Being that a vast majority of Party Remedies’ contributors are New Jersey born and raised, we thought it fitting to pay homage to one our state’s most gloriously colorful and kitschy treasures – the diner. Whether you’re in Jersey, far from home, or just enjoy some good (greasy) comfort food, get ready for a fun night of coffee and conversation.
INVITATION TYPE
DECORATIONS
- In the world of Jersey diners, just about everything goes, from chrome and neon buildings to art deco booths, to frayed, smoke-stained images of the Parthenon (smoked-stained from before the state’s indoor smoking ban). Whether you choose to decorate your home for this event is up to you, we have our sights set on the table.
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Essentials for your table:
- Make sure there is room for everyone to sit around it.
- Keep the table either bare or cover with a plain, solid color paper table cover.
- Set each place with paper place mats, paper dinner napkin, knife, fork, teaspoon, coffee cup with saucers, and a glass of water. Do this in haste for that added personal diner touch.
- Essential condiments to have on your table include salt and pepper shakers, sugar shakers, a sugar caddy with Equal, Sweet and Low, and Splenda packets, ketchup, hot sauce, and creamers filled with milk or half and half.
FOOD AND DRINK MENU
Have plenty of coffee on hand for this occasion, after all, your guests will expect free refills.
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Appetizer: Disco Fries – Mozzarella Cheese Fries with Gravy
The simplest way to make this at home is to take a convenience food approach, meaning don’t make any of your ingredients from scratch. Opt for frozen French fries you can bake in the oven. In a casserole dish, top the heated fries with store bought brown gravy (warmed up on the stove first), top with shredded mozzarella and stick under the broiler until the cheese is melted.
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Entrée: The Happy Waitress – Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Sliced Tomatoes
Since you probably don’t have access to a giant restaurant griddle, the easiest way to make the grilled cheeses at home is on a Panini press or similar sandwich maker.
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Dessert: Assorted Pies (Apple, Cherry, Blueberry) ala Mode
Warm the pies and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some whipped cream to each serving and you’ll be in diner heaven.
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Cocktail: Old Fashioned Egg Cream
Made with neither eggs nor cream, this famous diner concoction combines ½ cup whole milk, 1 cup seltzer, and 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup to create a tasty fizzy drink. To switch things up, have several syrup flavors on hand, including coffee, vanilla, and strawberry.
ENTERTAINMENT
Again, this party is focused around the table, so there will be no formal entertainment provided beyond music and people watching (which may be tough to do from your dining room).
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In honor of Jersey, we ask you respect the state and play music by 80′s glam and metal hair bands throughout the evening. Key artists to include on your playlist:
- Whitesnake
- Poison
- Warrant
- Van Halen
- Def Leopard
- Motley Crue
- Bon Jovi
GAMES
In the same tradition as our Deli Party, we recommend games you play when you’re bored waiting for your food:
- Paper football
- Provide crayons for coloring the placemats or paper table covers
- Elevating the salt shaker (this is done when you create a little mountain of salt and try to stand the salt shaker on its side).
- Never have I ever (this game is restricted to an adults-only party).
- Celebrity Name Game
ATTIRE
- Come as you are. At the diner, anything goes. Whether you’re showing up for a late night snack after the prom in your dress, are still in your work uniform, or are just dressed in your everyday street clothes, come on in, we won’t judge. (OK, we might judge a little, but only cause it will spark more dinner conversation).
LAST MINUTE TIPS
You’re probably asking yourself, “What about the Drive-In? I thought this was called the ‘Diners and Drive-Ins Party?’” Well, to be honest, Diners and Drive-Ins had a better ring to it than just Diner or Jersey Diner. Also, we would like to offer the “drive-in” variation to this event, but we doubt anyone would want to do it (unless you don’t like who you’re inviting, which brings up the issue of why you’d be having a party in the first place). Provide each guest that drives up to the party a walkie-talkie and a menu of what you’re serving so they can communicate to the house and place an order. Wearing roller skates, deliver the food to your guests in their cars. Should you decide to pull off this feat, we beg you, PLEASE send us pics to feedback@partyremedies.com!
And as always, remember to bring your camera!
