The East Coast Diner : a world away from Jersey Shore

When I was younger, I went to New York for my mother’s 50^th birthday, and ever since, I have been itching to get back there again. I love American food and culture, everything from burgers and chilli fries to Maybelline New York cosmetics. I love the way that everything is so much bigger, brighter, and more exciting than the small town that I grew up in. When the East Coast Diner opened in Woodbridge, Suffolk, I simply had to go back to check it out.

Rather than having red leather booths and a jukebox, there were scrubbed wooden tables and chairs, high stools and a pretty little courtyard outside for nice weather.

The menu was brilliant. From gourmet steak burgers, big apple hotdogs, nachos and thin crust ‘posh pizzas’, to milkshakes, Brooklyn lager and cocktails – there was a lot of choice. Firstly, we ordered a Peanut Butter Malted Milkshake and a virgin Mojito, which were both delicious.

Then, I had a ‘Pimp Steak’ Hotdog which claimed to be all beef and all tasty – it sure was. Cooked in a way that still gave a satisfyingly crispy skin, and topped with fried onions, ketchup and mustard, this hotdog was a great alternative to the usual pork sausage ones found on the UK high street. I loved the way it was served in the traditional American way - in a basket with a grease-proof paper lining. My companion had a ‘Howlin’ Hot Burger’ which was made from 100% steak and topside mince, with cheese, jalepenos and chilli jam, a soft brioche bun and a cute little bucket of skinny fries. This again was totally different to your average cheeseburger.

Last month, I was thrilled when ShakeShack, a rapidly growing business from the USA that started as a hotdog cart, opened their first flagship restaurant in Covent Garden, London. I couldn't wait to go with a friend who is as much of a food lover as me. Again, the food was brilliant, using Aberdeen Angus beef and rare breed pork, which shows the transferability of the brand from USA to UK. The crinkle cut fries were perfectly cooked, very crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I would recommend it if you want something a little higher end than Mac D’s but don’t want to break the bank at Burger & Lobster.

Yaasica Lucia XXX 

Photo courtesy of Louisa Innes 

Have you eaten at any brilliant burger joints recently?