I always believe in doing the best for my customers,” says Elmer Palma, owner of Elmer’s Diner on Padanaram Road in Danbury. “I think that is where everything starts. Customers trust me.”

A man who exudes the utmost sincerity, you can see that he is a man of his word as he greets each and every customer with a smile and a handshake or even a hug.

“When someone has trust in you, you don’t disappoint them,” he says.

Open about a year and a half, Palma says the restaurant is now the place he’s wanted it to be. With excellent food, service, cleanliness and affordable prices, he has exacting standards.

Palma says he is always thinking of new ways to say “thank you” to his customers. And unlike other restaurants who change prices, often within the first six months of opening, he says his have remained the same.

“I put myself in my customer’s shoes,” he says. “When people come (through) the door, they become part of the family. I have a responsibility to watch after that…to make everyone happy.”

Palma also has begun placing coupons in mailings as another way to show his appreciation as well as discounts for senior citizens and Early Bird Specials. And because parking is somewhat limited, he has free valet parking available Thursday through Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Cars are parked in the State Farm Insurance lot across the street. For customers who choose to park there themselves, they’ll also receive 10% off their checks.

Palma says he doesn’t want customers to tire of his menu offerings either. He is always adding new items from weekly specials to daily board specials. Upwards of 10 to 12 board items are served with soup or salad; bread and butter; rice or choice of potato; and dessert.

“I am the kind of person who likes to be creative,” Palma explains. “I get hungry – I’ll go in the kitchen with some olive oil and a fry pan and start doing things. Then the chef and I get together and come up with ideas.”

Additionally, Palma has “Ethnic Nights” which began about six months ago. Tuesday is Spanish night, Wednesday is Italian night and Friday is Greek night. With roughly eight to 10 specials in each category, they rotate every few weeks.

Tuesdays you may find Spanish paella or Guatemalan-style scrod; Wednesdays you can come for Sicilian chicken or Mediterranean Mahi-mahi. And while there are many Greek dishes on the regular menu, a Thursday night specialty might be Shrimp Mykonos with a touch of Kourtaki wine.

Palma offers great variety on his menu including a number of healthy choices, vegetarian items, seafood, Tex-mex, pasta, Greek, American, and an extensive children’s menu which also has specifically healthy dishes. “It’s a little bit of everything,” he says.

Elmer’s will gladly make any alterations or substitutions depending upon a customer’s needs, whether it is taste, diet or allergies. He says he even has a customer who brings in his own pasta, which is cooked and prepared with the restaurant’s own accompaniments.

With over 18 years in the restaurant business, Palma was formerly part-owner of Dimitri’s Diner in Ridgefield. Today he lives in Danbury with his wife of 5 years, Deysy, and their two children—a daughter, 3, and a son, 3 months. He chose the diner’s location across from the North Street shopping center because he felt he could fill a niche there. Customers have happily responded.

“I’ve driven by and seen no place for families to go for fresh-made food,” Palma explains. “I stopped and asked people what they’d think about a diner here. Everyone was very excited.”

Elmer’s is open 24 hours a day and every day of the year, including holidays. Food is prepared to order and all items are available at any time. The extensive dessert offerings are made in-house. They have an extensive assortment of imported and domestic beer in addition to their wines from Greece, Italy, Australia, Chile and California.

Elmer’s seats about 85 and has an area which can accommodate larger parties – up to 45 or 50. Palma is currently working on a catering menu, but at present can prepare anything in large volume for take-out.

“I appreciate everyone who comes into this place,” Palma says. “Whatever I can do for the community, I am there.”

Elmer’s Diner is located at 22 Padanaram Road, Danbury. For menu, directions or more information, call (203) 731-2259; visit them at elmersdiner.com; or send e-mail to info@elmersdiner.com.