Best Diner Within Walking Distance

anonymous

bluedove wrote: [quote=alan][quote=Anonymous]My vote goes to The Usual. When I heard the brothers were from Quebec, I asked as a joke why they didn't have poutine (Quebecois specialty of french fries mixed with cheese curds and covered with piping hot gravy, which melts the cheese--yum!), and they made one for me on the spot. Yay!

Did they have authentic cheese curds, or did they have to use something else? You can't find that stuff around here. You can't even find the plain ones in Northern NY anymore...

WHAT??? Um, to both of those.

You can get poutine around here? I am constantly talking people's ears off about that stuff. So delicious, so impossible to find outside of Canada...

Cheese curd: Tell me about it! I've been looking for it around here for years. I had it up in Oswego (WAY upstate)...you mean you can't even get it up there anymore either? Never having any reason to go to Wisconsin, it was my last hope...

They used to sell the plain cheese curds it at the Price Chopper in Plattsburgh, but now all I can find is the flavored stuff. If you go to an IGA in Quebec, you can buy the special poutine gravy mix; I usually pick up a few dry powder packets of St. Hubert's poutine gravy...

t-fal

last time i was home, you could get plain cheese curds in syracuse.

bluedove

REALLY? They never made it over the lake.

carnivore

I have trouble believing that you can't get cheese curds in New York (although I admit that I've never looked).

You could always order them online ($29 for 5 lbs.):
http://rockcheese.com/supfreschees.html

or here for $5.59/lb:
http://www.wpbstv.org/JeffBulk/Products.htm

t-fal

bluedove wrote: REALLY? They never made it over the lake.

my mom (who is of french canadian parentage btw.) usually has a tub of them in the fridge. most of the grocery stores and dairies should carry them. perhaps try mazzye's meats or nichols grocery store in liverpool, they both seem to carry some unusual specialty items. next time i go upstate i'll have to give it a look.

bluedove

Carnivore wrote: I have trouble believing that you can't get cheese curds in New York (although I admit that I've never looked).

You could always order them online ($29 for 5 lbs.):
http://rockcheese.com/supfreschees.html

or here for $5.59/lb:
http://www.wpbstv.org/JeffBulk/Products.htm

I have looked in nearly every store that sells dairy products that I've set foot in in this city, and I have never seen them. I swear.

Thanks for the links!!

ETA:
Okay, the $29 site seems reliable, as they are concerned with freshness/how long it will take to ship to you...unfortunately, this means we New Yorkers either have to accept frozen cheese curd or pay extra for Priority shipping, since we are outside the 2-day ground shipment zone.

The $5.59 site charges $7 for an insulated box, so if you're only getting one pound...

Why can't people outside of Canada and Wisconsin understand how amazing cheese curd is and start making it closer to home!? [/rant]

pitu

I heard that the Coop is going to start selling the kind of cheese curd you make fresh mozz from. I know NOTHING about cheese curd except it is not in NYC and my SO always has to bring it to people from Minnesota.

I have been a cheese curd mule.

I really think it's something you have to grow up with to like...

bluedove

Not to be obsessive about this but...I didn't have it until college, but I looove it (clearly). As I understand it, it's basically baby cheddar. The very first stage of formation. It squeaks when you bite into it. It's delicious.

anonymous

alan wrote: [quote=Anonymous]My vote goes to The Usual. When I heard the brothers were from Quebec, I asked as a joke why they didn't have poutine (Quebecois specialty of french fries mixed with cheese curds and covered with piping hot gravy, which melts the cheese--yum!), and they made one for me on the spot. Yay!

Did they have authentic cheese curds, or did they have to use something else? You can't find that stuff around here. You can't even find the plain ones in Northern NY anymore...

Nah, they used regular chunks of cheese but I was so happy that I made do with ersatz curds. I'd love to find real cheese curds in NY, the kind that squeaks when you bite into it.

pete_c

The Usual is the Tom's alternative -- same food for half the price.

But Tom's wins because of their corned beef hash. Sure, its probably the same Hormel crap that I can (and do) buy, but their grill has such higher mileage on it than it will make anything taste better.


However, all NYC diners receive a dishonorable mention for not stocking real hash browns. Home fries ARE NOT THE SAME THING. Thankfully Met Foods on Vanderbilt occasionally stocks the Real Potato hash browns.

-p

stacey

Carnivore wrote: Late-Night dining options: (soon to be split-off thread)

The new frat-boy burrito place on Flatbush is supposed to be open 'til 2am (although they don't specify whether the kitchen is open that late).

I think Natural Land (also on Flatbush) is open 24 hours, so you can always at least pick up something to heat up.

I passed by an "American Fried Chicken" over in Crown Heights at 3am on Friday night and they were open. It was on Eastern Parkway, I think around Franklin or Rogers.

