2 ms·

That reminds me one aspect of approximately every vaguely-popular diner I've ever been to: The Special. Just show up, sit down, turn the coffee-cup right-side

by ssl-3 2y ago

That reminds me one aspect of approximately every vaguely-popular diner I've ever been to: The Special. Just show up, sit down, turn the coffee-cup right-side up, and order exactly like this before anyone has a chance to put a menu in front of you: "I'll have the special." If they're doing it right, there will be no questions about your order. Coffee will show up. Soon after, food will show up. It will be fast, hot, inexpensive, and of a general quality that is par or better compared to anything else they might be have on the menu at that particular diner.

lproven 2y ago
I've heard of such things but being a Brit it's alien to me. I have never even seen such a place. But reading this and the comments here, it occurs to me we sort of have something comparable: the legendary Full English Breakfast. (Insert Full Scottish, Full Irish, and Full Ulster as appropriate. I can't remember what it was called but I've had a few Full Welsh as well.) You go in, and you order a Full English, and that is the extent of your choice. It's generally wonderful.
- ssl-3 2y ago
  There's a similarity in the simplicity of ordering, yes. But that's where the similarity ends. As an American, even I know that a Full English has a defined set of things included. Sausages, mushrooms, etc: It can't be a Full English without the things that constitute a Full English Breakfast. But otherwise, the special (or maybe more properly, "the daily special" but nobody ever says it like that) isn't like ordering a Full English at all. The special isn't even a little bit predefined. The Special could be a club sandwich and potato chips, or meatloaf and mashed potatos, or a burger and fries, or some tacos, or regional fish like Walleye or something. Or whatever. And the main distinction is that The Special changes daily, and oftentimes there will be different Specials for lunch, breakfast, and dinner. In American diners, the special is usually written on a sign on the wall and/or maybe outside by the door. Whatever it is, at whatever time, it's just a reasonably-complete meal that they're selling at a special low price right now that requires minimum effort on everyone's part and that they're prepared to serve a ton of today. And tomorrow, the special will be something completely different. A person may or may not be able to order whatever items that comprised yesterday's special, but if they can then the price will be higher today than it was yesterday. But that doesn't matter, see? Just walk in, order "The Special," and food will show up.
  - lproven 2y ago
    Ah, I see what you mean. This is still strange to me. Perhaps the context matters: I am not a fussy eater, and I love street good and cheap eats. I much prefer it to fine dining. But there's a reason for the latter: I'm a lifelong vegetarian. So long as I can get something without flesh in it, I'll eat anything, preferably deep-fried. But whereas across the British Isles I can ask for a veggie Full English and get something good, I can't imagine walking into a food place and ordering sight-unseen, unless it was a veggie place, and they are typically upmarket and expensive, not the sort of basic joint I happen to prefer. This thread has been an education. :-)

by ssl-3 2y ago

lproven 2y ago

I've heard of such things but being a Brit it's alien to me. I have never even seen such a place. But reading this and the comments here, it occurs to me we sort of have something comparable: the legendary Full English Breakfast. (Insert Full Scottish, Full Irish, and Full Ulster as appropriate. I can't remember what it was called but I've had a few Full Welsh as well.) You go in, and you order a Full English, and that is the extent of your choice. It's generally wonderful.

ssl-3 2y ago
There's a similarity in the simplicity of ordering, yes. But that's where the similarity ends. As an American, even I know that a Full English has a defined set of things included. Sausages, mushrooms, etc: It can't be a Full English without the things that constitute a Full English Breakfast. But otherwise, the special (or maybe more properly, "the daily special" but nobody ever says it like that) isn't like ordering a Full English at all. The special isn't even a little bit predefined. The Special could be a club sandwich and potato chips, or meatloaf and mashed potatos, or a burger and fries, or some tacos, or regional fish like Walleye or something. Or whatever. And the main distinction is that The Special changes daily, and oftentimes there will be different Specials for lunch, breakfast, and dinner. In American diners, the special is usually written on a sign on the wall and/or maybe outside by the door. Whatever it is, at whatever time, it's just a reasonably-complete meal that they're selling at a special low price right now that requires minimum effort on everyone's part and that they're prepared to serve a ton of today. And tomorrow, the special will be something completely different. A person may or may not be able to order whatever items that comprised yesterday's special, but if they can then the price will be higher today than it was yesterday. But that doesn't matter, see? Just walk in, order "The Special," and food will show up.
- lproven 2y ago
  Ah, I see what you mean. This is still strange to me. Perhaps the context matters: I am not a fussy eater, and I love street good and cheap eats. I much prefer it to fine dining. But there's a reason for the latter: I'm a lifelong vegetarian. So long as I can get something without flesh in it, I'll eat anything, preferably deep-fried. But whereas across the British Isles I can ask for a veggie Full English and get something good, I can't imagine walking into a food place and ordering sight-unseen, unless it was a veggie place, and they are typically upmarket and expensive, not the sort of basic joint I happen to prefer. This thread has been an education. :-)