Diner Breakfast Complaints

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (David_NYC)

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:21:45 GMT

Diners that use frozen, liquid, pasteurized eggs shipped in a cardboard milk container to make scrambled eggs. With meat, bread and potatoes, they then charge you $7.50.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (fdaniels)

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:29:29 GMT

The problem that I have is getting burnt bacon. Actually, I want my bacon burnt, and can't get it that way. I tell them, "If it ain't black, it's going back." I really do like my bacon burnt, and it is so hard to get it done anywhere beyond crisp, especially if they use precooked bacon.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (ces1948)

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:06:03 GMT

We have a few mom and pop places that serve the Ora-Ida frozen hash brown patties. Not the real thing I guess but they don't taste bad to me.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (ROHfan)

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:19:54 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Rando

I'll echo what others have said about hash browns. I love good golden brown hash browns but can't seem to get them consistently. It must be difficult or too labor intensive to brown them... last ones I had were hash WHITES. yuck. It's the only kind of breakfast potatoes I like, don't like chunks,

My dad taught me a great trick and it works. When ordering hash browns tell the waiter/waitress to have the cook put them in the deep fryer. Sometimes they won't do it for you (why? I have no idea) but it really comes out great. Nice and crispy, and it salvages otherwise inedible potatoes.

ROHfan

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Rando)

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:33:07 GMT

I'll echo what others have said about hash browns. I love good golden brown hash browns but can't seem to get them consistently. It must be difficult or too labor intensive to brown them... last ones I had were hash WHITES. yuck. It's the only kind of breakfast potatoes I like, don't like chunks,

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (wallhd)

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:47:19 GMT

Regarding fruit cup offered by many establishments:

Canned fuit is a no, no!

Many places have fresh fruit cup and it is usually worth the price.

The Highland Park Diner in Rochester is one such place. Another one is a "coffee shop" in Mid-town Manhattan, 6th Ave. & 55th St., I think it is called the Apollo.

Wally
Cornell '67

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Wannabchef)

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:42:11 GMT

I am very particular about breakfast -

I usually order from the side(s) menu -

English muffin (no butter) I'll add it myself
Fruit cup - yeah maybe - or juice
Potatoes, and some kind of meat - I prefer sausage patties, or ham.

The reason I do this is - they always ask "How do you want your eggs"

My answer - INVISIBLE!

Sorry all you country folk - eggs are an ingredient - not an entree, in my opinion of course.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (MOC)

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:16:53 GMT

when they put green peppers into the home fries without warning you

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (blizzardstormus)

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:32:14 GMT

Have any of you experiencing such problems (and they are legitimate problems) informed the restaurant management of their sub par products? As a restaurant owner, I hate it when I get a complaint,

BUT, it is the only way I know that a customer is dissatisfied. I can't taste or watch every single plate of food. (Already gravity-challenged). I know that people don't like to complain but look it as offering a critique. A dedicated food professional wants and needs your honest feedback.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Robearjr)

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:07:18 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Ivyhouse

Breakfast is my favorite meal and diner breakfasts are my preference. I grew up in the NY metro area and there were many good diners.

However, I now live in the metro DC area and diner-type breakfasts are very difficult to find. The Double T (Baltimore and Frederick, MD.) is pretty good, but no where do I find a breakfast that has both good potatoes and homemade corned beef hash (not canned).

I had odd potatoes with breakfast at the Woodside Deli this morning in Germantown, MD. They were boiled, cut up with the skin on and looked like they had been finished with some kind of seasoning and maybe butter or margarine that combined to make almost a very thin liquid coating on the potatoes. They had some cut up onions with them and did not taste bad, just not what I had expected -- no crispiness or browning at all.

