Do you enjoy good, home-style, comfort food served up with some saucy conversation? Do you yearn for the old-time diners you've seen on TV? Well pilgrim, yearn no longer. As I so often do, I (with my usual cohorts) have stumbled onto just such a place. And not only do they serve hot dogs, they are just a stone's throw away from the Liberty! What more could you want?
From the outside, it looks just as unassuming as you'd expect, with just a sign hanging out over the sidewalk proclaiming that this is Harry Garcia's diner. The front window decorations are generic enough that you can be relatively sure that they have been used by more than just their current owner. A step inside, and the feeling of age is even more pronounced. An old style lunch counter runs along the left wall, with a few tables to the right. Behind the counter are the remains of an actual SODA FOUNTAIN! For those of you (including me) that have never been served from one, they actually used to mix the syrup and the seltzer for your soda by HAND! Unfortunately, this one isn't used but it's still nice to see it there. And right next to it is the early forerunner of today's soda-pouring station. Next to the defunct seltzer taps, an old Cornelius cooler sits. Those I DO remember, and don't ask me why, but your drink just tastes better from one. A cutting board and a large grill finish out the business end of the establishment.
We took our seats on a couple of stools and glanced up at the Specials Board. Typical diner stuff: Salisbury Steak, stuffed peppers, meatloaf, turkey with gravy. Not gonna do it ! We looked at the menus and there it was: a chili dog with Harry's version of everything (onions, cheese, and bacon.) That'll do. After we placed our order, we sat & watched Harry work. The dogs were foot-long Hummels, split down the middle a la Jimmy's of Savin Rock, then grilled. The buns were grilled too, as were the onions. The bacon was cooked to order & the chili...well, the chili was a sight to behold. Latter conversations with Harry revealed that he didn't have much call for chili dogs, so he made the sauce in advance then warmed it up an order at a time as needed. But it was the WAY he warmed it, scooping out just enough onto the grill, adding a little ketchup for extra moisture, then just shuffling it around the grill with his spatula. Truly, a sight to behold!
While all this was going on, the lone waitress was setting up the plates for these pooches to rest on. The dogs come with chips, pickles, and your choice of potato or macaroni salad. I opted for a double side of chips & no salad, and promised my pickles to Avery. Then the assembled tube-steaks were placed in the center and were brought to us with a smile. Mmmmm -Mmm!! The dogs were cooked nicely, the onions were nicely caramelized, the bacon exceptionally crisp, and the chili -- well, don't tell anyone, but the chili is BETTER than the Liberty's. A minute or two later and it was but a memory, with just a few bun-crumbs to mark its passing.
The waitress dropped of the check. All this good food and sides and the cost - $2.90. Not only was my belly smiling, so was my wallet. Add the soda to it & you've got plenty of food for 4 bucks! God Bless America!