The Best Diner Foods, Ranked

While they may be lumped into the breakfast category, a fluffy stack of flapjacks is a surefire win at any time of day (or night). Diners notoriously serve their stacks straight from the griddle, creating a perfectly warm base for a dollop of butter and a drizzle of syrup.

MAKE IT AT HOME: The Easiest Pancake Recipe Ever, Perfected by Our Test Kitchen

Classic diner milkshakes are best served in a traditional soda shop glass — the best way to show off the creamy consistency and chunky mix-ins. Unfortunately, milkshakes do come along with an added layer of decision-making when it comes to choosing a flavor, so you're on your own there.

MAKE IT AT HOME: Classic Vanilla Milkshake Recipe

This is one decision we’ll happily make for you: Always get an order of fries. Whether they’re shoestring, crinkle, waffle or curly, crispy fried potatoes are guaranteed to taste better when served in a plastic basket at a diner. Whether you choose to drizzle or dip your ketchup is entirely up to you.

MAKE IT AT HOME: Oven Fries Recipe

Swap a bun for bread, pack it with a hamburger patty, cheese and maybe onions, then smash the whole thing together and you’ll have the patty melt: the cheeseburger’s slightly more sophisticated counterpart. This classic diner dish is greasy, gooey and always delicious.

MAKE IT AT HOME: Classic Patty Melt

If mac 'n' cheese is on the diner menu, get it. This is one dish that does vary greatly from place to place, but a combination of noodles and melted cheese will rarely be bad. And in the south, we call it a vegetable.

MAKE IT AT HOME: Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

It’s important to do a bit of intel gathering before committing to the pie. Was it made in-house, and, if so, when? If the answers are yes and today, the pie (in any flavor) will likely bump to the number one spot. If the first answer is no, opt for ice cream instead.

MAKE IT AT HOME: Apple Pie With Cheddar Crust Recipe

Much like the pie, the soup of the day can be a toss up that requires a bit of questioning. There are way too many varieties of soup to earn it a higher spot on the list, but if the soup du jour is a take on chicken noodle, tomato, potato or French onion, we say go for it.

MAKE IT AT HOME: Tomato Soup With Parmesan Crostini Recipe

It’s best not to ask questions with this one. If your soul needs to be tended to, gravy-soaked country fried steak will do the trick (as long as a nap is an option mere moments after paying the bill).

MAKE IT AT HOME: Chicken-Fried Steak Recipe

On every diner menu, you'll find a sandwich piled high with stacks of cold cuts, cheese, bread, lettuce and tomato. It’s a protein-packed option that doesn't have the greasier feel of many diner dishes — and a pickle on the side is always a nice bonus.

MAKE IT AT HOME: Shortcut Chicken Sandwich Recipe