Best Diner '96

Best Diner

Little Anthony's Diner
7010 E. Broadway

READERS' PICK: Let's face it: Not only is the concept of the diner getting long in the tooth, the time for being nostalgic about it is approaching middle age. Think about it this way: If the character Fonzie had been real, he'd only be a few years shy of Social Security. Still, the charm of the neighborhood diner endures, and is it any wonder after spending some time at Little Anthony's? They've got it down perfectly, from jukebox to linoleum to the burgers-and-shakes fare they serve. You can't help but have fun here among the shiny chrome. They make it seem real; and most importantly, they don't cut corners on the food, which would draw crowds even without the rest of the shtick. A fun place.

RUNNER-UP AND STAFF PICK: They've gussied things up at Grill, 100 E. Congress St. They've modified the entry way decompression chamber, and the new menu isn't quite as quirky as the old one; but the presentation isn't bad: A '50s scientist dispenses the contents of a test tube decanter into a coffee cup holding an unwritten promise of space age food for the nuclear family. Actual menu items range from grilled steak and shrimp to tortellini and a peck of salad options, although they don't skimp on hearty diner favorites like chicken fried steak and meatloaf. This is the kind of place writers habituate, drinking cup after cup of the old Java-Jean whilst penning sonnets and screenplays. There's a $1 minimum per person per hour, but it's still a small price to pay for the preservation of the American Dream: a vinyl booth, a good smoke, and a bottomless cup of coffee. Who can resist a place with the motto, "We serve condiments for the discerning taste"?

1998 Winner: Grill
1997 Winner: 5 & Diner
1995 Winner: Little Anthony's Diner