Any authentic diners in Sac?

[melly]

We were watching Diners, Drive ins and Dives last night and we wanted to hop in our car and head to Studio Diner in San Diego!! Are there any diners in or near Sacramento?

[alanbarnes]

If you want to use the narrowest definition of an "authentic diner"--a completely prefabricated restaurant--the nearest one may be Andy's in Truckee. It's a Kullman that was made shortly after WWII and shipped cross-country.

[mausi]

I think the Railroad Cafe would qualifiy for the diner category.
They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, BBQ ribs on Frid/Sat and Sunday.
They close at PM though.
Great food, it has become my latest down home favorite place

[bennyboy1]

Lil Joes? Sammy's? both on Del Paso? They might fit into the diner category....

Really outside of the actual design of the building what makes a diner? Is there a difference between a diner and a coffee shop? Does Denny's count? they are now designd on the interior like diners....

[melly]

I forgot about Lil Joe's and Sammy's. They look like diners. Perry's on Stockton maybe..although not sure. I would like to know the diff between a coffee shop and a diner. Comfort food..that's what diners serve...meatloaf and mashed potatoes, grilled liver and onions. Lucky's is a diner.

[bennyboy1]

I was thinking Mr Perrys too. They have meatloaf, mashed taters,and that homespun thing going on. But that place is huge. truck stop like....

Which begs the question...is a truck stop a diner?

[toncasmo]

uptown cafe on del paso ?? seemed "dinerish" to me!!

[melly]

Uptown! I was trying to think of the name of that place!

[toncasmo]

or how about market club- it seemed like a diner too

[lilyalli]

There are several places I'd consider 'diners' but they may also be considered coffee shops... there's the Cornerstone (midtown - J St & around 24th), Eggies (fulton ave.), Lucky Cafe (midtown) and though I've never been before, I've seen Trails (Freeport blvd/21st St) and it looks kind of like a diner. It's been around for about 30-40 years. The first three, don't serve dinner. I highly recommend Cornerstone - best fried potatoes I've ever had. And Eggies actually has quality side salads - they make their own croutons and they're so buttery! And the service at both of these places are very personable, especially at Cornerstone. I haven't been to Lucky's in years... wasn't that impressed to ever want to go back.

[Sacto_Damkier]

Any still left would likely be along the old US 40 and US 50 routes - Auburn Blvd and Folsom Blvd - or near the old bases (McClellan & Mather). I have not heard of a stellar diner in Sacramento, but that does not mean there are not any out there. Does Johnny Rockets count? (Just kidding!)

[lilyalli]

If you want to count Johnny Rockets, then need to also add Hot Rod's and Mels :) And, no, Tower Cafe does not qualify as a diner....much too international and diversified menu and atmosphere, especially when the french fries are listed as "Pomme Frites" :)

[PeterL]

Does Tower cafe qualify as a diner?

[alanbarnes]

Potted palms, Asian art ... nope.

[bennyboy1]

Jim Denny's. 16th and H I think. been there forever. My dad remembers nickel hamburgers. Great burgers still (not a nickel though). Only open for breakfast and lunch and only weekdays. the ultimate greasy spoon.

There is a diner in Elk Grove on Elk Grove Blvd, West of the town of Elk Grove up by Sheldon. Good food. I eat here whenever I can and don't want the to eat at the taco truck in the area.

[melly]

Hamburger joints are not diners!

[bennyboy1]

It's not a hamburger joint. my memory is of hamburgers as is my Father's. they have eggs and the like too.....

[alanbarnes]

I like Jim Denny's, but IMHO to qualify as a diner, a place has to serve full meals. Jim Denny's lunch menu is limited to burgers, sandwiches, and sides.

[dimsumgirl]

Bennyboy, I think the place you mentioned is Bert's Diner on Grant Line. I haven't been there in years as I no longer work in that area but I remember that I really liked it. Is that the place?

Melly, I'll have to give that place in San Diego a try the next time I get down there to visit my daughter. Thanks for posting about it.

[bennyboy1]

Yeah Bert's Diner. I stopped working in the area too so haven't been in a while, but I really liked it. It was weird that they also had chinese food too....But is an a retro diner building and have the usual diner foods...