Thanks to Robert and Annemarie for addressing this issue and long battle between different folks and their opinions on how to run a small business. If they say this won't happen again I am sure that it will not! Now can we get back to talking about how great their food is?! I need some donuts!!
Danny

I was in the area late this afternoon. I phoned first and the guy had a slight sound of annoyance when I asked if they were open. I took that as a sign that he didn't know anything about the hours being an issue as detailed on this thread.

I went, but I wasn't hungry. I recalled hearing the bread pudding was good. It was.

I was surprised by how tiny the space was.

I am anxious to go for pancakes or an egg salad or grilled cheese, + red velvet cake & apple pie( no, not all for the same visit) when I'm hungry.

I also think I have a spot for an inexpensive dinner on Monday's, since some of our friends complain about price & The Brown Sack is closed.

I will be back, but I will continue to call first.

Peace,

may head this way tonight..how is it crowdwise in the evening?

Head's Red BBQ wrote:may head this way tonight..how is it crowdwise in the evening?

I wouldn't worry about a Tuesday evening being too crowded, though I think all of my visits have been either before 5:00pm or after 7:30-8:00pm.

Open faced turkey about two weeks ago was excellent - plenty of turkey with gravy, great mashed potatoes, and some respectable cranberries. Pecan pie for myself and sweet potato pie for the wife really hit the spot afterward. The sweet potato pie has been consistently good, and my favorite in the area outside of JImmy Jamm's. That was my first time ordering the pecan pie, and I look forward to getting it again in the future - not overly sweet (by pecan pie standards).

ucjames wrote:

Head's Red BBQ wrote:may head this way tonight..how is it crowdwise in the evening?

I wouldn't worry about a Tuesday evening being too crowded, though I think all of my visits have been either before 5:00pm or after 7:30-8:00pm.

Open faced turkey about two weeks ago was excellent - plenty of turkey with gravy, great mashed potatoes, and some respectable cranberries. Pecan pie for myself and sweet potato pie for the wife really hit the spot afterward. The sweet potato pie has been consistently good, and my favorite in the area outside of JImmy Jamm's. That was my first time ordering the pecan pie, and I look forward to getting it again in the future - not overly sweet (by pecan pie standards).

cool ..thanks for the info..been wanting to check it out and figure before the DD&D show airs.always nice to visit the old neighborhood as well

Head's Red BBQ wrote:cool ..thanks for the info..been wanting to check it out and figure before the DD&D show airs.always nice to visit the old neighborhood as well

I'll be making a trip out there before the 3rd myself. Got to get an egg cream before all hell breaks loose!

great stuff..my son and I had the pot roast sandwich..gravy on the fries made the plate for me..
bread pudding pie and an apple pie was a nice closer
place was filling up nicely when we left around 7:30 or so

Swung by last week for a fantastic pot roast sammy and apple pie.

I was curious if anyone noticed a difference in the pie filling. It was completely differnet from my prior visit. The first time I went it was a chunky, golden filling with substance and "bite", whereas last week it was dark brown , creamier and "limp". I wonder if he changed the recipe up on us. I much prefer the previous version, as it was the best apple pie I've had in years.

Anyone had the fried chicken?

saw the fried chicken on the menu after i ate..i was pretty stuffed otherwise i would have ordered some to go

Ghazi wrote:Swung by last week for a fantastic pot roast sammy and apple pie.

I was curious if anyone noticed a difference in the pie filling. It was completely differnet from my prior visit. The first time I went it was a chunky, golden filling with substance and "bite", whereas last week it was dark brown , creamier and "limp". I wonder if he changed the recipe up on us. I much prefer the previous version, as it was the best apple pie I've had in years.

Anyone had the fried chicken?

I haven't had the apple pie, but it's worth asking Robert about next time you're in. When my wife and I started going I had read many good references here to the red velvet cake and the donuts, and we were determined to try both. The donuts were available right away, and great as advertised. After 4-5 visits though we still hadn't caught them with red velvet cake, and actually asked about it. Turned out Robert wasn't happy with the recipe and had been tinkering with it for a while, trying to get to something he'd want to offer again. He seemed very open to talking about the changes though, and what he was trying to do with the new recipes.

I'm bumping this to the top as a reminder that tonight's the night The Depot American Diner is scheduled to appear on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives @ 9:00PM [Central] with a re-broadcast @ 12:00AM [Central] on the Food Network. The episode is named Upper Crust.

Robert Nava's recipe for TDAD Pot Roast Sandwich:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pot-roast-sandwich-recipe/index.html

So.... It looks like I'm not the only one who wanted to grab a ladle and head for the gravy..... mmmmmmmmm......

Great segment and glad to see our favorite place get some awesome exposure.....

JC

I was watching the Depot American Diner segment while reading the latest posts in the "Worst Thing You've Eaten Lately" thread, which almost made my head split apart.

I was very happy to see that the Depot was the focal point of the episode. Now to time my next visit to avoid the swarming masses...