If you don't mind spending some cash and want a totally un-ghetto experience, you could go to Blue Ribbon in Park slope, which is open until 4 am on the weekends (2 am weeknights).

Anyone have any other ideas?? I'd love to know- my wife and I both often work late.

I am almost positive that Tavern on Dean's kitchen is open until 3:00 a.m.

pete_c

Tavern on Dean does serve that late, though their service gets questionable in the wee hours, from what I've been told.

New frat-boy burrito place?

-p

muk

My quasi-little-known secret: the grill counter in the back of the magazine shop just outside the stairs to the 7th Ave. B/Q stop. I have had a few drunken, satisfying, grease-laden late late night eats there. It really is like stepping back into another world. Last time I was there I ate with a cop and that ubiquitous, cool homeless guy that I see every morning down in the 7th Ave. subway stop. I think that they are open around the clock.

Anyone else had this pleasure? I forget the name of the place...

stacey wrote: [quote=Carnivore]Late-Night dining options: (soon to be split-off thread)

The new frat-boy burrito place on Flatbush is supposed to be open 'til 2am (although they don't specify whether the kitchen is open that late).

I think Natural Land (also on Flatbush) is open 24 hours, so you can always at least pick up something to heat up.

I passed by an "American Fried Chicken" over in Crown Heights at 3am on Friday night and they were open. It was on Eastern Parkway, I think around Franklin or Rogers.

If you don't mind spending some cash and want a totally un-ghetto experience, you could go to Blue Ribbon in Park slope, which is open until 4 am on the weekends (2 am weeknights).

Anyone have any other ideas?? I'd love to know- my wife and I both often work late.

I am almost positive that Tavern on Dean's kitchen is open until 3:00 a.m.

carnivore

Muk wrote: My quasi-little-known secret: the grill counter in the back of the magazine shop just outside the stairs to the 7th Ave. B/Q stop. I have had a few drunken, satisfying, grease-laden late late night eats there. It really is like stepping back into another world. Last time I was there I ate with a cop and that ubiquitous, cool homeless guy that I see every morning down in the 7th Ave. subway stop. I think that they are open around the clock.

Anyone else had this pleasure? I forget the name of the place...

Oiseau wrote: Albaz or better known as the diner that's in the newspaper stand/deli on Flatbush, right at where the Q train stairs come out on the Park Slope side. Got it? In the back there's a diner with people playing Quick Draw (something to do while you wait for your food). Actually they make a pretty decent burger.

muk

What, we're expected to read the threads that we contribute to??

(Crawling back into my hole now) :oops:

Carnivore wrote: [quote=Muk]My quasi-little-known secret: the grill counter in the back of the magazine shop just outside the stairs to the 7th Ave. B/Q stop. I have had a few drunken, satisfying, grease-laden late late night eats there. It really is like stepping back into another world. Last time I was there I ate with a cop and that ubiquitous, cool homeless guy that I see every morning down in the 7th Ave. subway stop. I think that they are open around the clock.

Anyone else had this pleasure? I forget the name of the place...

Oiseau wrote: Albaz or better known as the diner that's in the newspaper stand/deli on Flatbush, right at where the Q train stairs come out on the Park Slope side. Got it? In the back there's a diner with people playing Quick Draw (something to do while you wait for your food). Actually they make a pretty decent burger.

carnivore

Muk wrote: What, we're expected to read the threads that we contribute to??

(Crawling back into my hole now) :oops:

Come back out, Muk! I didn't mean it like that. I was just too lazy to type it over.

devincf

I didn't know it was called Albaz until just now, but the food there is good, especially late at night.

Tom's seems nice enough if I ever wanted to bother waiting in line for food. I've lived around the corner for four years and haven't needed diner food that badly yet.

will

I think that living around the corner from Tom's would make me very fat. YUM.

muk

No offense taken! Just saying that I should have been paying attention.

Carnivore wrote: [quote=Muk]What, we're expected to read the threads that we contribute to??

(Crawling back into my hole now) :oops:

Come back out, Muk! I didn't mean it like that. I was just too lazy to type it over.

jamesondean

devincf wrote: I didn't know it was called Albaz until just now, but the food there is good, especially late at night.

The people watching there late at night can be fantastic. While I waiting for my food to be prepared, some young pimp came in to feed the ladies on his arms. Reminded me of that line from Mo' Better Blues: "Other guys feed you lines, but I take you to Mickey D's!"

t-fal

i think that the american fried chicken place, might be the same place on franklin that sells these greasy little fried nuggets of potato, cheese, onion and possibly jalepeno, definately salt...called munchers? i think that's the place, open really late. i had them once, and while they were fantastic post-drinkup eating, i believe they gave me heartburn for DAYS, so i haven't had them since.

whyfi

pitu wrote: I heard that the Coop is going to start selling the kind of cheese curd you make fresh mozz from. I know NOTHING about cheese curd except it is not in NYC and my SO always has to bring it to people from Minnesota.

