Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: ard mhacha
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 01:00 PM

Back in 1971 I had a breakfast to beat anything I have ever tasted since, this was in Intercourse in Penn Dutch country, no, I don`t think Hot Fannys was the name of the Cafe, but I had the most wholesome breakfast ever.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 11:30 AM

Back in the 1970s there was a restaurant in Darrington, Washington called the Benroy. Ben and Roy owned it, of course. They served a tolerable menu, but there was a lot of fried food. I favored their French Dip sandwich (for those across the pond, it's a crusty roll cut in half, layered with thin-sliced roast beef, and the sandwich is dipped into au jus usually made from the beef drippings and sometimes some boullion). Darrington was stil pretty remote, tucked way back in the Cascade mountains back then, about 50 miles from Everett, at least 80 from Seattle. The population was largely imported from North Carolina, and had a strong Tarheel influence and accent. I lived in Everett, though most of my family was from down the valley from Darrington, in the Norwegian community of farmers around Sylvana and Arlington, so I was an outsider.

There was a waitress there who was a bit of a fish out of water, as I was. (Not only an outsider, I was the first woman hired to work in the woods at the local Forest Service station.) She was there because her husband was the psychologist at the local institution for troubled boys. They were both highly educated professionals from Seattle, now transported to a logging and mill town. She got a job as a waitress because, as I learned from drawing her out, there were no jobs teaching music (voice) or performing in theater (she had done a lot of dinner theater in Seattle). I saved this little tidbit, and one evening when we took a couple of friends out to dinner for their birthdays, I asked the waitress if she's sing happy birthday. My fellow diners looked at me like I was nuts, but she grinned and belted out the most marvelous operatic and yet jazzy rendition of "Happy Birthday" that really amazed the collected dinner crowd. I don't think they had had a clue before that moment, but I think that impromptu performance opened doors for her.

SRS

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Sep 05 - 02:34 AM

Well, don't wiggle then mate!

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Sep 05 - 04:37 PM

Sorry about the double rr - I don't usualy roll my r's:-)

Damn that cut and paste...

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Sep 05 - 04:36 PM

Where have all the grreasy spoons gone
Long time passing
Where have all the grreasy spoons gone
Long time ago
Where have all the grreasy spoons gone
Gone to McDonalds Every one
When will we ever learn
When will we ever learn

Where have all the McDonalds gone
Sued by Lawyers everyone

Where have all the Lawyers gone
Gone to the West Indies every one

Where have all the West Indians gone
Opened greasy spoons every one...

With apologies to someone or another.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: danensis
Date: 17 Sep 05 - 02:08 PM

When I used to drive for a living I knew where all the 'greasy spoons' were. The ones I remember in particular were the Quernhow cafe on the A1 north of Wetherby, another in the first laybay past Thirsk up the A19. The cafe on Kirkstall Road outside the council depot, full of dustmen at dinnertime, and the cafe next to M&B Radio under the dark arches in Leeds.

Of course if you want a good fill, you have to go to Bernie's cafe in Ingleton.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: frogprince
Date: 17 Sep 05 - 01:06 PM

Some 35 fleeting years ago, I wrote this for a waitress in a "greasy"
that friends and I frequented, in Clarksville, Arkansas:

To a Waitress in an All Night Cafe

You can sense that the lady has grown wiser -
That, although the road hasn't been long yet,
Some of it has been uphill;
And those slim hands are strong
        From counting out the fare for herself.
But you can judge by the sparks in those eyes -
        Still first magnitude, you better believe it -
And the tilt of that kooky, red-topped-elfin-
        Dimple-on-either-side grin,
That you stay for one more cup to see again,
That it'll take a lot to get this girl down.
And you hope that the wiser little lady
        Need have no greater share of growing sadder.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Bassic
Date: 17 Sep 05 - 12:50 AM

Try these near Motorways or these near A and B roads. Follow the "High Vis" jackets and you usually cant go far wrong ;-)

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: GUEST,dig them crazy fast food icons
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 10:55 PM

Santa Claus Lane specialized in date milkshakes. The area used to harbor various nature boys who slept on the beach, usually wore only swimming trunks and sported loooong hair and beards, surfed all day, and lived on avocadoes, walnuts and oranges they liberated from nearby orchards. Gypsy Boots was a more famous member of the tribe.

The Giant Santa Claus was a sort of holy relic to surfers, a Buddha figure guarding the beach behind it.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 08:52 PM

Thanks, GUEST!!

