Diners Drive-Ins and Dives

Does anyone watch this show on the food network? It's become my favorite show.

For those not familiar, it's a show where the host, Guy Fieri, visits various classic "greasy spoon" spots, be they diners or drive-ins, in different parts of the country.

He's done shows on diners and drive-ins that may be well known for their burgers, breakfasts, seafood, chilli, steak sandwiches, sandwiches in general, pancakes, BBQ sandwiches, Ribs, chicken, etc.

I've never seen the show, but I enjoy the "folksy" feel of a diner. We have 2 minutes from my house that my daughter used to work at. It's the kind with the little jukebox on the table, and the desserts are just as popular as the main dishes. Of course, being in Baltimore seafood is the specialty. I love to go to a place and pay $10-$15.00 for a great home cooked meal.

Then you'll love this show. Check it out on TV when you get a chance.


DINERS DRIVE-INS and DIVES

I swear, I don't know how diners do it. We have a diner near us that has a Monday lobster special. You get a basket of bread, rolls and crackers, plus a tray of carrot sticks, olives and celery, as soon as you sit down. Then the dinner consists of soup, salad, a 1 1/4 lb. lobster, with potato and vegetables, coffee and either jello or pudding for dessert. And it's $13!!!

It does amaze me that diners can give you a great meal and you don't have to take out a second mortgage to do it. It's like going to the mom and pop shops. Why give you money to the big chains. I'd rather give it to a family run place that takes pride and love in their work.

I miss those kinds of diners. They use to have one by me called Johnny B. Goode's. The waitresses wore rollerskates, they had the juke boxes at each table along with the old fashioned soda bar with the grey countertops and red barstools. It was so much fun to go to, until it closed down of course.


I think NY has many more diners than out here though. I was at one but can't think of the name. I want to say Ruby's? I don't remember but it was nice.

TIS

You've all seen SC and I talk about Spumoni Gardens in Bklyn on these boards. Well there's a place a couple of blocks away, on Stillwell Avenue, called John's Deli. But it is not a jewish deli. It's really a hero shop.

In the summer there are lines out the door. They make everything from your average Ham and Cheese hero to Eggplant parm platters to your Italian Sausage and Peppers hero.

But the best hero that they make, probably the one that sells the most, is their home made Roast Beef with fresh Mozzarella. It's simply delicious.

You are making me hungry. And I might have a relaps and have some Spaghettio's.

TIS, they recently did an episode and one of the places that he went to was called THE FROSTED MUG DINER in Chicago.

It's the last Drive In Diner in Chicago with the Rollerskating waitresses.

They host a lot of Antique Car shows and are known for their Roast Beef, BBQ Beef and Italian Beef sandwiches.

How neat!! And wow!!!! Look at those cars.



TIS

He also did an episode where he went to RETRO Diners and one of them was a place called THE SOUTH SIDE SODA SHOP in Indiana.



How cool is that!?!?

Looks like they have a real soda fountain! I wonder if they make egg creams?

They have Green River at the South Side Diner! Looks like it's time for a road trip to Goshen, Indiana! Neither of the two large grocery chains in Chicago (Jewel or Dominick's) has Green River, though I remember seeing it at Dominick's in the last few years.

I've been to the Frosted Mug for their car cruise night. I had the beef...dry with sweet and hot. The night I was there, I watched a waitress, uncomfortable on roller skates, struggle the entire night to keep her balance. She never went down, but every time she hit the lot, you'd hear everyone say, "Here she comes!" Just waiting for her to take a tumble...

I think they also did a piece on the drive-in hot dog place near Milwaukee and Devon -- Superdawg -- when they did a hot dog themed show. I still prefer Gene & Jude's in River Grove for hot dogs. Walk in with a $5 dollar bill. Leave with a full tummy and change.

