# Your Favourite Diner Meals **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [July 19, 2023, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241 "2023-07-19T07:32:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/161 "2023-07-30T01:37:43Z")
Yeah, that’s some goofy California affectation. Everybody knows what a Chili burger is for the last 50 years or something. See Also: Chili Dog ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/162 "2023-07-30T01:51:50Z")
Don’t tell me a chili dog is served open-faced and intended to be eaten with a fork. ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/163 "2023-07-30T02:11:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > See previous posts. A chili burger is closed, and a chili size is open-faced. Not according to Crazy Otto’s, or every other menu I’ve seen. [![](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/00/57/b2/chili-burger.jpg) ](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/00/57/b2/chili-burger.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/164 "2023-07-30T02:40:29Z")
> [@Oly](#): > > or every other menu I’ve seen. [https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q="chili+size"+menu&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8](https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=%22chili+size%22+menu&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8) ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/165 "2023-07-30T04:37:30Z")
Maybe we all can learn something from Ramona. 😀 [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSRLRtdjXi6z75NvB4xxIZDSTHk9EToPe2Ahg&usqp=CAU) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSRLRtdjXi6z75NvB4xxIZDSTHk9EToPe2Ahg&usqp=CAU) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/166 "2023-07-30T06:26:04Z")
Jeez, maybe I shouldn’t have started this thread. With every post, I get hungry. I do want to try that “chili size.” It looks tasty! As for diner meals, I seem to recall that Denny’s made a lot out of their “Ultimate BLT” or somesuch, some years ago. Last time I was into a Denny’s, maybe three or four years ago, I was surprised to find it not on the menu. “Well, no, it’s not on the menu, but we can do one, no problem,” the waitress said. And they did, and it was good. Why would a place like Denny’s pull a typical diner meal from a diner’s menu? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/167 "2023-07-30T06:31:46Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Don’t tell me a chili dog is served open-faced and intended to be eaten with a fork. This is the chili dog at the above-mentioned Mike’s Chili Parlor. Your move. [![](https://roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/rfl_7602.jpg) ](https://roadfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/rfl_7602.jpg) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FYxOD-QUEAA1Kxh?format=jpg&name=medium) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FYxOD-QUEAA1Kxh?format=jpg&name=medium) [![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56df8ce3b654f9bbd0816a48/1484690222639-43A3FYUQQD104IIWTIFY/Chili+Dog) ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56df8ce3b654f9bbd0816a48/1484690222639-43A3FYUQQD104IIWTIFY/Chili+Dog) ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/168 "2023-07-30T06:44:07Z")
holy hell i want one of those .sloppers … > [@digs](#): > > I’ll always choose breakfast. 7 pm in a diner that specializes in prime rib? Nope heh I’ve had a scramble that had prime rib…and the leftover prime rib omelet on Mondays … That is the best chili dog I have ever seen … ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/169 "2023-07-30T06:47:39Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > This is the chili dog at the above-mentioned Mike’s Chili Parlor. Your move. Damn, @Smapti! You’re making me hungry. That looks good! ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/170 "2023-07-30T08:52:29Z")
best Chili dog I ever had was at a pub in Adelaide in the 80’s. I was seriously hung over, the roll was stale, the chili and hotdogs had been in the bain marie for at least a week. It was perfect. Served in a foil boat, washed down with a pint, best breakfast ever. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/171 "2023-07-30T09:22:38Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > > [@Smapti](#): > > > > It’s an LA name for an open-face chili burger, topped with shredded cheddar and onions. > > > [@Oly](#): > > > > If they have such nice looking chili burgers in LA… > > Note: If you want an open-faced burger with chili and cheese on it in SoCal, order a chili **size**. If you want a closed sandwich, order a chili **burger**. (Here’s one from Tommy’s.) > > [https://originaltommys.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/menu-double-cheeseburger-1b.jpg](https://originaltommys.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/menu-double-cheeseburger-1b.jpg) I’ve had chili burgers from Tommy’s. That looks more like a magazine ad for a chili burger from Tommy’s. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/172 "2023-07-30T09:50:21Z")
