Pleasantville’s Little Goat Diner Serves Flavor, Family, and Familiar Comforts
Photo by Dave Garner
BY DAVE GARNER | For AC JosepH Media
If you’ve driven down Delilah Road in Pleasantville, chances are you’ve passed it without noticing—the small white building tucked along the roadside, with a name that raises both a smile and a question: The Little Goat Diner. But for those who’ve stepped inside, this modest spot has become a community anchor, serving hearty breakfasts, satisfying lunches, and a big helping of homestyle hospitality.
Owned by Nick and Kelly Basdekis, the diner opened in 2021, though the building itself has fed locals since the 1960s. Longtime residents remember it as Nunzio’s Spaghetti House, later Ziko’s, and eventually J.J.’s Diner, before Nick and Kelly brought it back to life with a name rooted in both family and wordplay. “Nick always called his two little boys and two little dogs his little goats,” recalled Michelle, the diner’s manager. “And of course, goats are also kids. Add in that GOAT stands for Greatest of All Time, and the name just stuck.”
Nick isn’t new to the business. His family runs The Sunryser in Absecon and J.J.’s in Egg Harbor Township, so diners are in his blood. “What makes this place unique,” explained Michelle, “is that nothing sits in the back waiting to be reheated. Everything is made to order, fresh. Nick really cares about quality.”
Step inside and you’ll notice walls filled with whimsical goat pictures—an affectionate nod to the name and family origins. The space is cozy, with just twelve tables and a counter, but the size is part of the charm. Regulars swap greetings with Michelle and her team, who know them by name. For newcomers, there’s an immediate sense of ease, like being welcomed into a neighbor’s kitchen.
The menu may be compact, but it packs plenty of flavor. Breakfast and lunch specials rotate daily, yet several dishes have achieved near-legendary status. Regulars rave about the Chicken & Waffles, a plate that marries crispy fried chicken with fluffy waffles and syrup. For those with a sweet tooth, the Cranberry Swirl Pancakes—especially popular in the fall—offer a tart twist on a classic. And the Crab Dip appetizer is a creamy indulgence perfect for sharing.
For breakfast purists, “The Hungry Goat” is the signature challenge: three eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, hash browns or grits, and toast. One customer joked, “You won’t need lunch after that,” and he wasn’t wrong. At lunch, the Turkey Club stacks high and satisfying, while the Chicken Parm Sub is hearty enough to fuel even the hungriest construction worker, and the Delilah Special is sure to do proud that which is reminiscent of an old New York style deli classic. Onion rings come perfectly crisp, often subbed in for chips by those in the know.
On a recent visit, our team approached a family of first-time diners who were eager to share impressions. Eapren, visiting from Greece, ordered the green omelet with bacon and praised how everything arrived exactly as requested, down to the crispy hash browns. “They paid attention to detail,” he said, finishing every bite. His son, Daniel, enjoyed “the perfect balance between meat, cheese, and egg” in his sandwich, while his daughter, Stella, dove headfirst into whipped strawberries and pancakes, laughing about the inevitable sugar rush. “Big sugar rush,” she admitted with a grin.
Regulars echo those sentiments. “It’s smaller, so it feels like family,” said Michelle. “Even new customers say they feel at home here.” That warmth blends seamlessly with attentive service, where Michelle leads a small but dedicated staff that treats diners less like patrons and more like neighbors.
The Little Goat isn’t just a place to grab a plate—it’s part of Pleasantville’s fabric. Many locals remember dining here under its previous names, and some are still surprised to learn it’s the same building they’ve driven past for years. For those who venture in, it quickly becomes a staple. “We have a lot of regulars,” said Michelle. “We know when they’ve just come back from Florida, or we ask about their families. That’s what makes this place special.”
The Little Goat is open seven days a week, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekends. The diner is spotless, the staff quick with refills, and prices stay in line with other local spots. Parking is ample—always a blessing on Delilah Road—and the turnover is quick enough that even a full dining room doesn’t keep you waiting long.
In an age where many mom-and-pop spots are either disappearing or pricing themselves out of reach, The Little Goat manages to keep its identity intact. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s simply making that wheel turn smoothly, with enough flavor to keep things interesting.
Like the goats on its walls, this diner has a playful spirit. But beneath the whimsy is a serious dedication to food and family. From Nick’s roots in the diner world to Kelly’s steady presence behind the scenes, from Michelle’s guidance as manager to first-time customers already planning to return, the Little Goat proves that greatness can come in small packages.
So next time you’re cruising down Delilah Road, don’t just drive past. Pull in, grab a seat, and see for yourself why Pleasantville’s Little Goat is living up to its name—not just as a diner, but as one of the greatest of all time.
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