Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

[HD MM]

If any of you have seen the show by the same title on Food Network, host Guy Fieri visits classic "greasy spoon" spots, from road side shacks to other places off the beaten path that are popular among the locals. Normally, these places are family owned and not chains.

Too often as travelers, we zip by the interstate and settle for lunch or dinner at a boring old chain alongside a truck stop. Us "foodies" know better. We strive for better food and service that is more reflective of the culture and food in a particular area.

With that said, I want this thread to be dedicated to reviews and experiences on the "lesser known" diners, drive-ins and dives (DDD for short) throughout America. As some of us travel this upcoming summer, we can use this thread to recommend some of those hidden gems off the beaten path.

 

[bhelms]

I-84 diner - near exit 12 on interstate 84 in Fishkill NY. Kinda like a truckstop, kinda like a throw-back family diner, with the neon signs and stainless-steel outside walls. Good home-style meals, lots for cheap, and a great bakery for eat-in or take away...

I-84 Diner - Fishkill, NY

 

[HD MM]

Looking for recommendations...

I'll be traveling from Cleveland, OH to the Outer Banks in North Carolina this year. I'm going to be driving through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

My rough itinerary on the 2 day trip:

Day 1

Breakfast- Cleveland, OH area
Lunch- Frederick, MD area
Dinner- Williamsburg, VA area

Day 2

Breakfast- Williamsburg, VA area
Lunch- Norfolk, VA area

Then, once I arrive at my destination of the Outer Banks, I'll be interested in hearing any recommendations for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the surrounding OBX areas..

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

If you ever go to Reno there is a dive hidden inside the "Little Nuggest Casino" way in the back of this casino is a diner

Go in there and order yourself an "Awful Awful" burger.

Awful Awful means "Awful big, Awful good!"

Its the best burger I have EVER had! And the home made french fires were just as good! In addition to a great burger and fries the price was dirt cheap as well around $5!

The diner is well know by Reno locals and is always packed.

I have often thought about going back to Reno just to have one of these burgers as it was that damn good!

 

[dantheman77]

I-84 diner - near exit 12 on interstate 84 in Fishkill NY. Kinda like a truckstop, kinda like a throw-back family diner, with the neon signs and stainless-steel outside walls. Good home-style meals, lots for cheap, and a great bakery for eat-in or take away...

I-84 Diner - Fishkill, NY

sea food place??

 

[bhelms]

sea food place??

More like a "see food" place...! (But I get the pun!) Even tho' the place is decorated with fish tanks all around, I wouldn't expect too much from the seafood, but everything is abundant and reasonably good, thus a great value and experience. I travel I-84 on business ocasionally and try to time the trip to hit that diner when I know I'll be hungry...!

 

[Ramy]

If you are ever around my area there is a place called Rosie's.

It is off I-64 exit 181 in KY. Then east of U.S. 60 for about 1 mile.

 

[navychop]

Doesn't look like you'll be eating in NC. Shame, there's a LOT of great BBQ places. Pigs die happy there!

 

[HD MM]

Doesn't look like you'll be eating in NC. Shame, there's a LOT of great BBQ places. Pigs die happy there!

Then, once I arrive at my destination of the Outer Banks, I'll be interested in hearing any recommendations for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the surrounding OBX areas..

^ Looking for NC destinations as well...

 

[lefatman]

Lunch- Frederick, MD area


Lots of good places here in Frederick. Right off of the Route 40 (Frederick) exit of 70E is a place called the Barbara Fritchie.( Named after woman in Ralph Greenleaf Whittier poem.) On your left. Great fried chicken if you stay on 40 a little longer and make a left on McCain Drive. Place is called Doc Geisers. If your just looking for a chain,they are all over this area. Hard Times has great chili mac and Glory days has the best macaroni and cheese this side of heaven.

 

[HD MM]

Lunch- Frederick, MD area


Lots of good places here in Frederick. Right off of the Route 40 (Frederick) exit of 70E is a place called the Barbara Fritchie.( Named after woman in Ralph Greenleaf Whittier poem.) On your left. Great fried chicken if you stay on 40 a little longer and make a left on McCain Drive. Place is called Doc Geisers. If your just looking for a chain,they are all over this area. Hard Times has great chili mac and Glory days has the best macaroni and cheese this side of heaven.

Thanks for the suggestions . Have you ever eaten at May's Restaurant? I wanted to get something more true to the local cuisine. Crab cakes and seafood are prominently known in the area and May's, according to my research is supposed to be top notch for this type of food.

 

[vampz26]

Terribles Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, home of the 9.99 steak dinner, includes potato, vegetable, and a glass of house wine.

 

[lefatman]

Thanks for the suggestions . Have you ever eaten at May's Restaurant? I wanted to get something more true to the local cuisine. Crab cakes and seafood are prominently known in the area and May's, according to my research is supposed to be top notch for this type of food.



May's is right around the corner from my house and is quite good and has a good reputation.Lot's of good crab cakes to be had here in Frederick and of course in the summer steamed crabs are the best.Nothing better in July and August then steamed crabs,fresh sweet corn and home grown tomatoes.sh*t I'm getting hungry just typing this.

 

[vampz26]

When it comes to Drive-ins

Superdawgdrive-in

Total classic. Went there with my dad, take my daughter there today...

 

[HD MM]

A place in the Akron/Kent area that is worth the trip is the "Swenson's Drive-In"...

It's an authentic drive-in that has been serving some of the tastiest hamburgers you'll ever have since 1934!

If you go there, I recommend the Galley Boy, an order of potato teezers with a side of ranch, all washed down with a chocolate shake.

Welcome to Swensons Restaurant

 

[HDRoberts]

Well, since we're all talking about our favorite drive-ins now, I'll give a shout out to the Elyria, OH Dog'n'suds.

Dog n Suds: ... We're Revivin' The Drive In

Actually part of an small chain around Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. Pretty good food and GREAT Root Beer. Only thing missing is rollerskates on the car hops.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Terribles Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, home of the 9.99 steak dinner, includes potato, vegetable, and a glass of house wine.

I don't quite feel comfortable eating in a place thats called "Terribles"

 

[HDRoberts]

I don't quite feel comfortable eating in a place thats called "Terribles"

This from the guy who just above recommended a burger named "Awful Awful"

 

[vampz26]

I don't quite feel comfortable eating in a place thats called "Terribles"

Trust me...you don't feel comfortable after eating there either...

I looked them up...
http://www.terriblescasinos.com

Apparently the 9.99 steak dinner is a theme buffet now...lol...

 

[wyattg]

If you ever go to Reno there is a dive hidden inside the "Little Nuggest Casino" way in the back of this casino is a diner

Go in there and order yourself an "Awful Awful" burger.

Awful Awful means "Awful big, Awful good!"

Its the best burger I have EVER had! And the home made french fires were just as good! In addition to a great burger and fries the price was dirt cheap as well around $5!

The diner is well know by Reno locals and is always packed.

I have often thought about going back to Reno just to have one of these burgers as it was that damn good!

Don't forget the yard of margarita for $5 too!!

That place kicks major butt!!