Allisons Finer Diner - Mount Vernon

We both opted for the Gourmet Meatloaf, which is a down-home take on the Cheesecake Factory’s Mile High Meatloaf. It did not disappoint. The homemade mashed potatoes came with a generous slice of flavorful meatloaf topped with crispy fried onions and generously smothered in brown gravy. If I'm ever feeling homesick, Alison's will certainly be my go-to spot. Oh, and they have a full bar—something my grandmother definitely didn't have visible. Hers was discreetly stored in her patent leather handbag and reserved for "medicinal" use. The highlight of our visit? We left with a bill of under $20, covering two meals and two drinks. The manager, who is also one of the owners, came to greet us and welcomed us warmly, having heard it was our first visit. It was a lovely touch!

The main issue with this establishment, and the reason for my review, is the incompetence of the staff. My most recent visit was a nightmare. I don't know if the server was new or what, but he clearly wasn’t cut out for waiting tables. We might still be waiting for our food if my friend hadn't gone to find the owner to inquire about it. We're not a difficult group to please, but the experience was frustrating. It was so bad that the owner (Hi Pam, I know you'll be reading this) had to comp the table next to us—who arrived after us—for their meal, all because they had the same waiter. She did this loudly enough for all of us to hear... yet we still had to pay. None of us were looking for a free meal; we would have left satisfied if someone had at least acknowledged the poor service and apologized. I truly dislike leaving negative reviews, especially for local businesses, but something needs to change. Also, do yourself a favor and steer clear of this place on Sunday mornings and afternoons; it's packed to the brim with the post-church crowd.

We had a fantastic experience at this restaurant after discovering it on Yelp. One of the kids in our group is named Allison, so we thought it would create some lovely memories! This is definitely the kind of place we would visit regularly if we lived nearby. Everything we ordered was delicious, and I particularly appreciated the hand-breaded chicken tenders, especially since I have a child who only eats chicken nuggets or steak. We were disappointed to find out that we missed the Breakfast with Santa event by just three hours. It wasn't mentioned on the website, so we only learned about it from the sign on the front door.

Great place to go with the family! It 's not overly priced and the food is good and a home cooked taste! The menu has enough choices that you don 't feel deprived. Bacon cheeseburger is really great and so is the chicken and broccoli pasta! Overall a good place!

Enjoyed my grilled vegetable sandwich, which came highly recommended by friends from the area. I went with some locals, and seemed the staff knew everyone. Really friendly service. I'll be back to try some more from their exte