Senate vs. Joe's Diner on Sycamore

I already know what you're thinking, these two restaurants are completely different. Yes I know, that is why I think it will be fun to compare them, especially because I went to them on back to back days. And if nothing else, I think it will really show you what type of eater I am.

(Joe's Diner on Sycamore)


I went to Joe's Diner on Sycamore two days ago for lunch and then I went to Senate today for lunch. Joe's Diner just opened up after being closed down since 2007 (even though their grand opening isn't till August 10th, so the menu might change by then). I think it use to just be called The Diner or something like that. When I walked into the Joe's I was greeted with a friendly smile and was told to sit wherever I wanted. When I walked into Senate I felt out of place right away and was greeted with a straight faced, pretend to be fancy waiter (who even tried saying the word Poutine fancy by mispronouncing it). I was sat right next to another table (seriously within a foot from them even though there were 4 more tables down the row we could have easily sat).

(Senate)


At Joe's I went with their normal burger which ended up being a double and served with a side of onion rings (or fries) all for $5.50. At Senate I ordered the Trailer Park which was a hot dog, a piece of bacon, American cheese and crushed Grippo chips (it sounds like something I would make at home) with no sides and was $9. The burger was a very good diner style burger. It wasn't too thick but was very juicy and filling. The onion rings were some of the best I had ever had and I even topped the burger with two of them.




The hot dog on the other hand was nothing more than a hot dog. I was hoping for $9 that the hot dog would taste better than any other hot dog I had eaten before, but that wasn't the case. It just tasted like a normal hot dog with thick skin. The bacon was very chewy and the American cheese was, well, American cheese. I wish I could have the rest of the Grippos chips that they had left over from my bag that they crumbled since that was the best part of the meal (I love me some BBQ Grippos).



At Joe's I was asked by multiple people how my meal was and was encouraged to not be a stranger when I was checking out. They did a great job at making me feel comfortable and welcome even though it was my first time there. At Senate I did not feel welcome and I don't think I saw anyone who worked there smile the entire time I was there. I even had to ask for ice because the water jug they bring out to the table was room temperature. Maybe that was part of the upscale restaurant vibe they were going for, but I like my water cold.

I just don't get why anyone would ever return to Senate, I would honestly like to hear from a frequent customer of Senate to tell me what I am missing. I just couldn't refer someone to go pay over $10 for a hot dog and a glass of water. This restaurant probably won't be going anywhere anytime soon though because they make a 1000% profit for every meal they make. Obviously it isn't my type of of a place and I get that, but what am I missing? I mean the Poutine was good, but for $10? It is fries, cheese, gravy and a little meat.

Obviously I am more of a diner type than a fancy restaurant, but Senate sells hot dogs, you can't be that nice when you sell hot dogs. So if you want my opinion since that is all this is, I would recommend checking out Joe's Diner on Sycamore and avoiding Senate all together. Let my expensive lunch be your warning.

Sugar 'N Spice

We headed out on another road trip to try a new place for lunch. One of my co-workers said that we had to try a new place that he stumbled upon called Sugar 'N Spice. It is only about 10 minutes from downtown on Reading Road. From the outside it looked like a nice hole in the wall diner, and when we walked in, sure enough it was a hole in the wall diner. The first thing that hit me was the amazing smell of fresh cooked breakfast. It reminded me a lot of the smell of Frisches or Price Hill Chili.

those mints were 3 for 5 cents, I thought that was awesome.


I loved all the artwork on the walls.


I knew going in, since my co-worker told me, that their Whispy Thin Pancakes were their signature item. So of course I had to get them. I got those and a side of hash browns, which I thought were going to be diced potatoes, but found out those were the home fries and the hash browns were the thin straws of potatoes. None the less, they were still good. The pancakes were very good, but nothing too special. I think I would have enjoyed a fluffier pancake, maybe the banana pancake which I have never had, or even their belgian waffle.




Obviously there is a lot to try and I bet it is all good. BUT when I go back, I will definitely be trying one of their insanely, huge omelettes. It looked like the size of a Chipotle burrito! I may not be able to eat breakfast that morning if I am going to attempt to finish it by myself. I saw the waitress bringing it out for someone else and I thought it might have been rude to go up to him and ask him if I could take a picture of the masterpiece. I guess you'll just have to go there to see it for yourself, or wait until I go back and take a picture of the one I order.

This type of a place is a place that I wish I lived within walking distance to. They just really make you feel like you aren't an outsider and that it isn't your first time being there. It would be a perfect hangover spot to go to after a long night of drinking and you just want some delicious home cooked breakfast food to heal the wound.

This was their register, it only goes up to $49 hahaha


All in all it was a great experience and if it was closer, I would go there all the time. We will hopefully go back somewhere down the road so I can try one of those omelettes.