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Jimeats 14 years, 5 months ago.
One of my favorites was a tavern outside of Boston called Mikes cafe. No barstools, no ashtrays, no TV or juke box and no ladies room. All the booze was poured from half gallons, it was a shot and a beer type joint, hit and run type place. Great barkers and huge roast beef sandwiches served on their finest paper plate. The bartender always shirt and tie and cleaned and pressed apron. A woman came in one day and asked for the ladies room Bill the bartender pointed to a door in the corner, she stated that it was the mens room, he said no it’s an everybody room one urinal one commode take your pick, no door on the commode either. Chow Jim
A dive is a place that you get some of the best bbq from. Usually out in the middle of nowhere, with no frills, napkins are an extra, seating is usually cracked, tea is sweet and the screen door slams alot from the many people coming in to pick up their order.
I have a book from 1982 called "Fantastic Dives" A guide to LA’s best hole in the wall dining. Here is what it say is their definition of a dive:
1> A meal must be $6.00 or under. (hey, it was 1982,ok?)
2> The retarant must be at least 15 years old- for texture.
3> It must be one of a kind-no chains or franchises.
4> The food must be exceptional.
5> It must have the intangible attribute known as character.
Based on this they go on to check out many places in the LA area, some that are still in business. They include such places as Philippe’s,Pink’s and the Sunset Grill.
Mike
quote:
Originally posted by seafarer john
It is reassuring to learn ther number of Roadfooders who have an intimate knowledge of dives and dumps.Cheers, John
[8)][8)][8)][;)]
I light up like a Xmas tree on Geo earth – they implanted something in me on my last visit to the hospital- so you’ll have no trouble tracking me around New Paltz and environs…
cheers, John
Yes, John, If you ever wander away from the Nursing Home all Gail will have to do is put out a Bulletin to the Roadfooders and within a few minutes we will have located you in one of the Many New Paltz DIVES!! With all the places now registered on the site it will be a quick exercise to find you!! AND With the new Google-Earth Photo program on Roadfood we may even spot you going in to the place !! Tell her not to worry ![8D][:D][:D][;)]
It is reassuring to learn ther number of Roadfooders who have an intimate knowledge of dives and dumps.
Cheers, John
I have spent a lot of time in Fontana, Ontario and of course, Pomona and other places in that area due to our racing with NHRA. Everything there use to be orange groves and now if I had bought a small house a few years ago for $200K, it would now be worth $1 Mil. 20 20 hindsight.
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN
Fontana’s still a dive Al, only the primary language spoken has changed. The extreme northern end of town up by Baseline Road and north from that until the curve in the 15, so recently nothing but grape vines, is completely yuppified with new developments and homeowner’s associations and SUVs. Oddly enough, they don’t want to identify with the working class rest of Fontana, the grit behind the collar part like where I live, so they tell everyone they’re in Rancho Cucamonga, which they’re not.
No dives up there, you can take that to the bank.
Not all apply but most do.
Everyone stops talking when you walk in.
ALL the women have tats.
You feel naked because you left your pistol in the car.
The parking lot is not paved or even graveled.
The only lights in the place are neon signs advertising adult beverages.
At any moment you expect the Terminator to walk in naked.
The pool tables have crimson stains that you know are not from red wine.
AND the burgers and bbq are great.
I might say that until recently the only COMMUNITY that I was personally familiar with, that would qualify to be called a DIVE- using Engine Captain’s definition— was his adopted hometown of FONTANA, CA !!
But as with many of the Bars and Taverns, the Town has ‘Yuppified’ to the point where one needn’t shower as often after leaving the Public Library…Although I am not sure I would do that without an escort. (leave the library–not shower)[:I].
A dive: No windows, muddy lighting, dark paneling from the 70’s or dark painted walls, and professional drinkers at the bar who stake out and occupy "their" place at said bar. A thick atmosphere heady with the aroma of sour beer, stale food, and cherry urinal cakes assaults your senses as soon as you come inside. When you enter the damp, noisome restroom, your shoes stick to the floor with a ripping Velcro sound. Amongst the regulars at the bar, at least one will be a blowsy, disheveled, heavily made up barfly long past her prime, but seemingly unaware of that fact. When you finally leave, it takes two extended hot showers before you feel the stench of the place is off you.
I agree with seafarer’s description. As for the other descriptions provided, I would classify those as "dumps," rather than "dives." I have been in many a dive, and eaten very good meals at some of them. On the other hand, I avoid dumps like the plague.
A dive is the great places I hung out in many years ago but would not consider going into today. None served any type of food; it was booze, broads, and brawls.
John
I used to hang out in a dive that had the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted in a restaurant. Fantastic corned beef and cabbage, too.
Standard order: "Shot of Wilson’s, a short beer and some lasagna."
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