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12 Sep 05 - 12:18 PM (#1561829) Subject: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: ossonflags You have been there haven't you? driving somewere and need a little light refreshment, you pull into a motorway "service's" and need to take out a second mortgage for a plate of luke warm food and a tea bag in hot water. What has happened to all the lorry drivers caffs of my youth were you got value for money? I found a coupla little gems the other day called "The Limes" just outside of Nottingham and another in Dewesbury called the "Boatyard "were you got the full english breakfast that included unlimited tea or coffee for less than four quid. Any more little gems out there? |
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12 Sep 05 - 12:20 PM (#1561832) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Rapparee Should be below the salt.... |
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12 Sep 05 - 12:33 PM (#1561844) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: John MacKenzie There are more lay by mobiles these days than fixed locations, but some of them are good, but as Leadfingers found out they aren't always open when you need them. Giok |
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12 Sep 05 - 12:35 PM (#1561846) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Little Hawk There are two greasy spoons in Orillia. Good ones. One is called "Rombos Restaurant" and the other is "Hill's". Most of them, though, have been swallowed by the fast food industry: McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Harvey's, Wendy's, Tim Horton's, etc... The fast food industry is in the business of creating sugar and caffiene addiction, grossly overweight people, diabetes, and cancer, to mention a few of their glorious accomplishments. The fast food industy does not exist yet in Cuba. Everything is still real food there. I wonder how much longer it will last? |
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12 Sep 05 - 12:40 PM (#1561849) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: John MacKenzie I want to go to Cuba, but my other half isn't keen. G |
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12 Sep 05 - 12:43 PM (#1561851) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq "bought by chain stores everyone when will we ever learn when will we ever learn" |
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12 Sep 05 - 12:49 PM (#1561857) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: open mike they got hot water and soap and are using plastic "silverware" wrapped in plastic so the grease does not get to it...your arteries are not so protected, though. Sporks! In the book Blue Highways, William Least Heat Moon describes the best road side cafe's as the ones with the most calendars ahnging on the walls.. see http://www.twbookmark.com/books/77/0316353299/ http://www.twbookmark.com/authors/68/1751/ the review puts it in the category with Jack Kerouac On the Road and Steinbeck's Travels with Charlie... |
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12 Sep 05 - 04:26 PM (#1562059) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: jimmyt openmike, you beat me to it! I was just going to wax eloquent about William Least Heat Moon's great book, Blue Highways. He also factored in some other factors, ie whether there was a Hav-a-hank sales promotional display, sold combs, and BC or Stanbac headache powders. These things could actually add to the Calendar count in the Greasy spoon, but make no mistake, I still seek these places out when travelling and often tell my wife as I am turning in the parking lot, "this looks like a 5 calendar Resturant." |
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12 Sep 05 - 04:39 PM (#1562072) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: sapper82 Jack's Hill Cafe, A5 mile or so N. of Towcester, ¼n North of Oxford Road Roundabout. Worth dropping off M1 at J15A for. Also, on the A5 at Cannock area and another on Junction A49 and A533 between Northwich and Runcorn. |
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12 Sep 05 - 04:43 PM (#1562081) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Liz the Squeak The Rumbling Tum, Victoria Road, Ruislip... bloody lovely but not open in the afternoons.. LTS |
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12 Sep 05 - 04:47 PM (#1562091) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Mr Red Greasy Joe's Cirencester Gloucs - on the old main Rd first roundabout approaching Ciren. Turn to superstore then hang a right immediately. Open all night. There may still be one about 1/4 mile from the Little Pie Factory - towards Dudley RHS of road, run by Sam & Ella (would I lie to you?). |
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12 Sep 05 - 04:58 PM (#1562112) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Q (Frank Staplin) Here in western Canada there are trucker's stops with good food, still independent. Some have phone jacks in the booths, showers, etc. One in particular is a favorite, near Red Deer, on the Hwy. between Calgary and Edmonton. Also the Blackfoot truck stop in Calgary. Great 'blue plate' food and lots of it. Always tons of pies. Lots of little places, independent, in business and industrial areas in Calgary (and I am sure in other large centers. Drive into these areas, outside of downtown, and you will find them. Also dozens of fine little restaurants that are not chain-controlled. Even on the big island of Hawai'i, there is one in Kona, in a little industrial area, that is a favorite of mine. Ossonflags is talking about the UK, but all you would ever want in Canada-U. S. A. The fast-food congloms are there too, usually in high-visibility high-rent locations on close-in hwy. strip malls, but so are the others, maybe a block or two off the bright-light strip. |
