Bites Nearby: The Starlite Diner and Lounge

Diners are to New Jersey as cheesesteaks are to Philadelphia.

So, this transplanted New Jersey resident was pleased as punch when he found the  , located at 233 Route 100 in Allentown, planted firmly in the territory of Upper Macungie Patch.

This establishment boasts what every similar one in the area seems to lack -- a menu with everything from breakfast to dinner available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and portion sizes that challenge the heartiest of appetites.

And, if quality and freshness of product are your benchmarks, the Starlite's got that downpat. Here's what we found on a recent visit:

The Dishes: Chicken Balsamico and Chicken Cordon Bleu.

What's On The Plate: Chicken Balsamico featured three pieces of boneless chicken in a balsamic vinegar sauce with spinach, peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. Chicken Cordon Bleu was served with ham and swiss cheese, sauteed in a garlic wine sauce.

How's It Taste: Any Starlite dinner entree includes an amazing soup and salad bar featuring three different soups and a huge variety of salad options and crusty homemade cut-it-yourself bread. One can easily make a meal from this alone and that menu option is available.

Cooking with balsamic vinegar can be tricky, as using too much can overpower the dish. However, the Chicken Balsamico's reduction was spot-on and flavored the dish perfectly. My lone fault of the dish was the presence of too many sun-dried tomatoes and not enough spinach. The dish was offered over pasta or rice, but I opted for french fries, which were dipped into the vinegar reduction -- bringing back memories of youthful summers spent on Jersey shore boardwalks.

My companion's Chicken Cordon Bleu was served open-faced over rice, rather than rolled up. The portion of ham and swiss was huge -- it was enough to make a separate sandwich. My companion noted that serving the meal in this fashion brought out all the components of all the dish's ingredients and flavors.

Eat This Because: It's hands-down the best diner food in the Lehigh Valley. Bar none. Take the word of this Jersey boy. A recent lunch visit prompts me to recommend the crab cake patty melt on marble rye bread, served with the soup of the day and fries. Desserts can be taken to-go, because quite frankly, you won't have room at meal's end.

The Tab: $30.

Etc.: The Starlite boasts a lounge to relax and have a drink and a room for private parties. Daily lunch and dinner specials are offered in addition to seniors and children's menus. Twenty mini-meals (I dare to anyone to call these "mini') are offered from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include soup, salad bar, entree and choice of pudding.