Food Consumption Taking Place in Decatur Diner
Decatur Metro | December 11, 2010 | 4:53 pmFirst there was paint. Then there were lights. Then there were signs. Lots of them. Then there we place settings. Now there is documented proof of “eating activity” inside the long unopened Decatur Diner.
David sends in this picture of people sitting around a table in Decatur Diner last night. Upon closer inspection, he reported that they were eating pizza.
Is it open? Who knows. I refuse to speculate on this place anymore.
But here is a picture of some people enjoying a meal amidst the neon and fluorescent. I leave the details to your imaginations.
Maybe it’s the first “Take In” eating establishment in Decatur.
Decatur Diner: BYOF
I’ll believe it when I see a line of people out the door. If they’re not open for business they should turn off the darned signs. They waste electricity and confuse potential customers. I was looking forward to eating there but now I’m not sure I will once they open a year or so from now.
Just drove by and it’s back to the one older gentleman sitting at a booth taking notes on a clipboard, but we did see what *seemed* to be a few tables occupied last night. Great mysteries of Decatur…
So… um… someone should go to the door and see if they can exchange currency for food…
ROFLMAO!!!
I won’t consider it open until they take down that nasty torn awning. There are so many neon signs, you wouldn’t be able to pick out a neon “Open” sign anyway.
Definitely not open yet…we looked in as we were heading to Yogurt Tap, and two men were sitting near the front of the restaurant, staring out onto Ponce. It was the strangest thing–I thought they were watching TV at first, but there was no TV anywhere! Also, it looks like the back kitchen had a bit of work left to be done….
” two men were sitting near the front of the restaurant, staring out onto Ponce. It was the strangest thing–I thought they were watching TV at first, but there was no TV anywhere! ”
They were waiting for Godinerot
Laugh!!!!
I think they ought to start toying with us a bit. One day have two lyrical dancers in there. Another night, turn all the lights off everywhere. Then another night have chess boards on every table…. followed by three large cans of lima beans placed on each table top… and then 20 customers all dressed in purple from head to toe staring blankly ahead, then …. then mimes… etc.
If I was in their predicament, I would certainly at least work it for my own entertainment.
BRILLIANT!
OMG you’re right! It’s a performance piece! How stupid of us. Check Art Papers soon to find out who the artist is and how they fooled us all this time.
YES!!! Brilliant!!! :0)
The food’s going to be nasty anyway, if it’s anything like from it’s other incarnations….
Yuck. They use the cheapest ingredients possible…..
I will never eat there–or, at least, not until they change the overall design of the place to something more in line with my personal, idiosyncratic aesthetic.
I’ll never, ever eat there either. Well, maybe once it opens I’ll give it a shot.
So I guess I’ll probably never, ever eat there.
Methinks someone took thee literally, Gibbeties…you’re subtler than you thought.
I am completely aware of how idiosyncratically subtle I am. Of course, I assumed that others would also see that subtlety. Oh well.
My favorite color is red. I hate blue awnings. I vow that I will not eat there until I see red. I also do not want a Dollar General in Oakhurst.
Likes red…doesn’t want a DG… Somebody’s wanting a Family Dollar!
Thank goodness that most people in Decatur are not arrogant, judgmental and annoying.
Here here!
it just sticks out like a sore thumb. No charm in the design, it dwarfs the diminutive Noodle next door and does not fit in aesthetically with the charm of Decatur. Who eats diner food in Decatur 24 hours a day? People who have no where to go
Um,:
- Parents who have a babysitter but ran out of ideas of what to do on a Monday night when nothing is open?
- A parent who needs to get out of the house to get some work done sans enfants but doesn’t want to drive all the way to the office late at night?
- College students and young adults with the munchies late at night or after a movie or after an evening activity like folk dancing or Trivia?
I think a high quality diner could work. I’m thinking of being in Brattleboro, Vermont, once for a New Year’s eve folk dance event and then everyone going to the local all-night diner afterwards for some sustenance–college students, young adults, seniors, all.
Someone who volunteers for a Decatur festival and has to report for duty on the Square at 5:30 a.m.?
Hmm… I thought Waffle House started in Decatur…. My mistake, I guess…
Avondale!
