newcastlecentric

It’s not hard to fall over a burger joint in Newcastle these days but Newcastle hasn’t had an independent burger restaurant / diner since New York, New York closed in the eighties.

Stateside Diner on Pink Lane would appear to fill the allbeit small void for a 50’s style American diner and as such is small but perfectly formed.

Approaching the diner from end of Pink Lane could result in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. The kitsch neon open sign sets the tone and after walking in you are greeted twice. Firstly the PVC clad booths and bar stools beg you to take a seat and secondly there’s a friendly member of staff behind the bar to say hello.

The diner’s website gives a good indication of what the place is about. Rest assured this isn’t fine dining and that’s not the point. Like many of the finest diners this place is a small and friendly business, serving good quality home cooked food at a very reasonable price; down home cooking I think they’d call it in the USA.

So how’s the food? Well, the burgers and hot-dogs are fine but it doesn’t end there. The menu is comprehensive considering the size of the place although there weren’t that many vegetarian options when we visited. The drinks menu is even larger with a variety of shakes, floats, sodas and alcoholic drinks.

Nothing about this place says ‘outlet’ or ‘chain’ and that’s good. There’s very little polish apart from on the PVC seating and that only serves to enhance the feeling that you’re somewhere that’s honest and hardworking, like a diner should be.

We had the Stateside Burger and the Dirty Dog, both of which came in typically stateside portions, further giving you the feeling that you’re getting value for money. Neither of us had room for desert meaning that with a drink each we were fed and watered for less than £14.

Adding that to the prompt friendly service and there’s no doubt that this is a diner for a number of occasions; a quick lunch, a break from shopping or indeed an ideally located pre-match meal, the Stateside Diner delivers a reassuring slice of American pie.

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