Jump to content

Greasy spoon: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Term: c/e; mv cites to end of sentence for flow; MOS:CURLY; substitute direct citation for search term; expand quote
AnomieBOT (talk | contribs)
Bots
6,566,372 edits
m Dating maintenance tags: {{Citation needed}}
 
(7 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Small and affordable restaurant}}
{{Short description|Small and affordable restaurant}}
[[File:NYC diner Brooklyn.jpg|thumb|250px|upright|A counter in a diner in [[Brooklyn]]]]
[[File:NYC diner Brooklyn.jpg|thumb|250px|upright|A counter in a diner in [[Brooklyn]], New York]]
[[File:Fortess Cafe Restaurant, Tufnell Park, NW5.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A typical British budget cafe in [[Tufnell Park]], London]]
[[File:Fortess Cafe Restaurant, Tufnell Park, NW5.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A typical British budget [[Cafe (British)|cafe]] in [[Tufnell Park]], London]]


A '''greasy spoon''' is a small, cheap [[restaurant]] typically specializing in [[Short order cooking|short order]] fare.<ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|greasy spoon|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref><ref name=caff>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30879406|title=Cafe culture: The survival of the traditional British 'caff'|author=Duncan Smith|date=13 February 2015|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>
A '''greasy spoon''' is a small, cheap [[restaurant]] typically specializing in [[Short order cooking|short order]] fare.<ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|greasy spoon|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref><ref name=caff>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30879406|title=Cafe culture: The survival of the traditional British 'caff'|author=Duncan Smith|date=13 February 2015|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>


A greasy spoon is often located alongside a main road to serve passing motorists, particularly a [[truck stop]] catering particularly to truck (lorry) drivers; this is known as a transport cafe in Britain.
A greasy spoon is often located alongside a main road to serve passing motorists, particularly a [[truck stop]] catering particularly to truck (lorry) drivers; this is known as a transport cafe in Britain {{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}.


==Term==
==Term==
The term ''greasy spoon''—used to describe small and inexpensive [[diner]]s and coffee shops—became popular in the [[United States]] as early as the 1920's.<ref>"greasy spoon" entry, OED</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/greasy#etymonline_v_33790|title=greasy spoon|dictionary=[[Online Etymology Dictionary]]|access-date=2024-06-29}}</ref>
The term ''greasy spoon''—used to describe small and inexpensive [[diner]]s and coffee shops—became popular in the [[United States]] as early as the 1920s.<ref>"greasy spoon" entry, OED</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/greasy#etymonline_v_33790|title=greasy spoon|dictionary=[[Online Etymology Dictionary]]|access-date=2024-06-29}}</ref>


Nicknaming cheap restaurants after an unwashed spoon dates back at least to 1848:<ref>{{cite book
Nicknaming cheap restaurants after an unwashed spoon dates back at least to 1848:<ref>{{cite book
Line 17: Line 17:
| pages=[https://archive.org/details/sandandcanvasan00bevagoog/page/n396 370]
| pages=[https://archive.org/details/sandandcanvasan00bevagoog/page/n396 370]
| url=https://archive.org/details/sandandcanvasan00bevagoog}}
| url=https://archive.org/details/sandandcanvasan00bevagoog}}
</ref> {{quote|"The Gabbione [in Rome]... has withal an appearance so murky and so very far removed from cleanliness, that the Germans have bestowed upon it the apellation of the 'Dirty Spoon'."}}
</ref> {{quote|The Gabbione [in Rome] ... has withal an appearance so murky and so very far removed from cleanliness, that the Germans have bestowed upon it the appellation of the 'Dirty Spoon'.}}


The earliest appearance in print of the specific term "greasy spoon" was in 1906, in a story in [[Macmillan's Magazine]], referring to an eatery in Paris frequented for a time by [[Robert Louis Stevenson]]:<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Douglas |first1=R.B. |title=Stevenson at Fontainebleau |journal=Macmillan's Magazine |date=1906 |volume=I|page=340 |url=https://archive.org/details/macmillansmagaz06unkngoog/page/340/mode/2up |access-date=30 June 2024}}</ref>
The earliest appearance in print of the specific term "greasy spoon" was in 1906, in a story in [[Macmillan's Magazine]], referring to an eatery in Paris frequented for a time by [[Robert Louis Stevenson]]:<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Douglas |first1=R.B. |title=Stevenson at Fontainebleau |journal=Macmillan's Magazine |date=1906 |volume=I|page=340 |url=https://archive.org/details/macmillansmagaz06unkngoog/page/340/mode/2up |access-date=30 June 2024}}</ref>
{{quote|"A tradition exists in the studios of Montparnasse, where Stevenson has already become almost a legendary figure, that "cousin Bob" (R.A.M. Stevenson, the well-known art-critic) one day found his relative moping in the darkest corner of the Cremerie in the Rue Delambre, - an eating-house much frequented by artists, and familiarly known as The Greasy Spoon..."}}
{{quote|A tradition exists in the studios of Montparnasse, where Stevenson has already become almost a legendary figure, that "cousin Bob" (R.A.M. Stevenson, the well-known art-critic) one day found his relative moping in the darkest corner of the Cremerie in the Rue Delambre, – an eating-house much frequented by artists, and familiarly known as The Greasy Spoon...}}