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12 Sep 05 - 05:07 PM (#1562127) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: jimmyt My wife always wonders why people choose fast-food places over these "greasy spoons" diners, truckstops, whatever you want to call them. I heard a consultant once in a lecture talk about this interesting phenomenon. His contention is that Americans do not mind mediocrity in their food, as long as it is predictably mediocre. I tend to believe he may be on to something there! |
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12 Sep 05 - 05:11 PM (#1562131) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Liz the Squeak There is that.. you can always guarantee that in any McNastyFlameGrill the food will taste the same anywhere in the world (except in Australia/New Zealand where they don't get cod...). If you don't like surprises or aren't adventurous enough to 'eat native' then that's the place for you.... It's food you can always eat, whether it is good for you or not and regardless of where you are. LTS |
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12 Sep 05 - 05:27 PM (#1562149) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Bill D philosophy of Diners we had one...this one, in Silver Spring, MD--real thing! smart-alex waitresses, free-for all seating, greasy spoon food...but the Discovery Channel bought the land and threw 'em out....so they moved 5 blocks and now there is "wait to be seated" and upscale menu.... |
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12 Sep 05 - 05:46 PM (#1562158) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: John MacKenzie You've obviously never heard of the famed Murray Cod Liz. G. |
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12 Sep 05 - 06:32 PM (#1562208) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman It was just one year ago that I discovered "The Blue Beacon," in Aberdeen, Washington, U.S.A. (the northwest corner of our country). I had spent a couple of days at my brother's home. He lives another 30 miles west at the Ocean. Spending any time with my brother is exhausting, and I needed some solid food before my four hour drive home. I had spotted this place previously, but I'd never entered before. It was after the lunch rush when I staggered in. I say staggered as I was still recovering from my brother's stories, and also because the floor tilted. This is a smallish place, maybe 6 stools and four small booths. I lurched onto a stool and looked around. There was no one in sight, but soon this obviously tired waitress came out from the back room. She greeted me with, "Well, how the hell are you honey? Are ya hungry?" I started laughing immediatly. I learned a trick many years ago about how to order at these greasy spoons. You NEVER look at the menu. I asked her if she had eaten lunch yet. She said, "Of course." I said, "O.K. Gimme what you had, please." She looked at me for a minute and started asking the questions: "what kind of toast, do you want the ......" I said, "Please, just give me what you had for lunch." Then I heard her shout to the cook, through the hole in the wall, "Louise ... we've got a winner here. Bring it to me again!" Out came the most delicious fish sandwich, halibut I think, and this large bowl of homemade clam chowder." I swear, I've NEVER tasted better! I can still smell it and taste it. It was like manna from heaven. As I was enjoying my meal, I was still the only customer, she sat down next to me on a stool with two bottles of dark beer. "Here," she said. "The beers on the house!" So, if you're ever in the south end of Aberdeen, heading for the beach, I strongly recommend "The Blue Beacon." note, don't ever try to play marbles in there, the floor sags like crazy! CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson P.S. The only better meal I ever had at a greasy spoon was at "The Little Quilcene Cafe," on the Olympic Pennisula ... but thats another story) |
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12 Sep 05 - 06:59 PM (#1562230) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Cluin Need a "greasy spoon" fix? A big plate of clear-your-throat cough-causing oily french fries and clog-your-arteries gravy? A greasy near-rancid Western sandwich with a well-past-its-prime tomato slice? A Hungry Man brekkie of bacon, eggs, & homefries sliding around on your plate, almost of their own volition? Pull into any old Husky Car/Truck stop across Canada for a bite (especially in the wee hours) and it all comes flooding back on a rancid greasy wave. But the coffee's still good. Always got the best coffee in any greasy spoon I've haunted... |
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12 Sep 05 - 11:14 PM (#1562440) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: open mike i always try to eat in a ma and pa place with a name i never heard of...would walk across the street or around to block to find such an eatery--I would rather support an independant, family-owned business than a franchise or chain! it is hard to find either one which has live folk music to eat dinner by, though!! |
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12 Sep 05 - 11:19 PM (#1562442) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: dianavan Helen's Grill in Vancouver. Main and King Edward. Never mind the food - its the usual greasy spoon menu but the decor is original 50's - complete with the stools at the counter that spin and the little jukeboxes at the booths. Nothing fancy but you can always get the daily paper. They have real milkshakes, too. Actually the food is decent and the service is friendly. Of course the waitresses have been there since it opened. The owner, George, is usually sitting there reading the paper or sitting with a group of locals discussing the weather. He always acts as if he's known you forever. |
