Food trends and the restaurants that chase them come and go, but the diner will be for always. From the days of the horse-drawn carts to the Golden Age of the Worcester Lunch Cart Company, the diner has always been a place where people from all walks of life can gather and eat with friends or, if they come alone, to make new ones.

Such is certainly the case with the South Street Diner in Boston. However, it offers so much more!

Built in Worcester in 1947, the Diner has become a Leather District landmark in Boston and far beyond. Featured in such films as “Hiding Out,” House Guest,” “21,” and on the PBS special “The Blue Diner,” the Diner was recently drawn into an issue of the “Batgirl” comic book! No wonder, then, that everyone from locals to students to ComicCon and other conventioneers come by night after night at any time of night for the delicious food and fun atmosphere that owner Sol Sidell packs into his 39-seat car.

Walking past the converted phone booth which now houses the Diner’s wine rack and other important matters, guests are brought back in time to a day when food and life were simpler. With its shining blue and white tiles, tables and booths, the South Street Diner may be the cleanest “greasy spoon” around. And with its expansive menu, it is very possible to avoid grease altogether while enjoying a healthy and hearty repast.

Among the supreme standouts that make the Diner a different dining destination worth directing to are the chocolate fantasy French toast, the hand-cut smoked salmon, steak & eggs with either 8 ounces or a full pound of NY Sirloin, the fries served with cheese, gravy or the Diner’s famous chili, and their not-so-mini-menu of eggs Benedict served a full 15 ways- each of which is as tempting as the others! While such options as a portabella mushroom sandwich, a grape leaf appetizer, a Red Bull mimosa or wine at $5 a glass and $20 a bottle may not be the traditional stuff of diners (or of any restaurant, for that matter), South Street keeps its street cred with such throwback thrillers as authentic malted egg creams, extra-thick frappes, hand-squeezed Rickeys and lemonade, a burger deal that includes fries and a beer for $10, and so-called “slices” of pie that take two people just to carry!

As the Diner is the area’s only 24/7 restaurant, the focus on the three main meals of the day is split pretty evenly and all options are open at any time of day or night. Every night, the Bistro menu comes into effect after 5. On many nights, the Diner expands its offerings even more to mark changing seasons, sports seasons, special events (e.g., Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day and the Diner’s own Steak and Lobster Fest, which will take place this year on March 4), or just to show extra love for its guests, as it does on the annual Customer Appreciation Day, a carnival-esque September celebration that features pony rides, music, raffles, free food and an ice cream truck. Another way the Diner shows its appreciation is by giving back to the community. Last year, they raised over $200,000 for Boston Senior Home Care and Sidell and his talented team are always happy to lend a hand or help another restaurant do the same.

As the food and fun are in such abundance, so too is the late-night line to get in. While booths may be reserved for parties of three or more between 1 and 5 AM by calling 617-350-0028, foot traffic from other clubs and restaurants can get as heavy as the nearby Expressway and as crowded as South Station across the street. Ever eager to serve and please his fans, Slidell always makes sure to have extra staff, many of whom mingle with the crowd outside, taking advanced orders so the food is ready as soon as they sit down. And as the food is well worth the wait, the line only heightens the anticipation and gives guests more time to enjoy the atmosphere.

For those who do not want to wait in line (or even get dressed), the Diner actually offers room service to guests in some of Boston’s best hotels. Just ring the front desk, and a special delivery will be on its way!

So whether you are just headed into work, on your lunch break, missed the last train home, or just finished a wild night in the city and want a bite to eat, the South Street Diner is a great place to drop by before or after anything else. And with all the fun to be had there, a visit to the Diner can be your entertainment for the night as well!

South Street Diner

178 Kneeland Street

Boston, MA 02111

www.southstreetdiner.com