...here is the site:

snug fit, eh?

...here is the text from the same site:

"I grew up about an hour away from this place, and would always look forward to seeing the giant statues of Santa Claus and Frosty on the way to see my Granny. Driving back to California on this particular trip was no exception. Where the hell is Frosty?!?
I guess plans are to demolish Santa Claus lane and turn it into some New England fishing village themed outlet yuppie farm... suck ass!
I could go into a big speech here about how the destruction of America's roadside attractions is contributing to the downfall of society... but why bother. The yuppie bastards are depriving us all of great youthful memories."

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: frogprince
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 08:28 PM

If you're ever in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Granny's Kitchen, across from the old bathhouses, is a great bet. It's full of model planes and aviation pictures and memorabilia. Comfort food, with good stuff like "corn puffs" that you won't find everywhere, and DO NOT pass up the blackberry cobbler.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: GUEST,love them crazy fast food icons
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 08:04 PM

Heya PDQ--Good show with pics of the ARTICHOKE THAT ATE CASTROVILLE (see--it's been toppled from it's former perch on high) and TALL PAUL!

Here's a link to the GIANT SANTA CLAUS before he was banished from Santa Claus Lane. You can click on him to enlarge the photo--and the whole website is devoted to eccentricities found along USA's highways. Sorry for lack of aplomb with blue clickies.

http://www.eccentricamerica.net/oddities.cfm?ref=15&action=detail&s=CA

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: frogprince
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 07:40 PM

Bob, I've heard that adage, too; but ya know what? Metchosin and her family treated my wife and I to dinner at Mom's, in Sook, BC (Vancouver Island) early in august; very plain place, faded paint on the sign, but the food was just fine.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 07:39 PM

Back in 1955 (or was it 1855?) I was just outta high school and was heading for the Army that Fall. I figured I'd see a little of America before I started wearing O.D. BVD's.

I aimed for Wissconsin, missed and ended up in Georgia. In the process I drove through Montana ... for days and days and days.

I stopped for breakfast one morning at a little greasy spoon. I ordered "bacon and eggs." The waitress asked: "Do you want a 'rasher' of bacon?" I didn't have a clue what a "rasher" was, but I said "sure." (I was young and I think I saw her wink at me).

Well ... that breakfast of bacon and eggs almost filled the entire table. I think there were four fried eggs, al least a half a loaf of toasted bread, two pounds of hashbrowns, and this "rasher" of bacon.

It seems that in this little Montana burg, a "rasher" was at least three pounds of wonderful. thick sliced, sugar cured and smoked, fried bacon strips. You could tell the bacon was hand sliced from the slab.

I ate for an hour, and left with what bacon I couldn't eat. As I remember, that bacon lasted me clear to Kentucky!!!!

CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 07:29 PM

TOO FUNNY ... AND ALSO ... TOO REAL! Who was it that said .... "Never eat at a diner named "MOM'S?" Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: frogprince
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 06:42 PM

Then again, as was noted early in the thread, the greasy spoon thing can go very wrong:
Chicago, about 1980, just below the Chicago-Evanston line: I was driving home from work, and noticed a sign for a new place, "Lisa's Cafe", so gave it a try.
I don't know how long the place had been abandoned before Lisa moved in, but it was hard to imagine how long since it had really been cleaned up, let alone how long since there had been paint of any identifiable color on the walls.
I think Lisa herself came to the counter to take my order, but I'm not certain; it may have been a lumberjack in drag, in a stained tee shirt. I ordered stew. Lisa paused a moment with the pencil, and said, "How du yu spell stew?"
I think the stew was a third rate canned product. There was one other customer, sitting talking to himself about getting out of an institution; whether released or escaped I wasn't sure.
When I drove by a few days later, Lisa was sitting in a chair outside, with a blackboard propped by her that said "Tired of the same old", then sketch of big steaming B.M, then "try Lisa's Cafe.
    No thanks, once was more than enough....

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Sep 05 - 10:33 AM

SRS ... My folks used to take us kids to the "Old Village Inn" also. This was in the 1940's BEFORE there anything called a freeway. And yes, they were famous for their pies, especially during strawberry season. It's a small world .. ain't it! Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 11:33 PM

Bob,

I haven't thought of the Hilltop in ages, and I didn't go there often. But I did used to go to the OLD Village Inn, when it was a mom and pop place on Old 99 going through Marysville. Their food was good, but their pie was to die for. They moved down by the freeway and aren't bad, I suppose they're still sort of a greasy spoon, but the food and the pie aren't as good.

