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Anyone can make eggs, a wise co-worker said to me just the other day. “The secret to a good diner is the hash browns.”

She had to be talking about Sunny Side Up, a cute, classic diner on Manchester’s Main Street known for its solid breakfasts at cheap prices. And, apparently, for having really good hash browns.

Hence, part of the CTNow gang headed to Manchester to have breakfast for lunch. This diner, with its mauve booths, counter with wooden stools and understated décor, was quiet on a Monday afternoon. After ordering a couple of omelets (one breakfast party pooper ordered a sandwich), the moment of truth was upon us. Give us those hash browns.

They seemed unremarkable. I was expecting drama. I was picturing huge, chunky potatoes or even some kind of seasoning, but these looked almost demure.

It soon became clear that they were so simply perfect. These small cubes of potato were a flawless golden brown with crispy edges, yet still soft and steamy inside.

Sliced steak, cheese and peppers served with toast and hash browns. $8.75
Sliced steak, cheese and peppers served with toast and hash browns. $8.75

The Philly cheese steak omelet ($8.75), with its tender, sliced steak and peppers, was truly reminiscent of the gem of Philadelphia.

The vegetarian omelet ($8.75) was packed with broccoli, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes. Both had the perfect amount of gooey cheese. Both were served with those perfect (did we already say this?) little hash browns. Oh, and toast, of course.

We also ordered a single slice of French toast. Because of its small size and even smaller price ($1.50), this French toast was completely guilt-free and a sweet addition to a savory afternoon breakfast.

Basics like burgers and BLTs and a variety of club sandwiches — like the turkey club we tried ($7.75) — graced the lunch page, all served with fries.

So, what is the verdict? Sunny Side Up’s secret to being a good diner is sticking to simple, well-made classic diner dishes and totally nailing them.

Sunny Side Up,1095 Main St. in Manchester, is open Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m. to noon; and Sunday, 7 a.m. to noon. 860-649-4675 and sunnysideupmanchester.com.