Avalon Diner

2417 Westheimer, Houston, TX - (713) 527-8900

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Posted By Michael Stern on May 6, 2009 3:14 PM

In the deluxe neighborhood of River Oaks, the Avalon Drug Store and Diner is evidence that even fancy people appreciate plebeian meals. A single inconspicuous door leads from pharmacy to a dining area where the lunchtime din is like a party. Eating here is a happy event – for singles, couples, and families. Clientele are white collar, blue collar, blue blood, and redneck. Business men toss their tie aprons over their shoulders to shelter them from burger-juice drippings; immaculately coiffed women with eye-popping manicures pick up fork and knife to slice into smothered pork chops and scoop up mustard greens and candied yams.

The lunch counter dates back to 1938, and although this location is a new one, the booths are upholstered in out-of-date white-piped green leatherette, and food is made the old fashioned way. At the counter you watch waitresses squeeze lemons for lemonade and make milk shakes at the five-wand multi-mixer. Shakes and malts are served in their mixing can, which arrives at your place with frost going three-quarters up the outside, indicating the liquid level within. They are thick enough that the waitress has to jiggle the silver beaker to encourage the stuff to pour out into a glass.

The Avalon is known for consummate lunch-counter hamburgers – thin enough so that only a hint of pink remains in the center, glistening with oil from the griddle, fully dressed with tomato, lettuce, pickle, onion, mustard, and mayonnaise on a bun that has been butter-toasted crisp on the inside but is ineffably soft where you grab it. It is available with American cheese, of course, as well as with Swiss; and its possible companions include French fries, chili fries, chili cheese fries, wet fries (topped with brown or cream gravy), and onion rings.

Overall Rating

Cheeseburger

Lemonade

Drugstore Chili (cup)

Milk Shake

Waffle

Chocolate Malt

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Posted By Tim Holmes on September 13, 2008 11:29 AM

My friends and I stopped at Avalon Diner recently for the first time. We were greatly impressed to say the least. While the outside of the building leaves a lot to be desired, the aura of an old diner comes to life once you walk through the doors. Visitors are greeted by what appears to be a half-century-old Dr Pepper clock (the red 10, 2, 4 faded and barely visible) hanging on the light green wall.

The diner was very crowded, and many people were standing against the glass wall, waiting for an empty seat. Service was very quick, and our waitress took our orders almost as we sat down. Two of us ordered the chicken fried steak with crinkle cut fries while the others ordered the big breakfast, the club sandwich, and a hamburger. The orders were delivered quickly, considering the crowd that was there.

The chicken fried steak is huge, with a massive amount of delicious cream gravy smothering the plate. The fries are a welcome addition to the steak, and I skipped adding ketchup and used the cream gravy as a fry condiment. The Big Breakfast is massive. French toast was substituted for the pancakes that normally come with them. This is not just a small order of French toast, as six half-pieces of toast are arranged vertically on a large platter.

The club sandwich was so large that my friend had to take half of it home. She intended to get something small because she was going to a wedding shower later that day. Needless to say, she was surprised at its size! The hamburger looks as good as it does in the Roadfood.com pictures. It is heartily recommended.

All in all, Avalon Diner is a wonderful place to visit, but remember that it closes at 4 on Saturdays, so you have to go early!

Overall Rating

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