Ben's Chili Bowl

1213 U St NW, Washington DC

http://www.benschilibowl.com/

Diner Project Score- 8

Ben's Chili Bowl has turkey dogs. While most might feel this inauthentic, as someone who does not eat mammals, I appreciate this option even though I had a chocolate shake and the cheese fries were tasty too. Chili dogs were enjoyed by others. You order your food, pay for it and then if you sit at a table somehow they find you. There's an amazing choice of slices of colorful cakes to choose from and four flavors of slushes. Totally fabulous in so many ways.

I love diners that share their history with you. Usually this is on the menu. In the case of Ben's Chili Bowl there are sheets out on the table. Here are some highlights from it: Ben's Chili Bowl opened in 1958 and it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year on August 22, 2008 (I think this is why the sheets exist). The building used to be the Minnehaha silent movie house. This area at the time was known as "Black Broadway". Today its a short walk from the 9:30 Club. Ben's Chili Bowl survived the riots in the 60s and drug trade in the area in the 70s. Bill Cosby courted his wife there. The Metro's Green Line almost destroyed Ben's but luckily regulars kept it alive. (Photo here is from the reverse of the sheet.) Visited with Ben and his friends.

Waffle House

Somewhere in Delaware

Diner Project Score- 7

This was the first Waffle House I've ever been to. I now know what lies behind the yellow exterior and on the tables below the white spherical lights- mutiple options for hash browns. Visited with Joel and Amanda.

Pete's Famous Pizza and Restaurant

116 N 21st St, Philadelphia

Diner Project Score- 5

Tasty pizza and salads. They have something called the Gizmo, which when we asked what it was, it was described as a poor man's pizza. I think it came without cheese or tomato sauce (I forget now). Pastries on the counter.

The Broad Street Diner in Philadelphia is not open. I think signs in the window indicated it might be for sale.

The Morning Glory is also a breakfast/lunch diner, not a dinner

option.

A. P. J. Texas Weiners Restaurant

47 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia

Diner Project Score- 9

We ate breakfast so no weiners were consumed. Info on the Weiners can be found here. You can even get breakfast to go if you desire. We opted for the counter but sometimes its good to have options. In Pennsylvania Scrapple seems to replace grits and other such sides. Scrapple here was listed as a breakfast meat choice.

There seems to be another Texas Weiners diner in Philadelphia at 1426 Snyder Ave, but that's not the one we visited. http://www.texaswieners.com/ Perhaps this is similar to the Philadelphia Cheese Steak feuding? In case you were wondering what a Texas Weiner is and its history here's an essay about the Texas Weiner .

While dining here Joel suggested adding the category of pastries/desserts on the counter. I add to this that they can also be in a case behind the counter. While I love a dessert display case this is too broad since dessert cases can be found in family restaurants. On or behind the counter seems more diner since you have to have a counter, one of the other options for points.

So if you have a card add pastries/desserts on or behind the counter to you list for points.

I am going to start a list of songs about Diners.
Feel free to post any you know.

Here's a great way to start:
"dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer, than to have your ham and eggs in Carolina...", Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Glen Miller

Chicago's fabulous Diner Grill (which scores an 8 on the Diner Project Scale) also seems to go by the name Dinner Grill.

This was one of the best diner experiences I've had in some time. When Dave and I visited in April we went at regular dinner time. The diner conversation about a El accident was inspired by the tv. Somehow the talk led to the new tv converter boxes (time will tell is one replaces the tape, wires and bunny ears at the Diner Grill). There seemed to be a consensus at the diner to wait to buy boxes (government coupons deemed overrated) until they're cheap and on the street. (They're probably right- I got the coupon and I still had to pay $20). The best part of this visit was the man who came in after work, sat down, no words exchanged. He received his chili and a specific number of crackers within minutes. Yummy Grilled Cheese (of course).

Golden Apple
2971 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
http://goldenapplediner.com/

Diner Project Score- 8

Mark always tries to get out of going to the Golden Apple. He thinks I just want to go because it was on This American Life (which is partly true). While I have been convinced to go to the Golden Angel (totally different but fabulous in its own ways) and Diner Grill (a favorite) instead, we made it to the Golden Apple in April. They have both the Golden Apple Special and a Hobo Skillet! Tasty dinery coffee.

NC Diners

I still need to take photos of these.

Elmo's Diner
776 Ninth Street, Durham, NC
http://www.elmosdiner.com/
Diner Project Score- 5
I enjoy eating at Elmo's every time I've been. The last time was with Joel and Amanda. I was running late. They ordered for me and my sandwich was ready before I got there so the fine waitstaff brought me a new one when I arrived! Yummy grilled cheese indeed. Free crayons too.

501 Diner
1500 N Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC
Diner Project Score- 4
It's best to sit in the middle part of this diner since the other additions are less dinery. Joel said they have AMAZING bacon and my friend Megan loves the Corn Flake French Toast.