Salt & Pepper Diner

Salt and Pepper was always a famous landmark for me looking out of the El train window. I always wondered what the place was like, but never went. Then, one day, quite unexpectedly I was in the neighborhood with a friend, we were both hungry, and thought, why not? I have to say, it wasn't bad. I had scrambled eggs with green peppers...not your usual entrée item. Ok, it's not weird, but when was the last time you saw that listed as an item on a menu? My friend had a veggie dish, and we both agreed that we would go back sometime. The only drawback that I saw was that the place is very, very small, so you need to be lucky to get a spot. Service wasn't outstanding, but passable. Overall, I'd say it's probably a little better than what you'd expect from a view on the El. more

Salt and Pepper Diner is good for breakfast, but good luck getting a table. I usually wait until quite late in the day for my breakfast, and still the place is packed. I grab a seat at the bar when I get impatient, which is often. The breakfast is the proto-typical breakfast that all of us Americans are supposed to love and crave: lots of eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, hash browns. It's fairly cheap, I mean, it's only breakfast, so how much can it set you back? The service is too busy to pay you much attention, so either don't need anything, or anticipate needing something so you can ask for it when you do have the server's ear. It's good for people-watching, especially on the weekends, trying to decide who has gone home and slept in their own bed, and who hasn't. more

Before a show at the metro we usually eat here. They have delicious burgers, pies, and cakes as well as cheap pitchers of beer. They also offer veggie burgers which is nice if you're dining out with a vegetarian. This place also has a great old-timey atmosphere. I'd go for a burger with a slice of banana cake for dessert. more