Diners are an icon of American culture. The Viewmont Diner that sits on the Scranton-Carbondale Highway is no exception to what folks have come to expect from the comfy eateries: hot food, served fast, at affordable prices.

What sets this diner apart from the rest, however, is everything else you find on its extensive menu. Nestled among the meatloaf, cheeseburger and fried-food platters, one can also find authentic Greek gyros with homemade tzatziki sauce, vegetarian spinach pie and moussaka with Greek salads, and hot pita sandwiches with a variety of fillings.

The Greek influence on the menu comes directly from owner Dimitri Zaharopoulos' repertoire of family recipes, as well as dishes he learned to cook while attending culinary school and working in restaurants in his native Athens.

Include heritage

Mr. Zaharopoulos, together with chef Yanni Polihroniou, have infused the diner's list of offerings with their heritage, but also incorporate Italian dinner classics, fresh seafood options and, occasionally, even Chinese choices amid the All-American staples.

Mr. Zaharopoulos, who also owns Bucktown Diner in Dunmore and the Greenwood Family Restaurant in Moosic, opened the Viewmont Diner in 2005, years after emigrating to the United States. After years of working in the food industry, Mr. Zaharopoulos has learned how to cater to the tastes of his American clientele, while gently nudging them into trying more ethnic dishes.

Viewmont Diner is open 24 hours a day, and everything on the menu is made to order. The eggs are farm-fresh, the bread is delivered from New York City every day, and everything, from sauces to gravy, is made from scratch. The diner prepares two homemade soups daily, and up to a dozen different desserts, including cakes, pies, muffins and cheesecakes.

"My specialty, really, is desserts," said Mr. Zaharopoulos, who estimates he goes through 26 entire cheesecakes in a week. With options such as strawberry, Oreo cookie, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, it's not surprising. But the star of the dessert case is the King Cheesecake. With layers of regular cheesecake, fresh strawberries, chocolate mousse and a chocolate coating, it's nothing short of decadent bliss.

Low prices, high quality

While Mr. Zaharopoulos and his wife, Daphne, said they see customers from "all walks of life" come into their restaurant, a majority of their business comes from senior citizens and other people on fixed incomes.

"We cater to them and try to keep the prices low but the quality high," Mrs. Zaharopoulos said. "They're the crust of our business ... even though it's a high traffic area with all the shopping around us. We're kind of like the hub."

The couple credits their all-encompassing menu, which "has a little bit of everything," plus a a dedicated wait staff, with creating the comfortable atmosphere customers have come to appreciate and visit over and over again.

"You can laugh and you can feel like home," Mr. Zaharopoulos said.

Contact the writer: pwilding@timesshamrock.comViewmont Diner

Address: 448 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Dickson City

Phone: 558-1771

Owner: Dimitri Zaharopoulos

Established: 2005

Cuisine: American diner classics, plus specialty Greek and Italian menus

Hours: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Prices: Breakfasts start at 99 cents; entrees range up to $13