==Menu==
==Menu==
Line 54: Line 54:
</ref>
</ref>


Comic strips and humorous magazines have often lampooned the greasy spoon diner. ''[[The Better Half]]'' had Bert's Beanery, and [[Dagwood Bumstead]] continues to eat at Lou's Diner in [[Blondie (comic strip)|Blondie]]. The kitchen and mess hall in [[Beetle Bailey]] provide the military equivalent of a greasy spoon. Cooks tend to be unkempt in some way – hirsute, unshaven, tattooed, wearing a stain-covered apron, or smoking a cigarette while working.
Comic strips and humorous magazines have often lampooned the greasy spoon diner. ''[[The Better Half]]'' had Bert's Beanery, and [[Dagwood Bumstead]] continues to eat at Lou's Diner in ''[[Blondie (comic strip)|Blondie]]''. The kitchen and mess hall in ''[[Beetle Bailey]]'' provide the military equivalent of a greasy spoon. Cooks featured in these tropes tend to be unkempt in some way – hirsute, unshaven, tattooed, wearing a stain-covered apron, or smoking a cigarette while working.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 60: Line 60:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Bar mleczny]]
* [[Bar mleczny]]
* [[Cafe (British)]]
* [[Cha chaan teng]], Hong-Kong style greasy spoon
* [[Cha chaan teng]], Hong-Kong style greasy spoon
* [[Coney Island (restaurant)]]
* [[Coney Island (restaurant)]]
Line 79: Line 80:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Hospitality industry in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Hospitality industry in the United States]]
[[Category:Restaurants by type]]
[[Category:Restaurants by type]]

Latest revision as of 13:33, 29 November 2024

A counter in a diner in Brooklyn, New York
A typical British budget cafe in Tufnell Park, London

A greasy spoon is a small, cheap restaurant typically specializing in short order fare.[1][2]

A greasy spoon is often located alongside a main road to serve passing motorists, particularly a truck stop catering particularly to truck (lorry) drivers; this is known as a transport cafe in Britain [citation needed].

Term

[edit]

The term greasy spoon—used to describe small and inexpensive diners and coffee shops—became popular in the United States as early as the 1920s.[3][4]

Nicknaming cheap restaurants after an unwashed spoon dates back at least to 1848:[5]

The Gabbione [in Rome] ... has withal an appearance so murky and so very far removed from cleanliness, that the Germans have bestowed upon it the appellation of the 'Dirty Spoon'.

The earliest appearance in print of the specific term "greasy spoon" was in 1906, in a story in Macmillan's Magazine, referring to an eatery in Paris frequented for a time by Robert Louis Stevenson:[6]

A tradition exists in the studios of Montparnasse, where Stevenson has already become almost a legendary figure, that "cousin Bob" (R.A.M. Stevenson, the well-known art-critic) one day found his relative moping in the darkest corner of the Cremerie in the Rue Delambre, – an eating-house much frequented by artists, and familiarly known as The Greasy Spoon...

[edit]

Many typical American and Canadian greasy spoon diners focus on griddled, grilled, or fried food, such as hamburgers, french fries, chili, eggs and omelettes, bacon, sausages, pancakes, waffles, fried chicken, Spam, and fish and chips.

Sandwiches are also popular, as are beef stew, baked beans, and hearty soups. Regional fare is often served. Since the 1970s, many Greek immigrants have entered the business. Coffee, iced tea, and soft drinks are the typical beverages, as alcohol is usually not offered due to the prohibitive cost of a liquor license. Pie, savouries and ice cream are popular snacks and desserts.[7]

A typical American greasy spoon or diner may offer a full meal for a special price, sometimes called a blue-plate special. A British or Irish cafe will typically offer a "full cooked breakfast" all day.

[edit]

Although there are now far fewer establishments due to the dominance of corporate fast food restaurant chains, a certain nostalgia exists surrounding a greasy spoon. Evocative characteristics include "counter service”, jukeboxes, and hearty comfort cuisine. The greasy spoon is a common trope in movies and TV shows.[8]

Restaurateur and television personality Guy Fieri, on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, pays homage to such eateries across the United States.[9]

Comic strips and humorous magazines have often lampooned the greasy spoon diner. The Better Half had Bert's Beanery, and Dagwood Bumstead continues to eat at Lou's Diner in Blondie. The kitchen and mess hall in Beetle Bailey provide the military equivalent of a greasy spoon. Cooks featured in these tropes tend to be unkempt in some way – hirsute, unshaven, tattooed, wearing a stain-covered apron, or smoking a cigarette while working.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "greasy spoon". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  2. ^ Duncan Smith (13 February 2015). "Cafe culture: The survival of the traditional British 'caff'". BBC News. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  3. ^ "greasy spoon" entry, OED
  4. ^ "greasy spoon". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  5. ^ Samuel Bevan (1849). Sand and Canvas: A Narrative of Adventures in Egypt, with a Sojourn Among the Artists in Rome. C. Gilpin. pp. 370.
  6. ^ Douglas, R.B. (1906). "Stevenson at Fontainebleau". Macmillan's Magazine. I: 340. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  7. ^ Amy Carlberg (2017-04-03). "The Best Greasy Spoons in Toronto". Freshdaily Inc. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  8. ^ Dan Clapson (2016-07-28). "12 Great Greasy Spoons to Try Across Canada". Food Network. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  9. ^ "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: About the Show". Food Network. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Greasy_spoon&oldid=1260202966"