What can I say about Gus's Diner.
I moved into the area a few months ago, and after a day of wandering around, taking in the sights, and familiarizing myself with my new home, I noticed Gus's. As it was already 9pm, I decided to visit the next morning for breakfast. And again the next day. To the point where breakfast/brunch was all but a forgone conclusion.
Since that day, my roommates, friends, and visiting family members have all been introduced to my new home through this lovely diner.
The food is simply fantastic. In my first visit, I tried the Breakfast Skillet ( freshly-baked biscuits, two eggs, sausage or bacon, and hash browns all smothered in sausage gravy thats better than my grandmother's), which has since become my suggestion for anyone's first time.
I have since had nearly everything on the breakfast menu, and a wide assortment of choices from the lunch menu as well (added on around noon with breakfast still available all day).
Atmosphere-wise, it is the epitome of a classic American diner. While it does get extremely busy, I've never found myself wondering where my food or server is. The most important element for me, especially in a diner atmosphere, is the friendliness.
We were greeted the first day as though we were family, and have only been treated better since. Most of the wait staff at this point recognize us instantly, and we're always welcomed and asked about things going on in our lives. It is more than a place to eat, its a place that feels like your place. It is literally the place where "everybody knows your name."
Excellent food, excellent service, and make sure you get in early to try the homemade grits, which are so good they tend to run out of them by 10:30 or so.