SRS

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 10:41 PM

Castroville is the artichoke capital of the world. They take their edgy veggie seriously enough to have a festival and a parade each year. The first beauty contest winner and festival queen, before she became a Hollywood star, was Marilyn Monroe.

          Meet the Giant Artichoke!

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 04:15 PM

GUEST...can you find a link to a picture of the giant Santa Claus near Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria?

The lumberjack you mention adorned hot dog stands, muffler shops and other business all over the West, even making an appearance in Chicago at Paul Bunyon Restaurant. It was cast of fiberglass in Venice, CA...

               Tall Paul's here (and relatives and friend !) 

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 04:01 PM

Just thinking again. I've not been out anywhere out of Norfolk in a while (a year or more) but if I do go anywhere with Pip, we are most often traveling A148/ A17 out of Norfolk and if I feel like stopping, it is usally somewhere on that sort of past Kings Lynne towards Sleaford/Newark type area. Pip liked a place called "Scoffers" but I always found it more "Little Chef" than "greasy spoon". Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: ossonflags
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 03:38 PM

feresh

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: ossonflags
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 04:34 AM

I was in there last week Les!! Even with the bridge up I can make it from College in a brisk ten minutes if I go along river 'ull.

"Cowboys breakfast";two eggs, two sausages, beans, mountain of chips toast and a pint mug a tea only two pounds !!

We had christmas dinner in there last year for only three pound and that was with wine and funny hats.Best value anywere I reckon.

lets keep eating live !!!

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 12:34 AM

Back to "Greasy Spoons"! SRS. Do you remember "The Hilltop", north end of Everett, just before the bridges? It's still going strong. And the hamburger buns are still shiny from the grease. One of our best friends praises that place. He did heart surgeries on both bride Judy and myself. He says that this place paid for his last boat!!! Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 12:31 AM

SRS ... Thanks ... I will! Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 12:20 AM

I think if you read Louis Owens' novel Bone Game you'll find a witty look at a lot of details about the Santa Cruz area.

SRS

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 12:14 AM

pdq ... I lived in the Santa Cruz mountains for five years. I saw all the signs pointing me to the "Mystery Spot." For some reason, I never went there. It's still a mystery to me! Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: M.Ted
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 12:00 AM

Is the gift store/fried artichoke stand closed as well?

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 11:21 PM

Alas, Castroville's giant artichoke has been removed from the roof of the drive-in and is propped up alongside in fading, funky ignominy. Despite a spirited campaign by local surfers to save him, the giant Santa Claus has been banished from the rooftop of a greasy spoon on Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria and languishes in a vacant lot farther down the 101 freeway. There still is a massive lumberjack or some such icon presiding over a drive-in in Malibu on Pacific Coast Highway, I believe.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 10:51 PM

Sorry, no clue as to the restaurant. However, weird novelty stores are as American as 'greasy spoons'. Santa Cruz had The Mystery Spot and another I can't recall right now. Castroville has the Giant Artichoke (a fast food outfit specializing in artichoke hearts). Their was a chain of orange juice stands built to look like giant paper mache oranges. Giant Indian teepees in Arizona. I miss the America in which I grew up.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 10:35 PM

pdq ... YOU'RE RIGHT! SANTA'S VILLIAGE!!! Just across Highway 17 from Scott's Valley. My gosh ... how could I have forgotten? We used to taken our youngest kritter there when he was still wearing a stroller. What memories. (I think they paid me $20 to sing children's songs there one Sunday).

The Danish dinner place I mentioned was also just across that same road, but on the Scott's Valley side. Single story, stucco walls, low and long ... and they served wonderful homemade food ... a family operation. Ring any bells? Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 09:56 PM

Santa's Village! The mushrooms began to disappear in the 60s despite some being quite heavy.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 09:47 PM

Hmmmm? Let's see now. Was it ... or maybe ... but wait ... I think I might ...Oh hell. I don't have a clue! (how's that for honest!) I haven't seen since Scott's Valley since 1967 ... or was it 1867? CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 09:30 PM

Not to be pedantic, but it still IS between Scott's Valley and Felton. I don't remember anything Danish in California except Solvang and occasionally pastries, but I have one for you. What was the establishment in Scott's Valley that had large painted ceramic mushrooms around the parking lot? Hint: it was hard to justify in July or August.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 09:23 PM

pdq ... and it's getting smaller every day. As I remember Branciforte Creek Rd was between Scott's Valley and Felton? Do you remember that wonderful Danish Supper House. Sadly, I know that it's long gone now. Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 09:04 PM

I have stopped for split pea soup a number of times in California. Solvang? Andersen's Split Pea soup. Not as good as homemade, but not bad.

