A Dearth of Diners?
A favorite pastime here at Chowder is a game I like to call “Too Much/Not Enough.” As in: deciding what type of eateries we’re sick to death of hearing about (sushi, seafood, brasseries, modern Italian), and what we’re desperately craving more of (barbecue joints, soul food, authentic Mexican).
I, for one, would like to add diners to my “gimme” list. Racking my brain for a good-and-grimy place to gorge on bacon grease on a recent Sunday, I found myself at a loss. (A pounding headache, the consequence of having what our Bostonista correspondents call “too much fun” the previous night, didn’t help.) Unless you want to venture out to the ‘burbs—or across the river, which I’m hard-pressed to do on Sundays—what’s an omelet-craving gal to do?
Scene-y South End brunch spots, of course, wouldn’t suffice. Mike’s City Diner, while tasty, always has a long wait. Mul’s Diner, in Southie, was too far. Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe doesn’t open on Sundays. And Chinatown having been the scene of the last night’s debauchery (which I was trying to forget), South Street Diner was also out.
We ended up at Victoria’s Diner on Mass. Ave., an old standby that has undergone a makeover over the course of the last few years. It’s good—there’s a bigger menu, prettier signage, a freshened-up interior, and they serve grits—but it ain’t the grungy place we used to love.
Clearly, our holy grail of diners still eludes us. Tell us: What’s your favorite greasy spoon? Where is it? And what should be order? If there’s an amazing corned-beef hash out there that we don’t know about. we’d like to spend next Sunday morning eating it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Arthur’s Diner - Lowell — and you must have the “bootmill sandwich”
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
The Breakfast Club on Western Avenue in Allston. They have the best french toast and omlettes around. Also, Jim’s Deli on Washington Street in Brighton and Mandy and Joe’s, also on Washington Street in Brighton. Jim’s is family owned and he’s a really nice guy. Sometimes his mother is on the register and she’s also a doll. Mandy and Joe’s has been in Brighton forever and is also family owned. They will whip you up anything you want even if it’s not on the menu. I really like the hash.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Try looking at ‘The Breakfast Blog’ - a guy by the name of Jamie reviews breakfast places. He used to live in Australia and had a huge following there - he just moved to Boston a couple of months ago and I believe that he is starting his blog up here now doing the same thing. His reviews are spot on and written well and very witty. He also goes to the not so obvious places and some out of he city. Well worth a read if you are looking for a breakfast place!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I forgot to include:
http://thebreakfastblog.blogspot.com/
(Remember he is just starting up here so not many posts yet fro Boston but as you can see from what he has done in Australia it won’t be long before you have a lot to choose from!)
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Wilson’s Diner, 507 Main Street in Waltham!
This was one of my favorite places during my college years and beyond, when I lived in Boston. It’s an actual Worcester car diner, so it has all the mandatory architecture for the diner purists, but the food is also excellent. Great coffee, great omelettes, awesome French toast. In the ’90s it was run by a very nice Greek family, though I don’t know who owns it now.