a greasy spoon

greasy spoon

A small restaurant or diner, especially one that serves fried foods. Every time I go on a road trip, I make it a point to stop at a greasy spoon for at least one of my meals.
See also: greasy, spoon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a greasy spoon

INFORMAL
A greasy spoon is a small, cheap, unattractive café that serves mostly fried food. We ate at a greasy spoon called the Step Inn Cafe.
See also: greasy, spoon
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • greasy
  • greasy spoon
  • Eat at Joe's
  • hash-house
  • spoon out
  • slinger
  • hash-slinger
  • hash slinger
  • (all) rolled into one
  • rolled into one
References in periodicals archive
Self-taught and highly acclaimed chef Ellis Barrie said: "In nine years we've turned what was a greasy spoon on a caravan park in to a thriving restaurant, and during this time we also branched out into videoing cookery demonstrations which we filmed in our restaurant's kitchen.
It was a popular place, even though it was a bit of a greasy spoon. If you are not familiar with that expression, it implies a small hole-in-the-wall food establishment that literally serves greasy food -- i.e., fried food.
Ellis said: "The cafe started out as a greasy spoon in a chicken shed.
LAND CAFE OR MOSELEY STREET CAFE Ryland Cafe in Sutton is a greasy spoon of the highest order.
BEST GREASY SPOON - RYLAND CAFE OR MOSELEY STREET CAFE Ryland Cafe in Sutton is a greasy spoon of the highest order.
Whether it's a greasy spoon, fish and chip shop, or top class restaurant, the Food Standards Agency's food hygiene rating system has allowed customers the first proper way of knowing whether the food they're buying has been made in an environment that wouldn't put you off your curry, kebab or baguette.
The new sketch will see the retired footballer go to Peckham to join the duo in a greasy spoon cafe.
Oki Dokies, on the other hand, probably doesn't want to be seen as a greasy spoon.
JOURNOSC ELEBRATE JUBILEEAYE ARL ATE Few work's outings head for the same destination for 26 successive years, but Bath racecourse was again the venue for a social gathering of a dozen racing journalists who meet up in 'a greasy spoon' near Paddington before their journey west.
And a back-street Indian takeaway and a greasy spoon cafe were considered on a par, despite being far cheaper and much less glamorous.
Whether you own a greasy spoon or an upscale dining establishment, it can't hurt.
The bride and groom, who run a greasy spoon in Weatherfield, splashed out on a top-end choir for their nuptials.
FALKIRK new boy Jack Compton had to work in a greasy spoon and gardens to make ends meet before sealing his move to the SPL.
Surely, motorists know exactly what a greasy spoon cafe sells.
Heidi's Family Restaurant is a bit of a greasy spoon, but its kitsch value and hearty menu, including pancakes, fruit crepes, Belgian waffles, and the ever-changing "kitchen sink omelet," make it a must.