It started out innocently. We wanted to go to a country diner. One of us (neither claims credit) suggested we 
drive out Highway 248. We’d stop at the first diner we came to west of Bath. Ten minutes went by. Good conversation. Fifteen minutes. We passed a pizza restaurant; doubtful it served eggs and bacon so we kept driving. Twenty minutes. Lots of trees and fields but we didn’t really feel like hunting for our breakfast. Twenty-two minutes. We drove by signs for towns we’d never heard of. At twenty-six minutes, his stomach began to growl. Mine had been grumbling for the past few miles. That’s when we decided to exit at the next town to seek out a diner, whether it was on 248 or not. And that is how we found Beacon 443 Diner/Restaurant in Lehighton.
We walked in through the side door at the end. 
A waitress offered us our choice of seats in the half-filled diner. We chose a window booth. She gave us menus to look through while she brought our coffee. I’ve noticed there are two types of diner menus: 1) large, heavily laminated, colorful menus that seem to have been printed by the same printer, and 2) those that are unique, more homegrown. Generally, though not always, the more personalized menus have better food. Beacon’s menu was of the homegrown type, a good sign. The front cover noted that they’d been in business since 1941. As our visit progressed we saw their secret for such longevity.
A friendly waitress took our order. As we sipped at our coffee, quite good, we talked and looked around. The Beacon sports a casual charm. 
It’s obviously been tastefully redecorated through the years. Given their easy chatter with the staff, many of the customers seemed to be regulars who enjoy the friendliness and warm atmosphere.
Soon our food arrived. M. had ordered eggs benedict with hash browns, rather than homefries. The order was well-prepared with the poached eggs perfectly cooked, and hot. The hash brown pattie was golden brown. I’d ordered a Belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. The menu had also offered the waffle with creamed chipped beef, but strawberries held far more appeal. My meal was exceptionally tasty, not too sweet. The whipped cream was smooth and light – real cream.
Our attentive waitress kept our coffee cups filled. Great food, great service in a comfortable diner.
Our total bill came to about $14 (plus tip) for Eggs Benedict, hash browns, a Belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream, and two coffees.
The Beacon 443 Diner/Restaurant is located at 35 Blakeslee Blvd. E. (Highway 443) in Lehighton, PA. (610) 377-1782. If you’re ever driving west on 248 from Bath, continue on to Lehighton and stop in for a delicious, home-cooked diner meal. You’ll enjoy it! (And if you happen to spot another diner along 248 between the two towns, you will let us know, won’t you? Just click “comments” at the top.)
Sara
8 comments
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January 23, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Sara
Thank you so much for your comments, Jen. I do find that over time restaurants change. Sometimes its minor – new dishes or some fresh paint. Sometimes it is more substantial remodeling. The skill of the cook/chef is and the attitude of the waitstaff makes a big difference too. Beacon is an older restaurant, although it’s obviously been updated in bits and pieces through the years.
I try to be as honest as I can in my reviews. Service, food quality and atmosphere are all critical. If we had the same experiences you did with a “slightly dusty flavor of long unused dishware” (btw, that’s a GREAT description!), and/or “bad” tasting food and drinks I would have written that in my review. May have even walked out after telling the manager – in a friendly, helpful way of course.
Our experience at the Beacon was a good one. Yes the restaurant/diner is older, but there is a charm about the place and the service and food we received were good. M is particularly picky about his Eggs Benedict and he liked the ones at the Beacon. Even the hash browns, although pre-packaged, were nicely browned and crisp. My waffle was sensational.
I hope you give it another try. Please email if you have any suggestions for us to visit. Thanks again!
January 22, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Jen
I am *incredibly* surprised that this place did so well by you. My boyfriend and I brunched there a couple years back, and everything had that slight dusty flavor of long-unused dishware. My poached eggs tasted bad. His I-don’t-remember tasted bad. The soda tasted bad. The water, well.. That tasted bad, too. If they’ve improved, that’s a good thing
August 5, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Sara
Steve, a belated thank you for the suggestion we try Bert’s in Palmerton. As you’ve probably seen, we visited there last August. Not only enjoyed a great breakfast, but also had a wonderful day of strolling and shopping. Never been to Palmerton but we are looking forward to returning.
May 15, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Steve
You must must must MUSt have Bert’s pancakes.
May 14, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Sara
Thanks! Do you have any favorites?
May 14, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Steve
Also, if you go just a short bit from the Beacon, you’ll find the Boulevard as well
May 14, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Sara
Thank you, Steve! Don’t know how we missed the Bowmanstown Diner on 248. We almost turned off at Palmerton. I’ll add both places to our list. Thanks again!
May 14, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Steve
Before you got to the end of 248 you should have passed the Bowmanstown Diner on the right. And right off of 248 is a town called Palmerton, and they have a place called Bert’s.