Wednesday, March 25, 2015

This Week's Counter: Steve's Diner

We've driven past Biddulph Plaza in Old Brooklyn many times, but never noticed what was there.  A search for diners turned up Steve's, a 24-hour joint that had good reviews.  We stopped in Saturday morning to give it a try.

The place was nearly empty at 10:00, which was both surprising and concerning.  But we got a very friendly welcome and quickly had coffee, etc while we looked at the menu.  This place has classic diner food, with an emphasis on various kinds of hot dogs -- that seems to be the specialty.

Since it was early, we both went with breakfast food.  Cam got the Belgian waffle and bacon, while Ted went with the usual.  Everything was excellent. Cam's waffle was loaded with whipped cream and chocolate. The bacon was cooked perfectly.  Decent coffee.  And finally, a place that knows what "very well-done" means when it comes to breakfast potatoes.  The only thing missing was that the food could have been a bit hotter.

Overall, this is a really good, clean, well-run place -- great breakfast, inexpensive and very friendly. Go here!




Cam says: "Great service with a comfortable counter. Great food and great deli/diner atmosphere. I give this one 9 frying pans."



Ted says: "Close to perfect -- service, food and classic greasy-spoon atmosphere (without the grease). Great place!  9 frying pans."

Friday, March 20, 2015

This Week's Counter: Southside Diner

We recently found the Southside Diner during a search for more counters, and decided to give it a try.  Located in Parma, this place is a real neighborhood diner -- small and filled with people who seemed to all know each other.

When we arrived, there weren't two available seats together at the counter, but the friendly waitress asked a guy if he would move over a seat, and we were all set.  That was just the start of amazing service all throughout our visit -- super friendly and attentive.  

Cam ordered chicken and waffles, since you don't find that on the menu too often.  Ted ordered his usual (eggs, potatoes, toast, bacon, coffee).  While chatting with the waitress and other folks at the counter, we could watch the cook preparing everything on the griddle right in front of us.  This was good and bad, as it probably could have been a bit cleaner.

All the food was excellent -- perfectly prepared, hot, and in large quantities.  Cam finished all of it (a sign that it was really good).  And the great service continued when the waitress told us the cook had made a mistake with a first batch of chicken and waffles (added the Sriracha sauce which Cam didn't want) and offered to pack it up for us to take home.

Pretty much an all-around winner -- simple, fast, friendly, and good quality.  We highly recommend it!


            
Cam says: "Great service and great quality food.  Not the cleanest kitchen, but a comfortable counter.  I'll give it 8 frying pans."



Ted says: "Really good, classic diner experience.  Loved the friendly service and solid food quality.  Definitely deserves 9 frying pans."