Searching for an authentic diner
August 29, 2008
St. Peters
by Kris Kolk
The other day I was expressing grief over a perceived extinction of old-fashioned diners. Do you remember them—the unassuming lunch counters of a few decades ago?
Well, my husband and I, on a hungry whim, dropped in at the Main Street Diner in Old Town St. Peters. We had never been there before and didn’t really know what to expect.
Immediately acknowledged, we were instructed to be seated anywhere. A bustling waitress followed us to our table, cheerfully took our drink orders and gave us some menus.
The selection offering was familiar country fare, so our decisions were easy. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich (on toasted wheat) with fries and my husband ordered the country fried steak meal.
Other diners seemed comfortable, almost kicked back—like they were sitting around their own kitchen tables, chatting with good friends.
The décor theme was a cross between country kitchen and old-time diner. Tables were painted white wood, reminding me of Blondie’s kitchen table.
Sitting at the counter is an option and I imagine quite a few regulars do. The countertop is adorned with an assortment of nostalgic community and family photos indicating a history of the restaurant; though I was told they’ve been in business a little over three years.
Our orders came swiftly. The chicken salad filling heaped between the bread. Knowing my chicken salads, I quickly recognized it as a fruited chicken salad, with grapes and nuts to boot (an expensive tea room offering). Fresh lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles were on the side and the fries got the job done.
My husband’s country fried steak dinner included: a country fried steak topped with white milk gravy, mashed potatoes, corn and buttered bread. Comments from him were that the meat was very tender and the corn was done like he likes. He said the corn tasted like it had been cooked for a while with lots of butter.
A lovely lunch…presented effortlessly, and our bill was around $15.
The Main Street Diner possesses five qualities of fine diner dining I have been craving: friendly people, an unpretentious setting, easy-on-the pocketbook prices, uniqueness in all aspects and best of all…tasty food.
It’s too bad a lot of wannabes are quick to slap a high price on a manufactured “experience” of retro dining.
Today, I celebrate that Main Street Diner gets it right!
Main Street Diner is located at 315 Main Street in St. Peters.
Phone number: 636-397-6260.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town