SRS

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 08:53 PM

My aunt and uncle. He was a fine jazz guitar player in the 1930's through the early 50's when arthritis took away the fun. Never recorded, but was a great friend of Joe Sullivan, Paul Lingle, "Fatha" Hines, Erroll Garner and "Red" Norvo, to name a few. My point is only that it is a small world.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 08:46 PM

pdq ... Branciforte Creek Rd certainly ring a bell. That lies in the Santa Cruz mountains, methinks? As for a particuliar apple stand, I can't say that I can recall that one in particuliar. Why do you ask? Was that you? Did you live and work in that area then? CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 07:17 PM

Pennsylvania is a great state for diners--you've got your city diners, like Philly's Melrose Diner and Oregon Diner, with big food, homemade pies and cakes, and and on-site mob murders, and you've got the Dutch Country Diners, like Zinn's and the Akron Restaurant, where they serve huge meals with your choice of three vegetable sides from a menu that offers twelve --including chow-chow, dried corn, and rhubarb, with waiting areas that can hold 100 people and giftshops where you can buy Amish Dolls that have no faces--

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 06:52 PM

Thanks, Bob. Note that "you're so center" is hopeless too.

BTW, I have never heard of "Heavenly Hamburgers" in Felton. I am curious whether you recall a small, informal apple stand located under the redwoods on Branciforte Creek Road?

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 06:30 PM

pdq ... You are so right ... or is it left ... I get soooo confused these daze! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: pdq
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 06:01 PM

I have eaten at small restaurants in both large cities and rural America.

Aside from the obvious differences in cuisine at the 'ethnic' city places, there is usually a difference style.

In rural 'greasy spoon" type places, the one who waits on the tables is a woman, usually trying to be polite and civilized. In the back room is a tattooed psychopath washing the dishes.

In urban settings, there is a deferential woman washing the dishes and the tattooed male psychopath is your waiter!

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 05:13 PM

Hey Maggie ... Did you ever eat at the "Homestead," just around the corner from the "Spud" on Alki Beach? Bob

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 11:46 AM

But while I'm harking back to Washington eateries, I always manage to make at least one stop at the Spud in Seattle for a good helping of fish and chips. The chips aren't anything to brag about (the seagulls eat them) but the fish is wonderful. There are two of these restaurants in Seattle, one at Alki in West Seattle (my favorite, the place we would go when my family lived nearby) and one near Greenlake. I think the Alki one tastes better because it's right across the street from the beach. All that salt air.

SRS

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 11:38 AM

Oh! Gracious! I said Snoqualmie Pass. Gold Bar is on the way to Stevens Pass. Geez.

SRS

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 11:23 AM

I hope that you can find time to use the excellent caf on Cleveland Street in Hull, Mick, as Lesley is suffering a bit while North Bridge is closed. Her student customers from Hull College can't swim so well.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: ossonflags
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 06:39 AM

Going east or west greycap?

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 02:59 AM

Q, I'm sorry to tell you, but your guess is just right. Night Hawk, the group of good local eateries, has died--except for a frozen foods division. You can buy some packaged hamburger steak dinners by that label in some supermarkets. Very basic meals, on the low end pricewise, better than most in the price range.    Tw

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 02:53 AM

There's the Redbeck, just outside Goole, off the M62. Just changed it's name, but the food's the same. Open 365/24/7.

Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 01:33 AM

Memories!
Over fifty years ago, in Austin, Texas, the Nighthawk on the drag alongside the University served a large plate with a hamburger steak smothered with beans and a toasted bun on the side. A great meal for hungry, poor students.
I often remember it, and wonder if it is still there. Probably replaced with a franchise outlet.

Currently, a little place on Hwy 22 (in ranching and cowboy country) between Calgary and Black Diamond. Great hamburgers, and a fine breakfast of eggs, good bacon or ham, hash browns and thick toast. They serve homemade pies, and will sell you their frozen whole pies to take with you.