Actually, my friends and I were looking for a place to eat in downtown last Friday at 1130pm after a movie at Push Push and all we could find was a pub. We ended up at the Majestic on Ponce. It was fine (and fun) but to stay in Decatur would have been better.
That sounds a little elitist, plenty of people have jobs with either non-traditional hours or shifts — police officers, hospital personnel, other restaurant workers.
Three words that have me looking forward to its opening, despite its terrible curb (un)appeal: breakfast for dinner.
breakfast for dinner rules!
If they have hashbrowns and I can put onions and cheese in them, who cares what it looks like?
Taste is subjective; can I come the houses of the people who are being so snobby about the look of the place and report back to everyone on here how tacky and not to my taste your house is? If you live in one of those giant new builds, I can tell you I am most likely going to feel the same way about your house that many people feel about this poor diner. So why don’t we realize that not everyone shares the same taste and just try to get along as long we 1) can’t do anything about as long as both the houses I don’t like & the diner exteriors others abhor are up to code and 2) there are hashbrowns!
And I don’t think it’s the owner’s fault 100% that the place isn’t open- I poked my head in a few weeks ago and the dude working on the pipes said the plumbing was a disaster and the city kept finding problems with the building.
Yeah! What Nellie said!
Endlessly fascinating, how riled up the anti-DD folks get, over and over!
Word. When they open, I’ma get me a TUNA MELT, dangit!!! And I mean it.
Honestly, what makes you all think they’re ever going to open?
Sometimes I wonder about Decatur I really do.
“… Sometimes I wonder about Decatur I really do.”
Decatur or Decatur bloggers, David?
Gee, ya know, I just don’t know.
Maybe it’s just a movie set, like that pizza place on Howard.
Everyone is just grouchy because they are hungry.
WAIT, i have an idea… head to the tacky/wonderful/new/LOCAL BUSINESS diner that may or may not be opening some day in OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. Actually order/try something then determine if it sucks/is great/should redecorate.
just an idea. o. i LOVE hash browns. about as much as i LOVE typing in CAPITAL letters.
As legal representation for Hash Browns ™ I respectfully request that you remove any mention of Hash Browns ™ from your comments. We suggest that you use the term Facility Maintenance Engineer Potatoes. Or some such other currently popular euphemism.
I’m looking forward to the pierogi.
SORRY, of course i meant – I LOVE Hash Browns™ (and hashbrowns). Who doesn’t?
I dunno being a Jersey Mama and all I am really looking forward to trying out a diner. Boy do I miss being able to order a Greek salad and pancakes at the same time at 2am. Not that I could stay up until 2am anymore. So I’m all about showing this diner a little love when it finally opens.
Part of me still believes this place is a money laundering front and as such the owners are not necessarily in any particular hurry to get it operational.
But seriously, I’ve moved past casting aspersions on this place for aesthetic and culinary reasons. It’s just annoying to have a business in such a key location lit up like Times Square for months, but not actually serving anyone. It’s confusing for folks looking for a bite to eat and it’s a huge waste of electricity (as the Kilowatt Crackdown was going on, no less). If you’re not going to open, at least turn the signs off. You do know you’re in Decatur, right?
I was thinking something along those lines about the electricity. Perhaps it wouldn’t matter in another city, but it seems like Decaturites like to be green where practical to do so. I guess the argument could be made that they are paying their electric bill so who cares, but it seems like with all those signs they would be using a hefty amount of electricity and they aren’t even open yet. When they finally get going full blast with the lights, it will be visible from the International Space Station.
I can’t wait to get drunk in Downtown Decatur and eat there late night!
Over time, the faux blue blocks have grown in me in a kooky kitschy kind of way. But, that tuna melt will have to be otherworldly for me to see past the repetitive ‘Decatur Diner’ type treatment in every window.
You could always drop a hit of windowpane, and then that tuna melt would not only be otherworldly, but technicolored, too…YEE-HAW!!!
(To the humour-impaired: The above statement in no way advocates nor supports the use of illegal psychedelic drugs.)
Lame disclaimer. Best post I’ve ever read here. Lucy in the sky of diiiiiamonds!
Colour Cuba Badd
For what it’s worth, I was there over the weekend and a gentleman outside said one more month.