As I recall, weren't a couple LTHers there that day? Any of them make it on camera?

cccpr wrote:I was very happy to see that the Depot was the focal point of the episode. Now to time my next visit to avoid the swarming masses...

Great DDD segment for the Depot! Robert looked happy, interactive and talented, food looked delicious and Guy seemed to genuinely be pleased to be there.

Couldn't happen to nicer people, congratulations!

Enjoy,
Gary

yes nice piece on them..hope I can get in seat in there still as I want to really try that open face turkey sandwich now..something I normally would never order in a restaurant

cccpr wrote:As I recall, weren't a couple LTHers there that day? Any of them make it on camera?

According to all the people blowing up my phone last night/this morning, I was shown stuffing my craw with pot roast three separate times last night.

Head's Red BBQ wrote:yes nice piece on them..hope I can get in seat in there still as I want to really try that open face turkey sandwich now..something I normally would never order in a restaurant

I told you it was good

That sandwich did look fantastic. I wonder if I could get it without the bread.

Pie Lady wrote:That sandwich did look fantastic. I wonder if I could get it without the bread.

You are not required to eat the bread. Forks and knives are provided as a general rule of thumb.

I don't want to waste food. I'm sure they wouldn't mind leaving it off. It gets in the way of me placing my face on top of the meal and inhaling, pie-eating-contest style. What are knives and forks?

Pie Lady wrote:I don't want to waste food.

Well, in that case, eat the bread. It's damn good with all that gravy and whatnot.

So apparently the Food Network effect hits quickly. My wife stopped by the Depot tonight with her sister and sister's fiancee, and even though they arrived sometime after 8:15 there were no booths available and a steady influx of customers while they were there.

They were, however, able to bring an order of bread pudding home which I am enjoying right now. While the triple D airing last night probably ensures the donuts will be running out with great frequency for a while, I'm glad they overlooked the bread pudding - I need to be able to get this whenever I stop in

Ironically, I thought the donuts were way off when I stopped in last week, and the mocha sauce watery. Plus, they're never as good as Oak Park farmer's market donuts, so please - eat all the donuts! More bread pudding and pie for me and mine.

P.S. Please don't eat all the open faced turkey sandwiches, though. That's my go-to.

seebee wrote:I secretly like the bread pudding MORE than the donuts.

ucjames wrote:...I'm glad they overlooked the bread pudding - I need to be able to get this whenever I stop in

Vitesse98 wrote:...so please - eat all the donuts! More bread pudding and pie for me and mine.

Keep it DOWN, you two!

seebee wrote:

seebee wrote:I secretly like the bread pudding MORE than the donuts.

ucjames wrote:...I'm glad they overlooked the bread pudding - I need to be able to get this whenever I stop in

Vitesse98 wrote:...so please - eat all the donuts! More bread pudding and pie for me and mine.

Keep it DOWN, you two!

I promise to avoid the bread pudding (most of the time) if you fiends will leave me just one little slice of pecan pie...please and thank you!

how have crowds been here since the TV airing? I really want to go back but dont want to take the ride if it means a long wait..

Head's Red BBQ wrote:how have crowds been here since the TV airing? I really want to go back but dont want to take the ride if it means a long wait..

It's been busier than it was prior, but I haven't had a wait on either of my two most recent visits. Both were weekday evenings, around 7:00-7:30. Tried the fried chicken for the first time, and found it to be quite good.

We went a week ago last Sunday, after a trip to the Maxwell Street Market. Got there about 1:00 p.m. and had a half hour wait for a party of four. After we were seated, it was quick service without any problems.

Here's another one of those places that I wish was near me. Today was my first visit to Depot and it really fit the bill for good ol' fashioned comfort food. I had the open faced turkey sandwich, substituting french fries for mashed potatoes (I've always been one to love fries covered with gravy, no matter how good the mashed potatoes might be). This dish rocked. The turkey was the best quality turkey I've ever had on an open faced turkey sandwich, the bread top notch and the cranberries really good (and simple from what I understand - cranberries, orange juice and cinnamon). The gravy was decent but could have been a bit more flavorful and the fries were no better than everyone else has said, but it was still as good a diner version of this dish as I have tried.

My friend had the french dip and this was excellent. The au jus was so flavorful. My friend, a Canadian, of course asked for a side bowl of gravy for his fries, at which point we spent the next 15 minutes discussing what the hell is wrong in America where gravy is not a standard side with french fries. I just don't have the answer but if I ever run for political office . . .

But then dessert, donuts for me, pecan pie for him. Pecan pie was very good but could have used a few more pecans and Steen's Syrup instead of corn syrup. I also prefer an all butter crust but I think I'm getting a bit too picky. I cannot possibly suggest an improvement for the donuts . . . perfect.

Service was great, but I couldn't help but wonder how these people (and others who work the short order business) don't get exhausted every day. The staff here is working at full speed, running around and there just doesn't seem to be a moment to breathe. But everyone was great, smiling and I couldn't have been much happier with my first Depot Diner visit.