Second chance diner in Camillus, NY serves more than your ordinary diner food. "There is hope," said Eddie DePalma, a recovering addict who is showing that hard work, acceptance and family can change a person's life. Today, he said, "I'm three years' clean." As of Nov. 1, he's the owner of Camillus's newest diner.
DePalma said he got the idea for the diner after driving by the spot at 103 Bennett Road and seeing it was available. (It's the former home to Mo's Pit BBQ.)
He rushed down to look at the space, still not sure what he might do with it. At the time, he was a barber, and he was looking to try something new. He said the name - Second Chance Diner - came to him in a dream.
He's put a mix of traditional diner food with some state fair influences into the menu. Breakfast includes a breakfast Philly - a Philly cheese steak topped with eggs. There's also a wafflewich and cinnamon-bun sandwich: the sweet carbs serve as bread around eggs, meat and cheese. Customers can get Trix (or other cereals) mixed into their pancakes.
Lunch offers seven different burgers, including one surrounded by donuts. Other sandwiches and salads are available. Desserts include milkshakes or deep-fried candy bars or Oreos.
The diner is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. six days a week; it's closed on Mondays. The dining room seats 45.
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