Greasy spoon

The Regency Cafe in Pimlico, London, is a well-preserved 1940s "greasy spoon" cafe.

Greasy spoon is a colloquial or slang term originating in the United States of America to mean a small, especially cheap, archetypal working class restaurant or diner. The term is now used in many English speaking countries to mean the same thing. The name "greasy spoon" is used to imply a less-than-rigorous approach to hygiene and dishwashing, and appears in use in the early 20th century.

United Kingdom

A dish with baked beans, black pudding, sliced sausage, fried mushrooms and toast

In the United Kingdom, greasy spoons are generally called cafes, which in the South is often colloquially referred to as a "caff". Not all cafés are greasy spoons, however. The typical greasy spoon serves mainly fried or grilled food, such as fried eggs, bacon, black pudding, bubble and squeak, burgers, sausages, mushrooms and chips. These are often accompanied by baked beans, cooked tomatoes, and fried bread. Hot and cold sandwiches are also often available, the bacon or sausage butty being particularly popular. The main drink in British greasy spoons is usually tea, especially Builders tea (a nickname for a mug of strong English/Irish breakfast tea or Yorkshire tea, usually served with milk and sugar and is typically robust and flavourful with a brisk character and a dark red colour). Often the only coffee available will be instant, though this has slowly changed with the proliferation of coffee drinking in the culture. British greasy spoons will sometimes also offer bread and butter pudding, apple crumble and rhubarb crumble.

The greasy spoon was also the mainstay of British truck drivers who travelled the major trunk roads such as the A1 and the A6 prior to the opening of the motorways. These cafes were not only stops where the driver could eat, but also made convenient meeting places where the trade unions could talk to their members. In 2001, a story broke in the UK press about how the European Union were making an attempt to ban the greasy spoon cafes. This turned out to be a hoax based on an EU report about eating habits of long distance drivers and their health.

In the United Kingdom, the traditional greasy spoon has been in decline due to the rise of fast food chains. However, they remain numerous all over the UK, especially in certain parts of London, Manchester, Derby and many seaside towns.

United States

Small diner counter in Brooklyn.

Many typical American greasy spoons focus on fried or grilled food, such as fried eggs, bacon, burgers, hash browns, waffles, pancakes, omelettes, deep fried chicken, and sausages. These are often accompanied by baked beans, french fries, cole slaw, or toast. Soups and chili con carne are generally available. Since the 1970s many Greek immigrants have entered the business; as a result, gyros and souvlaki meats are now a common part of the repertoire, often served as a side dish with breakfast as a replacement for bacon or sausage. A full meal may be available for a special price, sometimes called a blue-plate special. Regional fare is often served. Coffee, iced tea and soft drinks are the typical beverages, and pie and ice cream are popular desserts.

Hong Kong

A typical Hong Kong greasy spoon breakfast, fried eggs and a bun, including a cup of silk-sock strained milk tea.

In Hong Kong a greasy spoon is called a cha chaan teng (literal translation: "tea restaurant"). The menu and setting are somewhat similar to British greasy spoons, probably due to Hong Kong being a former British colony. Normally the menu will include traditional Chinese dishes including fried or boiled noodles, or plates of fried rice, while the "Western" menu includes French toast, spaghetti bolognese, full English breakfast (albeit Sinicized), pork chop with spaghetti, grilled chicken club, etc. These choices are usually accompanied by a triangular piece of toast and a choice of coffee, Hong Kong-style milk tea, Horlicks, Ovaltine (for children), or a Hong Kong speciality called yuanyang (a mixture of milk, coffee and tea). Most cheese-based dishes are not served in Hong Kong greasy spoons, due to Chinese tastes.

Usually greasy spoon cafés are known as "Cafes", while traditional Chinese breakfast eateries are called "fried noodle stands". These eateries typically open early and close after lunch hour, though some are open until late at night. The cost of a meal usually ranges from ten to twenty-five Hong Kong dollars.

See also

• Coney Island (restaurant)
• Mickey's Diner
• Pat's Hubba Hubba
• Nick Tahou Hots
• Truck stop
• Meat and three
• Dhaba Indian diner
• Mamak stall
• Bar mleczny
• Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon
• Waffle House
• Salisbury House (restaurant)

External links

• Classic Cafes - The Very Best of London's Twentieth Century vintage Formica caffs