Diners Not Just Short Order Anymore

Live in New Jersey and you eat at a lot of diners. My state has the most of these eateries than any other state. Almost every town has at least one. Some even have three or four in the bigger cities and towns. What makes them so much fun is that they're diverse. Diners here serve everything from breakfast to cordon blu, from hearty stacks of pancakes to just cottage cheese filled melon halves.. That's what makes for varied eating here in t he Garden State.

One of my favorites is the Coach House in North Bergen The Coach House has been there seventy years and always has a busy crowd. I love spending my Sundays and even a few holidays here. (it's perfect for Christmas Mass service brunch).What I love about it is its' diversity of different dishes. One week I'll just have a filling appetizer , the next week , one of their tasty homemade soups and salad bar. Like other diners, it has a wide range of steaks, roasts and pastas. It's also known for its' Greek specialties too. Another plus about diners is that they can serve these dishes at any time. Order a dinner at 3 AM and or a brekfast at noon. A diner is there to cater to you!

Another great thing about Jersey diners is that most of their pastries are homemade. The Coach House is known for it's cupcakes, large muffins like creations topped with a dollop of butter cream frosting. Other diners throughout the state are well known for their melt in your mouth fruit topped cheesecakes as well as their seven layer cakes. Many of them even bake their own cookies and they're just as good as any bakery's . A little known fact - some diners can even make birthday and special occasion cakes for you if you ask. After all, a diner's bakery is located in the basement and it's responsible for all the rolls , buns and other baked items that are served.

New Jersey diners are not just onion rings and burgers along with an egg cream or a Coke. They can provide you with delicious homemade soups, top of the line sirloins and roasts and fresh baked sweets. They can cater to your every whim every day all day through rain and snow; any season, or holiday. That's what makes them great to visit.

Old Time Diner Food

One of my favorite places here in New Jersey, the Coach House Diner in North Bergen just had its menus printed up from its first year back in 1939. It was a time when life and food were a lot simple- not to mention cheaper and better for you. Seeing the menu back a lot of memories for my Mom who reminisced about the types of food back then. Some things have changed, some haven't.

Diners at the end of the Depression didn't have the wide variety their descendents have today. it was plain and simple chopped steak , pork chops and hamburgers. You could get a hot chicken dish or an open faced turkey sandwich . That's as exotic as it got. Yet this lack of choice is better. You just ordered something simple and ate it. Omelets haven't changed. They were probably only one egg back then and the eggs were farm fresh and organic. Surprisingly enough they were served with fries , just as they are today. The Western style was a big seller it seemed.

I noticed some foods fell out of fashion. There was the icky offering of stewed prunes. (I'm sorry that's just yucky to the nth degree) along with oysters, both stewed and fried. The first was a big deal back in the day. My Dad loved it especially when his grandmother , my Great Granny Roberts always made it on Christmas Eve. Nowadays it's rarely ever cooked in this country. Ditto with fried oysters, especially in the New York area. Liver and onions were a special lunchtime offering and I know only of a few diners that offer it today.

Some things come and go but diners, like the Coach House remain the same. There will always be a menu full of good things a welcoming plate of home cooked food waiting for you. That's what's so comforting. about them

Love Thyself With Food

If you have no one to treat this St Valentine's Day then treat yourself. Go out and buy yourself that box of chocolates or bottle of champagne. It's an indulgence that's meant just for you and only you. Splurge one something you haven't had or would like to try. Go made for your favorite whether from the gourmet store or the grocery store.

Even if you;re on a diet you can treat yourself to a little something. There's nothing wrong with gobbling strawberries if you love them . If you're a citrus nut buy some grapefruit and oranges for yourself to feat on. A little more decadence? Then dip bananas or cherries in chocolate syrup or apples in caramel . If you really want to indulge pick up a box of your favorite chocolates. I love Butlers and wouldn't mind either either a box of their creamy chocolates or buttery toffees for Valentine's Day. Stop by your local bakery and get either a big heart cookie or a couple of the themed cupcakes. Nothing beats these along with a hot cup of tea and a good book or magazine to read.

If you really want to treat yourself go for a dinner out. Most restaurants may be booked and you may have to make last minute reservations. If not treat yourself to a past love such as burgers and fries or an ice cream soda at your favorite diner or drive in. You could also cook for yourself, splurging on lamb chops or steaks or a rich pasta dish with shrimp or lobster. After all you're gifting yourself. make it special and fun. Add a bottle of champagne or fine wine and really turn it into a luxurious meal.

This Valentine's Day give yourself a favorite food or snack. Don't think of it as a guilty pleasure . Just think of it as an "I love me. I want to do something special for myself day". You'll enjoy it even more.