Almond Joy French Toast at Mike's Diner
Almond Joy french toast. Sure, it's photogenic-- but how does it taste.
You know how, when something sounds too good to be true, you almost don't even want to try it? You just know it probably is too good to be true. And really, why set yourself up for disappointment.
That's how I felt when I heard about the almond joy french toast at Mike's Diner on Carman Road in Schenectady.
I mean, French toast + candy couldn't possibly be as good as it sounds.
But I tried it anyway.
And wow, was I glad I did.
Imagine a stack of six half-slices of french toast generously layered with chocolate sauce and topped with a thick coconut sauce full of coconut flakes, a bit of whipped cream, and a shower of sliced almonds. That's what you get for your $6.25.
How did it taste?
It was wonderfully sweet. The coconut and chocolate flavors were well balanced and neither overpowered the taste of the french toast. It was, in a phrase, to die for. And it was well worth the drive from downtown Albany to Schenectady.


If candy french toast is not your thing, there are all kinds of other french toast options--like peanut butter and banana, peanut butter and jelly, and coconut cream. Sure there's a full menu with all of the things you'd expect to see at a diner, but french toast, waffles and pancakes seem to be the focus here.
Waffle selections ($7.25) include kiwi and cream, caramel pecan, or the "Dolly Parton" (two scoops of ice cream). Pancakes come in corn, pumpkin, oatmeal, buckwheat, or sweet potato ($6.50, short stack $5.50).


Mike's is bright and cozy; the place was completely full on a Tuesday lunch hour.
Don't come looking for breakfast for dinner. Mike's is open from 7am to 3pm. Oh, and be sure to swing by the ATM first -- it's cash only.


Find It
Mike s Diner

3767 Carman Road
Schenectady, NY 12303
Hours: Monday -Sunday
7am - 3pm
518-355-9868


Cash only.
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Comments
The map is incorrect. Mike's Diner is located at the intersection of Old State Road and Carman Road, about a mile from Western Avenue.
... said Rudy on Mar 11, 2009 at 11:27 AM | link
Oh my god, my teeth started to rot just READING about this French toast. And the PB&J option? Genius.
... said Siobhan on Mar 11, 2009 at 11:56 AM | link
WANT!!! WANT, WANT, WANT!!!
... said Kim on Mar 11, 2009 at 12:01 PM | link
It's in Guilderland, not Schenectady. It just has a Schenectady mailing address.
... said Max on Mar 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM | link
Sorry, folks--the American sweet tooth is appalling and adolescent. A side of Gummi Bears and a pitcher of Pepsi would round this out nicely.
... said chrisck on Mar 11, 2009 at 12:23 PM | link
chrisck: Nobody's forcing you to eat it. And there are plenty of "appalling" dishes in other cultures, as well--it's simply a question of picking your poison. For example, I doubt you can find authentic Cantonese baked scorpions on a stick around here. (Yes, it's a real dish, and no, not obscure in that part of the world.) I'm sure that most Westerners would rather have an "adolescent" Almond Joy French toast than a "grown-up" dead scorpion any day of the week, but that could just be my projection. *eye roll*
Enjoy your steamed vegetables and filtered water.
... said Kim on Mar 11, 2009 at 1:08 PM | link
Chrisck, now I'm curious. What satisfies the mature sweet tooth?
... said Amy on Mar 11, 2009 at 1:35 PM | link
Ohhh man, that looks good! This is just one of the many times I curse my allergies! If your body allows you such pleasure, please enjoy for me!
Yeah, %$#* YOU ALLERGIES!!!
... said KiMelodic on Mar 11, 2009 at 1:43 PM | link
@KiMelodic - I feel you on the allergies.
Most of the time I don't have sweet tooth - I have brine tooth. Give me lots of cured olives, sauerkraut and pickles and I'm a happy camper.
... said jess on Mar 11, 2009 at 1:52 PM | link
We've been going to Mike's for years. They have the BEST bearclaws. And cocoa French toast. Oy.
... said abby on Mar 11, 2009 at 2:03 PM | link
Now I can never have lunch there again because I will eat myself out of the good graces of St. Jude. He told me I had to work with him a little.
... said Katherine on Mar 12, 2009 at 12:10 PM | link
mike's diner is an awful place. bland bland bland bland bland bland blah blah blah no creativity whatsoever. i don't think of a place i would be less enthusiastic about eating breakfast - even in guilderland.
... said dave on Mar 12, 2009 at 2:58 PM | link
mcdonald's, perhaps?
... said michael on Mar 14, 2009 at 2:50 AM | link
nah i think mc'd is a better value - no joke.
... said dave on Mar 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM | link
Tried the Almond French Toast yesterday, a few of my teeth exploded it was so sweet. No, honestly, it was pretty good. My friend K had the pancakes, and I'm afraid they were average, definitely not as good as, say, Miss Albany or Cafe Madison. But fast service!
... said -S on Mar 16, 2009 at 2:20 PM | link
ya....and even cafe madison does not use the good blueberries. ive learned my lesson - im going to stick to making pancakes at home.
... said Kim D. on Mar 16, 2009 at 4:11 PM | link
Mike's Dinner is in Guilderland, not Schenectady and is about a 1/2 mile from the Guilderland Town hall just up Rt. 146 (Carman Rd.)
They have fantastic breakfast there. I like the waffles with 3 kinds of fruit.
... said Keith on Apr 16, 2009 at 5:29 PM | link
@Keith: it is weird that they have a Schenectady mailing address. My mother in law lives right down the road and she has the same deal.
... said Summer on Apr 16, 2009 at 11:23 PM | link
Mike's Diner now has an ATM and takes credit cards..
... said deb on Jan 31, 2011 at 11:31 AM | link