Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with diners

When did people stop being ok with soup just being itself?

Lutoslawski — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:27:42 -0800

When, why and where did people start putting crackers in their soup? Oyster crackers, saltines, and more exotic varieties of crackers are now ubiquitous and 'traditional' companions to a bowl of soup at diners everywhere. Why did this start? Where? When? Was there some sort of culinary evolution - like people used to put bread crumbs in their stew and now we have this oyster cracker skeuomorph? Answers or directions to good resources regarding the history of crackers and soup are very welcome.

Diners Drive-Ins and Dives from SF to Portland

sir_rubixalot — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:09:04 -0800

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives road trip from SF to Portland (farther if needs be). So I am a big fan of the aforementioned show, I love the idea of taking a road trip/traveling to random dive/diner restaurants. I would love to take a road trip from SF to Portland all the while hitting some great diners/dives.

I found some good posts about west coast road trips (1, 2, 3, and 4) but I feel my question is a bit more specific. If anyone can even recommend diners/dive between SF and Portland that would be perfect.

Who serves Philly's favorite breakfast?

ulotrichous — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:57:35 -0800

Phillyfilter: What's the best breakfast place in the city center? I've got some time in the morning before my presentation at the central library. I'd love to have an awesome breakfast at the kind of place that locals line up for on weekends. I'm staying right near the library, so someplace nearby would be great but something near the subway would be good too. Diners, breakfast only places, or even higher-end is all good. This is my only chance to have a cool local meal this trip. Any ideas?

Getting from I95 to I76

sandra_s — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:31:52 -0800

Getting around Philly late at night. How and where to eat? I'm picking up friends at PHL (Philadelphia International Airport) tomorrow night around 11:00pm. We are then driving 2 hours north (up the turnpike) to my place. Staying the night in Philly isnt possible that night.

A couple of concerns:

1) They've never been to PA. I'd love for them to at least *see* the Philadelphia skyline (especially at night). It appears that the only way to get from PHL to the Northeast extension of the turnpike is to go All the way back out I-476 (basically taking the very un-scenic loop around philadelphia)

I am very comfortable on the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), and love driving it at night. The problem is that although I-95 North crosses I-76 west, I cant figure out if there is a way to get ONTO I-76 west from I-95. Is there a way?

2) With the flight getting in that late, Im sure they will be hungry. I'd like to stop at a diner or all night restaurant along the way, but the only things I can find are open that late are at the Allentown Interchange, and at that point, we're only an hour from home. Are there any places to eat along the way (without getting off an exit for more than a mile)?

Thanks in advance!

Dented salt and pepper shakers

gfrobe — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 10:04:42 -0800

In diners, why are the metal tops of salt and pepper shakers usually dented as if they've been smashed with a hammer or something. Someone once gave me a reason why this was done intentionally but I can't remember what it was.

Are there any good 24 hour places to eat in Boston?

vodkadin — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 23:19:21 -0800

I've been living in Boston for about 2 years now and the only really good place I've found is the South Street Diner, but even that is really small and the wait is long.

Virtual Roads

tweebiscuit — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 22:22:16 -0800

I just did a Sherlock search for "Diner" in the 60662 zip code. One of the diners, "The Tasty Burger", had an address of "1000 Virtual Road", and Sherlock couldn't provide a map. I Googled the address, and got this -- tons of business that all have that address, many in different cities. What is this? &levelTo reinforce the fact that this is not an actual street: this map shows the location of Amits Art School to be, apparently, in the exact center of Chicago, as indicated by the placement of the "Chicago" label. Note also that there is no street called "Virtual" in this map.