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13 Sep 05 - 12:39 AM (#1562474) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Bill D A friend & I stopped in a little town in Kansas for lunch one day...there were two small restaurants. We flipped a coin....we lost. He ordered fried chicken, I ordered a hot beef sandwich. We both tokk a bite and looked at each other. His chicken looked 3 days old and dried out...and not well plucked. My 'beef' was tough and full of gristle....and when I tried the mashed potatoes, there was this strange, but oddly familar flavor...I tasted it several times, trying to pin it down...until suddenly it hit me! Watermelon! It was like the gravy and/or potatoes had sat in the refrigerator under a drippy piece of watermelon. I tried to wash it down with iced tea....almost transparent tea with that 'tang' you get at 2½ days old. We left. Got a hamburger 30 minutes later. We really had more good food stories than bad, but sometimes 'greasy spoon' just goes VERY wrong! |
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13 Sep 05 - 12:47 AM (#1562476) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Manitas_at_home Ther's a cafe near the junction of the A303 and A30 on the Somerset/Devon borders that will serve deep fried bacon sandwiches! |
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13 Sep 05 - 04:48 AM (#1562538) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST,noddy go to a "climbers cafe" not as many around as there used to be. Enormous portions great value and full of Characters!!! Pete's Eats in LLanberis Eric's Cafe in Tremadog Among the best. |
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13 Sep 05 - 05:00 AM (#1562541) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST,noddy Oh yes just remembered this true story. I was in Pete's Eats some years ago when two Very large men sat down at a table next to me. When I say "Large" I mean in all dimensions they were at least 6 foot 6 tall and built to match. They explained they just had a big day on the mountains and were starving . ONe ordered a mixed grill and the other went for the speciality "A Big Jim" which was advertised as "if you finish one,.. you get the second one FREE". Many tried many failed. When one is ordered the room goes quiet with expectation. AS the staff came over carrying a large plate the one who had ordered the BIG JIm looked at the plate and said "Ah! that will be mine" "NO" said the staff "this is the mixed grill, yours is coming".When he saw the size of the plate and its contents his jaw dropped. His partner could not finish the mixed grill and needless to say the second free portion was not called for either. Tea was served in Half pint mugs or pint mugs. A chip butty takes two to finish. |
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13 Sep 05 - 05:25 AM (#1562551) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Liz the Squeak Healthy equivalent - the restaurant I worked in used to serve a 'beggars' banquet'... a whole round loaf of wholemeal bread (half if it was only for one person), a great hunk of cheddar cheese, a portion of cucumber sticks, a couple of tomatoes, raw carrot sticks, 2 boiled eggs, a big spoonful of pickles and a pint of tea or orange juice with it. Dessert came at the same time and consisted of a couple of apples, plums, apricots or whatever fruit was in season, some grapes and raisins and a flapjack. All this cost £3.50 (but it was 20 years ago) and only one person ever managed to regularly finish the lot. It grew out of the 'picky plate' that the owner had devised to get her picky son to eat. That was a plate of similar foodstuffs, but in smaller portions, so that he could just nibble at it as he played. It's an idea that I've carried on with Limpit and she loves them. LTS |
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13 Sep 05 - 06:03 AM (#1562567) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: ossonflags Great stuff here. keep 'em coming, folks! |
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13 Sep 05 - 04:30 PM (#1562962) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: jimmyt I have a list of these joints in my mind for years. The ELectric Maid Cafe, in Takoma PArk, Md, The Home Cafe in Loma Linda California, Stavers' Original Resturant in Colton, Calif, (When I was a dental student, I used to study late nights here and frequently had little money so I would leave a toothbrush as a tip) The Oakwood Cafe in Dalton, Georgia, The Greenlawn and Brown Cow Driveins in Zanesville, Ohio. Charberts on High Street in Columbus, Ohio. Oggies in Cambridge, Ohio, The Alpha In WHeeling West Virginia, (actually a bar, but since I am on a roll, one other bar comes to mind that was a great haunt with decent food and great atmosphere, the Top of the Hat Lounge and Pool Hall in Mexican Hat Utah, just off the Navajo Reservation where I worked for a while. Sorry for the thread drift but these fine establishments take me back in time! I might plan a road trip to see how many are still around. |
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13 Sep 05 - 04:54 PM (#1562974) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST,Jon Nearest to me is a mobile one, only open early morning through to lunch time. Roy Boy's A148 near Aylmerton. I'm not sure what else he may have but a good beef burger, steak sandwich and an omlette (which Pip tells me is delicious) are available as well as a mug of tea or coffee. Very popular and very reasonably priced. |