But the best place of all in the Chicago area was Skip's Drive-In on North Avenue in Melrose Park over by dere... Skip's is gone but it was the quintessential drive-in from the 1960's with the little intercom and carhops to bring your food. I believe at that time the property in that area was "unincoporated" -- it hadn't been annexed by any of the neighboring suburbs so it fell upon the township to provde essential services and the county for law enforcement...which was slow to respond. Someone had painted a starting line and a finish line, a quarter-mile apart, on North Avenue for street racing. And you could light it up pretty good since that stretch of road was bordered by forest preserves for almost a half mile on the westbound side of the street. Skip's was down the block from three other classic institutions, Kiddieland Amusement Park, Maywood Park race track (harness racing), and Polk Bros. Skip's closed in the late-'70's or early-'80's. Polk Bros. burned to the ground in 1986 earning the nickname "Smoke Bros." And Kiddieland, despite its popularity and success, may very well close in another year or two since the property owners have "other plans" for the real estate.

tony b.

tony b.

The Summit Diner in my former hometown, Summit, NJ, is one of the most photographed diners in America--an original O'Mahoney from 1938. You can see it here:

http://search.cityguide.aol.com/northjersey/restaurants/summit-diner/v-110470922

I think that's so awesome. I love that retro look.

And this part of the write up makes the place sound even that much better :

"Summit Diner is famed for its breakfasts -- heaping towers of pancakes served with sausage and eggs. On Saturday mornings you'll have to wait outside for your turn at one of the eight booths or a seat at the counter"

Here is another Classic Diner. They recently relocated it from it's original spot.

A little bit of movie trivia here. Who here knows what movie this diner was used in?

Hint - Joe Pesci was one of the actors in the movie.

Diner??

Nope.


Hint - Joe Pesci was one of the actors in the movie.

"Easy money".

Speaking of Pesci, did you know he's engaged to Angie Everhart. WTF????????

Good eye Beth!

MIGGY,

You familiar with this Diner?

It was called the Lucky Diner in the film.

That's right TB!

It's the Diner that they try to get into because they have the munchies after smoking a joint.

Here in Baltimore that would be Little Tavern.

What movie is this one from?

Nope can't say that I am. Goombah might be though. I don't live in Cleveland.

Looks like the "Goodfellas" diner.

Give the man a

I was thinking Goodfella's but wasn't sure.

I don't need a cigar anyway.

Speaking of family run mom and pop places, when I was growing up we had neighborhood places called 'Luncheonettes' where you could go for a $1.99 full breakfast, lunch and dinner. They were store front 'mini' diners which were mostly known for their breakfast specials and fountain service.



I know that they were very common in the boroughs of New York City and wonder if other places outside of New York had these kinds of luncheonettes.

We had them in "Woolworths". I would want my mom to pick something up there just so we could sit at the counter and eat something. They've long since been gone too.

Yes, there was one on practically every block in my old Brooklyn neighborhoods.
The difference between a "luncheonette" and a "candy store" was that the former had a grille, and the latter didn't. Coca-Cola practically had an armlock on the business of both. Typically, Coke put two big, round signs over the corners of their windows. We kids used to throw Spaldeens against the signs, which would make a huge, gonging crash like the beginning of a J. Arthur Rank movie. It'd drive the proprietors wild. The soda dispensing machines looked like Evenrude outboard motors. Coke also supplied the luncheonettes with decorative cards that were hung up over the grill, showing the various dishes they'd serve: hamburger, Virginia ham sandwich, etc., each with a Coke logo and a blank circle to fill in the price. The local Mob guy supplied the jukebox.

That reminds me of the pharmacy young George worked at in "It's a wonderful life". That might be considered an ice cream shop instead of a candy store though.

I remember going to the one in my neighborhood when I was young to get the 5 cent pencils. They came in all variety of rainbow and swirling colors.

The pharmacy-as-ice-cream-parlor seemed to be a small-town item. In NYC, if memory serves, only the Rexall chain had a counter for sodas and ice cream.

Most drug stores had counters where you could get great shakes, ice cream, hot dogs, burgers, a few kinds of sandwiches, and my favorite, Coke made with syrup and carbonated water. I would always ask for extra syrup!

My dad was a pharmacist (we used to call them druggists) in the Bronx, and he worked in a Rexall store until the late 1960s. He started there as a soda jerk while he went to college, so he made the best egg creams!

