Papas New York Diner in Clearwater is worth every penny

Greasy Spoons and the good old fashioned diners are a tribute to the success of family run businesses and the little guy who hasn't gone national and corporate. I love these places. I love that I can go to Papas New York Diner in the middle of the night and sit in a pleather booth and eat eggs and bacon with a cup of coffee. I love that it's got a style all to itself. I love that the servers and cooks there don't have to follow robotic guidelines, but share with me their personalities.

Ten years ago, I didn't really know anything about Papas New York Diner. I had passed it driving on Gulf to Bay Boulevard many times, and never really thought much about it. If I needed a 24-hour diner run, I was reliant on Perkins and IHOP. When Perkins changed their opening hours and stopped running 24/7, I began to notice Papas a bit more because their sign read: Open 24 Hours. Just like New York City - "The City that never sleeps". It's good to know about diners like this especially if you suffer from insomnia or enjoy being a night owl. Sometimes you just gotta go for a drive and it seems like there's nowhere to go. Driving aimlessly is not only a waste of gas, but can be unsafe in the pitch dark of the middle evening times. It's much safer to be eating eggs and bacon snuggly sitting in a booth with a friendly waitress, over driving around aimlessly at 3 a.m.

Papas New York Diner is a clean greasy spoon. It's got a great atmosphere, not loud at all, and not busy and hectic and overly exciting. Just right. Peaceful, but friendly. There's enough room inside and tables to comfortably seat and help any overnight guests. There's enough parking space for everyone to get in and get out safely without playing bumper cars. It has interesting decor, nostalgic and different. Taking guests back to a different time - the time when things seemed simpler and nicer.

The menu is great just like any typical diner. Get your burger, or your soup and sandwich, or your breakfast plate, or your turkey and gravy dinner. Trust the cook. He's making it to order, fresh over the griddle, bursting with juicy flavor. They're happy you came in and their food will show you their gratitude. Who cares if it costs a bit more than a Meal Deal at the drive-thru. You got to sit and relax among friends, therefore it's worth every penny.

This "New York" diner represents old New York. It's bringing us back to the days when retired folks would sit at the diner bar and sip on at 10 cent coffee for an hour just watching people shop the Woolworths five and dime. In a world that changing ever so fast where corporate companies disappoint us with their new and improved ideas (like the Dollar Tree and Five Below are no longer true to their original visions) a greasy spoon like Papas is just what the country or county ordered. I believe in supporting local mom and pop shops. I don't think this place is called Papas accidentally. Papa must've come down here to Florida from the Big Apple, N.Y.C.

I'm really glad I know about this diner. I'm really glad it's surviving against the recession or depression in the economy. Please take my recommendation and visit them, even if it's during the morning or day times. You won't regret it just like I don't regret saying that these types of restaurants truly are worth every penny.