The potatoes at the Double T have gone downhill. It was mostly the Double T that I was thinking about when I complained about the lack of browning. A few years ago it seemed like the home fries at the Double T had more texture and more seasoning. Then again, a couple of years ago the only time I would go to the Double T would be after the bars closed down. Perhaps my memory is cloudy and those potatoes never were that good.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Ivyhouse)

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 18:21:23 GMT

Breakfast is my favorite meal and diner breakfasts are my preference. I grew up in the NY metro area and there were many good diners.

However, I now live in the metro DC area and diner-type breakfasts are very difficult to find. The Double T (Baltimore and Frederick, MD.) is pretty good, but no where do I find a breakfast that has both good potatoes and homemade corned beef hash (not canned).

I had odd potatoes with breakfast at the Woodside Deli this morning in Germantown, MD. They were boiled, cut up with the skin on and looked like they had been finished with some kind of seasoning and maybe butter or margarine that combined to make almost a very thin liquid coating on the potatoes. They had some cut up onions with them and did not taste bad, just not what I had expected -- no crispiness or browning at all.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (LuckyLabrador)

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 18:02:56 GMT

Not enough bacon, EVER...comeon, 3 slices of bacon never gets the job done, I'll take 12 thanks !

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Robearjr)

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 08:32:06 GMT

Most of the home fries/hash browns in Baltimore are pretty bad. It seems you get boiled potatoes that are cut and thrown onto a grill. There is never enough oil and they must over load the griddle, so most of the potatoes never get browned. You end up with either undercooked starchy or over cooked mush.

I also find the sausage quality is lacking. More often than not you get livery tasting meat that is loaded with gristle.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Ashphalt)

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:02:22 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Kiowa1

quote:
Originally posted by sizz

quote:
doggydaddy Posted - 05/28/2007 : 11:17:22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

===Barely-toasted, limp toast.===

In a perfect world, diners should have a combination jukebox/ toaster at every table.

Greatest idea I have ever seen.............................. a toaster at every table, .............. there was once a restaurant in LA ( I believe on Wilshire Boulevard ) that had just that....... a toaster at every table and I always wondered why breakfast joints never picked up on that idea.........

I hate "RAW" toast... I'd rather have it burnt than barely singed...

as for the toaster at every table idea... there will always be some yahoos who will stick just about anything in there, including forks and fingers (how do you want your Coke toasted???)... Breakfast after the bars close would truly be a memorable event...

My thought about the toasters, exactly. Not to mention what children will do with a toaster and a glass of water.

I wonder about those places that have make-your-own waffle bars. There was one at the grad student/faculty cafeteria when I was in law school. One day I saw my Corporations Law prof attempting to make a waffle. Knowing that he liked to wash his Prozac down with vodka I quickly finished my lunch and left before the fire alarm went off.

We have a diner we like very much, except: they give you a choice of hash browns or home fries. Hash browns seem to be frozen, home fires seem fresh, but the hash browns are usually cooked and crispy, the home fries usually not. So it's crispy frozen taters or mushy fresh ones.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Greyghost)

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:11:54 GMT

santacruz,

The other diner next door is Inga's Diner. Many years ago there was a waitress that worked at Dewey's
named Inga who started up her own place right next door. Inga is long gone, but the diner bearing her
name is still there. I used to be a regular at Inga's, but when a favorite waitress was mistreated by a
new owner and quit so did I. I wrote about this under the heading Key Employee Quits...

In the old days, both diners were quite similar but drifted apart over time. Inga's under successive owners
tried to be more upscale while at the same time cutting corners. Dewey's still family owned has kept its
character, old fashioned, real country and authentic.

You are correct that both places are favorites among truckers as well as locals. Hours are limited though
both operate from early morning to about 2 PM. Neither would be open at 2 AM these days though.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Kiowa1)

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:51:22 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by sizz

quote:
doggydaddy Posted - 05/28/2007 : 11:17:22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

===Barely-toasted, limp toast.===

In a perfect world, diners should have a combination jukebox/ toaster at every table.

