Cuthbert Thistlethwaite wrote:

> Andy wrote:
>
> > Another Chicago experience?
>
> > Another TV show "Paradise: Diners" on Travel Channel showcased Ed
Devebic's
> > in Chicago.
>
> > What makes it such a popular diner? The waitstaff insults the customers
as
> > some sort of comedic entertainment. And they countertop dance from back
in
> > the 50's?
>
> > How is the food?
>
>
> This one's for tourists and families from the burbs come downtown to
> screw around for a day. It's less than a mile from me and I go past it
> all the time and never stop.
>
> It's supposed to be a retro diner, but we have plenty of store-front
> diners that are the real thing, without the tourist schtick.
>
> Across the street is Al's Beef, and I definitely stop there.


Yup, Cuthbert, Ed's is definitely a tourist trap. If someone wants real
Chicago diner atmosphere, go a bit west to the White Palace Grill. It's the
real deal, IIRC over 70 years old. Good diner grub and real "atmosphere",
prolly half the price of less of Ed's. A few years back the chi.general
gang had a meeting there, I think barb or someone took pix (I did not
attend). You can't get a better recommendation than that!

Lou and others will chime in on Al's Beef, I've never been...

Here's some Yelp reviews of White Palace, some are pretty good, I've
provided some excerpts:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/white-palace-grill-chicago

"World famous White Palace Grill serving the best eats on Canal/Roosevelt 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. They also own Hollywood Grill off Ashland and
North Ave...just incase you didn't know.

May I suggest the 2x4 breakfast? You get 2 fluffy pancakes,2 crispy bacon
strips, 2 eggs basted and 2 sausage patties. You can't go wrong there.
Doesn't matter what hour you eat, you can order breakfast for dinner and
dinner for breakfast! I also like the old school diner like stools that
gives it that "Rebel Without a Cause" ate here vibe.

The cooks are lightning fast, and Hector the manager/ jokester host always
has a newspaper handy for the morning breakfast consumers.

This awesome mom & pop business was also featured on Guy Fieri's food
network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives".
-----------------

love the White Palace Grill!

Honestly, I've never been incredibly wowed by anything I've had there, but
it's a perfect greasy spoon diner. Open 24 hours, I'm always satisfied with
the food and the service. Plus I dig the Chicago mural on the wall. As a
non-native it's fun to try and figure out who everyone is.

Major bonus points for having fancy coffee mate creamers!
--------------------

24 hours - snappy waitresses - grits as an option instead of hash browns -
you get a true pulse of the city. I love this joint and always will. It's
really fun at 4:30 am on Sunday morning. The Maxwell Street vendors are
crawling in for their first cup of coffee. I swear in the corner you can see
Nelson Algren taking notes. A true Chicago classic..."

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