On Tuesday, Dinah’s Family Restaurant marked its 52-year anniversary with a “Blast to the Past” celebration featuring classic cars, live music and prices circa 1959.
Then again, there’s something about Dinah’s that remains perpetually placed in a golden-era past. Maybe it’s the architecture and signage of the building, the bench-seating and barstools at the counter, the friendly staff or the old-fashioned chicken meals that create a remarkably nostalgic experience.
For people who love fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, and I’m one of them, Dinah’s is simply where you go. It’s been around for half a century and clearly, they’ve got the recipe down pat. And as far as I know, you can’t get chicken livers at KFC (although you may be able to get something called chicken “nuggets”).
But Dinah’s is more than just chicken. The barbecued ribs and chili have also become staples. Homemade soups, pasta, seafood, desserts – we’re talking sweet potato pie, cornbread loaves, banana nut bread, cinnamon rolls, a variety of pies and more – the menu is rather extensive and suitable for any appetite. And there are healthy options, as well, for the calorie-conscious.
Of particular interest, however, is breakfast at Dinah’s. In the harried pace of modern life, the ritual of breakfast has been reduced in many instances to waiting in a long line for a cup of expensive coffee and one of the half-dozen or so day-old pastries under glass near the cash register, which is usually eaten while driving in traffic.
But consider a plate of waffles in maple syrup, blueberry pancakes, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, sausage and bacon, eggs any way your heart desires. And a cup of hot coffee at an honest-to-God table. Maybe that’s what makes Dinah’s the nostalgic place it is – it’s slow food. It’s about eating for pleasure rather than sustenance. It’s about sitting down to enjoy a meal.
They also cater. I’ve even had Dinah’s for Thanksgiving. It’s that good.
Dinah’s Family Restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day and is located at 6521 Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester. Call (310) 645-0456 or fax (310) 568-1989. Online orders are also accepted. Go to dinahsrestaurant.com.