What is your favorite diner or "dive"?

[tim722]

This is for anyone that wants to boast about their favorite diner or "dive" eatery in their local area. Post something about the food, the atmosphere, the history. The place you post about should be locally owned, not a corporate chain.

For instance, one of the places we enjoy going in San Antonio is called Tip Top. It's been in business since 1938. They only take cash at the register, no checks or plastic. The food is basic, down-home, and outstanding. The cream pies have about two inches of merangue on the top, and are all made fresh. The cheeseburgers and onion rings are out of this world. It's one of those places where families have been going for generations. You see all ages there, from babies to grandparents. If you don't get there by 11:30 for lunch, plan on standing in line. They don't do anything fancy. They just serve up good food in a fun, relaxing atmosphere.

[AlbinoDragon]

There's a place here in Tucson called "Grill".

Dive-like, but not your typical greasy spoon kind of dive. I love it because it's open 24 hours, and is the only place here that I know of that is and isn't a chain.

They make a mean ruben and honest to goodness, hand scooped chocolate malts... extra malty if you want them that way.

Tucson Underground | Icons | The Grill

[EDIT] - A tidbit I forgot. They have great tater-tots, but insist in the one page of "rules" that they will not be served with cheese. I'm totally OK with this as I have not understood violating a perfectly good tot with crummy cheese sauce. I'm sure there are those who shudder at the thought of not being able to get cheese on their tots....

[cdnmoose]

Fabulous 50's Diner, hwy 24 Cambridge, ON
When you order a side of french fries or onion rings they come on a huge platter all by themselves. Service and kitchen is so awesome you can honestly be in and out within 20 minutes.

Best deal is the smoked meat sandwich because you can order a second one for FIFTY CENTS and it's been that price for the 10 years I've lived here. It is a huge sandwich too.

[jamby]

I'm a big fan of Jane and Michael Stern's Road Food and Good Food guides. They've long recommended Dottie's True Blue Cafe in San Francisco and I can vouch for the greatness that is Dottie's. Breakfast is my favorite and the Banana Butterscotch French Toast is utterly amazing. The lamb-rosemary sausage is one of the most unique tastes ever. Lunch is equally good though with memorable burgers. Alas, Dottie's is in the not so inviting Tenderloin District of SF, but it's worth the trek to the TL in my opinion.

[jdunford]

I usually don't eat burgers much, but...

Weber's.

After a long weekend (week?) of canoeing/camping in Algonquin park, there's nothing better than a double cheeseburger and poutine! (or onion rings, if you prefer) You might have to stand outside in line for 45 minutes on Labour Day, but it's totally worth it. Besides, the secondary school student summer employees are there to take your order while you're lined up, and hand you change for a $20 before you have a chance to think about it...

(OK, there MUST be some Ontarian CTers out there who'll side with me on this one...)

[Feen666]

Mikes Hockey Burgers

Located near downtown L.A.Just your basic hole in the wall burger joint.Their claim to fame is "the hockey burger- made out of old pucks".it's just your average cheeseburger topped off with 2 sliced hot dogs.Nom nom nom!!!

[trutan]

Gizzards anyone?!?!?! Joe's Gizzard City

[JHickle]

Originally Posted by trutan

Gizzards anyone?!?!?! Joe's Gizzard City

Planning on attending the Gizzard Fest? June 6-8th
I plan on making the trip up and playing the NLHE tournament on Sunday (after filling my belly with gizzards.....and beer).
Meeting up with Midnight Rose.

[JHickle]

In regards to favorite diner.........

"XXX" in West Lafayette, In (Triple X)
Great burgers and they make their own Root Beer.
They serve up a pretty mean breakfast also.

[Matthew]

Three come to mind in my travels

1. Rochester, NY - Nick Tahoe's - garbage plates
2. Schenectady, NY - The Hill Top Diner - great chilli and pie
3. Newtown, CT - The Blue Colony Diner - onion rings, meatloaf and pie.