Beacon is a fun town in the heart of the Hudson Valley with great shops, galleries and plenty of dining options. Right on Main Street in the center of town sits the Yankee Clipper Diner. The diner has been serving customers since 1946 and is a fixture in Beacon. The Yankee Clipper also has the distinction of having been the location of a scene of the 1994 movie, “Nobody’s Fool” starring Paul Newman.
The exterior is polished stainless steel and red contrasting panels and architecturally is in strong contrast to the 19th century brick buildings that line Main Street. Its postwar design and art deco letters really drew me in and I had to investigate. Inside, the Yankee Clipper has been modernized but still retains its classic American diner feel with its dining counter with round stools, polished stainless steel and numerous tables.
One thing that struck me upon entering is the genuine friendliness of the staff and their willingness to make suggestions and to explain how dishes are prepared .
Shrimp and Spinach Quesadilla
Our party of four started with some appetizers at the suggestion of the staff. The first was a shrimp, spinach and mozzarella quesadilla which was fresh, tasty with a crispy tortilla shell. We also shared the Andros salad (named after the Greek Island where the owners are from) which was a bowl filled with grilled chicken, feta cheese, olives, and peppers over a bed of greens. It was served with a delicious homemade dressing and warm pita bread. The salad alone would make a nice meal for one.
Andros Salad
We moved on to the main course and since it was the middle of the day we opted for items from the lunch menu. We ordered a chicken cordon blue pannini with grilled chicken, fresh ham and Swiss cheese with honey mustard on the side.
Cordon Blu Pannini
It was fantastic. Another dish and a real favorite was the Turkey Gobbler sandwich which was comprised of fresh roast turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on a hard roll. Each bite was like you were having Thanksgiving dinner. It was served with mashed potatoes and turkey gravy. It was truly comfort food.
Classic Deluxe Burger
We also ordered a pulled pork sandwich in Barbeque sauce and was served on Ciabatta bread with a side of French fries. The pork was perfectly prepared and quite filling. We rounded out our entrees with a classic deluxe cheese burger (after all this is a diner) with tomato and French fries. The half pound burger was very satisfying.
Somehow we managed to try some dessert and were informed many of the desserts were prepared fresh everyday in the kitchen. We sampled the homemade Baklava, a rich sweet pastry made from filo dough, filled with chopped nuts and honey.
Baklava, made fresh the same day
We also sampled the bread pudding with soft custard on top and a delicious homemade cheesecake that was so light and fluffy that we easily devoured the slice. We also enjoyed a classic milkshake called the Funfetti which is a combo of vanilla ice cream, marshmallow, and rainbow sprinkles. A real favorite.
Homemade cheese cake
Funfetti Milk Shake
The Yankee Clipper Diner has a loyal following of customers and it is not only because of the great food, but also from the family feeling that is so evident. The owners and staff want each diner to feel that you are part of the family and they want to feed you with fresh and delicious food as if you were a guest in their home. When in Beacon New York , stop by the Yankee Clipper Diner. You can’t miss it.
Yankee Clipper Diner
397 Main Street Beacon New York
http://www.beaconyankeeclipperdiner.com
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