Cheap Eats: Coney Island Grill

(Credit: Nathalie Voirin)

Photos:

We're all familiar with the saying, "you get what you pay for." And, you can't get much cheaper than hot dogs and hamburgers. So, when the Coney Island Grill came highly recommended to me, I...well...was expecting to get just that--a quick, greasy meal that I could pick up at any fast food joint.

What I discovered though, was a St. Petersburg secret. Okay, okay, so, it's no secret to the Rays' fans that pack the place to it's legally capacity after a game, but, it was new to me. And, apparently, I was the only new thing about the place. The Coney Island Grill has been going strong for over 80 years, and one employee who's been behind the counter for 26 years!

The design: I stepped inside this 1950's-style diner and was greeted as if I was a usual customer. The walls are lined with old photos of the owner and the restaurant, and shiny red booths. Some are tattered from years of use, finding one in tact may be a miracle. Even the kitchen looked like it hadn't been remodeled since their grand opening. The only thing missing was a jukebox in the corner playing 'Blue Suede Shoes.'

The grub: First, you won't be given a menu when you sit down. Instead, just look up at the giant white board that lists your limited choices. The menu is simple: hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, and nearly every artery clogging recipe the American Heart Association warns about. I started with a cheese burger deluxe ($3.13) and a chili dog ($1.85), smothered in warm chili, mustard, and onions. I topped my cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, which were perfectly fresh. To my disappointment, though, they don't serve pickles and you'll pay an extra $.05 if you like ketchup. Also, the burger is on the thin side compared to the gigantic biggie size you may be used to. Nonetheless, it was satisfying, but is better off as an appetizer to your meal. And we also discovered a major bummer for my seatmate- no fries are served here.

I also devoured a bowl of chili ($1.95), a grilled cheese ($2.10), and a side of sweet slaw ($1.40). Nothing extraordinary here, just American classics served on the salty side.

Beverages: Again, your choices are limited: water, soda, coffee, or a milkshake. This isn't rocket science--you can't come here without getting a milkshake. Knowing this, I washed my high-calorie meal down with an even higher calorie vanilla milkshake ($3.18). It had the perfect consistancy, was full of vanilla flavor, and not overly sweet.

Check, please!: Every item on the menu is under $5, so don't worry about burning a hole in your wallet. The bill is hand-written and only cash is accepted. Maybe they are sticking with the old-fashioned theme? Who knows.

The bottom line: Healthy? No. Delicious? Yes. It's a St. Pete classic I'd recommend to any Bay Area newbie.

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