Business & Tech
Unwrapped: Decatur Diner Opens Valentine's Day
After months of speculation, the diner is ready - this time really - to serve up patrons starting Feb. 14
is looking for love on Valentine's Day. The long-awaited 24/7 diner will be ready for patrons at 5 p.m. on Feb. 14.
But don't expect them to pull an all-nighter just yet.
Decatur Diner is saving that for the 15th, when they'll never need the keys again, said Fred Balouch, who will run the local establishment for the chain of 5 restaurants.
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The buzz about the Decatur Diner has had people talking about its opening around town, including regularly on Twitter and the Decatur Metro blog. People even thought it was open earlier this week.
Balouch even had to shoo away would-be diners during the interview.
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The Decatur Diner mystery took on a kind of "I saw Big Foot" aura, according to one Tweet. Another on Twitter said that ghosts from the historic courthouse were awaiting service there.
Construction on the diner has taken the greater part of a year and the interior has looked finished since the summer with tables looking ready for customers. Even the brightly lit, neon signs outside the Decatur Diner gave the appearance that it was open for business, with even many wanna-be patrons walking up to its doors looking for a meal.
During a short interview, Balouch revealed why it took so long for the Decatur Diner to open.
"We tried to open so many times," Balouch said, explaining that there was an exhaust system issue that needed to be resolved.
Then he added, "the licenses took a long time."
When patrons get to the diner, they'll find a menu overflowing with options, everything from pork kabobs to gyro omlettes. Breakfast will be served all day, every day. There's also some vegetarian options, such as spanakopita "spinach pie," vegetable stir fry and a moussaka with layers of eggplant, stacked with potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, sliced tomatoes, spinach and Greek cheese.
"We try the best we can to make everybody happy," Balouch said.
And it won't break the bank either, with a fried egg for $2.25 and a grilled cheese for $3.95.
On the menu it says, "Real Home Cooking at a Real Fair Price."
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