401 Diner in Conshohocken: Good Food that’s Good for You!

Courtesy of Grub StreetI met my friend Matt for dinner last week.  Here’s a glimpse of our ordering:

Waiter: You guys ready?

Me: Yeah, I’m going to have the cheese burger, cooked medium.

Waiter: Do you want salad or hand-cut fries with that?

Me: Fries sound good.

Waiter: And you sir?

Matt: Yeah, can I get the Grilled Salmon Nicoise? 

Waiter: Sounds good.  Your order will be right up. 

Nothing unusual.  Two buddies, out to dinner, looking for a good meal at a local spot.  But wait, did you say 401 Diner?  That’s right, on the main strip in Conshohocken and down the street from all the bars, sits your not so ordinary diner.  When I think of a diner, I think good food, but not necessarily good for you food.  Greasy burgers and fries; artery clogging bacon, eggs and home fries; and endless menus of cholesterol enhancing options; that’s what the diners of my 20s offered.  But now there’s the 401 Diner, whose motto is Comfort with Conscience, finally fulfilling my dream of good food that’s good for me. 

Courtesy of PGN.comOn the outside, 401 is your classic image of an old-school diner.  A large metallic sign with neon lights and a clock stand high above Fayette Street and beckons to passers-by looking for a hearty meal. As soon as you enter though, you realize that this diner is completely different.  Offering a décor of muted colors and solid oak booths lining the sides and oak tables spaciously spread across the floor (all the oak is from recycled church pews), the 401 Diner shouts comfort.  It’s a nice contrast to the usual diner of cold linoleum and blinding lights.  Beyond the cozy setting though is the food, which is where 401 Diner really separates itself from the run of the mill diner. 

401’s menu offers an amazing assortment of unique choices, but is nothing overwhelming.  Soups, salad, sandwiches, and full course entrees, everything on the menu jumps off the page with descriptions of flavor and goodness.  My friend Matt’s dish, Grilled Salmon Nicoise Salad, was perfect for his pre-wedding diet.  The salmon, something never offered on a regular diner menu, was cooked perfectly and surrounded by fresh greens, rice, roasted red peppers and lemons.  My burger, cooked to a pristine medium, served with cheddar cheese and a healthy fresh tomato and lettuce and pickles, retained all its essential juices and was exploding with flavor.  The hand cut fries, which were offered as an option to a salad, were well seasoned and were an excellent complement to the burger. 

In addition to the quality of all the food on 401’s menu is the fact that the majority of the diner’s food is organic and locally grown.  From PA farms, the fresh, humanely raised food of the 401 Diner will leave you feeling not just satisfied but also healthy and conscious, which is a rare occurrence at the average diner.  A BYOB and open late on weekends, the 401 Diner is doing things the way they should be done, offering a warm, welcoming environment and healthy, conscious food.  This is not your ordinary diner and that’s a good thing. 

Comments

[James Dugan]

A diner with a conscience -- that is great. Growing up in this area, then leaving for some time, it was not the cheesesteak I missed: it was the diner and all its glory.

A place like Conshokocken needs a good diner and a diner for the rest of my life is a good idea. Healthy foods and better tasting plates will get me back. The idea that it supports local farms is even a better.

I hope this place stays around for awhile and I am impressed with Conshy's food and beverage offerings. They are much better than that Ruby Tuesday's right off the exchange. I will be stopping by.

Thanks for the tip.

[Vincent Freeman]

I love this place. The staff is friendly and the food is just as you put it, “comfort conscience”. I’ve spent many a late night there. The best part about 401 is that it is good anytime, not just late night.
As I have gotten older, I have grown tired of the typical, and limited, cuisine of your average diner. 401 offers a choice selection of diner favorites, but with a health conscience approach. Try the “Whole Wheat Pancakes” with a side of “Fresh Cut Fruit”!

[Patrick Edmonds]

Vince,

Welcome to the Lunch Table and thank you for the feedback and tips.

Please continue to read through our new and old content in the Health and Fitness and other categories as well. The Lunch Break is an open table of readers and writers, so please visit often and share your thoughts. If you write on your own or want to, please submit some of your stuff to us for publication. Also, please spread the word to friends and families.

Thanks again for your feedback. I'll definitely be trying the Whole Wheat Pancakes next time I'm at 401.