Michael’s Diner: An Old Fashioned Diner for the Modern Era
The second I walked in the door of Michael’s Diner, I was instantly struck by how friendly and welcoming the atmosphere was in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The interior of the diner resembles a 1950’s burger joint crossed with a Mediterranean restaurant, incorporating the sensibilities of the restaurant’s owner, Michael, a native of Greece. The color palette incorporates a wide range of soothing soft blues, light lavender and light tan, the kind of colors you would see on a day at the beach. Even with only two other customers in the normally crowded restaurant, all the empty space seemed less eerie and more inviting, as if the unoccupied tables were eagerly waiting for me to take a seat. From the friendly owners greeting customers at the door by name to the easy listening pop songs playing on the radio, every aspect of Michael’s seems expertly tailored to foster the kind of feeling you would only find in a quaint, small town diner.
The foundation of this feeling is, of course, the food. The menu most prominently includes time honored American breakfast favorites like bacon and eggs that are served all day. In addition, there are lunch and dinner dishes like pasta, salads, and even seafood, each at affordable prices. My personal favorite is the old fashioned French toast, several plate-loading slices of French toast with a heaping side of sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs, all for just $10.99. The already sweet French toast is made even more flavorful by a dollop of syrup, complemented perfectly by the crispy bacon, slightly spicy sausage, and savory eggs. A simple meal, yes, but for a humble breakfast at a local family owned restaurant, it is uniquely satisfying.
The rest of the menu includes traditional Greek dishes such as Spanakopita, a savory spinach and cheese pastry; Falafel, deep fried balls of ground up beans; and Souvlaki- meat and vegetables impaled on a wooden skewer. Italian food is also plentiful, with familiar standards like lasagna and chicken alfredo.
The weekly dessert menu is equally diverse, ranging from pastries like chocolate cake and lemon meringue pie, prominently displayed in a freezer near the door like trophies, and Greek desserts like Baklava, a sweet pastry made from chopped nuts nestled within thin layers of dough held together by honey. The versatility and variety of Michael’s menu is a testament to how special a seemingly unremarkable diner can be. Whichever of Michael’s offerings you choose, I think you will be satisfied.
Michael’s is located at 3450 Seminole Trail in Albemarle county, seven miles north of the Charlottesville city limits. They are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday.