On the other corner of his block, there was Sal's Lucheonette, where he ate lunch almost every day.

Yes, I remember we also had these diners in a major department store downtown. Their shakes/malts always tasted good. One time my brother, at about 12/13 or so was having a soda or sundae or something of the sort at the counter. They were either fixing or putting in a new whipped cream dispenser/handle or whatever. They were testing it, and kept asking him if they could put more whipped cream on his soda. Ha ha...he says "heck ya." He loved it. To this day we still tease him about it.

TIS

Mob guys supplying jukeboxes? I find that very hard to believe!


"We were supplying jukeboxes to the local candy stores -- when you were a baby -- the trucks, owned by your father."

Over in the GENERAL DISCUSSION Thread TIS started a topic and posted a link to a website that has all different kinds of links to various oldies sites, 50's cars, music, etc. And one of the links is to the American Diner Museum. So I thougt that I would provide a link to that Diner Museum site in this topic.

AMERICAN DINER MUSEUM

LUNCH COUNTER PHOTO

Thaat's a classic.

Klyd, or anyone else for that matter, if you're up tonight at 10:00 PM check out the Food Network's Episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Tonight he's going to some burger places that include burgers made from fresh-ground steak available in 16 varieties at a place in San Fran; stuffed burgers and vinegar-blanched hand-cut fries that are a signature dish of a place in Minnesota ; and 10-to-the-pound sliders, topped with almost anything, from a place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is also known for their legendary fried onion rings.

Those lunch counters bring back great memories. While the one I used to go to wasn't that large, I can still see the red swivel chairs and the jukebox in the corner and the big coca cola sign. It makes me feel like wearing a skirt and bobby socks.

I saw the last 20 minutes of the show... those burgers in San Francisco looked awesome (as did the onion rings in Michigan).

They weren't playing "Don't stop believing" were they?

No, but now they're showing a bar-b-que show.... I REALLY better turn this off. I'm getting hungry.

Damn... that Chicago place looks good.

Anyone from the area ever try Smoques??

I too watched the diner show. Looked goodand I'll tune in again.

Didn't they look fantastic? My goodness!



Next Episode : January 25th 9:00PM

Open 24/7
Guy Fieri goes 'round the clock at some great joints with great food at any hour of the day: The San Diego diner where they're flying fresh seafood in from New England; the 68-year-old Chicago institution where 3 a.m. means veal parmesan and short rib dinners; and the Philadelphia diner that's still doing scrapple and creamed chipped beef.


Then at 9:30 -

Local Flavor
Guy Fieri hits the road to find some of the best local favorites in the country: Off the hook chili from a secret family recipe at an 85-year-old Seattle joint; Crab cioppino and artichoke soup at a more than 100-year-old California bar-turned-restaurant, with a produce garden of its own; and an Oklahoma joint on Rt. 66 that serves some of the most bizarre local favorites you've ever seen.

Blibble, are you familiar with this place by any chance?

Some Diners Drive-Ins and Dives You Tube Videos

SMOQUES IN CHICAGO BBQ


GOSHEN INDIANA SOUTH SIDE SODA SHOP


BREAKFASTS



MIKE'S CHILI PARLOR SEATTLE


SEASIDE EATS

I just had an "accident" watching that one again.

That looks SOOOOO good!!

Those do look awesome. I wonder if they ship them via Fed Ex.

Attention Geoff!!! Attention Geoff!!!

On January 28th Diners Drive-Ins and Dives be airing a show called The New Jersey Diner Tour where he'll be taking a New Jersey diner-intensive road trip.

In the show he checks out what's called a cyclops pancake with a fried egg in the middle at Mustache Bill's Diner on Long Beach Island; homemade hash at the Hightstown Diner; legendary burgers at White Manna in Hackensack; homemade moussaka at Jefferson Diner in Lake Hopatcong; scratch-made pie at Ritz Diner in Livingston; and nightcaps with an Orange Martini made with Tang at the Skylark Diner in Edison.


