I have to admit I have a slight obsession with anything American. I enjoy eating my ice cream straight from the tub, I tend to watch endless amounts of Gilmore Girls to study their outrageously witty banter, I have an unnatural bond to Pop-Tarts and I unconsciously use the words ‘popsicle’ and ‘pantyhose’ on a regular basis. I am, what you’d call, a ‘groupie’ of American culture and I am everything but ashamed to admit it! Taking all this into account, when I was invited for dinner at an authentic American diner in Prahran, I jumped at the chance, made the necessary preparations for the carb, sugar and fat loaded meal ahead and then made my way eagerly to the leafy suburb.
As we approached Misty’s diner we could hear Buddy Holly pumping from the jukebox. Being without a poodle skirt or something akin to a costume from Grease, I felt slightly lost in my attire, though what I lacked in authenticity was gained in the form of an impressive, full throttle Americana menu. The cheery staff were dressed in full diner regalia and looked as if they had stepped straight out of the television screen from Pleasantville. Looking around at the brightly coloured walls and seats, I could just imagine sitting at this diner with a group of friends ordering cherry colas after school or something equally Sweet Valley High-like.
We decided to take a seat outside on the deck, settling ourselves on the vinyl-covered chairs with the retro cutlery and bright pink napkins. The inside booths did look inviting but the day was too lovely to be wasted inside.
The owner of the diner- Misty- is actually from Arizona so you can be assured of a truly authentic American diner experience. She even made an appearance while my friend and I were making our way through the menu and stopped to have a chat with us in her charming American accent to give us some suggestions for us diner virgins.
Just reading the menu transports you to another reality by making you feel you are in the set of a Happy Days episode or a diner in bustling Brooklyn as opposed to the leafy Prahran surroundings. The menu offers everything you would expect to find at an American diner. There are of course the healthy salad or sandwich options on the menu for those watching their figure; but let’s be honest who goes to an American diner with their weight or health in mind? If I am at an authentic American burger joint I want to order the biggest burger on the menu!
My Western and bacon burger was, true to American servings, massive and garnished with the appropriate condiments. I lifted the top of the burger bun to reveal a thick meat pattie with onion rings, mayo, bacon, swiss cheese, pickle all drizzled in a rich BBQ sauce. To accompany the burgers, we ordered a serving of chilli cheese fries to share. Having never ordered them before we didn’t know what to expect and they arrived in a large cane basket topped with a big serving of meat, beans, cheese and onion and could have easily been ordered as a meal in itself. They came with their own large pair of tongs, for those who can’t picture the enormity of the side.
To wash everything down I decided, after much deliberation as there was everything from root beer to Reese’s Pieces shakes, to choose a cherry 7UP. The taste was a brilliant infusion of 7UP with a hint of cherry and complemented my burger perfectly.
With the burgers around the $14 mark and sides that could pass for main meals for around $15, Misty’s diner is great value for money and of course the novelty factor is high. Whenever I feel the need to indulge in my inner American I will certainly be heading back to Misty’s to get my fix.
103-105 High Street
Prahran VIC 3181
(03) 9510 0033
Mon-Wed: 8am – 10pm
Thu-Sat: 8am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 10pm
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Just a few words of thanks for such a well written
blog! You made my day!
Misty xx