I always find it interesting when someone approaches me and asks to try a product, because there are some differences in such approach. Sometime, the brand just wants to have some media coverage, but other times it's because they truly believe their product is the best. Recently I was contacted by 82 American Diner and this is what they said:
The booth, the whole booth and nothing but the booth.
We would love to invite you to visit our restaurant. We think we top all the others
That was a strong statement, and despite walking by 82 American Diner several times since its opening in Dubai. I had not been yet, but I love a good burger, so in a good Barney's style, I said to myself:
For the love of burgers
I've not been brought up eating burgers. I think I had my first McDonald's when I was 14 years old, so I don't particularly crave for burgers.
However, as they say, in love (and chemistry) opposites attract, so Mr. Doozy, not only loves burgers, but he's quite the connoisseur. Wasn't long after we started dating (probably the 2nd or 3rd date), when he took me to an American diner in London.
Mr. Doozy adores diners: the 50's retro interiors, the burgers'n chips served in a basket, the sitting in booths, the sipping of milkshakes, you name it and you can be sure his eyes will sparkle.
Naturally, as I kept on growing my love for Mr. Doozy, I started developing a liking for diners and burgers too, to the point, a good decade later, that I love them as well!
In the burgers joints (and diners) are top high in the list of favorite places to hang out, much higher than many swanky bars you find in Dubai.
This also means that we got to know our burgers, and we are passionately arguing on the top best burgers we've had. Perhaps another time I'll talk about the burger joint that's bone of contention, but this time, I want to tell you more about 82 American Diner!
However, as they say, in love (and chemistry) opposites attract, so Mr. Doozy, not only loves burgers, but he's quite the connoisseur. Wasn't long after we started dating (probably the 2nd or 3rd date), when he took me to an American diner in London.
Mr. Doozy adores diners: the 50's retro interiors, the burgers'n chips served in a basket, the sitting in booths, the sipping of milkshakes, you name it and you can be sure his eyes will sparkle.
Naturally, as I kept on growing my love for Mr. Doozy, I started developing a liking for diners and burgers too, to the point, a good decade later, that I love them as well!
In the burgers joints (and diners) are top high in the list of favorite places to hang out, much higher than many swanky bars you find in Dubai.
This also means that we got to know our burgers, and we are passionately arguing on the top best burgers we've had. Perhaps another time I'll talk about the burger joint that's bone of contention, but this time, I want to tell you more about 82 American Diner!
A bit of history on 82 American diner
The diner was born in Tennessee over 30 years ago on Route 82, thus the name. Tennessee in the current days is probably most famous as the birth place of Elvis Presley and as one of the first states where rock music originated from, then they have the Titans and last but not least for Jack Daniel's.
When it started, the brand focus wasn't on "gimmicks and fancy marketing schemes, but high quality, perfectly cooked Authentic American meals, every time."
What about now?
When it started, the brand focus wasn't on "gimmicks and fancy marketing schemes, but high quality, perfectly cooked Authentic American meals, every time."
What about now?
82 American diner - Dubai
82 American Diner in Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai
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It's no longer news that Dubai has embraced American food with open arms; especially in the past couple of years, when the city saw (and still sees) a vast number of American restaurants opening, some of which I'm not fond of at all.
Even though I like most American food, I interpret what's happening more as a trend of "conquering the Middle East frontier" than anything else. I don't exactly rush to try out, each and every American joint that opens in town, so when 82 American Diner opened admittedly I saw it but thought to myself: "hmm...another American spot". |
Visiting 82 American Diner
Upon communicating with the guy from 82 American Diner, I just said to him that I would visit soon, but didn't say when.
I visited the diner with Mr. Doozy in the middle of an afternoon. Whenever I can, especially if it's a fast food restaurant, I prefer them not to know I'm there to review, and enjoying a meal in anonymity is truly the best.
We went to the location in Sheikh Zayed Road, because it's convenient as it's just across the road from us.
The interior design and furnishings follow exactly the ones in the States which play on the "All American" flag concept of white, blue and red colors.
The style is definitely retro, with checkered flooring, round lines, accents of stainless steel, and leather booths. Loved the wall features with vinyls and, guitars to remind you both the golden days of Rock 'n Roll as well as being a tribute to Tennessee itself.
I visited the diner with Mr. Doozy in the middle of an afternoon. Whenever I can, especially if it's a fast food restaurant, I prefer them not to know I'm there to review, and enjoying a meal in anonymity is truly the best.
We went to the location in Sheikh Zayed Road, because it's convenient as it's just across the road from us.
The interior design and furnishings follow exactly the ones in the States which play on the "All American" flag concept of white, blue and red colors.
The style is definitely retro, with checkered flooring, round lines, accents of stainless steel, and leather booths. Loved the wall features with vinyls and, guitars to remind you both the golden days of Rock 'n Roll as well as being a tribute to Tennessee itself.
ALL DAY Breakfast
We sat in a booth and started studying the menu that one of lovely staff promptly brought to us. My attention turned to the "Breakfast Platter" and I chose the pancake option which is composed of:
pancakes (3 large), + 2 sides of your choice + 1 drink + unlimited choice of toppings.
