In The Spotlight
Silver Diner
The Silver Diner has been a favorite late-night hangout in the Washington, DC area for years, but it’s a great spot for families too. For a fun old-fashioned diner experience, you and your preschooler can’t go wrong. Silver Diner has 15 locations ringing around the beltway and stretching out Interstates 270, 66 and 95, from Laurel to Potomac Mills. You’ll find 3 others en route to Virginia Beach and one in New Jersey.
When to go
Hands down, the best time for preschoolers at the Silver Diner is Kids’ Appreciation Night, every Tuesday from 5-8 PM. Membership in the Kids’ Club is free, ask your host or server for a registration card. After signing up, your preschooler will receive a rubber bracelet that they can show to get a free milkshake every kids’ night. There are special activities for your preschooler on kids’ night also, from crafts to clowns. Contact your local location for a schedule of upcoming events.
Atmosphere
The look at Silver Diner is art deco, with some modern touches, like a flat screen tv playing black and white videos of 50’s and early 60’s music performances. For your preschooler, their kids’ menu comes seated in a cardboard convertible, complete with crayons and a packet of graham crackers. There are brightly colored murals on the wall and lots of shiny chrome.
Food
For the most part, Silver Diner is your typical diner fare. Breakfast is available all day. The kids’ menu is more extensive than you’ll find in most restaurants. There’s the usual grilled cheese, hot dog, and burger, but they also have child sized versions of their blue plate specials like meatloaf or turkey. As on the full menu, they’ve also recently added more healthy options, like grilled chicken with rice. On the whole, the food was less greasy than I’ve had at other “greasy spoons.” If you’re looking to quench that diner food craving without clogging your arteries, this is a good place to do it.
Service
Our hostess and server seemed genuinely happy to see preschoolers, and interacted with them directly, getting down on eye level to say hello and ask them questions. Food was served promptly, always a plus with a hungry preschooler. Settling the bill was a speedy process as well, which makes for a good exit when your preschooler is ready to go.
General Information
Silver Diner
Open 7 days a week
Hours vary, most open 6:30 or 7 AM and are open until midnight on weeknights, 2 or 3 AM on weekends