Though I am living in Japan and want to share everything Japan with you through this blog with you, I think discovering Germany fits into my theme.

I still spend time in Germany and I have noticed that living in Japan actually helped me appreciate it more. I enjoy long rides through the country because I get to see the changing landscape fly by. I like to go out to eat, visit museums and towns I haven’t been to. And of course it’s double the fun with a friend or family ar your side.

When I visited my family over the holidays, I also drove halfway through the country to visit friends, one of the living near Stuttgart. She had read about a Diner that seemed to be very popular and after she showed their website to me, I knew I wanted to go.

The Ladies Diner is a 50s inspired American Diner and serves original burgers and milkshakes. The two founders were featured in a tv show and after watching the segment you would probably agree that they not only seem very sweet and authentic, but also very cool. We were hooked and decided to try them out for lunch on a Saturday, when they open at 12. They do not make reservations and because we read that there’s always a waiting line (unusual for Germany) we decided to go as early as possible.

We arrived at 12.15 and got the last two seats, sharing a booth with a couple (also very unusual for Germany). We really were just in time, because after us the guest kept coming and had to sign the waiting list and wait outside. It being just after New Year’s it was freezing. Fortunately the Ladies Diner has set out a lot of blankets and even a pot of hot non-alcoholic punch. If you came by car and want to wait inside it, they hand you a beeper to inform you, when a table opens up.

The waitresses were all very kind, good spirited and attentive. We, seeing all the delicious food around us, we’re suddenly very hungry and opted each for a burger, fries and homemade lemonade.

The Ginger-Rosemary-lemonade was very good and, even though we had just warmed up from the cold outside, felt pleasantly cold. The cute Glass made it all the nicer and in the end we (both Instagram lovers) couldn’t decide which picture to upload.
The Flamingo Burger was one of the best I’ve ever had and it was more than enough, so I could have done without the fries. The coleslaw gave it the extra something and you could really taste the quality of the ingredients.

But even though we were quite full we couldn’t possibly leave without trying one of their shakes and I decided on the Coco Loco, a vanilla ice shake with crushed Raffaellos inside and pink whipped creme on top, brought to perfection with a cherry. So delicious!

The atmosphere was so nice, the music loud enough to get in the swing, but not too loud as to prevent any conversations. Just the right amount of feel good rock and the interior and decoration did the rest. The bathrooms were a highlight in itself and one has to admire the love for everything 50s, palpable in every nook and cranny.

The Diner is situated in an industrial area, which made the queue in front even more surprising, since you wouldn’t just “stumble” over the place by chance. After our lunch, we understood why it is so popular. Not only is the food very good, but everyone working there is so nice and the music so enjoyable, that we left in a very good mood.

Fun fact: you migh are wonder why, with all the pink, the Dine is not called “The Pink Ladies Diner” instead, in remembrance of the girl gang in Grease. Well, in the beginning and hey actually were the Pink Ladies. It just so happened that a few month before they opened, Warner Brothers registered “The Pink Ladies” as trademark. So after a year into business the lovely ladies had to change their name, after they received a letter from Warner Brothers’ lawyers.

By the way, one of the ladies is vegetarian and The Ladies Diner has several vegetarian options in the menu, which sounded delicious as well.
So, if you eve happen to be in the vicinity of Stuttgart or Esslingen, make sure to stop by!

Info:
The Ladies Diner
Alleenstraße 29
73730 Esslingen

Tue – Fri: 12.00 – 14.00 (Kitchen open till 14.00)
17.00 – 22.00 (Kitchen open till 21.30)
Sat: 12.00 – 20.00 (Kitchen open till 19.30)
Closed Mondays, Sundays and on National Holidays