Corned beef hash is the most popular dish at the Mineola Diner. This old-time diner is what’s known as a Mountain View Diner, named for the company in Singac, New Jersey, that manufactured them from 1939 to 1957. This one originated in 1948 and for the last three years has been owned and operated by Tom and Mary Pagonia.
The Dish: Corned Beef Hash.
What’s Inside: The plate is filled with corned beef, home fried potatoes and eggs to order.
How’s It Taste: The corned beef has just the right amount of spices and salt. Tom, who is the cook, says one of his secret ingredients is garlic, which adds flavor without additional salt. He cooks the beef for three hours. When it arrives on the plate it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Every week the diner goes through about 30 pounds of corned beef. The fries are freshly made from Idaho potatoes to which Tom adds five spices, also secret.
Sides: With corned beef, potatoes and eggs, all you need is some toast and coffee.
