I was a bit apprehensive about going to Ed’s Diner after work on a day in which I woke up early to work out and even ate a healthy lunch. A meal at this 50′s themed American diner is strictly an eatery you go to once in a while, for health reasons. The food is nice but if you’re trying to stay fit and healthy – this definitely isn’t the place for you. Double the work out tomorrow. This our first review conducted primarily using iPhoneographs (I’m coining words like Shakespeare). Continues on the reverse.
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‘Excuse me, are you Ed?’ asks another customer in the diner to the American branch manager. I quite like the fact the manager is actually American, it’s nice to have restaurants with folks actually from the same region as the food. Adds a bit of authenticity. Like I went for Japanese a few days ago and the manager & staff were all Indian. O_o – that was my reaction too. Mind you, they were serving Japanese curry. Fitting?
Back to Ed’s Diner, before we get started with the proper review I bet you didn’t know the following facts about the chain:
- Ed’s Easy Diner have been serving up amazing American diner favourites since 1987, since opening their first diner in Soho.
- Ed’s serve great tasting burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes using only the finest ingredients to make their version of much loved American classics.
- The burgers are fresh and grilled to order, the portions are generous, the music is rock ‘n’ roll and the service comes with a smile.
- The Seeburg juke boxes in the diners are original models circa 1948 and records can be selected for 20p a time. Ed’s donates all takings from jukeboxes to charity
The Decor & Atmosphere
The Ed’s Easy Diner experience is everything you expect from an American diner, located on the outside of Trocadero building next to Yo! Sushi. It’s bright neon lighting will always stand out in comparison to the rest of the somewhat dead Rupert Street. The decor inside is splendid - all American everything from the seating to the neon lights, jukeboxes, 50′s posters, corvertte rear bumper, leather seating with formica table-tops and of course the counter around the chef’s grilling food. We were seated on the counter, right next to where the chef’s got down to business and the bonus of sitting here is – fast food and service without needing to move a muscle or raising our voices.
The Service
Excellent. World class. American smiles all round as soon as we stepped foot into the restaurant. The manager was probably the nicest guy there, incredibly funny as well. Think Danny Devito meets Tony Soprano, that kind of hilarity with a touch of seriousness as he’s the boss man.
The Food
Mains
Mine – Classic Dog
I went for the healthy option as you can clearly see. The hot dog with onions, ketchup and mustard on top, it doesn’t look that visually appealing in the visuals above but it damn sure tastes good. Heart attack food at it’s finest. I was going to go for the biggest burger in the house but I had a traumatic experience in New York last May, never have I ever felt so sick from being full. It was my first real Diner experience and it all went a bit pear-shaped when I couldn’t move for a good 20 minutes after the meal. The hotdog was easy to devour and certainly not paralysing.
Hers - Chicken Dippers – Ed’s Chicken Breast Goujons served with jalepeno jelly & BBQ sauce & Onion Rings
The chicken dippers arrived with some fresh hand wipes, which I think is a simply genius solution to human pandemics. Not just one packet, but two – one for before you stick your unhygienic, bacteria infested hands into the food. The dippers themselves were lovely and hot in temperature, which is always good news. They tasted extra delicious with the sweet jalepeno jelly dip, which I did not know existed until yesterday. Crispy on the outside and meaty tenderness contained. You cannot go wrong with goujons mes amis (in American English, that means “my homies”).
Sides
Mine – Cheese Fries
The one thing I didn’t enjoy. I was asking for trouble ordering something like this, in fact I was hoping for chips with melted mozzarella or cheddar. Ed’s Easy Diner use the same cheese as the ones you get in the cinema with nachos, typically American type. I’m definitely not a fan, it tastes and smells strange. I’m picky like that, sadly unfortunately for my inner skinny being I still managed to devour them all.
Hers – Onion Rings
Desserts
By this point, I was feeling as big as an Elephant. Anymore and I’d be reliving my traumatic diner experience all over again. My other half on the other hand…
Drinks
Mine – Apple Juice
My choice is the boring one. Your regular glass of Apple Juice! I’m not a fan of fizzy drinks and root beer tastes hella weird. Reminds me of Calpol/Amoxil.
Her – Imported AW Rootbear
If you know about root beer, then you should know about AW root beer. Imported over from the states. Why can’t they sell these here? They’ve got bubble tea all over China town, but no AW in my local newsagents/supermarket? Sometimes it would be nice to just down a satisfying chilled can of real good root beer.
Her – Ed’s Easy Diner Junior Menu:
Overall
Ed’s Easy Diner is the place to go if you’re looking for a 50′s esqure diner in London. One word of warning, make sure you exercise after the meal to burn all the insane number of calories you hust gained.
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