First! A Greasy Spoon

I have been thinking about what restaurant I would review first here at Sir Food-A-Lot. I got to thinking about what I love; breakfast food (it is 9:00 AM right now so that may have influenced my decision), good service, neighborhood joints and came up with one of the first places I fell in love with in Chicago: a delightful, little, neighborhood, greasy spoon in Buena Park, Arnold’s. Where did the term “greasy spoon” come from anyway? When I eat at places referred to in this manner (which I do somewhat frequently mind you) the only time I use my spoon is for coffee and I promise that if I pull a greasy spoon out of my coffee you’ll be reading about that as well, but surely not in my listing of fond memories. Sorry, I’ve digressed but my digression is over…for now.

This little unassuming diner always leaves a smile on my face. I love this place mostly because of the people and because they serve one of my favorite breakfasts. The owner is generally sitting at the counter greeting everyone as they enter. And get this! If you are a regular, they take your picture and put it on one of the walls. This is one of the best “welcome home” touches I’ve ever witnessed in a little hole-in-the-wall. If you look carefully you can find Nichole and a group of friends up on the wall somewhere. I was sorely disappointed when I heard that she had her picture taken at Arnold’s on the one trip that I missed. Let’s just say I was still paying for the shenanigans of the previous evening. Oops!

Of course, they have the usual breakfast fare that all diners sport. All of it made to order with love. But when I step into Arnold’s I don’t need a menu, I get the fried catfish with eggs, hash browns with onions (you have to ask for the onions), and an English muffin with coffee, no doubt. Catfish for breakfast? Of course! If you haven’t had it please try it, I promise you’ll enjoy it. I must be the only person that orders it because every time I do the server looks at me sideways, does a mini head shake and then smiles. She asks if I want it fried or grilled and fried is always my answer and I’d suggest it be yours as well. It takes a couple extra minutes but trust and believe that it is well worth the wait. When it hits the table I smile and that smile doesn’t leave my face until I’m walking down the street away from the restaurant and I realize that my catfish is gone.

If you aren’t adventurous enough to devour a large catfish filet at 9 in the morning you will still be very happy about your trip to Arnold’s. I would also recommend the French toast and the pancakes. When you first walk in take a look at that handwritten specials board. If you are lucky (and you've been dragged by someone who is dying for the catfish but you're just not sure) they will have their awesome Mexican omelet and you will be very happy with this choice also. Don’t go here looking for fancy pants breakfast. Go to Arnold’s because you want to be treated like a regular, served a good breakfast with love, and because I told you so! Yes, the last is merely about my ego but go eat there anyway. I mean come on, for some reason this place was reviewed first before tons of other fantastic restaurants to come, right?