Greatest idea I have ever seen.............................. a toaster at every table, .............. there was once a restaurant in LA ( I believe on Wilshire Boulevard ) that had just that....... a toaster at every table and I always wondered why breakfast joints never picked up on that idea.........

I hate "RAW" toast... I'd rather have it burnt than barely singed...

as for the toaster at every table idea... there will always be some yahoos who will stick just about anything in there, including forks and fingers (how do you want your Coke toasted???)... Breakfast after the bars close would truly be a memorable event...

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (santacruz)

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:30:29 GMT

I second Dewey's I think it started up to serve the Truckers who had truck terminals up behind where it is located i.e. Dorns, M&M etc.
I used to help the dispatcher by picking up the long haul drivers from Deweys and bring them to the terminal, and I have got to say one of the best food feelings I ever had, was to enter that diner at 2:00 a.m. on a January morn, and get hit with the smell of fresh brewed coffee and sizzling bacon.

Right next to Deweys there was another diner I forget the name, but it wasn't as popular.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Greyghost)

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:56:25 GMT

I have found a local diner that meets my needs. My new favorite is Dewey's Diner 51 Fuller Road, Albany, NY.
It is a very old family owned diner with a long history, just the kind I like. The diner dates from the 1930's and when you walk in you are walking into history.

When you walk inside, you are greeted with genuine enthusiasm and made very welcome. Every customer is
presented with the Times Union newspaper upon seating. There is a reason for this as orders are done from scratch and take a bit longer and the newspaper occupies your time.

This is not to say the food takes a long time, but it is not fast food. Instead, it is fascinating food. My sacred home fries are done from scratch from real cubed potatoes and are cooked till done. Simply wonderful. You also have ample opportunity to meet and greet the friendly regulars which is always a plus in my book.

My other complaint against diners was sausage and I have no complaint here. This diner also cuts the sausage in half but it is large dinner sized sausage and quite satisfying. I guess when you are family owned and have been in business since the 30's you learn some things.

I am glad I found them. Oh, the breakfast special including everything mentioned is under $6.00. It does not get any better than that.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Foxyfishy14)

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:45:23 GMT

I completely agree with alot of the posts in this topic..especially the ones about the undercooked bacon...there is nothing worse! I love the toaster at every table idea! Diner owners definitely need to realize that there is a difference between scalloped potatoes, home fries and hash browns...and they should learn how to make each one! I know I'm going to get it for even thinking of posting this next line on here, but it has to be said: I have not yet had a hash brown at a diner that even comes close to the ones they make at Mickey D's. I love that they are crispy on the edges and just soft enough in the middle. I know, I know...people are never going to take me seriously after this one...but I can't help it..its the ONLY thing I actually like from there for breakfast.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (MilwFoodlovers)

Thu, 31 May 2007 13:33:12 GMT

GLINIECKI, not the most common name. I had a Milwaukee Sentinel route with a Tony Gliniecki on Milwaukee's NW side. If he's a relative tell him Mike says hi.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (KIMMYJ1962)

Thu, 31 May 2007 13:03:02 GMT

I once had a waitress tell me that "No matter how long we cook the hash browns, they aren't gonna get any crisper than that!!" Allllrighty then! HMPH
I'd like to add that those hashbrowns were definitely HASH BEIGES!

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (ann peeples)

Wed, 30 May 2007 19:31:24 GMT

Happy to see another George Webb fan!! My husband and I have never had a bad breakfast there-and especially the hashbrowns.They always get my eggs just right-over medium IS over medium.And we love the hashbrowns well done with cheese...

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Greyghost)

Wed, 30 May 2007 19:22:39 GMT

GLINIECKI,

Welcome to Roadfood! My eyes are bulging out just considering the feast your husband eats for breakfast.
I have a healthy appetite but am no match for your husband. If I ate all that, I would be full for a day and a half at least. I am really impressed.

