John's Diner..Still Fantastic!!

[Gary Rice]

Good Friends in Lakewood Land,

So...this morning was REALLY cold, right?

Here I was, temporarily between projects, and a bit hungry, so what to do?

Then it hit me...

Blueberry pancakes...

...and no, we're not talking just ANY blueberry pancakes either. We're talking full plate, fully fluffy BIG pancakes!

Like I said, I was hungry.

It's been a while since I've been to John's Diner, (18260 Detroit Ave.) a converted railroad car that always reminds me of stepping back into my childhood. It would be easy to mentally cue up Arlo Guthrie's "City of New Orleans" song while sitting there eating your breakfast or lunch. (They normally close around 3 p.m.)

My dear late father and I had often eaten there after Mom passed away. Since his passing, I'd not been there too often. Nostalgia has its place, but salty tears, emotional memories, and blueberry pancakes don't mix too easily, so like I said, it had been awhile.

I'd heard that John had a recent health issue, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers. That was one reason I had to go back there. Also, just to see it again...

Was it the same?

Well, yes it was, to my eyes, ears, and taste buds at least.

Just came back from having the best breakfast I've had in years. Blueberry pancake special with link sausage AND bacon AND toast AND eggs, all for under $10.

There are times, I suppose, that we like the newest places to eat and that's fine, but there are times, especially here in Lakewood, that I believe we need to remember, recognize, celebrate, and patronize the spots that have been here for generations. That's what I wanted to do today. Best of all, there was a good crowd of people of all ages there this morning. Little ones and their young families mixed with us oldsters, enjoying the great short-order variety of wonderful food choices offered by this classic Lakewood business.

John's brother George owns George's Kitchen, another great family restaurant on the corner of Triskett and Berea Roads in nearby Cleveland. That's another place that I and my family have enjoyed for many years.

Here's a shot of the interior of John's Diner that I took a few years ago.

To my mind? Americana at its best.

Cue the music, because I can't wait to go back soon!

Booth and counter seating.

Back to the banjo...

[Stan Austin]

Gary-- like you I examine my culinary choices---okay, fads. I try to determine motivators. Sadly, TV commercials when I've had a few to many beers sometimes have an influence.(duh).
But- the eggs Benedict are the best!
Stan

[Gary Rice]

Hi Stan,

Let's meet and eat there one day soon.

My booth will be waiting for you.

Gary

[Jim O'Bryan]

Deb, tried to buy it 3 times back when she wanted a restaurant.

We had a deal on Bud's White Door, but backed out, which I am so glad we did. Matt has done wonders with it, nothing we would have ever thought of.

Deb just wants a place for her style of home cooking. Diner was perfect, but...

PS I thought you and Stan would be calling Still's Diner!

From the Stills family that we went to school with and lived across the street in the first house on Phelps next to the park. Which was another house.

.

[Gary Rice]

Thanks for your contribution here, Jim.

For people interested in more of the history and back stories of John's Diner and George's Kitchen, see my archived Observer article here:

http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2008/2 ... two-diners

Back to the blueberries. (Pancakes, that is!)

[Matthew Lee]

It's a bit surprising that Lakewood doesn't have more (or even any) late night diners. Yeah, there's a couple on W 117 but there's not a true "NY/NJ" style diner in the middle of Lakewood open 24 hours or at least past 2.30 AM.

Yeah, I remember the history of IHOP trying to be open 24 hours saying "it would help the drunk people". Which was a disastrous thing to say. But we have a large enough population, and enough people with different shifts, to support good diner food at all hours of the day.

As always, JMHO.