The Sugar Bar

Coming from an eating repertoire of fast food chain burgers, homemade giant patty burgers with Mummy’s healthy additions of sweetcorn, herbs, etc. and our Great British pub type burgers, it was time to add the good ol’ American fare to the list as well. I admit I have never been to the States (although I do want to) and have never been to an authentic American diner, or if I have, it’s a franchise outside the States or a sincere attempt to assimilate an American diner and its offerings. And if I could choose, I’d obviously fly myself to the US of A and sit in a classic  authentic diner, preferably one that does the whole stainless steal rail car and terrazzo floors shebang. 

Beggars can’t be choosers. And I must say, 10 mins away from my apartment where the wonderful Hoxton Square and Shoreditch area is, I found a jewel – The Diner. It’s pretty to look at. The waiting staff was American – blimey, surprise surprise. The music’s just so laidback and awesome with very warm and comforting decor. Just across the road from it, there’s American Apparel and other fairly American-looking shops. Somehow it seems this area’s just spot on for creating the whole illusion that you are somewhere in American munching on an American burger, dipping your American chunky chips (or fries as they call it) in way too much ketchup as you noisily suck a creamy chocolate milkshake through a white red striped straw. But hey, I’ve never been to the States so how much do I actually know what the heck I’m talking about or how you define a burger/chip/milkshake as American? Anyway, let’s not get academic or epistemological about this!

I know most people go to diners, like they would British greasy spoons, for the breakfast dishes and so, it’s common to find diners serving an all-day breakfast. But diners to me are quintessentially all about the burgers, the chips and the milkshakes. Burgers are great yea, I certainly cannot argue with that. Nevertheless, the chips are my defining point. The chips can’t be overdone which means they’re way past being golden brown, too crispy, crunchy with a hollow hardness. And they definitely can’t be served soggy and limp. They have to be cooked to perfection (whether baked or deep fried) and served just hot – perfectly golden brown crispy on the outside and fluffy soft but firm on the inside. Mmmm. Yes I do have a love affair with chips and the humble spud. At a pub, I’d douse them in malt vinegar and lots of salt. This time, no malt vinegar in sight, I did the usual and polished them off with ketchup. So delicious! The chips you see above are the Fat Fries (£2.80) and the Diner Fries (£3.00) which are cajun seasoned. 

I’m sure many of you share my love of the fellow chip – such a simple food that sometimes don’t get served right and thus is an infuriating situation – but cutting to the chase or the main dish that the chips actually accompany, let’s talk burgers.

I ordered the BBQ Chicken Burger (£6.50), pardon moi for not going for a red meat one but there’s something about bbq chicken I can never say no to. Thinking that it was going to be a simple chicken breast fillet grilled to perfection with herbs or something and then doused with a homemade bbq sauce, I was pleasantly surprised to find my chicken breast fillet had been grilled with some sort of bbq marinade. The meat had definitely been pre-marinated as it was so succulent, tender and flavourful all the way through the fillet. The juiciest piece of chicken I’d ever tasted in a burger! The burger is served open so you get to season it with whatever, or the serving of spicy mayo that comes with it, to your liking before wacking the tomato, pickle (or gherkin as they call it), lettuce and burger bun on top and consuming it like a real man with greasy hands and mayo-ed lips and all.

The fellow accompanying foodie Sya ordered the Fish Burger – a breaded haddock fillet served with tartare sauce (£6.50). Smelt damn fine from across the diner table. A lovely breaded coating, crispy and beautifully golden brown made with fresh and firm flesh of haddock. She was very pleased with the burger and polished it off quick! And she didn’t have anything bad to say about it. Neither did she show any regret for being unable to eat beef. Another bonus about the burger is that the bun’s just scrumptious! The bread’s toasted and lightly buttered and reckon it’s fresh from a bakery. Doesn’t taste like anything mass-produced. It’s wonderfully soft like cotton wool with a generous sprinkling of sesame seeds on the top. I have a bad habit of leaving the bread or bun if it’s too tough and icky. Not this time, no sir! Ate it all proper and that. Mum would’ve been proud.

Sya ordered a milkshade (£4.20) as well. She was a trooper through the whole meal and I admire her for it! I obviously have some lactose problems and so milkshakes, for me, would be very problematic. The Diner offers the usual flavours like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and banana and other more special things like pistachio (which I was totally wishing I could have a taste of) and coconut. For the more exciting people, like Sya, you can order the 2 flavours combo (£4.50) or add Nutella or peanut butter at 50p extra. Doesn’t that sound ridiculously good?! Sya’s milkshake was a vanilla coconut one and the best thing about the shakes is that it’s mammoth. You get a full tall glass of shake and a metal cocktail-like jar of leftover shake which literally comes up to 2 servings so definitely order one to share. You so get your money’s worth with the shakes. And vanilla coconut is a mindblowing combination – that’s if you like coconut as it’s real coconuty like pina colada. 

The Diner also offers bar service so if you want a milkshake made Irish – go for the Hardshakes like Colonel Parker (£7.00) which is a wonderful concoction of Jack Daniels, vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and maple syrup. Sounds wonderful? I know it does. And that’s definitely what I’m trying next at this wicked diner. Seems like Hoxton has much to offer in eating places I’ll be making second/third/fourth trips to. It sure is awesome being in East London.

So yea, we left happy chappies. And it’s only been 2 days since my virgin visit and I’m already craving the next burger and a huge portion of fat fries. Gosh, I am sad and a real sucker for The Diner now aren’t I?

Right, it’s 2 in the morning here and it’s time for bed! The Hummingbird feature shall be posted next week. I’m sorry for the delay but I just remembered it’s the monthly Foodbuzz event ’24, 24, 24′ this weekend and I’m wonderfully excited about having my bestfriend come down this weekend for it.

Ooooh, intrigued? Well stay tuned for the 24, 24, 24 post on Sunday!

The Diner
Shoreditch Location:
128-130 Curtain Road
EC2A 3AQ

Tel: 020 7729 4452
www.goodlifediner.com