Park Diner – St.Cloud, MN « Tales of the Hungry Traveler

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Park Diner – St.Cloud, MN

December 7, 2009 by patrickmazur

Park Diner Slider

Name: Park Diner

Location: St. Cloud, MN

Meal: Breakfast Sliders, batter bit potatoes, and coffee

Type: Diner

St. Cloud offers its visitors a number of different things. The Granite City has the Mississippi River, solid Midwest character, and some great company. I was happy to be taken to Park Diner; on the west side of town this throwback diner is a silvery slice of Americana. As any good diner should, they serve breakfast all day so I was more than happy to oblige them at noon, on a Monday.

They seemed to be on a slider kick so I opted for the breakfast slider with a pun for a name. I was encouraged to opt for the batter bit potatoes instead of regular home fries. Eating in a diner almost requires that you drink a cup of coffee which was good and plentiful (diner coffee should never be strong). The sliders were quite nice starting with a homemade, slightly sweet roll, butter grilled and stuffed with egg, cheese, sausage, and Canadian bacon. The batter bit potatoes were good; imagine home fry sized potatoes accidentally taking a trip through the Arby’s curly fry batter machine.

To me, the Midwest is a vastly under explored (and ofter under appreciated) part of our country. With the majority of the population pressed to the edges, few really have a chance to spend time exploring the inside. Brace yourself for full-blown food analogy. The best foods have distinct parts. Pizza has a crust, a solid outer ring and gooey floppy innards; a cookie is a much the same. When it comes to America and its food, we need all parts. To me, the Midwest is the warm gooey center of America; not greater or lesser than any other part just a different. Few things are quite as nurturing as taking in a late breakfast with someone you care about in a classic American diner. If you find yourself passing through St. Cloud (and being a transportation hub of Minnesota you’re liable to) take a few break to stop in for a meal at the Park Diner, you’ll be glad you did.