Ahhhh!!! The MN state fair!!! Cheese curds!!! That, and all of the best food-on-a-stick that you could imagine! I take it that your SO is a MN native? I really need to get back there for the fair some time in the next couple years- I think that my arteries are starting to soften up and unclog- I can't have that!!!

outeraccelerator

i like the Parkside because it is the LEAST yuppie that i've been to in the area, the cheapest, and the most like a real diner. i grew up in jersey though so it isn't the same, but its the closest in the area. more authentic diners can be found down in the southernmost ends of brooklyn... bay ridge, benshonhurst, sheepshead bay. thats the most like a jersey diner to me. i cant stand yuppie diners that wish they were fancy resteraunts.

whats the one in park slope with all the bicycles on the wall? i like bicycles, but i remember it being way too expensive for a diner. theres ano ther one on 5th ave that i went to very late after drinking all night, i liked that one, the waitress reminded me of my grandma. maybe it was called julies?

but parkside is sometimes depressing, and what is up with them serving pizza now? i used to go there for brunch a lot but now i'd choose new prospect cafe, which isn't a diner at all.. but they have really good salmon eggs benedict.

muk

Ahh, Parkside,

1) I like the turkey burger. Fries are pretty good.
2) I tried the pizza last night. Not too shitty. I'll get it again when I am lazy and want enough pizza for a week (big pie).

outeraccelerator wrote: i like the Parkside because it is the LEAST yuppie that i've been to in the area, the cheapest, and the most like a real diner. i grew up in jersey though so it isn't the same, but its the closest in the area. more authentic diners can be found down in the southernmost ends of brooklyn... bay ridge, benshonhurst, sheepshead bay. thats the most like a jersey diner to me. i cant stand yuppie diners that wish they were fancy resteraunts.

whats the one in park slope with all the bicycles on the wall? i like bicycles, but i remember it being way too expensive for a diner. theres ano ther one on 5th ave that i went to very late after drinking all night, i liked that one, the waitress reminded me of my grandma. maybe it was called julies?

but parkside is sometimes depressing, and what is up with them serving pizza now? i used to go there for brunch a lot but now i'd choose new prospect cafe, which isn't a diner at all.. but they have really good salmon eggs benedict.

alafairnadia

Oiseau wrote: [quote=teddyballgame2]just where around here can I get food at 3 am on a Wednesday morning?
I know about Bageltique in PS but that's kind of a hike...

Albaz or better known as the diner that's in the newspaper stand/deli on Flatbush, right at where the Q train stairs come out on the Park Slope side. Got it? In the back there's a diner with people playing Quick Draw (something to do while you wait for your food). Actually they make a pretty decent burger.

yes. yes. yes. their cheeseburger is fuckin bombtastic. and I ate it with 3 DHers. YUM

apollonia666

Carnivore wrote: Late-Night dining options: (soon to be split-off thread)
...

Anyone have any other ideas?? I'd love to know- my wife and I both often work late.

It's not exactly in PH but close -- City Lights Diner at Atlantic and 3rd is open 24 hours. It's a pretty basic greasy-spoon diner, nothing special. They do have good fries though.

jamesondean

So now that I live right across the street from Purity, it appears that this theoretically convenient food source has the world's oddest/shortest hours. The awning outside that says Open 24 hours is a big lie. You're lucky if they're open for three hours in the afternoon.

Business tip if you operate a restaurant: you have to be open for people to give you money.

will

I had the single worst meal of my entire adult life at City Lights. I love greasy spoons, but spoons covered in crud and syrup is another thing. It has been nearly a year and I haven't gotten over that meal!

apollonia666

Will wrote: I had the single worst meal of my entire adult life at City Lights. I love greasy spoons, but spoons covered in crud and syrup is another thing. It has been nearly a year and I haven't gotten over that meal!

Yeah, I'm not necessarily recommending it, but it IS always open. The service is really hit-or-miss too -- some of the waitresses are really nice and attentive, but there's this one old guy who's grumpy, nasty, oblivious, and probably racist (I've seen him be really nasty to black patrons).

rossmelanie

JamesOnDean wrote: So now that I live right across the street from Purity, it appears that this theoretically convenient food source has the world's oddest/shortest hours. The awning outside that says Open 24 hours is a big lie. You're lucky if they're open for three hours in the afternoon.

So, they are still officially open? It seems like they've been closed for weeks on end. Though, I only walk by in the evening...