Diners

The 5 Point Cafe: Breakfast at Seattle’s best dive bar

Salmon Benedict, The 5 Point Cafe, Seattle

The 5 Point Cafe, located in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, is a historic cafe and dive bar which opened in 1929. For almost a century, the no-frills diner has survived prohibition, war, and politics. Today, the cafe is one of the oldest family operated eateries in Seattle and the oldest bar in Belltown. It is also known for being one of the best dive bars in the city. As the menu states, everyone is welcome no matter your political, social, or …

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Phoebe’s Diner: Classic American diner in South Austin

The Brisket Benny, Phoebe’s Diner, Austin

Phoebe’s Diner, located in Austin, Texas, is a casual diner serving everything from scratch-made American classics to barbecue. In 2017, the owners of Winebelly, one of South Austin’s best wine bars, opened Phoebe’s Diner. The diner, located a few doors down from Winebelly, sits next to a gas station in a strip mall off W Oltorf St. Since opening, the breakfast and brunch spot has gained a following for its extensive menu featuring made-from-scratch Americana dishes. Dishes include fried chicken, …

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Sam's No. 3: Iconic downtown Denver diner dating back to 1927

The iconic Sam's No. 3 located on 15th and Curtis in downtown Denver

In 1927, Greek immigrant Sam Armatas opened the first Sam’s No. 3 diner in downtown Denver on 15th and Curtis. While this location closed many years ago, Sam’s legacy lives on. In 1998, Sam’s son and grandson reopened Sam’s No. 3 just to the east of downtown in Aurora. In 2003, the downtown location was opened just across the street from the original which opened nearly 100 years ago. In 2013, a third location was opened in Glendale. Today, Sam’s …

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Steuben's Uptown: Brunch in Denver, Colorado

The colorful Monte Cristo

Steuben’s Uptown has long been at the top of my must eat restaurants in Denver for quite a while now. This retro American diner is well known for their regional American classics ranging from Maine lobster rolls to chicken & waffles. Established in 2006, Steuben’s now has two locations in Denver with one location in Uptown and another location to the northwest in Arvada. On this trip, I visited the Steuben’s Uptown location. Because of my failure to plan ahead, …

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Coffee Pot Restaurant in Sedona: Serving breakfast for over 30 years

The Coffee Pot Restaurant, located in Sedona, Arizona, is a family-owned restaurant with a 30 year history of serving its community. This institution of Sedona, and local favorite, is today not only popular with locals but with tourists looking for a delicious yet inexpensive breakfast or lunch option. This is especially true in a city as expensive as Sedona. Thanks to its extensive menu, including its absurd selection of 101 different omelettes, the Coffee Pot Restaurant has been written about …

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Gabby’s Burgers & Fries in Nashville, Tennessee

The Seamus Burger with jalapenos and a fried egg on top, Gabby's Burgers & Fries in Nashville, Tennessee

Without Yelp, I probably never would have found Gabby’s Burgers & Fries, a popular no frills burger spot located in an industrial area of Nashville just across the street from Herschel Greer Stadium. Gabby’s, named after the owner’s daughter, has become extremely popular with locals for their small selection of grass fed beef burgers including the popular Seamus burger, named after the owner’s son. The diner has even been on the radar of Guy Fieri and his television show “Diners, …

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A Sunday morning visit to Al's Breakfast in Minneapolis, MN

The Jose, one of the more popular dishes served at Al's Breakfast

It was my last day in Minneapolis before having to head back to Los Angeles. For my last breakfast in the city, I knew I had to head to Al’s Breakfast, for what I was told, was the best breakfast in the city. I actually first heard about Al’s Breakfast when Guy Fieri stopped by on his Food Network television show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” I knew this was the place for me when I saw the tiny diner with …

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