Nu Diner

Cairo, Missouri doesn’t have many food choices. However, Nu Diner exceeds all expectations. The food was food was delicious, portions large and wait staff very friendly. Check it out!

Very friendly, food was good, and adequately priced. Sherry the waitress was very friendly.

I’ve always had a thing for establishments that can rightfully claim to be the «most» at something, as in, for instance, «most southern restaurant in the USA» (see Hana Hou restaurant in Naalehu, HI). From what I can tell, the Nu Diner, whether its owners know it or not, or even care for that matter, appears to be the most southern restaurant in the entire State of Illinois. Not much else headed southbound out of Cairo in terms of public establishments, save for a liquor store; you’ll be crossing either one of the two bridges that span into Kentucky or Missouri shortly as you head towards the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. So that’s one novel thing the Nu Diner has going for it that no other restaurant in Illinois can say!
Aside from the trivial nuances of geography, The Nu Diner does what it’s supposed to do very well. Just serve up decent and satisfying roadside diner food at a reasonable price, plain and simple. The one item that I really enjoyed that came with the complete plate lunch of fried chicken I enjoyed was its dessert: a delicious pineapple pudding. Man, that dessert was heavenly. I wish we had non-​frilly desserts like this back in San Francisco!

If you are looking for your food from a can or a freezer, this is the place for you. My guess is that nothing is made fresh here. This is a basic dive but the wait staff is friendly and attentive. Stopped in for lunch due to the five star rating… I don’t know where the others reviews are used to eating but if this is a five star then they should get out more.

Really nice joint. Solid grub. Good veg sides. Good prices.

5 stars, only because you should go here. if you are around, go. my friend and i both got catfish. it was great. super crispy (almost like a chip at the very end) outside and moist delicious inside. hush puppies were good. onion rings were excellent as well. the service was very attentive. i highly recommend it as a stop.