Diner Critique: Mama Nancy’s (Syracuse, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 4

Courtesy of MamaNancys.com

I know economically it’s not the case, but we could be in an awareness renaissance for diners in Syracuse. Nationally Mr. Richman and co. helped put it on the map with a trip to Mother’s Cupboard. Locally the Post-Standard highlighted our recent project on the CNY diner scene and the response has been robust.

Despite all the new diner recommendations and buzz around the scene, there’s still one really lacking area for CNY diner culture… 24hr locales.  Hello, Mama Nancy’s.

Diner Critique: Starlite Diner & Lounge (Allentown, Pa.)

Review | Written and photographed by Justin Z. (@JMoneyFly)

Directions | Web site

Recently I was down in Allentown, PA for some training for work and obviously I wanted to sample some of the local restaurants while down there. (Honestly, who even likes chain restaurants anymore?)  On my adventures around town I stumbled upon the Starlite Diner & Lounge.  The first thing you’ll notice about the diner is its retro look, complete with bright pink and green neon lights covering the outside and more than enough chrome for one building.  The building itself is quite large (you could probably fit about 5 traditional diner cars inside) and was complete with a party room and lounge.  Up until now, I’ve never seen a diner with a bar… but there’s a first time for everything.

The 2009 Best Of Menu

Food Essay | Written by Nathan Mattise

This was the first year of Diners Without Frosted Tips, so like every other blog on the ‘net, it’s time to commemorate things with our year-end list.

Diner food is (and hopefully always will be) the central focus of this site  and our first year-end list is no exception.  Presenting the best of what we’ve eaten in 2009.

The only rules:

A) The meal has to be eaten at a diner/breakfast place.

B)  This list is acknowledged as limited and subjective due to a regional limitation on the diners/meals I’ve been able to experience and the subjective criteria through which the “value” of a meal is judged.

C)  The meal has to have been eaten in 2009 but the review/article does not necessarily need to have been written/published yet (thus ensuring this is a true best of list since I’m not totally caught up on my reviews/essays).

Without any further delay, the Diners Without Frosted Tips’ 2009 Best Of Menu…

Diner Week Critique: Doc’s Little Gem Diner (Syracuse, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 5

There are certain things that make a diner unmistakably charming: Variety in crowd type and size, a robust yet inexpensive menu offering specials and breakfast any time, an atmosphere that is just clean enough to maintain a “hole-in-the-wall / our secret spot” feel, and 24/7 hours that make it an oasis for hungry, bored or vital-conversation-needing folks alike. I heard about such fantasies first on the Golden Apple episode of This American Life. I lived such fantasies first at Doc’s Little Gem Diner. It’s practically what our rating system was based off.

Diner Week Critique: The Spot Diner (Chenango, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 3

The best television is found through boredom and persistance. It’s done during those evenings without sporting events when your favorite shows are broadcasting repeats. It forces you to channel surf before you inevitably land on A&E or a Discover, History channel.

I’ve done my fair share of this and I want to know what is taking the Travel Channel so long. Ever see Breakfast Paradise or Extreme Superstores? They must’ve skipped Chenango, N.Y. because The Spot Diner is the biggest diner many will ever see.