Darn Good Diners - "Best Food Ever" Recap

by Michael D. Ayers, Posted May 25th 2010 @ 12:00PM

Photo: TLC

Sure, Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" has the greasy spoon market cornered -- but that didn't stop TLC's "Best Food Ever" series from highlighting what they think are the 10 best "Darn Good Diners" in the country.

Find a rundown of the "Darn Good Diners" in rank order after the jump.

10. Beth's Café in Seattle, Washington. Beth's Café was chosen for its a 12-egg omelet that's made on a grill instead of the usual skillet and is served on a pizza tray -- it can cost upwards of $60 if you get "the works." With omelets that big, customers need to take advantage of Beth's unlimited hash browns.

9. Sam's Morning Glory Diner in Philadelphia. Run by former diner waitress Sam Mickey, the Morning Glory was chosen for the Monkey French toast: Caramelized bananas and mangos between two pieces of challah bread that's been dipped in a rich batter. It's topped with a caramel sauce and whipped cream for an extra dose of sweet.

8. Ria's Bluebird in Atlanta. Ria's Bluebird falls into the more modern idea of what a diner can be. Everything is made from scratch, with the signature dish being a play on "steak and eggs" -- slow-roasted brisket paired with a poached egg, all in a broth. It sounds odd, but the customers highlighted raved.

7. Veselka in New York City. An established spot in the East Village since 1954, the family-run Veselka serves up Ukrainian food, but they're known for their pierogi in particular. Boiled or fried, with a variety of fillings, the pierogi are so popular Velselka sells three to four thousand per weekend.

6. Rock Springs Café in Rock Springs, Arizona (Phoenix). People travel long distances to get to the Rock Springs Café and for one reason: pies. The make roughly 62,000 a year, in 20 varieties. Their specialty is a Jack Daniels pecan pie. We're sure people like other stuff when visiting the Rock Springs Café, but if so, we'd never know.

5. The Flamingo Diner in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Flamingo is the most traditional diner on the"Best Food Ever" list. Run by wise-cracking Greeks Linda and Sophie, the diner has folks lining up for the housemade Greek chicken. In the early 2000's, Jersey City tried to knock it down for road expansion but 10,000 Flamingo fans spoke up and saved it.

4. The Chicago Diner in Chicago. At first glance, The Chicago Diner looks like a typical greasy spoon -- they have all the usual items, including what they call the "radical Reuben." But a closer inspection reveals the dish, along with others on the menu, has a unique spin: it's meat free. It's made from seitan (a wheat gluten product). but it's so good it has vegetarians and meat-eaters alike saying "I can't believe it wasn't alive."

3. Arkie's Grill in Austin, Texas. An old timey establishment in Austin's East Side, Arkie's, which looks like something out of the 1960s, has had the same menu for decades, as well as the same chef, Eddie Marshall. The daily special that folks line-up for is Marshall's chicken and dumplings, served on Tuesdays only.

2. Arcade Restaurant in Memphis. Opened in 1919, the Arcade is officially the oldest restaurant in Memphis, and they go through 150 pounds of sweet potatoes a week for their famed sweet-potato pancakes. Another bragging point: Elvis was a frequent visitor of the Arcade, where the owners swear they turned him on to the fried peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich.

1. The Miss Worcester Diner in Worcester, Massachusetts. The number one diner -- according to "Best Food Ever" -- lies beneath a train track in the industrial town of Worcester, Massachusetts. Whether this is the best in the land, who's to say, really, but they do have twelve different varieties of French toast, including deep-fried French toast and "Hawaiian" French toast (stuffed with cream cheese and pineapple and topped with coconut).

Where's your favorite diner? Leave it in the comment section.

Filed Under: Television/Film
Tags: arcade restaurant, best food ever, best food ever recap, beths cafe, diners, rock springs cafe

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-18-2010 @9:25PM AnDenn said... I love the Tastee Diner in Bethesda, MD. Sure, it's dingey looking and not much at which to look, but the food is always great. I love their breakfasts, and their Tastee burgers are DELICIOUS!
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6-18-2010 @10:59PM JOEY said... The Belaire Diner at 21st street and Broadway in Astoria Queens is the best bar none beautiful decor to go with the excellent food and even better service its top rated in New York for a few years now Matter of fact my son and daughter are taking me there for breakfast on fathers day great place they never disappoint
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7-01-2010 @10:24PM jan said... The Caboose on 26E Main st, Norwich NY is a GREAT place to get some home style cookin! Freshly made muffins every morning, and the home made cinnamon french toast is sooo good and the waffles...ahhhhhh, no words can describe these light tasty treats! There is always a special for lunch... different each day and always something you would want to come back for again A homey, cozy place for great food and good times!
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6-20-2010 @4:32PM Marilyn Rubenstein said... My absolute favorite diner with the best food is: The Coral Springs Diner in Coral Springs Florida. It is the best with excellent service and great food.
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6-20-2010 @3:22PM BRENDA SANDERS said... IF YOUR EVER IN OTTUMWA IOWA STOP IN @ THE CANTEEN;ONE OF A KIND &TASTE!112 E SECOND ST UNDER THE PARKING GARAGE.
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