It's Friday, and people have been cranky all week. (Ok, I've been cranky all week, and I just assume everybody else has been as well). We need to lighten the mood.
I would like to take a moment to discuss that most American of institutions, the humble American Diner. I can think of no other place where more Americans come together, bond as a community, interact with our neighbors and travelers, discuss the weighty issues of the day, and shovel in massive quantities of comfort food, than the Diner. It is a hub of social activity, and can be an engine for economic growth. It is the quinteissential American small business.
Ok, what does this have to do with the body politic, and why is it in this forum? I thought of that. I will coalate our data here, and put it in a whitepaper to my Senator, asking him to declare some day by Senate Proclamation the "Great American Diner Day".
To this end, please feel free to nominate the greatest diners/roadhouses you have ever eaten in, with an emphasis on their specialties. National chains don't count, as we're looking for regional flavor.
I shall begin.
Schmucker's Diner in Toledo, Ohio. If God ate meatloaf (and I'm not convinced he doesn't) he would eat their meatloaf. Pies that would make an angel weep with joy, and abandon the heavenly host forever. Looks like it was perfectly preserved in 1952: tiling and stainless steel as far as the eye can see. And a bakery display case larger than the entire state of Delaware.
We are spending 5 days in Philadelphia this summer for vacation, and we went to the "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" website to find some good eating places. I can't remember the name of the place we're going to as I sit here typing at work, but it looks outstanding.
As far as places I've been, I'm sad to say that nothing really stands out. My wife and I are suckers for chain places.
Since you brought up Toledo, I have eaten at Tony Paco's. Loved it, but I don't think that really counts as a diner.
Boysda, you shouldn't leave all the chains out. Some are pretty good. We have a Sam's Hofbrau out here that serves awesome prime rib sandwiches. It's a small chain with less than 10 restaurants in the Sacramento area.
I'll add to the political connection of this post by saying congressmen and senators should spend more time in diners and listen to their constituents.
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Boysda, you shouldn't leave all the chains out. Some are pretty good. We have a Sam's Hofbrau out here that serves awesome prime rib sandwiches. It's a small chain with less than 10 restaurants in the Sacramento area.
hey now, i'm only eliminating national chains. regionals are fine by me.
Quote:
I'll add to the political connection of this post by saying congressmen and senators should spend more time in diners and listen to their constituents.
They have to eat somewhere--they couldn't keep their own cafeteria functional.
Way too many good places to eat in the South to name just one or two. Most aren't fancy at all, but the food is excellent. Joints where you throw your peanut hulls on the floor and they throw rolls at the patrons (when they ask for one).
There are some that have a great reputation and I have no idea how. For instance, Corky's bbq in Memphis--just plain nasty. Real bbq will make better tasting feces than that junk.
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A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
We are spending 5 days in Philadelphia this summer for vacation, and we went to the "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" website to find some good eating places. I can't remember the name of the place we're going to as I sit here typing at work, but it looks outstanding.
As far as places I've been, I'm sad to say that nothing really stands out. My wife and I are suckers for chain places.
Since you brought up Toledo, I have eaten at Tony Paco's. Loved it, but I don't think that really counts as a diner.
If you're going to philly this summer, make sure you stop by Comcast's main HQ in downtown. The lobby is worth the trip. Plan on spending just under 30 mins there.
Boysda, benifit of my job, traveling and meeting great folks across the country. I don't have anyone favorite stop/place like a diner.
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Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
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If you're going to philly this summer, make sure you stop by Comcast's main HQ in downtown. The lobby is worth the trip. Plan on spending just under 30 mins there.
Boysda, benifit of my job, traveling and meeting great folks across the country. I don't have anyone favorite stop/place like a diner.
Philly? Pat's cheesesteaks in south philly on east passyunk. some misguided folks will tell you gino's. they would be wrong. and get it with wiz, or they're likely to kill you.
There are a number of places around here that serve really great food. There are also several riding along on a reputation earned when the grandparents started the place that's no longer deserved.
There are a bunch of those horrible Chinese buffet places, but the only good Chinese restaurant closed when the owners retired and we haven't found another one.
Some of the best food is at a few of the local bars. People from out of town would have no way of knowing. One of them serves a steak salad with rasberry vinaigrette dressing that is as good as you could get anywhere.
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I heard Jesus He drank wine and I bet we'd get along just fine.
Diners and Politics