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13 Sep 05 - 04:56 PM (#1562979) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Stilly River Sage Bob, I love that story! Thanks! There is a corner gas station about a mile from me in Fort Worth that used to have just the little office and the bays in the back, but they enclosed the bays and turned it into a store, still running the pumps. It's your usual filthy floor, dusty groceries, an ample and well-stocked set of coolers for beer, wine, juice, milk, and pop, and then there is the food. People mill around the front waiting for their bag to appear over the top of the food display area. They sell a variety of sandwhiches, burgers, fried chicken, burritos, quartered potatoes that are fried and seasoned, egg rolls, and they have the best gyros. The meat is roasted on one of those upright grills like I've seen in cities back east, and they heat it up on the grill quickly with veggies and the whole thing probably has at least a half-pound of lamb when they finish. It costs $1.99 ($2.15 after tax) and is a favorite for a quick lunch on the weekend. If I've had a rough day and want to kick back for dinner on Saturday night, I stop and get an inexpensive bottle of red French wine next door and then pick up the gyro. It's a very civilized quick meal! My out of town friends always get the whoozy impact of the inside of the store (pretty marginal) but then there is this great food. They're always amazed at the food that comes out of there. It's run by a couple of Lebanese families, and the cook is from Jordan. Years a go I used to love to stop to eat at Zeke's in Gold Bar, Washington, on the way back from climbing in the Snoqualmie Pass area. I see them still listed in the online directory. Is it still in the caboose, and is it still huge burgers and gigantic real ice cream milkshakes? SRS |
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13 Sep 05 - 05:17 PM (#1562991) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman Maggie ... Zeke's is still there, just the same. And they do make the best burgers and shakes around. It nice to see that some things don't change. CHEERS, Bob |
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13 Sep 05 - 06:22 PM (#1563038) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Mingulay In my drinking days in the mid 60's, to finish off a Saturday night we would drive the 20 or so miles to Tony's Cafe on the Grantham by-pass and religiously order "The Lot and Chips with 2 bread and butter and a pint mug of tea". This cost the princely sum of 3 shillings and sixpence (171/2 pence). That cholesterol still lines my arteries to this day. |
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13 Sep 05 - 07:23 PM (#1563083) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Peter K (Fionn) Ossonflags, the Limes is within half-a-mile of my door. It hasn't changed much since I last lived in these parts in the 1960s, except that the two pin tables have gone. Jack's, mentioned by Sapper82, is truly exceptional. An institution, known to every long-distance truck driver in the UK. And also good for cheap accommodation in private cubicles. The BBC did a feature about this dying community of eateries a year or two ago. It celebrated, among others, a family-run caff in Lincolnshire, where all the food served is produced with ten miles ofthe caff. Unfortunately I didn't catch the name and place, and never followed up. Can anyone provide more details? |
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13 Sep 05 - 07:43 PM (#1563097) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman Well ALRIGHT!!! As long as soooo many of you have asked, I'll tell my tale of "The Little Quilcene Cafe!" (You can thank me later ... send money). This adventure happened at least 20 years ago, back in my hiking days. I was headed for a two week solo hike in the Olympic mountains of Washington State, NW corner of America. My first day of the "adventure" was always to get myself and my heavy pack to the East side of Hood Canal. I always spent that night there at the home of friends, and then they would drive me to the trailhead at dawn the next morning. As I crossed the Hood Canal bridge and headed South on 101, Quilcene was the first, and just about only, village I came to. It was late in the afternoon and I thought I'd get supper there, so as to not trouble my friends. I walked into "The Little Quilcene Cafe." Oh, it was SWELL. The town of Quilcene, in those days, was so small it didn't even own a stop sign. I grabbed a booth and looked around. I saw a man's face appear in the hole in the wall which must of been the kitchen. He stood his ground and we started talking. He said his name was "Bob." He said that he was busy fixing the evening "special," but invited me to go behind the counter and serve myself to coffee. I did. As I was in no hurry at all, I started to really enjoy the conversation that happened. I moved to the counter so I could hear him better as he told me his story: He said that he bought this small place, which was very pleasant and homey, to "save his life." It seemed that he had been a stock broker in downtown Bellevue until six months before. The pressure of that horrible job put him in the hospital emergency room with a heart attack. After his successful surgery and recovery, he had found this tiny out of the way and rundown cafe. He bought it,lock, stock and stove. He'd never cooked anything before in his life but he figured that this was his last chance