If you're interested :

AIR TIMES:
January 28, 2008 10:00 PM ET/PT
January 29, 2008 1:00 AM ET/PT

I cought the last 15 minutes of this show last night. It actualy kept my attention. I'll watch it again.

Pizza or SB -

Either of you ever been to or hear of this place? It was featured on an episode of this show and got rave reviews.


MO GRIDDER'S located on
Hunt's Point Ave. in the Bronx?

That is one piss-poor hellhole of a neighborhood. You wouldn't want to take your family there. You and me, on the other hand, is a different story.

The location is Hunt's point. I take it it's not beaver they're hunging.

You REALLY wanna be a New Yawker.... two points for knowing that its the "Point". (How'd you know that, and know the area's reputation??)

Actually there's a lot of "beaver" for sale up in Hunt's Point The Bronx. Don't you have HBO?

No I don't. In this case does HBO stand for "Ho's back on"?

Don't be patting me on the back. (Well, you can, just not for this). It said Hunt's point ave on Cardi's post.

Close Beth.

They actually have a show on late at night about hookers and one of the episodes was about Hookers of Hunts Point The Bronx.

I read that fast and saw "Don't be putting me on my back... well you can just for this"...

I used to love getting fares up there in the summertime when I was driving the cab. You'd see some naked bimbos strolling the streets looking for a quick buck.

I like what you said better.

Me too!

So who's the Diner and who's the Drive-In out of you two.

I prefer all you can eat.

It's getting slightly warm in here.

Anyone see last's night's episode, with the Slider Burgers from White Manna in Hackensack? They looked great!

How many points are they?

Last night they replayed the episode that included his trip to MO GRIDDER'S located on
Hunt's Point Ave. in the Bronx.





Let me tell you something; their ribs look awesome.

I bet they taste awesome to.

American Cookin' February 11, 2008 10:00 PM ET/PT

Guy Fieri checks out some longtime joints at the heart of their communities. Rosie's Diner, Russian River Pub and Al's Breakfast.


Family Owned February 11, 2008 10:30 PM ET/PT

Guy Fieri visits a Mexican restaurant and tortilla factory in San Diego where father and daughter work side-by-side. Next, a real-deal diner in Massachusetts, where father and son have been cranking out classic plates together for 20 years, then a legendary Chicago burger joint where folks are lining up for the char-burgers a couple of brothers are cranking out along with three-layer fries. El Indio, Charlie's Diner and Paradise Pup.

Anyone happen to catch the FAMILY OWNED Episode?

I'll tell you, that Paradise Pup place in Chicago looks fantastic. The cheddar burgers as well as their hot dogs, fries and their sausage sandwich, all look delicious!

For ANYONE here who loves breakfast, you have to check out this new show. I caught it last night.

Big Breakfast
Guy Fieri searches out some of America's greatest breakfasts: The New Jersey Diner with more than 30 kinds of pancakes; the Kansas City joint with outrageous homemade hash and 60 sixty different omelets; and the tiny spot in Phoenix where the owner makes waffles from scratch.

AIR TIMES:
March 10, 2008 10:00 PM ET/PT
March 11, 2008 1:00 AM ET/PT
March 16, 2008 4:00 PM ET/PT
March 16, 2008 11:30 PM ET/PT
March 17, 2008 2:30 AM ET/PT
March 30, 2008 4:30 PM ET/PT
April 04, 2008 12:00 PM ET/PT

While I was at Daytona Beach this past week I found the Starlite Diner. I'll post a pic when I get my film developed. But anyhoo that place was great. Very friendly and the food portions were huge. I'm going back to Daytona in July for vacation. I can't wait to eat there again.

I can't find a website for it. but here's the address
Starlite Diner
401 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL

Did you check out the racetrack while you were there, Mig? Mr. Babe has always wanted to go to the 500.

No I didn't but we are going to when we go back in July for vacation. I love Daytona Beach.

