Posted on 08/15/2005 11:40:41 AM PDT by Rebelbase
"You poor southrons have never had the pleasurable experience of an independant Greek-run diner like those of us from the northeast. Puts the "Awful House" and Cracker Barrel to shame."
On the contrary, here in Atlanta we have the Buckhead Diner owned by a Greek restauranteur and the Landmark Diner, also owned by a Greek, and The White House restaurant where I ate lunch today, also owned by a Greek. Just to name three within a 5 mile radius of Buckhead. - And of course there's the Waffle House down the corner.
WOW! I remember a Sunday morning a few years ago, traveling from Atlanta to Birmingham, I stopped at four different exits looking for a Waffle House with tables actually available without a wait. Every one of them had full tables and standing room only waiting for tables. The next week I checked with my broker only to find out that Waffle House is privately held!
But that was before I got to the south.
Now it's comparable or pricier than any other breakfast chain.
The waitresses are nice and warm and friendly, though -- problem is, I know one of them in real life, and she's .... well, let's just say she's got some more work to do on herself.
Are there any East Carolina graduates that remembers the waitress in Greenville named Mary Mary? She was an icon for the drunk college students after midnight. Served our sorry butts with a smile. LOL.
Oh, please. There are plenty of Greek diners in the South now.
It's just that most of us know that "Greek" and "breakfast" don't go together.
Just have memories of driving through Alabama and Mississippi trying to find a place for breakfast, with my choices being limited to the Waffle House (dirty) or Cracker Barrel (long lines, screaming children).
Grandmas Biscuits on Buford.
Donnies on Clairmont isn't too bad nuther.
I big to deffer. In New York, some of the best breakfast nooks are Greek.
Here's the complete food inventory for a Waffle House
Bacon, ham, sausage, turkey, cheese, frozen porkchops, frozen little steaks, frozen hamburger patties, canned chili, canned soup, frozen fries, cooking grease.
Eggs, Hashbrowns, bread, buns, grits, waffle mix, salt pepper, butter, ketchup, mustard, mayo, Texas Pete, micro boxes of cereal, sugar, sugar substitute.
Lettuce, tomato, onion.
Milk, waffle syrup, whipped cream, cream, sodas, OJ, coffee tea.
That's pretty much it. Everything they sell is made from that limited inventory.
Today I was at The White House restaurant checking out the mac 'n cheese and the chicken and dumplins'. Just lookin'. I had the tuna salad instead.
The proprietor of The White HOuse doesn't take credit cards. You don't have the cash? He'll take a check - or you can pay him the next time you come by.
I'm with you. And great greasy hamburgers too!
They may be Greek cooks, but they suren't aren't cooking GREEK breakfasts -- at least not in the South.
We don't let just any old yankee in on where the good breakfast spots are.
And NO ONE can lecture southerners on how to make breakfast. :0)
I used to work at a restaurant at Logan Airport (1979 to 1980) when I was just a 17-year-old kid and just a few years ago, I went there to eat. This was over 20 years since I worked there. The waitress that served us was the same one I worked with all those years ago! She even remembered me (though I had to tell her who I was first). Turned out that one of the cooks I used to work with was still there too but he was off that day.
I always thought Toddle House was better, but I don't know if they are around anymore.
There are intersections in the Atlanta area with Waffle Houses on 3 of the four corners. Typically where major thoroughfares intersect with an Interstate.
Now I want to make some sort of gay joke about Greek breakfasts and 'donut punching'.
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