> [@Common\_Tater](#): > > Yeah, that’s some goofy California affectation. Everybody knows what a Chili burger is for the last 50 years or something. See Also: Chili Dog Then what _would_ you call a closed-faced hamburger with chili in it? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/173 "2023-07-30T13:16:01Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > This is the chili dog at the above-mentioned Mike’s Chili Parlor. Your move. Chili dogs are meant to be eaten by picking them up in your hands. Scrolling through [Google images](https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=%22chili+dog%22&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjh34DbwLaAAxXhOn0KHUVhDkIQ0pQJegQIChAB&biw=1560&bih=947&dpr=2) I don’t see anything chili dogs that are meant to be eaten with a fork. Mike’s offering is an > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > That looks more like a magazine ad for a chili burger from Tommy’s. See my previous comment. 😉 Anyway, this is the _diner_ thread, and not the chili burger thread. I didn’t mean to hijack the thread. . ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/174 "2023-07-30T13:54:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Chili dogs are meant to be eaten by picking them up in your hands. All of those images look like one of my chili dogs. I tried making them smaller, but the chili and other toppings just kept sliding off. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/175 "2023-07-30T15:36:55Z")
The diner near us has excellent seafood (20 steamed shrimp is my fave), but for traditional diner food, I get mashed taters in beef gravy and meat loaf, plain – with ketchup – or in tomato paste. If the gravy is good, I’ll forgo the red stuff and douse it in gravy. With lima beans on the side. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/176 "2023-07-30T15:48:08Z")
Since we’ve allowed quite a lot of latitude in what is considered a diner, I’ll throw two more from my days in Albuquerque NM, which have not only traditional diner fare, but definitive NM style Mexican diner fare full of the essential hot, filling, and (comparatively) cheap. > **[Cocina Azul | Mexican Restaurant in Albuquerque, NM](https://cocinaazul.com/)** > > Cocina Azul is a Mexican restaurant located in Albuquerque, NM that serves only the best tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and more within a 20-mile radius. Be sure to visit us today! Which has some of the best _stacked_ green chili enchiladas you can imagine, along with an amazing side of green chile in a bowl, best in winter months. Note, breakfast is served all day as well. 🙂 Second is an Alb institution (in that it’s -always- there, open early/late, and while it’s not the best food available, it’s super dependable): > **[Frontier Restaurant](http://www.frontierrestaurant.com/)** Basically if you’ve ever been, or ever known a UNM (University of New Mexico) student, you’ve been here at some point or another. Personally, there are a lot of better options (like the link above) for (New) Mexican food in town, so here for me it was back to the default breakfast and a giant cinnamon bun. BTW - having spent over a decade growing up in NM, I am one of those that consider the default (and superior) enchilada to be stacked, not rolled, but realize there are strong regional preferences. Just remember, stacked will be the most common option if you find yourself in the area. ---
**Author:** ![Beesnest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@Beesnest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beesnest)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/177 "2023-07-30T17:41:20Z")
Diner pancakes are the best. Must be blueberry And they should give you a thermos of coffee not a cup. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/178 "2023-07-30T17:43:50Z")
I tell yah, I am on board with this discussion. I’m nodding my head at every post. Here in the Cleveland area many diners will have things like chicken paprikash and cabbage and noodles. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/179 "2023-07-30T17:47:59Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Breakfast: Denver omelet, hash browns, sourdough toast, iced tea. Or, as I did today: Barry’s Junk Scramble (3 eggs, ham, bell peppers, cheese - 2 eggs less than the Denver omelet, which is more of a full-fledged omel) and the rest. I just can’t eat that much food in one sitting any more. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241/180 "2023-07-31T04:32:38Z")
I’ve given this thread some thought before deciding. I love all sorts of diner food, but I don’t go to them very often. When I do, it’s usually breakfast. Hot strong coffee, keep it coming. A little splash of regular milk to mellow it a bit. 3-egg omelet with spinach, chopped bacon and Monterey Jack cheese, a nice pile of shredded crispy hash browns and sourdough toast. Just lovely. It’s rare to find a diner that does Joe’s Special, but I’ll always order it if they do. Ground beef scrambled with eggs, spinach, onions and mushrooms, minced garlic, nutmeg and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Top this glorious mess with a cheese of your choice (I like cheddar with a bit of Parmesan). Again with the hash browns and sourdough toast. Nice leftovers, too! * * * Fifty years ago, there was a magnificent diner on the outskirts of Boise, Idaho, called Manley’s Cafe. It was a true standout. Whatever you ordered would feed at least 3 people with big appetites. If you ordered pie, you got a quarter of a large one. If you ordered your pie a la mode, it came topped with a pint of ice cream. If you Google it, you’ll find pics. I haven’t thought about that place in years, but this thread made me remember. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-diner-meals/987241.md?page=10)