Grizzly,

You are not alone in observing constant price increases. Around here it is a price creep, more than a price spike which seems to be what you are experiencing. Here in River City, you can still get a full breakfast with all the items you mentioned for $5.69 with unlimited coffee. Ten years ago it was $5.00. Not a bad creep for a decade, but the increase only happened in the last two years.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (jvsmom)

Wed, 30 May 2007 19:19:42 GMT

I recently took my daughter to breakfast at a diner. I ordered my favorite - eggs benedict. We had been to this particular place once before, and I'd had the same thing and liked it.

This time, I don't know if they were rushed or what, but the eggs were nowhere near cooked. It was hidden at first by the Hollandaise sauce, but once I cut into it, BLECCH!

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Twinwillow)

Wed, 30 May 2007 18:39:14 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by GLINIECKI

The best hashbrowns I have ever had are at the George Webb diners in the Milwaukee area. My husband orders them extra crispy and has never been disappointed and that says alot. He is very picky about his hash browns. George Webb's is the BEST. Their eggs are also exceptional (and have flavor). In fact, my picky husband's standard order there is: 3 eggs over easy, double hash browns extra crispy, double order of french fries extra crispy, toast, bacon and a bowl of chili. Try it sometime!

Hope he works out.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (ALL GOOD)

Wed, 30 May 2007 18:19:19 GMT

The best hashbrowns I have ever had are at the George Webb diners in the Milwaukee area. My husband orders them extra crispy and has never been disappointed and that says alot. He is very picky about his hash browns. George Webb's is the BEST. Their eggs are also exceptional (and have flavor). In fact, my picky husband's standard order there is: 3 eggs over easy, double hash browns extra crispy, double order of french fries extra crispy, toast, bacon and a bowl of chili. Try it sometime!

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (Grizzly)

Wed, 30 May 2007 17:37:43 GMT

My biggest complaint about breakfast is fast becoming the ridiculous increase of price in the last 10 years. There was a time not long ago you could have a square breakfast (meat, potatoes, eggs, bread and juice or coffee) for somewhere around five dollars. Now, the children's breakfast prices are even higher than that.

Unfortunately, some of our chain breakfast entities have started pushing pricing up close to what you would pay for dinner. Now, a lot of the Roadfood/Mom and Pop places are stepping up their prices since there are a flurry of folks willing to pay $10 for an omelette at IHOP/Denny's/Village Inn, etc.

I guess I better get used to it just like I had to get used to:

ground beef at 3.99/lb.
10lbs of potatoes at 3.99!
bar and grill chicken wings $.30.

The cheap ingrediants the upper crust didn't want 30-50 years ago, the food producers and grocery stores figured out we would pay what they ask for it. Nice choice, pay or not eat.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (enginecapt)

Wed, 30 May 2007 16:22:16 GMT

Unless you're like me and insist on scrambled eggs and omelets brown, firm and well done. No soft stuff, no gooeyness, no snot. Now that's the way to cook scrambled eggs. I see the way Gordon Ramsay serves up his idea of scrambled eggs and I want to vomit.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (louweezy)

Wed, 30 May 2007 14:28:17 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by lindsey

TWO WORDS.............HASH WHITES! What is with these cooks that think cooking hashbrowns on one side......then plating them is Aok??? These suck....and I always have to order them well done......repeating...cooked on BOTH sides! There should be a law against this!!!!!!!!!

Beat me to it! We call them Hash Beiges. We were in MI for a long weekend & ate at several "dinery" small places. Not 1 single place could make edible hash browns.
2 more: Lousy eggs benny. Bad sauce, cold eggs. yuk
Listen up folks, if the eggs look done in the pan or on the griddle, you blew it. Overdone. Nothing worse than overcooked scrambled eggs.

RE: Diner Breakfast Complaints (tkitna)

Wed, 30 May 2007 02:03:53 GMT

My biggest complaint would be the small glasses of milk you get when its ordered. I've ordered chocolate milk and its come out in a glass so small, my kids would have ordered two of them.