Lynette & Jerri's Diner

On Saturday, December 6, 2014, I had lunch at Lynette & Jerri's Diner at 334 Amherst Street in Winchester. This was the former location of the Amherst Diner, which had closed earlier this year. Hours are Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-8:00 PM; Saturday, 6:30 AM-8:00 PM; Sunday, 7:00 AM-2:30 PM. Carryout is available, and the phone number is (540) 504-7995.

The original outdoor signs were retained, with the word AMHERST blocked out. Entry is through a vestibule, with a step up into the restaurant, and is not wheel-chair friendly. The cashier/receptionist`s stand is just inside the door, on your right, and seating is in booths along the side and front walls.

An L-shaped counter with regular diner`s stools is against the wall, and a small room in the back offers additional seating. This was the original floor plan for the Amherst Diner, and the only change in the interior was new decorations on the walls and the place was cleaner. No one was eating at the counter, and only two booths were in use.

My server was Alice, who told me that the diner had opened on November 17. Also, Lynette was the Lynette who once operated the Triangle Diner at 27 West Gerrard Street for four years. The menu had three pages, and there are daily Lunch and Dinner Specials.

Breakfast items included Three Egg Omelets, Sandwiches, Hot Cakes, French Toast, and Sides. Lunch items are Steak and Cheese Subs, Hot Turkey or Roast Beef Sandwich with Mashed Potatoes, Club Sandwich with Fries, Other Sandwiches, Soups, Salads, Wraps, Side Orders, and Drinks. Dinner items are Steaks, including Lynette`s Special 8-ounce New York Strip, Ham, Chicken, Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Kid`s Menu (12 and Under), and Desserts.

I wanted a light lunch and ordered the pork barbecue sandwich and a soft drink. Alice told me that she used to work at the Amherst Diner. She said that she was one of four people who left the Backseat Bar and Grill off Route 11 North to work again at this location. This was the reason that the Backseat had been advertising in the newspaper for servers.

My barbecue sandwich was served on a rather thin hamburger roll, which soon became soggy. The roll would have been all right for a hamburger, but barbecue calls for a thicker roll. Several spots on the pork were hard from being scorched. The sandwich came with potato chips, and I was entitled to cole slaw but turned it down. I was a little disappointed in the sandwich; it definitely could have been better; however, the service was good.

I was pleased to find a restaurant open again at this location; it's a convenient place to eat after a visit to the Winchester Medical Center or Omps Funeral Home further out Amherst Street, and is just around the corner from Selma Medical Associates. I`ll try Lynette & Jerri`s again next year to see how it finally shapes up.