmar, I have been meaning to go back and give it a proper try.
Glad to hear it is as good as I suspected. Looking forward to getting there sometime soon.
... said Daniel B. on Jun 16, 2009 at 11:35 AM | link
That place sounds right up my alley! Sometimes you just want a straight up breakfast menu. I just wish you didn't mention the Ward Stone sightings. That man makes me lose my appetite.
... said KatherineSass on Jun 16, 2009 at 11:55 AM | link
Back in the day, I would take the family there.. lots of fun and memories. Good food and I speculate that it is more like late 70's .... And then there is the Four Corners Luncheonette....
... said hrgreen on Jun 16, 2009 at 1:40 PM | link
Tool's was my grandfathers favorite place when he would come up here... To me, the polace is stuck in the early 80's not the 90's. Very little has changed there since 1978 when we moved up here..
... said Chad on Jun 16, 2009 at 2:34 PM | link
i am a strong proponent of going to locals instead of chains, lets bring back the mom and pops and kill the walmart. and ward stone is the secret love of my life, all the more reason to go!!!
... said Kristine on Jun 18, 2009 at 1:36 PM | link
Mmmm. This picture even makes my vegetarian mouth water. I'm going.
... said Dawn on Jun 18, 2009 at 11:06 PM | link