I grew up in a place where "diner" meant grimy plastic booths, aging waitresses, and greasy eggs. Where the patrons were either truck drivers or senior citizens. Where you ate if you didn't mind a film of stale cigarette smoke coating your utensils and coffee cup. It would never cross my mind to eat anything other than breakfast at a diner, and even then, a fast food joint might seem more attractive an option.
So when I was first introduced to a New Jersey diner, my jaw nearly dropped to the floor; I felt like a little kid who just discovered the fallacy behind the shopping mall Santa. The diner has more manifestations than the one I had always known.
Gus took me to Six Brothers Diner a couple years ago, and I can still remember the awe I felt as I stepped inside it's enormous, shiny interior. In fact, everything in it was enormous and shiny. An endless menu; two-person portions meant for one; glossy booths; gleaming countertops. Everything felt new and alive. Customers of all ages crowded around tables, gregariously devouring their meals. The service was friendly and efficient. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head when I learned there was a bar. But what truly struck me was the quality of the food. It was actually really, really good. My chicken souvlaki wrap was perfectly prepared: the grilled chicken was hot and tender, the sauce well-seasoned.
How I had been kept in the dark all of these years, I'm not so sure. Sure, I had seen a few episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but I figured those places were few and far between, and only in random locations in the Midwest or California. Little did I know Guy Fieri visited one just an hour from my house in the Poconos.
Yup, it's motto is "Eat Heavy" |
Gus and I made a late night trip to Tick Tock a couple weekends ago, and I was completely taken by this place. At 10PM it was humming with high school students, solo diners, young couples, old couples. The bartender, a man in his late 50s decked out in a vest and lightly tinted sunglasses, was completely in his element, churning out fancy cocktails like he was dealing tables in Vegas. It felt like I stepped off the quiet suburban streets onto another planet.
This photo was taken by Gus on a different visit; I did not have a chance to try those cheese fries! But the regular ones were great. |
Despite the array of choice, we stuck to an American classic: a tuna melt (to share, thank god, because I would have eaten the entire thing). And it was comfort food at its best. The tuna melt is presented sort of like an Americanized tartine, though it's probably blasphemous to make such a comparison: It's served open-faced on two pieces of perfectly toasted rye bread, a mound of tender, moist tuna salad and a slice of sweet tomato enveloped by melted muenster cheese on each slice. Naturally, we washed down our meal with a chocolate shake, one straw, 1950s style. My stomach may have disagreed with me the next morning, but it was well worth it.
Perhaps part of my love for the New Jersey diner stems from a pseudo nostalgia: I would have loved a diner like this growing up, a place to meet up with friends and order practically anything at any hour. I realize my enthusiasm and awe may strike some as a bit odd - especially coming from someone who now lives in the hub of the foodworld. But the diner has a special place in my heart. And if you're ever visiting or passing through New Jersey, you should treat yourself. Give New Jersey a chance to redeem itself. And if you're already there; well, I'm just preaching to the choir.
3 comments:
If only you could have been there in the summer of 2007.
Kristen was in Seattle for two months. Joe decided to drown his sorrows in multiple servings of Disco Fries(french fries, usually topped with mozzarella, smothered in brown gravy, and served with a side of more brown gravy).
You see, that summer my friends and I thought it would be a wonderful idea to visit a different New Jersey diner every Wednesday for two full months. It was called Diner Tour '07, and it was the most gloriously delicious summer of my life. I put on 15 pounds in two months. 15 pounds. It was worth it.
If I can recommend a couple of good ones; try the Americana Diner, and the Skylark Diner (in Edison). Same owners. The Skylark has a full service bar and more than just the traditional diner food. Kristen is partial to the fish tacos.
Diner Tour '07?! That's incredible. If only we were friends back then. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to check these places out!
p.s. your blogger name gets me every time...
It is the best!!!!! Have been going for years and I now have a new appreciation through your eyes!
Jean
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