I blissfully gave into the pot roast sammich yet again and wasn't disappointed at all. Again, this is one of the few places where the gravy is worth eating, despite my usual repulsion to it. Only complaint was that the pot roast was a tad dry in some parts. . but still a stellar offering.

My friends loved the place and are already planning our next visit. My coworker who ordered the burger, while on a diet, soon found himself helplesslly seduced and had to order another one as a palate cleanser. He said its one of the best he's had, and said along with Winberie's in Oak Park, is clearly the best burger in the area.

Peach pie and pecan pie were spot on, despite my aversion to pecan pie. The donuts were also excellent.

Oh. . and that chocolate egg cream. Yowza!

Ghazi wrote:I blissfully gave into the pot roast sammich yet again and wasn't disappointed at all. Again, this is one of the few places where the gravy is worth eating, despite my usual repulsion to it.

Do they have mashed potatoes available now? When I see gravy, I automatically want mashed, not fires.

Cogito wrote:

Ghazi wrote:I blissfully gave into the pot roast sammich yet again and wasn't disappointed at all. Again, this is one of the few places where the gravy is worth eating, despite my usual repulsion to it.

Do they have mashed potatoes available now? When I see gravy, I automatically want mashed, not fires.

I think they always have mashed potatoes now, I'm going in for dinner (breaded steak, mmmmm) tonight and will let you know.

Cogito wrote:

Ghazi wrote:Do they have mashed potatoes available now? When I see gravy, I automatically want mashed, not fires.

We have had mashed potatoes both times I visited in the last two weeks.

Hmm, why would they not have mashed potatoes? The dozen or so times I've had the open faced turkey, it's always featured mashed potatoes.

The last time I was there the waitress told me they didn't have any mashed, so I got fries. I wasn't sure if it was always like that or if I was unlucky. I guess it was just bad timing.

I will be heading over with a friend who will be making his first visit today (he used to live on The Island a long time ago) sometime after the lunch crush. I get excited when there is somebody new to some of our beloved places. A few days ago I took him to Cermita Puebla and he really, really enjoyed the Atomica and Tacos Arabes. I am sure that he will enjoy the Pot Roast Sandwich today as well.

As for the mashed potatoes, I would be a bit disappointed if they had run out but substituting the fries with gravy would smooth things over for me very well.

Cogito wrote:The last time I was there the waitress told me they didn't have any mashed, so I got fries. I wasn't sure if it was always like that or if I was unlucky. I guess it was just bad timing.

this has happened to me there several times in the past. i think it happens more towards closing time but i'm not real sure. i haven't been over there in quite a while though.

A friend and I were at DAD last night for a quick bite of pie (around 9:30PM). Robert was happy to put some coffee on for us, and I had an unbelievable piece of bread pudding and my friend had an equally delicious slice of sweet potato. Robert mentioned that the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode will air on August 3rd (sorry if that's been posted elsewhere but I didn't see it in this thread) which happens to be his birthday as well!

Oh, and he has a few heirloom tomato plants for sale, in the front window, $2 each. They look to be about 12" or 16" tall already. I got the story on where they were from (somehow a connection to a farm in Michigan and Klas restaurant and some plants left over after planting a field) but don't remember all the details. I was too busy enjoying the pie.

chrishajer wrote:Oh, and he has a few heirloom tomato plants for sale, in the front window, $2 each. They look to be about 12" or 16" tall already. I got the story on where they were from (somehow a connection to a farm in Michigan and Klas restaurant and some plants left over after planting a field) but don't remember all the details. I was too busy enjoying the pie.

I went in yesterday for breakfast with my father and the fellow with the plants & the folks from Klaus were in there. I managed to score 8 very lovely heirloom plants from the gentleman from the farm and a terrific breakfast before going on the Frank Lloyd Wright house walk, what a great day!

I had a fine LTH weekend: dinner at Klas on Friday, lunch at The Depot on Saturday after a trip to Horrorbles with Pie Dude. Finally, a reason for me to go to Horrorbles.

I had one of those 'eyes are bigger than the stomach' moments because I wanted soup, a BLT, an egg cream to go, possibly a slice of Red Velvet...

I just ordered the BLT. It was mighty fine with the perfectly-cooked bacon, although the toast was not as crispy as I'd like and the sandwich itself was pretty flat. Pie Dude's club was tall and looked really superb. The slaw had no taste and being a fry nut, I wish they'd added more to the plate, but lunch overall was tasty, and since we didn't go out for a malt later we planned, I was really kicking myself for not ordering the egg cream to go. What I loved most about the place was the charm. It was so adorable, and I loved that little semi-private room in the back, the menu with times for prices and "Daily Pie", the chalkboard, the pie fridge...this place was super cool.

I had lunch at DD today. They were out of pot roast at 1pm, so had the meat loaf blue plate and a bowl of cream of tomato. It was all good.

I tried to hit the Depot for dinner on Monday, closed at 5pm...the open sign was still lit. What is the deal w/their hours? I called ahead of time and no answer, can't they at least change their message if they decide to close early? I love this place but the inconsistent hours are becoming a huge pet peeve of mine.

