Oatmeal, 21 ways at Empress Diner in East Meadow

A good bowl of oatmeal can make your morning. And it doesn’t have to be a winter morning, as I found out on a recent visit to the Empress Diner in East Meadow, which now has a roster of 21 oatmeal varieties.

“We’re trying to promote healthy eating,” said co-owner Mike Panagatos, who added that the jumbo bowl of cereal is also available in a smaller size. You just have to know to ask.

I didn’t know, so I ended up with more than I could handle at one sitting. Still, what I had was very good. Despite the long list of options, the same creamy oatmeal (Quaker oats cooked with whole milk) forms the basis of every variation.  I had mine with strawberries, bananas and blueberries ($6.25) and liked the way the fresh fruit played against the creamy, clean-tasting cereal. Two other options: cranberry apple walnut oatmeal ($6.25) and The Elvis, with bananas, peanut butter chips and cinnamon ($5.75). No question, The King could have certainly handled a big bowlful. And, unlike me, he wouldn’t have left with a doggy bag.

Empress Diner is at 2490 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow, 516-796-0858, empressdinerli.com