August 14, 2011

Live from New York, it’s Cheeseburger Saturday Night. Tonight’s host is The Hollywood Diner (originally headed for Arthur’s Tavern in Hoboken) and featuring the Ready For Prime Beef Player, Marty Wombacher. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome the Hollywood Diner!

Alright, since I haven't gone out in a couple of nights, I thought we'd venture out of the city and go to Hoboken in New Jersey. I found a place there called Arthur's Tavern that's supposed to have great cheeseburgers.

And it's down into the bowels of the subway we go.

Oh no, this guy again.

Aaahhhh!

This way to the PATH train to Hoboken.

Grumbler alert!

Jesus fucking Christ, it's hotter than hell down here and it's empty, which means a train must've just left. Looks like we might have a bit of a wait.

Two people texting away.

Here's where we're headed when the train finally shows up.

It's been twenty minutes and still no train. I'm having a Clash moment here.

And these two continue their texting.

It's starting to get crowded down here and still no train.

Sweet mother of fuck, it's been almost 45 minutes and there's no train in sight. Everybody down here is getting antsy.

It's really crowded down here. When the train does finally come, it'll be packed with all these people. I'm starting to feel a little claustrophobic down here.

You know what?

It's time to improvise, maybe we'll try Arthur's next week.

When in doubt, stay close to home and hit the good old Hollywood Diner.

There's always a seat at the counter...

And friendly people to take your order. One cheeseburger please!

First up, a much needed beer.

They love Lucy in here...

See what I mean?

Cake!

And here's the cheeseburger! I got the English burger which has cheddar cheese and is served on an English Muffin. Note the star of mustard they put on the burger.

I also got onion rings, they look great.

A delicious burger, right in my own neighborhood.

On my way out I thanked the cook in the kitchen for excellent work. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Cheeseburger Rating
Three Wimpy’s. A fine burger indeed!

Hollywood Diner
574 Sixth Ave. (@16th St.)
212-295-3850

Further reading: New York Magazine, flickr and Meghan Hickey Photography.

You Might Also Like: Waxing, Taxing and Relaxing.

Four Other Arthur’s
Arthur Magazine
Arthur Treacher
Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips
Arthur

Arthur we like you and want to help you,
Somebody loves you, don’t you know it?

ARCHIVES

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

May 16, 2011

I got a nice shout-out on EV Grieve about my night out with the Chillmaster, check it out here: EV Grieve.

One thing I’ve been meaning to start featuring here on MAD is New York Diners. As noted at Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, this is another of many things slowly vanishing in New York. I thought I should start documenting the ones left before they turn into a Starbucks or a Chipotle.

I had to work tonight, so I thought the first Diner I would feature here at MAD would be my neighborhood diner, The Hollywood Diner. I moved into my apartment on 16th street in 1998 and have been going to the Hollywood ever since I’ve moved in. I’m not sure how long its been on the block, but I know its been there quite a while. It’s friendly, the waiters, hostesses and counter workers are all friendly and the food is great with tons of selections. And it’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And it’s just a half a block from where I live. So let's go already!

It's just 14 blocks from where I work, but I've got overtime money, so we'll take a cab and arrive in style.

And we're off!

And here we are at the Hollywood Diner. As you can see, there's outside dining, but it's a little chilly out so let's go inside.

Here's the main dining room...

But I think we'll sit at the counter tonight.

Florencio is the host tonight and he happily serves up an Amstel Light. Cheers and beers!

Okay, I'm all settled in and it's time to order.

Of course since it's the Hollywood Diner, there's a few celebrity sandwiches on the menu. My favorite is the Al Pacino. Attica!

The service is great here and before you know it, the food starts arriving.

I started out with a cup of Matzo Ball soup. I loaded it up with pepper and it was delicious!

And here's the main course, a grilled cheese sandwich. I think that's the perfect diner dinner, matzo ball soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. The grilled cheese is rye bread and cheddar cheese.

And it was delicious!

The ceiling of the Hollywood Diner has a nice mural of clouds on it.

A photo of Elvis hangs on the front wall.

They love Lucy in here.

See!

Speaking of Al Pacino, here he is as Scarface next to 007.

And no self-respecting Hollywood Diner would be complete without a picture of Marilyn Monroe hanging on the wall.

And finally...cake! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Hollywood Diner
574 Sixth Ave. (@16th St.)
212-295-3850

Further reading: Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, New York magazine, facecrack and Meghan Hickey Photography.

You might also like: Peter, Paul and Mary.

Five Hollywood Icons
Marilyn Monroe
Clark Gable
Mae West
Paul Newman
Briget Bardot

Avoid steppin on Bela Lugosi,
Because he’s liable to turn and bite.

ARCHIVES

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

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Bonus Link!

My friends Karen and Jon from Grade “A” Fancy have been asked to be part of the reading series, Drink, Think. If you’re in the area June 15th, you should go cheer them on. Check out the information here: Drink[dot]Think.