Floe’s Diner

It is interesting to note the many faces of that great tradition, the American diner.

Firstly, it’s not uncommon for non American citizens to assume that diners are primarily promoters of burgers and fries washed down with gallons of coca cola. Mostly, we have Hollywood to thank for having entrenched this falsehood in the minds of its international audience.

The assumption is of course erroneous. In the urban centres of America, diners have been reinvented. The dusty counter diners that inspired a generation of spaghetti western movies are indeed a rare sight in bigger cities around the country. Diners have long graduated to hybrids of transcontinental fare and modern day fashion statements. Yesterday’s burger and fries is today’s chicken tortilla, and so on. The commercialization of fusion food is certainly capitalism’s latest great discovery.

By far my most fascinating discovery in diner cuisine in America was at the Pei Wei Asian Diner, Philadelphia – an experience I particularly looked forward to as I really love Asian food. Notably, Pei Wei could very easily earn my Noddy badge for speedy service; these people literally put the ‘fast’ back into fast food. Another huge plus: their welcoming interiors, attractive and clean cutlery and dim lighting. I felt drawn to the rich and warm decor and encouraged by the wide variety of dishes offered on the menu.

So before I get to the cuisine itself, I must confess to being a secret food snob. I think many South Africans are, and the way I saw it, what could one really expect from an Americanized-Asian fast-food diner? Of course, I did not share with my dining companion that I secretly expected the food to disappoint. Imagine my surprise when I not only thoroughly enjoyed the food served, I proceeded to go back at least another two times during the remaining eight days of my stay in the city.  

While I would recommend that those of you seeking an authentic Chinese Fusion food experience not look to Pei Wei to provide it, what counts in their favour is the simple yet tasty and healthier-than-most  diner experience they provide. The chicken teriyaki is endlessly friendlier to the waistline than a Chicken Mac, for instance. And for the Thai coconut curry – you’d be hard-pressed to find a tastier version in this price range.

All in all – Pei Wei has changed my views on the American diner experience, for the better too. The restaurant chain has 136 outlets across the US. As a healthier cheap option, I’d recommend them any day.