April 25, 2008 12:00 PM ET/PT
May 16, 2008 8:30 PM ET/PT
May 17, 2008 3:30 AM ET/PT


Neighborhood Joints
Guy Fieri searches out some neighborhood favs including the St. Louis tavern cranking out authentic international dishes like home made German spaetzle; the Virginia café where calzones are a taste of New York; BBQ at what looks like a New Jersey diner, in Arizona; and the Philadelphia area diner that's so local the regulars have their own coffee cups to help wash down the scrapple.

I found this Diner the other day. It's called Steel Trolley Diner in Lisbon, Ohio. I ordered a grilled chicken salad. It was good but they piled french fries on top of it.

Last week we took a ride down to Longbranch Beach, Pier Village, and had a late Lunch / Early Dinner at Stewart's. The cheesesteaks are delicious as are their fries with cheese.

Never had a Stewart's cheesesteak, actually, and they've been in town all my life. Don't go that often (once a year or three?), but their root beer is THE BEST! And don't let that bottled shit fool you - the real deal is the real deal, on tap! I admire the drive-in theme still alive in 2008, but it's still just drive-up diner food in the end. (The root beer rocks, though! )

I will go try the cheese steak, tho

Now you're speaking my language.

I'd love that with a nice cold cream soda.

Exactly what I had with my Cheese Steak and fries.....a nice ice cold fountain Cream Soda.




And your point being? Mr. Hotpockets?

You're not supposed to call him that on the board. That's a private nickname.

And we won't say who gave him that nickname.

Hence the term, Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives... duhhhhhhh!

Good one JR!!

Last week Guy Fieri went to thie place in Connecticut called THE SUPER DUPER WEENIE . They have some really wild Hot Dogs with some outrageously interesting toppings!


This guy started out with a truck and eventually wound up opening a restaurant.

Sorry if this has been discussed already, I haven't been following this thread. But I watched a lot of this show the last couple of weeks and noticed that it seems like every other show, roughly, features a pizza place with an unusual pizza. Now I forget which episode or two it was but I remember seeing one where they put slices of tender roast beef on a pizza. Another one cracked raw eggs onto the pizza before cooking. Both pizza's looked really good once finished! I have seen a bunch of others but those are the two that stand out to me, recently.

My question is, why don't more pizza joints experiment with unusual toppings like this? Especially the chain restaurants? It seems like if Domino's, Round Table, Pizza Hut, etc... did these exotic pizza's it would draw in all kinds of new business.

I would presume that introducing a new item on menu is a big deal for the chain restaurants. It has to be made available in all locations at the same quality. If egg topping is to be introduced, they need to deal with supply chain issues, like finding a supplier of huge number of eggs of the same type and quality and transporting to all their chain stores in the country and also meet food safety standards and do all this reliably all seasons of the year, year after year. I think this would be a big investment and worth only if they are sure that there is a definite market for egg topping.
The Pizzeria operating on the XXth/rd street doesn't have this limitation and hence can try out more fancy stuff

Speaking of pizza...did anyone see the show today called "Extreme Pigouts" on The Travel Channel? They featured the world's biggest deliverable pizza. It was from a place in California called "Big Mama's and Papa's Pizza". It is 54" squared, takes 20 lbs. of dough, 12 lbs. of mozzarella, 1.5 gallons of sauce. This will be delivered to your garage, front yard or backyard by a flatbed truck, 4 brawny delivery guys and an 80lb. custom made delivery box - that runs you about $200. Extra cheese is $20 and any additional topping is $15 a piece. Oh yeah, you gotta call 24 hours in advance!

Tops Diner in East Newark is great.

ds

Blib, when I was in the service I was stationed on the Island of Sardinia in Italy. There was a sweet old Italian guy who ran a pizzeria that cooked his pies in a small stoned "grotto" oven. One of his "secrets" he shared with us Americans was the egg thing. He told us that years ago he would crack an egg open in the center of the pizza prior to baking and when the egg was fully cooked he knew the pie was ready to come out of the grotto to be served. Well, this caught the attention of customers and they eventually liked the idea and requested that he start leaving the medium fried egg on their pizza. This lead to one of his most popular pizzas - tuna, artichoke and eggs. The other 2 secrets he told me will be saved and used some day when I open MY pizzeria!

"That is a true story, Kay."