South Street Diner, Boston

One of the things that I really love in the US is the concept of the American Diner - especially when they come with a mountain of pancakes, eggs over-easy, corned beef hash and a bottomless cup of coffee. On my big Amercian adventure last year I tried to visit at least one diner in each of the different states, so after a day of trawling around the Havard Campus I fell up the excellent South Street Diner in down town Boston.

It was such a great find - perfectly styled with a preserved interior of 50s fittings, neon lights, a couple of TVs showing the big game (I was in the home of the Red Sox after all!) and a menu filled with all American hearty food. Although small, it is perfectly formed and has recently established itself as a a bit of mecca for the local artists and students of Boston. Especially since it is open 24 hours. Fancy a proper burger on the way home from a boozy night? Check. Working an early shift and need a stack of pancakes at 5am? Check.

While I am a moth to a flame for the American all day breakfast, I really had to ensure that 3 months in the US didn't turn in to 3 months of endless brown food. So I gathered all of my will to order a salad with beef tips. And a pink milkshake. That was allowed.

I probably ought to say 'hi' to Jonny, who provided excellent customer service, plenty of jovial banter about me being British, and us loosing the war of independence, and even renamed me "London" for my short time there.

South Street Diner, Boston MA

I'll sit at the bar thanks

Beef tips salad - watch out for the onion

Jonny and his buddy