THUMBS UP DINER

He says:
The Thumbs Up Diner is a lively and popular brunch spot with three locations in Atlanta. Their Edgewood branch has an air of nostalgia to it, from the red leather booths to the old-timers sipping cups of joe at the counter. The service is also a throwback – it’s absolutely first-rate. Our waitress checked up on us several times during our Sunday brunch, always with a smile and exactly at the right moment.

The menu is extensive but not particularly novel. It’s filled with the usual suspects (blueberry pancakes, farmer’s omelet, etc.) and a couple of vegetarian nods (tofu and veggies). There are some rough spots though. When I asked if the orange juice was really fresh-squeezed – as indicated on the menu – our waitress said, “It says fresh-squeezed on the carton.” Hmmm … love the honesty, but I’ll pass on the juice.

She says:
I agree with Downtown Boy’s assessment. Atlanta has so many great brunch spots with menus filled with creative twists on breakfast that Thumbs Up Diner will probably not make my list of favorites. However, the next time I’m in the mood for diner food, this is probably where you’ll find me.

The French Toast is just what I’d hope for … lightly sweet, not soggy, and huge. Luckily our wonderful waitress cautioned me against getting two slices. One slice of the toast, along with two eggs cooked over-medium, made up my perfect diner breakfast. And don’t forget the coffee! It’s nothing fancy, but it does the trick on an early weekend morning.

He says:
The fried catfish and eggs sounds more intriguing than it actually tastes. The “special seasoned catfish filet” was like any old, bland white fish in a breaded batter, and the grits were not up to par with the Flying Biscuit’s version. The whole wheat biscuits were good, but not as light or fluffy as those at other eateries. I like the idea of fried fish in the morning, but this dish wasn’t particularly memorable. At least it was hella cheap at $6.50.

We say:
The dishes at Thumbs Up Diner won’t surprise you, but the service and prices just might.



Thumbs Up Diner
573 Edgewood Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
http://www.thumbsupdiner.com/index.html