to learn to live. He lived on a very tiny island in the hood canal, just behind the cafe. There was no running water or power. And he rowed a boat to get to and from the island. But it was his cabin, and he loved it. After an hours' talking came the meal. By then several other customers had come in, including one lady who jumped behind the counter and served the role of waitress. I knew she wasn't an employee ... she was just "helping out." When my meal arrived, I was astounded. It was a huge slab of baked halibut. And the flavor was awesome. And I still remember the fresh vegetables. They were barely steamed and almost raw ... PERFECT! I was in heaven. Afterwards, as we sat over coffee, I asked "Bob" what his secret was. He smiled and said ... "Just garlic butter!" As I sat in the car before leaving, I looked at that place and listened again to his story. This was a real success story, and I felt honored to have witnessed it. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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13 Sep 05 - 08:16 PM (#1563110) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Sorcha The Greasy Spoons are all here |
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13 Sep 05 - 08:40 PM (#1563124) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: frogprince One of our favorite "greasies" is a long way from home; we flew down to the Carribbean to St. Martin for our anniversary, and after spending a good share of a day bumming on Orient Beach, tried the grilled swordfish at the sem-open shack next to the beach. Six bucks for a slab of fish like a cross-section of a good sized log, and delicious. We went back for the same two days later. |
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13 Sep 05 - 08:43 PM (#1563127) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Peace Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone Ossonflags, I don't mean to criticize, but that line don't scan fer shit. I suggest you try something like daisies or roses or even flowers. |
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13 Sep 05 - 08:50 PM (#1563128) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Peace Q, The place you were talkin' about between Calgary and Red Deer--is it fairly close to Bowden? |
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13 Sep 05 - 09:21 PM (#1563143) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: number 6 Where have they gone ?? Doesn't matter to me anymore ... gone back to being a vegetarian again ... back on the road to Nirvana. sIx |
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13 Sep 05 - 10:10 PM (#1563184) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Tannywheeler Thanks, pdq. If I hadn't seen it I would have typed it in. Hubby and I have found a neat indep. eatery here--really about 7 miles away. Walnut Creek Cafe is it's name. It's on Texas 20 at the intersection with Pleasant Chapel Road, just about 1 or 2 miles north of Rockne, Texas. (Walnut Creek is the original name of Rockne.) Rusty Edwards, who owns/runs the place, is a former Bastrop County deputy sherriff. His brothers, dad, uncles, and grandad also have done/are doing that job for years. His greatgrandad (or great-great?) was a Texas Ranger and Indian fighter. The cafe occurs in conjunction with the Walnut Creek Arena, a place for barrel racing and calf-roping contests, and other rodeo events. (Big ranching area around here.) Really good fried catfish, chicken-fried steak, and regular steak as well. The sides are homemade. There's a salad bar, but it's not spetacular. Molly Ivins tells a story about an extended trip through the American west (inland states) during her coverage of a particular political campaign about 15-20 years ago. (Molly Ivins is a political journalist based in Austin, Texas.) She was restricted to hwy. truckstop eateries by the exigencies of her trip, and found that limited her menu choices to fried meats and 2 or 3 potato variations. At one point she was so desperate for something green that she ate the rather dispirited piece of parsley garnish on her plate. The waitress came to get the plate, noted the absence of the garnish, and informed her, "Honey, if I knowed you was gonna eat it, I woulda washed it." Tw |
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14 Sep 05 - 12:08 AM (#1563232) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: CarolC They're everywhere here in the deep south of the USA. Just stick to the back roads and avoid the interstate highways and you'll find them easily enough. There's a lot of good southern home cooking (soul food) even in many of the gas stations on the state and county roads in this part of the world. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to pretty much everything they serve, but JtS loves it. Reminds him of the cooking back home in Newfoundland. I found one of those old trailer diners from my father's home town (Framingham, Massachusettes) on display in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan while we were staying up that way a couple of years ago (not operational, of course). I keep meaning to ask my dad if he ever ate there when he was growing up. They've got the Rosa Parks bus on display there, too. |
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14 Sep 05 - 12:09 AM (#1563233) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman Does anyone here remember "Heavenly Hamburgers" in Felton, California, around 1962? Bob |
