24 Diner

24 Diner

The downtown dining scene was considerably enhanced several years ago by the introduction of the 24 Diner at 6th and North Lamar next to Waterloo records. Now the connotation of a diner for many folks is a dingy, trailer-like edifice helmed by a chain-smoking bald guy wearing a stained white apron and a tee shirt. The 24 Diner bears no such resemblance to any preconceived notions of diners that you might have. It’s modern, trendy, spotless and is a haven for both locavores and fans of Austin-style comfort food.

At the epicenter of any diner, of course, especially one open around the clock, is breakfast. And the 24 Diner has some good choices. The classic American breakfast platter with eggs however you like them, sausage, irresistible skillet fries, and wheat or sourdough toast is very solid. A bit pricey at $9.95 perhaps but the skillet fries alone are worth it. Another fun dish is the Fried Egg Sandwich. The soothing blend of the farm fresh egg, bacon, cheddar cheese and mayo on crisp toast (and of course the skillet fries) is extremely tasty. It’s a perfect late-night dish as well.

And when’s the last time you’ve had a really well-made Frittata? 24 Diner has several offerings with my favorite being the Country Ham and Gruyere cheese with caramelized onions. We’re talking serious flavors here along with a delicate texture. And any diner worth its salt has to serve hash! And 24’s version, with bacon, sausage, cheddar and jalapeno absolutely rocks. I’ve never tasted a hash with such finely nuanced flavors. Definitely worth a try. They don’t do pancakes at the 24 Diner but with their waffle offerings, trust me, you won’t miss them. The waffles are made from yeast risen dough with bourbon vanilla and raw sugar. They are crispy, light, with amazing flavors and are just about flawless.

On the non-breakfast side of the menu, there are many items worthy of your attention as well. I really like the Deviled Eggs with bacon, paprika, and chives. They are very well-made and quite tasty. Another keeper is the Swiss Chard and Artichoke Gratin (how many “diners” would boast this dish on their menu?). This is a mellow mélange of the greens, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, Parmesan and bread crumbs. And the Prince Edward Island Mussels served in a delicious broth of smoked paprika, sherry, lemon, onion and scallions to name just a few is a terrific dish. These engaging mollusks are plump and tender and yes, intriguing in 24’s preparation.

On the burger front you must try the Patty Melt on flawless sourdough toast with gruyere and caramelized onions. This is a delicious concoction that somehow works even better at 2am! Likewise the Meatloaf Sandwich is another strong recommendation. Simply served with mustard, ketchup, red onions and pickles, it is primal goodness on the comfort food front. And for some serious chili that is the antithesis of anything greasy spoon, 24 has a slam dunk with brisket, chuck roast, poblano, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, red onions and crispy corn bread. The flavors here are nothing short of amazing!

Lest you think I like every item on the menu, I am not a fan of the veggie sausage. But that being said, 24 has much to offer including a gluten-free menu.