Tee hee.
just to clarify, was that “one more month” until the start of the six month countdown to the preliminary soft opening one month prior to the Grand Opening, or “one more month” before they open?
you know, i am sorry for the judgemental comment i made earlier, regarding ‘who eats diner food 24 hours a day in Decatur”
Of course there are lot’s of people who are working 3rd shifts, waking early, walking late. It will serve us all well. It’s just an ugly, gawdy building on the corner in a charming downtown neighborhood. And THAT’s my problem.
Sorry to offend those who feel that everything is beautiful, opinions are bad, and that the Decatur Diner will open soon…
…but concrete painted in faux-blue cheese (not it doesn’t remotely resemble marble) is tacky. Neon in every single window is tacky. Neo Jersey Revival interiors are tacky.
That place is butt-ugly, so the food will have to work a little harder to compensate.
I’ve never understood the term ‘butt-ugly.’ It assumes that all butts are ugly and that’s clearly untrue. I propose you amend your post to read ‘monkey butt-ugly’ as I’ve never seen an attractive monkey
derriere.
What? You don’t see the beauty in a mandrill booty?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Mandrill_at_Singapore_Zoo.jpg/800px-Mandrill_at_Singapore_Zoo.jpg
I am willing to bet that, when it comes to butts, chad steers clear of the post-modern.
I wouldn’t say that I love the faux blue marble but I am developing an affinity for it. It matches the blue things on the new plaza above the MARTA station. The color reminds me of places at the beach or in Southern California or South Florida. My biggest objection is to those giant signs in the window for “24 HRS”, “GYRO”, “MELTS”. All caps and huge block font should be reserved for emergency rooms. But those may grow on me in a campy sort of way.
I would like to “cross-walk” (one of my favorite business terms to hate) peoples ideas and feelings about the Decatur Diner vs the Dollar General. To me, if you are ok with the decor of the DG with its bright orange, giant font, all caps sign and boxy look, you can’t complain about the Diner. But we Decaturites are quirky in our views and loyalties…..
Decatur Diner Owners: Do your thang! It’d be terrific if all the neon & lights were solar powered! (Somebody smart like that please pitch them on the idea!) The exterior paint reminds me of a swimming pool– jump on in!
Dollar General: Bright yellow– like sunshine!– w/black font. ( I put ‘em in the catagory of “Don’t judge a book…”)
“Cross-walk” – Ha! (Who thinks these terms up?!?)
Neon signs would be difficult to impossible to power with solar panels, even if the diner packed its roof with them. Neon signs draw A LOT of juice, hence my frustration with them humming away 24/7 for months with no one inside.
Maybe we can get ‘em to swap out the neon for Lite Brites! Even more fun & solar power potential! (I think…)
* Ack! Category.
I read somewhere that the owners of this place are the same folks who bought the Crescent Moon and ran it into the ground. Anyone know if this is true?
It’s true. Alas.
granted i don’t know when we will actually get to taste the food, but this is Decatur, kitsch is king! im all for funky paintjobs and etc!
also if this place ever opens, and is good, people will thank the neon at 2am in drunken stupors to find food
I’m a little late in responding, but, I must admit that this place— it’s decor, it’s facade, and menu– is not my first, second or fifteenth choice, but, I think we should try it. I wish I knew what the hold up is- permits? I know our city is great about helping, but, is there a problem with a subcontractor or unforseen structural problem? Anyhow, let’s keep an open mind. Might become a favorite serve-you-fast breakfast spot. And every small business is someone’s effort and dream, so let’s be good hosts, give them a chance and welcome them to Decatur (oh, and maybe drain the neon from the signs when no one’s looking).
While driving by this morning, I took another good look and noticed the green awning. Has that always been there? The green takes away from the faux blue beach look IMHO. I think a Pacific Blue awning would really accentuate the faux blue marble look nicely.
They are just building up demand by offering up scarcity. Can’t wait to have a slice and a cigarette!
Food was consumed at Napoleon’s today. If you haven’t tried it, it’s just past the Decatur Diner…follow Ponce to Clairmont, turn right, continue to LaVista and turn right. Napoleon’s is on the left just past Oak Grove. Good burgers, salads, tacos, etc.
And they have a nice bar too! (Yeah, it was that kind of lunch.)