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14 Sep 05 - 12:55 AM (#1563246) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST,J There's a place well worth mentioning in Springhill, Tn. The Poplar House is the best kept secret in the Greater Nashville area. The food is solid, formica table, mismatched utensil, chipped coffee cup, downhome good. Generous portions. It's been there for years. I'll recommend the Super Cheeseburger w/double fries, peach cobbler ala mode and coffee. Lots of blue hair, mesh hats, bib overalls, bolo ties and no alcohol. On Saturday nights there's music starting at 7:00PM(CST) and it goes until everyone gets too tired to dance. Usually a local bluegrass band such as the Hood Family(the fiddler's only 11) the Retreads or the Fireside Pickers will do an hour. Then the Tennessee Travelers until closing. If you come to Nashville for a holiday or business and have a Saturday night free you'll spend less than 50.00US(for two...including a generous tip!) and have the time of your life. Take I65 South, exit at The Saturn Parkway and go west. Exit the parkway at Route 31 and go north 2-3 miles and the Poplar House is on the left...can't miss it. It's about 35-40 miles from Nashville. Get there around 6:30PM to get a good seat. There's plenty of seating though you may end up behind the staging area or at one of the two long 'picnic style' community tables. The owners' names are Beckey and Pete. Pete plays the guitar and Beckey plays the autoharp, but Beckey's married to Zeke the fiddle player in The Travelers. Curley plays banjo and Jim plays dobro. Stop in and say hello...it doesn't get any better. |
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14 Sep 05 - 01:33 AM (#1563256) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Q (Frank Staplin) 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. |
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14 Sep 05 - 02:53 AM (#1563270) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST,Greycap 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. |
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14 Sep 05 - 02:59 AM (#1563273) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Tannywheeler 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 |
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14 Sep 05 - 06:39 AM (#1563359) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: ossonflags Going east or west greycap? |
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14 Sep 05 - 11:23 AM (#1563545) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Les from Hull 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. |
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14 Sep 05 - 11:38 AM (#1563554) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Stilly River Sage Oh! Gracious! I said Snoqualmie Pass. Gold Bar is on the way to Stevens Pass. Geez. SRS |
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14 Sep 05 - 11:46 AM (#1563562) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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14 Sep 05 - 05:13 PM (#1563785) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman Hey Maggie ... Did you ever eat at the "Homestead," just around the corner from the "Spud" on Alki Beach? Bob |
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14 Sep 05 - 06:01 PM (#1563815) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq 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! |
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14 Sep 05 - 06:30 PM (#1563830) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman pdq ... You are so right ... or is it left ... I get soooo confused these daze! CHEERS, Bob |
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14 Sep 05 - 06:52 PM (#1563840) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq 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? |
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14 Sep 05 - 07:17 PM (#1563856) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: M.Ted 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-- |
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14 Sep 05 - 08:46 PM (#1563905) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman 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 |
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14 Sep 05 - 08:53 PM (#1563914) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq 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. |
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14 Sep 05 - 09:04 PM (#1563918) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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14 Sep 05 - 09:23 PM (#1563927) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman 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 |
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14 Sep 05 - 09:30 PM (#1563931) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq 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. |
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14 Sep 05 - 09:47 PM (#1563935) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman 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 |
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14 Sep 05 - 09:56 PM (#1563941) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq Santa's Village! The mushrooms began to disappear in the 60s despite some being quite heavy. |
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14 Sep 05 - 10:35 PM (#1563956) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman 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 |
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14 Sep 05 - 10:51 PM (#1563960) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq 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. |
