The River Rock Diner, located at 904 State Rte. 17C in Owego, N.Y., serves up favorite diner style food for breakfast and lunch, and also features several Greek dishes. Hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Once warmer weather arrives, the River Rock Diner will also open for dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings.
On right, River Rock Diner owner Leon Anastasakos and his son, George, pose behind the counter of the restaurant. With a view of the Susquehanna River, customers are invited to dine in a cozy atmosphere, or take-out is available. The River Rock Diner is on Facebook, or for more information call (607) 223-4994.
When you sit down inside the new River Rock Diner, located at 904 State Rte. 17C in Owego, N.Y., you suddenly feel at home. No need to wait, you can walk right in and seat yourself in the relaxing, cozy atmosphere. If your mood prefers the real diner experience, grab a chair at the counter, which is finished off in beautiful slate and “river rocks.” If you happen to be at the diner when the sun is shining, grab a table by the spacious back window and warm up while you enjoy the view of the Susquehanna River.
The River Rock Diner, opened in October 2014, serves up favorite diner style food for breakfast and lunch, and also features several Greek dishes. Once warmer weather arrives, owner Leon Anastasakos plans to set out six to eight tables on the two deck tiers, which overlook the river. Plans are to open up dinner hours on Friday and Saturday evenings until 8 p.m. and add dinner options such as steaks, fish and chops, as well as additional Greek specialties.
Now open at 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, get ready for a filling breakfast, which includes a variety of eggs and omelets, pancakes, Belgian waffles and French toast, breakfast sandwiches and even sausage gravy over biscuits, as well as other side options.
For lunch, satisfy your appetite with a choice of burgers, including Portobello, as well as several salad selections, homemade soups and side dishes. An entire menu page of sandwiches is on hand, too, such as Reuben’s, clubs, hot open faced and rib eye steak sandwiches, to name just a few.
And for gyro fans, get there before the restaurant closes at 3 p.m. because word is that River Rock has some of best gyros you’ll ever experience.
All food at River Rock is freshly prepared from scratch. Anastasakos shared, “For example, our fish sandwich is cut and cleaned here, never frozen. Everything we do is from scratch.”
Anastasakos will also consider special requests or menu variations. “We’re here to please the customer,” he said.
Kid menus are available, as well as vegetarian and gluten free selections. Be sure to save a little room for dessert, because where else can you have baklava cheesecake or other delectable-sounding choices.
Can’t stay long? River Rock Diner offers call-ahead ordering. Customers can either pick it up to go or call ahead for a seat, and your meal will be ready when you get there.
Anastasakos explained that these options work well for customers or groups who are on a tight schedule.
“Check out the menu on-line, call ahead your order and let us know how many seats we need to save,” he said.
Anastasakos, a native of Endicott, N.Y., has worked in the food service business for 25 years and credits his father for giving him some of his early experience, including knowledge of the wholesale food business. Immigrating to the United States from Greece, Anastasakos’ father eventually relocated to the Southern Tier and opened a grocery store as well as the well-known Spartan Deli.
Young Anastasakos started helping his father as early as age 12, bussed tables by age 15, and later gained experience in restaurants in larger cities such as Detroit and New York City, and spent time overseas perfecting his Greek culinary skills.
Anastasakos hopes River Rock Diner becomes a new favorite for residents as well as a stop for travelers visiting Owego.
For a complete menu and other information, River Rock Diner is on Facebook, or call (607) 223-4994. Restaurant hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
