24 Diner

This is a review that it hurts to write. It is an average of my two experiences.
My wife and I ate here two months ago and we were blown away. Solid 4-​star experience through and through.
However, this Saturday, we visited around 11:00 PM after a concert and we were massively disappointed. My burger (avocado bacon) was ho-​hum, under-​seasoned, and a bun too large for the burger. My wife’s meatloaf sandwich was the star of the night (everyone tried it and preferred it to their dish). My brother and sister-​in-​law were underwhelmed by their chicken and waffle and biscuit and gravy.
My brother didn’t get the bacon he ordered (it happens), and the management was nice enough to comp his french-​press coffee. Zero complaints about the service (and the bloody mary which was delicious), but the food missed the mark Saturday night.

I’m a really big fan of 24 Diner. I’ve yet to have a meal here that disappointed me. Their menu has a lot of options without being overwhelming, and all the ingredients are locally sourced. There’s often a wait, but for good reason. Definitely one of my favorite go-​to spots in Austin.
Favorite meals are the meatloaf sandwich, chicken and waffles of course, sweet potato hash and any of their burgers.

I can’t believe I waited this long to try this place out.
My first reaction to the news that 24 Diner existed was «yawn».
Austin is full of no-​account mediocre pseudo-​diners that people adore for no good reason.
The food at Magnolia, the Omelettry, the Blue Ribbon, the former Arkie’s Grill etc etc is/​was ho-​hum on good days, and mediocre on bad days.
and yet there are always huge lines out the door.
I figured «Another over-​rated 24 hour place? Who needs it?»
***
Well, I definitely blew that call.
To call the 24 Diner just another 24 hour place, is to call Maria Callas just another soprano.
This is the winning lottery ticket, the diamond among the rhinestones, the guy you actually marry.
This is the best of 1950s 1960s American cooking updated for 2015 — and with a great bar to boot.
They have Red flannel hash (here called vegetarian sausage), that wonderful intercut of beets and potatoes all sauteed together.
You can get grilled baloney in a sandwich.
(Baloney cold out of the package in a sandwich = Clark Kent
Baloney grilled to a major char and put in a sandwich piping hot = Superman)
The Baloney Sandwich gets helped by a really fine pickle and mustard garnish on the top.
Their Collie Greens have plenty of fine collie green taste, lots of really good bacon and a ton of juice.
They have unusual and kinky breakfast cocktails — like Dutch gin with carrot juice and orange bitters.
(I would have bet a million dollars there was fresh ginger in there too —
but ginger or no ginger — I declared an immediate truce in my war with carrot juice.
The Israelis and Palestinians declared an end to hostilities and divided up the land amicably.
Carrot juice is now my friend.)
Salads are interesting and edgy. The charred bitter greens salad served to a table mate was up there with the excellent salads that are served in upscale fine dining establishments.
And last and most certainly not least …
(drum roll)
!! There is Kentucky Bourbon Pie !!
Kentucky Bourbon pie is something you have to eat once before you die.
Some bites are pure and unadulterated bourbon.
Some bites are pure and unadulterated chocolate.
Some bites are pure and unadulterated pecan.
All served on a rich flaky flavorful perfectly textured whole wheat crust.
Do not adulterate this with ice cream.
Do not adulterate this with table conversation.
Do not adulterate this with watching the TV at one end of the room.
Eat Kentucky Bourbon Pie and get compensation for
All of the Aggravation and All of the Suffering you have undergone for the last decade.
The world pays you back for your misery right now on this dessert plate.
But even if you skip the Kentucky Bourbon Pie or even dessert,
this is a great place.
For years I ate mediocre fare at Magnolia Café, out of a personal sense of responsibility for Keeping Austin Weird.
Now I can Keep Austin Weird at any hour of the day or night —
and actually get great food at the same time.

Consider this:
There are exactly 1,238 other reviews currently. By the time I’m done writing this, there will probably be a number of extra reviews that will make this one completely inaccurate. If I had done my part, I would have written a review exactly 4.2 years ago when I first dined here at the probable hour of 2am+.
Now if you are one of those few bizarre weirdos that won’t do breakfast at all hours, I pity you. There are a plethora of Austin establishments that serve breakfast 24/​7, and I am a fan of all hour breakfast. They’ve got southern comfort down and fancified for all the other foodies who want to eat a meatloaf sandwich, shrimp & grits and of course a big fat steak. I will say, everything always smells amazing and makes me want to have dessert first, to which we did! The roasted banana & brown sugar milkshake is probably the most dreamy thing I’ve set my eyes on, a part from that time Matthew McConaughey walked by me and I nearly walked into a closed door because of it. So comparing a delicious milkshake to a delicious human being probably isn’t very accurate. But you should just do it anyways and report back.
My favorite food item is probably the veggie plate because it is unique, healthy and flavorful! Orzo, butternut squash, pears, fennel, pumpkin seeds, arugula, sage pesto with a fried egg on top! It is the perfect amount of food if you aren’t trying to overeat. Other than that, I have had the veggie hash, the veggie frittata, beet sausage and the waffles. The service is excellent, and they are eager to please. I am a fan.
4.5 stars

Dig the egg sandwich here, one of the best in town, plus it’s served with potato hash! Huge sourdough, I order mine eggs over easy so they run down the sides when you bite in. Don’t forget to add the lettuce and tomato! Beat the wait by sitting at the bar! There usually is a line at the peak dining times. I personally haven’t tried the chicken and waffles yet but it’s qued up for next visit!