By Kirsten Harpin

Edited by Cindy Swisher

The classic “American style diner” is home to all-day breakfast, the most comforting of comfort foods, and, it seems, only to those over the age of 60. These restaurants strewn all across this glorious country, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, are the epitome of American culture. American diners have become so popular that corporate chains such as IHOP and Denny’s have started to imitate this mom and pop ambiance; however, little family owned restaurants are always the best.

Tiffany’s Family Restaurant, located at 35000 US Hwy 19 N, in Palm Harbor takes the classic American diner cuisine and combines it with the delicious Mediterranean tastes of Greek food. So go ahead, pull those big stained glass doors back and take it all in. The aroma of home cooked bacon and bread is tantalizing. The classic front counter, where the tabs are still payed, displays fresh baked pastries. The owner, Paul, greets patrons with the warmest of welcomes like, “Good morning gorgeous”, or, “Did you catch the Ray’s game?” The walls, lined with wooden booths, are covered with local newspaper articles and family photos. There are also photos of local residents and some celebrities.

The menu, designed like a newspaper, has almost too many options. I recommend you start with a cup of homemade soup. Each day there is a different made-from-scratch soup special; the list can be found within the pages of the menu. And not to worry, none of the items on the menu will break the budget, ranging from about $6 to $15.

Whether it’s 7 am or 7 pm, breakfast is always the perfect meal. With all of the of options available, from omelets to bennies to skillets and pancakes, there is something for everyone. The breakfast portions are large  and the leftovers are just as good. The cooks take pride in the freshness, using free-range chicken eggs from Clearwater Egg & Poultry and farm fresh dairy products from Sunny Florida Dairy in Brooksville.

It may take a while to decide on one thing with over 100 menu options, and just like the soups, there are daily entrée specials (hint: Friday is all you can eat fish fry!). In addition, Tiffany’s has the BEST and the BIGGEST Greek salad around. It is built high with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, Kalamata olives, cherry peppers, onion, pepperoncini, and bell peppers, not to mention crazy amounts of feta cheese. The best part is hiding at the bottom because all this goodness sits on top of a heaping mound of homemade potato salad. It’s then drizzled with delicious Greek dressing and served with a warm ciabatta roll freshly baked at St. Armand’s Bakery in St. Petersburg.

If you don’t like salad that much, try one of their amazing sandwiches. The Archie Bunker is a massive piece of grilled meatloaf topped with American cheese on a big delicious roll served with a side of melted, gooey American cheese sauce for dipping. All meats are roasted right in the restaurant. You can choose a turkey sandwich warm or cold or bite into a big juicy burger. Enjoy the stuffed pitas, which put an American spin on Greek style food. Whatever you choose, don’t make it your favorite because you’ll want to come back and try something new. All of the food, if not made in the restaurant, comes from local businesses. Freshness is key at Tiffany’s.

It can sometimes be difficult to find fresh, homemade food with all of these chain restaurants springing up. Tiffany’s Family Restaurant is the perfect place to get a good, wholesome meal with quality service at an affordable price. It is the perfect family environment. The ingredients are always fresh, and the food will leave you wanting Tiffany’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hungry yet?

Header photo from Tiffany’s Family Restaurant’s facebook page.