About Crazy Otto's Empire Diner
For more than 70 years, Crazy Otto's Empire Diner has been serving up breakfast, lunch, laughter, and enough coffee to keep the Mohawk Valley running. But the story really began in 1970 with a kid named Scott Tranter, an Easy-Bake Oven, and a father who probably never imagined that tiny plastic oven would launch a lifelong career in the restaurant business. Scott started "helping" at his aunt's restaurant as a kid, quickly discovering two things: he loved feeding people, and kitchens are a lot more fun than homework.
After attending Culinary Arts School in Quincy, Massachusetts, Scott became the weekend manager of a diner at just 16 years old — proving early on that sleep was optional and diner life was in his blood. In 1991, Scott and his wife Kim bought their first restaurant inn Southwern California where they built and operated a successful chain of diners for 17 years while raising five children and staying deeply involved in their community. Somewhere between the pancakes, long hours, and organized chaos of restaurant life, the Tranters became known for doing things a little bigger than most people.
In fact, "bigger" became something of a trademark. Scott and Kim, along with their incredible crews, broke the World Record Omelet twice in California before bringing the madness to Herkimer in 2010. Right out in front of the diner, they created the World's Largest Omelet Pool Table — a staggering 2,126.75 square feet of eggs, teamwork, and probably a few nervous chickens. The event earned recognition from Ripley's Believe It or Not! and proved once and for all that breakfast can, in fact, become a spectator sport.
Ironically, when the Tranters moved to Upstate New York in 2003, they swore they were done owning restaurants forever. That plan lasted about as long as a hot cup of coffee on a busy Sunday morning. Every time they drove through Herkimer, the historic Empire Diner seemed to be calling their names. Originally delivered in 1952, the diner had once been considered the most modern kitchen in all of Upstate New York. Scott and Kim couldn't ignore its history, its charm, or its potential. In 2007, they purchased the diner, gutted the kitchen from top to bottom, and began breathing new life into a local landmark.
When it came time to name the restaurant, the Tranters chose not to erase the past. Instead, they combined the old with the new, keeping the beloved "Empire Diner" name while adding the Crazy Otto's identity they had built over the years. And just like that, Crazy Otto's Empire Diner was born — a perfect blend of history, personality, and a little harmless insanity.
The diner has always been a true family operation. The Tranter children started working in the business at young ages, learning everything from washing dishes and bussing tables to managing the rush and taking care of customers. Like most family restaurants, there were plenty of life lessons served alongside the pancakes. Today, the next generation is beginning to step in and carry the tradition forward — ensuring that the spirit, hard work, and slightly crazy energy behind the diner will continue for years to come.
Over the years, the diner has received honors including Best Burger in New York State Region 4, New York State's Best Diner in 2017, and awards for Best Bacon, Best Pie Crust, Best Hollandaise, and Best Atmosphere and Business of the Year in 2019 from the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce. But the awards only tell part of the story. What matters most to the Tranter family is creating a place where everyone feels welcome — whether you're a regular who has "the usual" waiting for you or a first-time visitor wondering why there's a world-record omelet story hanging on the wall. Thanks for being part of our story. We're glad you're here.