Crap, I was hoping to go after a party on Saturday, so I hope they don't close early! Thanks for the heads up.

jmc wrote:I tried to hit the Depot for dinner on Monday, closed at 5pm...the open sign was still lit. What is the deal w/their hours? I called ahead of time and no answer, can't they at least change their message if they decide to close early? I love this place but the inconsistent hours are becoming a huge pet peeve of mine.

that's part of the "charm" of the place.

they are open whenever they feel like it. their posted hours are meant to be taken theoretically. it's the customers problem for not understanding the abstract nature of time, not the owners. so stop complaining if you go there and it's closed. that's just "the way it is"

FWIW, I haven't gone there yet and found them closed when they were supposed to be open.

chrishajer wrote:FWIW, I haven't gone there yet and found them closed when they were supposed to be open.

Ditto!

But then again I have never gone there 5 minutes before closing time as I know they would be out of the daily special. Just like BBQ places get over there at lunch or dinner time.

juan epstein wrote:they are open whenever they feel like it. their posted hours are meant to be taken theoretically. it's the customers problem for not understanding the abstract nature of time, not the owners. so stop complaining if you go there and it's closed. that's just "the way it is"

Juan, all i have to say to you is, "really.........really, are you @#%&!*% serious?".

as much as i like an honest to goodness old school diner, i have never been to The Depot American Diner. i would love to especially after all the good things that have been said about the food. however, i don't ever plan to go because they are out of my way and i can't be assured that they will be open.

as for people who have gone only to find TDAD closed during their "theoretical" hours, it is their every right to complain because they have been inconvenienced and disappointed.

and to those that defend TDAD's business practices, it is your right as well. but you know what...SAVE IT, i don't care. to those that continue to be loyal customers and not concerned about them being closed when they're supposed to be open, TDAD is very lucky to have great customers such as yourselves.

if the reason they keep sporadic hours because they don't need the business, good for them...for now. but was it not too long ago they needed a fundraiser?? i mean, WTF. if they have other "valid" reasons for the unscheduled closings, then i retract my comment. otherwise, i don't plan on going to the next fundraiser either.

More pot roast sandwich for me!

Don't go to Burt's or TAC Quick either.

Hey EvilDoc, Juan was being sarcastic I think. As was I.

i don't go to Burt's, his pizza doesn't appeal to me. but Burt & Sharon are very very nice folks & i would certainly recommend (and have in the past) Burt's to anyone who likes deep dish.

I guess my feeling is, so it's irresponsible and self-defeating. So what. Mmm, pot roast sandwich.

Mike G wrote:I guess my feeling is, so it's irresponsible and self-defeating. So what. Mmm, pot roast sandwich.

so what? so nothing. like i said, they are lucky to have customers like you. and they won't attract any new customers that feel the way i do. more pot roast sandwiches for you & their other loyal customers!

It isn't that they close whenever they want. It is that they will close early sometimes if they are running out of some of the items on the menu or of it is really slow. I do realize there was one occasion that they had to close for a few days.

I am willing to live with that. It is better than making too much and serving day old food.

If they are closing early because business is slow, then they need to shorten their hours. How many people are looking for diner food at ten pm? I was there earlier this week and they were out of pot roast at 1pm. Would that be justifiable grounds for closing at that point?

Look, I like the place, I have never gotten a bad meal there. But if I didn't live nearby, I certainly would not make a special trip to eat there, because I have been shut out at least 3 times when attempting same. I know this is one of LTH's sacred cows, like Burt's or Patty's, and that any criticism like this will be poo-pooed, but if you happen to get shut out the next 2 or 3 times you go there, you may not be so forgiving about it.

Cogito wrote:I know this is one of LTH's sacred cows, like Burt's or Patty's, and that any criticism like this will be poo-pooed,

What you are observing isn't so much sacred cows, rather known eccentrics whose food happens to be generally liked.

Eccentrics run deep in my family, they drive me crazy though I absolutely love them. I am probably an eccentric, too, but I think I am normal or at least closer to normal.

Regards,

Cogito wrote: I know this is one of LTH's sacred cows, like Burt's or Patty's, and that any criticism like this will be poo-pooed, but if you happen to get shut out the next 2 or 3 times you go there, you may not be so forgiving about it.

I especially like it when the criticizers get criticized by the zealots, as if their first hand experiences weren't true or valid.

Let's face it--- There are two kinds of people in the world:

1. Those who like to be crapped on.
2. Those who don't.

Great! More crap for me!

cito wrote:

Cogito wrote: I know this is one of LTH's sacred cows, like Burt's or Patty's, and that any criticism like this will be poo-pooed, but if you happen to get shut out the next 2 or 3 times you go there, you may not be so forgiving about it.

I especially like it when the criticizers get criticized by the zealots, as if their first hand experiences weren't true or valid.

Let's face it--- There are two kinds of people in the world:

1. Those who like to be crapped on.
2. Those who don't.

Ah, if only life were really so black and white. I don't think it can be so easily encapsulated. Since we all have different tolerance matrices, such a simplistic explanation has little or no value. But if it works for you, great. I don't think anyone is dismissing the first hand experiences being recounted here. It's just that for some people, that issue is not a dealbreaker. For others, it clearly is.

As someone who isn't a huge fan of TDAD, I can still see its appeal. And I completely understand that for some people, the oddly irregular hours don't constitute being crapped on. Seems pretty straightforward to me, actually.

=R=