Mom's Kitchen in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

A good friend of mine always talked about her local diner, Mom's Kitchen. Finally, I decided to try it out. Since that first visit, we eat there together at least once a week. This is family-owned and run. The decor is very kitchy, it's a place full of bric a brac. It's also a place that serves up very good service and very good food. The same family has owned Mom's Kitchen since 1972.

This is a busy place but I've never had to wait long for a seat. There are booths, tables and a counter for sitting at if you are in a hurry. The parking is ample, you can park on the side or behind the diner at the rear entrance. The diner is very clean and bright. One little problem is that you cannot see it from Federal Highway, the main road travelled to get there. You have to know that you must turn on Florinada. This doesn't seem to really be a problem for the diner though , it always has a good sized crowd so word of mouth seems to be working for Mom's.

They serve breakfast and, lunch, no dinner. Breakfast consists of anything from Mom's mini breakfast at $4.45 which would give you one egg, any style, one pancake, one sausage, one slice of bacon all the way up to Steak and Egg Special which is 2 eggs any style, a juicy 9 oz. Sirloin Steak, Home Fries or Grits and Bagel, Toast or English Muffin. I've gotten pretty fond of the Egg Beater Omelet with Feta Cheese and Spinach. This is a very large serving and I always end up taking some home. This comes with toast and grits. I pass on the Home Fries for diet reasons only. My friend gets the Hash Browns, which she says are the best she's ever tasted. Their grits are quite impressive, creamy and delicious. You can get Short Stacks, Waffles, French Toast or Belgian Waffles. All delicious, all large portions and all reasonably priced. The Belgian Waffles are only $4.45 plain and $6.25 if you add fruit and Whipped Cream.

Now if you like diner lunches you can start small with a soup and mini sandwich at $6.25, or up grade to Healthy Hamburger platters, Veggie Burgers, Turkey Burgers, Gyros, Meatloaf, Chili Dogs, Cold Subs, Hot Subs or Tasty sandwiches. Nothing runs more than $7.95. Salads for lunch run around $7.45. The Healthy choices list offers White Tuna or a 1/3 lb patty and Cottage Cheese, a cup of soup, Ceaser salad and a cup of fresh fruit for $8.95.

They offer delicious desserts if you still have a speck of room left. Mom's Carrot Cake is to die for but there is also standard Jello, Rice Pudding, Chocolate Cake or fresh fruit salad. These run between $2.25 and $3.25. I must admit if I have a meal I rarely have a dessert. My loss. You can get a Lenten special too.

The service is super fast, friendly and attentive. The gals get to know you and remember what it is you like. After going there it seems everyone knows everyone else, customers and wait people alike. It has a very friendly atmosphere. The diner's motto is "If Everything is Good....Tell Others, if not Please Tell Mom!."

Everything can be taken to go and they are open seven days a week. .