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14 Sep 05 - 11:21 PM (#1563973) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST 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. |
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15 Sep 05 - 12:00 AM (#1563993) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: M.Ted Is the gift store/fried artichoke stand closed as well? |
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15 Sep 05 - 12:14 AM (#1563997) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman 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 |
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15 Sep 05 - 12:20 AM (#1563999) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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15 Sep 05 - 12:31 AM (#1564007) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman SRS ... Thanks ... I will! Bob |
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15 Sep 05 - 12:34 AM (#1564008) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman 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 |
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15 Sep 05 - 04:34 AM (#1564076) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: ossonflags 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 !!! |
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15 Sep 05 - 03:38 PM (#1564504) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: ossonflags feresh |
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15 Sep 05 - 04:01 PM (#1564519) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST,Jon 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? |
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15 Sep 05 - 04:15 PM (#1564533) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq 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 !) |
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15 Sep 05 - 10:41 PM (#1564797) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq 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! |
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15 Sep 05 - 11:33 PM (#1564813) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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16 Sep 05 - 10:33 AM (#1564900) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman 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 |
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16 Sep 05 - 06:42 PM (#1565145) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: frogprince 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.... |
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16 Sep 05 - 07:29 PM (#1565165) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman TOO FUNNY ... AND ALSO ... TOO REAL! Who was it that said .... "Never eat at a diner named "MOM'S?" Bob |
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16 Sep 05 - 07:39 PM (#1565169) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Deckman 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 |
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16 Sep 05 - 07:40 PM (#1565171) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: frogprince 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. |
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16 Sep 05 - 08:04 PM (#1565187) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST,love them crazy fast food icons 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 |
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16 Sep 05 - 08:28 PM (#1565201) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: frogprince 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. |
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16 Sep 05 - 08:52 PM (#1565210) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: pdq 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." |
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16 Sep 05 - 10:55 PM (#1565282) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: GUEST,dig them crazy fast food icons 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. |
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17 Sep 05 - 12:50 AM (#1565328) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Bassic Try these near Motorways or these near A and B roads. Follow the "High Vis" jackets and you usually cant go far wrong ;-) |
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17 Sep 05 - 01:06 PM (#1565596) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: frogprince 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. |
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17 Sep 05 - 02:08 PM (#1565630) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: danensis 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. |
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17 Sep 05 - 04:36 PM (#1565676) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Dave the Gnome 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 |
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17 Sep 05 - 04:37 PM (#1565677) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Dave the Gnome Sorry about the double rr - I don't usualy roll my r's:-) Damn that cut and paste... |
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18 Sep 05 - 02:34 AM (#1565883) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: The Fooles Troupe Well, don't wiggle then mate! |
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20 Sep 05 - 11:30 AM (#1566845) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
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20 Sep 05 - 01:00 PM (#1566933) Subject: RE: Where have all the 'Greasy Spoons 'gone From: ard mhacha 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. |
