Streamliner Diner

The Streamliner Diner can seem random. Look it up on the web you will see pictures of I am not sure what…some sort of bruschetta maybe. The foods look fancy-pants — gourmet in the worst sense of the word. The reality is 180 degrees different (thank God). This place is to restaurants what Fiesta Ware is to plates: retro, funky, fun and utilitarian.

With my eyes scrunched up looking for the bruschetta, I was amazed instead to find one of my favorite foods: chicken fried steak with sausage gravy and a biscuit. I also came across the muffin of the day, which was an exceptional Pecan Mango beauty. Seattle is scramble happy, meaning they take their omelets seriously. The Streamliner was offering an omelet of roasted red peppers, spinach, tomatoes and sharp Jack cheese. There was a choice of an omelets filled with ham, tomatoes, blue cheese and caramelized onions. They come with the Streamliner Diner’s legendary hash browns and a very nice biscuit.

By the time I was finished with my meal I began to see why the bruschetta and its friends are on the website. At dinner the menu becomes Italian Bistro food. It must be a slightly strange transition because The Streamliner Diner does not look like it was modeled after a trattoria in Tuscany.

The Streamliner Diner is very popular. It is not big and the wait for a table can be long. On the other hand, it is worth the wait, and on the other hand (is it three hands now?), it is dog friendly; so please give it your loyal business!

To get to it you take the Bainbridge Ferry from Seattle. It is a brisk 20 minute ride with seagulls screeching overhead and a salty breeze. I wonder how many people have arrived at the Streamliner Dinner uttering the words, “This is cool.” I know I did.