I picked (beef) bacon and (scrambled) eggs as sides, with a topping of strawberry jam to have on the side, and the waitress also brought maple syrup.
pancakes (3 large), + 2 sides of your choice + 1 drink + unlimited choice of toppings.
I picked (beef) bacon and (scrambled) eggs as sides, with a topping of strawberry jam to have on the side, and the waitress also brought maple syrup.
Yummy Yummy, in my tummy - All day breakfast at 82 American diner
As you can tell from the photo it was pretty scrumptious. Being that the bacon and eggs are "sides" you don't get a lot of it, but I didn't mind because I fancied mainly the pancakes which were the main in this particular platter.
These were pretty awesome. Big an fluffy pancakes as you'd want them to be!
As I said, I was happy with the quantity of eggs and bacon. but if you want to have more, then for an extra 15 AED, you can have the ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT and have all the bacon and eggs you like!
As drink, I had coffee with milk, which brings me to talk briefly about coffee.
If you run an American diner, serving good brew is a must!!
I came across diners that have abysmal coffee.
One of them being IHOP. I like other things they have on the menu, but the coffee is just wrong.
What does good coffee taste like? Firstly, it doesn't taste burnt, it must have a fresh aroma on your palate, and if consumed with milk (i.e. cafe latte) the rich coffee flavor must be blending well with the milk. Finally, it must leave a sweet and aromatic after taste. If these don't happen, your coffee sucks!
I'm pleased to say that 82 American diner, serves a pretty decent brew. I cannot say it competes with that of specialized coffee shops, ( excluding Starbucks, because it's way tastier than that), but it certainly is better than most diners I have been to in Dubai, London or the States.
Mr. Doozy went for his standard American test: the burger.
For this, he chose the Jumbo burger, the bigger of the 2 sizes available. The Jumbo Burger, comprises:
2 broiled patties +unlimited choice of toppings, and sauces + 1 drink + fries.
For this, he chose the Jumbo burger, the bigger of the 2 sizes available. The Jumbo Burger, comprises:
2 broiled patties +unlimited choice of toppings, and sauces + 1 drink + fries.
Meet the meat - The Jumbo Burger
I had a cheeky bite of it too (for research purposes of course), and I must say it was really juicy and I loved the flavor of the meat as well as that bit of crunch you get when from the broiling.
The bun was great too, fresh, nicely toasted on the outside, soft in the inside and with a good consistency in the dough so that it kept its shape throughout. What I loved the most was that it wasn't oily.
I have a particular pickle, excuse the pun, with oily burgers and buns.
The 82 American Diner, Jumbo burger is beautifully fresh and it tastes it too. It comes with some crunchy golden fries in a basket as it's customary in a traditional 1950's style American Diner and like the breakfast platter, the Burger meals are part of the ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT menu for an extra 15 AED.
The bun was great too, fresh, nicely toasted on the outside, soft in the inside and with a good consistency in the dough so that it kept its shape throughout. What I loved the most was that it wasn't oily.
I have a particular pickle, excuse the pun, with oily burgers and buns.
The 82 American Diner, Jumbo burger is beautifully fresh and it tastes it too. It comes with some crunchy golden fries in a basket as it's customary in a traditional 1950's style American Diner and like the breakfast platter, the Burger meals are part of the ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT menu for an extra 15 AED.
Yummy in my Tummy, part 2 - The Jumbo Burger meal by 82 American Diner
A special mention goes to...
I must give a special mention to the Vanilla Milkshake we had. Sadly I forgot to take a photo ( I was too busy enjoying my pancakes!!) but, this alone is worth a visit back to 82 American Diner. It's one of the best milkshakes I've ever tried, and Mr. Doozy nods in agreement as I'm writing this. It's creamy, with a smooth vanilla flavor, perfectly balanced in its sweetness. For us, definitely a winner, and I cannot wait to try the other flavors!
My final thoughts
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82 America Diner set off over 30 years ago with some clear goals in mind which were:
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After my visit I realized that I was in fact wrong when I thought this was "just another American spot" and I can confirm that they still follow through with these goals, from the freshness of the food to the attentiveness of the service. And the value for money?
Our total bill was 80 AED which is about $22: excellent value for money.
So how do they rank?
I would say that as a "Diner offering an authentic American retro experience in Dubai" this is as good as it gets, and I've got to give it the Doozy stamp, but most importantly whether you find yourself in Dubai or Tennessee, you should definitely pay a visit to 82 American Diner.
Have you tried 82 American Diner? Alternatively what is your favorite burger in your town? Please share your comments below.
Our total bill was 80 AED which is about $22: excellent value for money.
So how do they rank?
I would say that as a "Diner offering an authentic American retro experience in Dubai" this is as good as it gets, and I've got to give it the Doozy stamp, but most importantly whether you find yourself in Dubai or Tennessee, you should definitely pay a visit to 82 American Diner.
Have you tried 82 American Diner? Alternatively what is your favorite burger in your town? Please share your comments below.
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