Ed’s Easy Diner

Went shopping after work with my friend and couldn’t decide what to eat, she didn’t want noodles so as we were walking into Selfridges I mentioned this place and that I had a voucher for free burger or hot dog. So we got a table.
We had a bottomless drink which my friend said we should share one and the waitress was fine with that. I checked that the £6.59 on the ed’s diner app could be used and she said they deduct the amount off but I’ll still get points from today. She said I could save up all the points to pay for whole bill on future visit.
I had chilli hotdog which was good but not hot in temperature but dunno if it was because we were photoing the food ha ha my friend said her burger was hot.
They do sell the burger or hotdog solo, on its own or as ed’s plate which means u get fries coleslaw and onion rings. We did both so we shared the chips etc. So our bill was about £13! Cheapskates lol

The portion sizes are a bit pants and the fact you have to buy fries separately is annoying however the food itself is nice. I think the milkshakes are my favourite and you get a good amount for the money. The food is less so in the case of value for money. I mostly go because I like the diner style and it is usually quick service.

This is a breakfast review:
Its a well done out American diner, with suitably attired staff and cooks.
I took my seat and ordered my Full English, (no extras). It came with a couple of sausages, (chipolata — so very small), a cored tomato, (nice touch), a hash brown, flat mushroom, toast and bacon that I imagine must have been shaved from the thickness of it. The eggs were solid, so I got them changed to runny ones.
Its really weird seeing all the deliveries coming in to the place through the restaurant — I found it weird, anyway?
The server was lovely, (Twinkle was on her name badge). I found the soundtrack though very original sounding, also quite annoying.
If you go here and are buying into the American theme, I imaging that you would love it. I was there just for the breakfast — it wasn’t bad, (called The Full Ed’s).

Before I talk about anything else I just need to say the Oreo milkshake is AMAZING. Heaven in a huge beaker, from which you can just about squeeze three glasses of deliciousness. Basically the milkshakes are worth 3 stars alone.
The food is also pretty delicious. I am a massive fan of pulled pork, and Ed’s pulled pork burger and hot dog certainly do not disappoint! They are moist, packed full of flavour, and topped off with the most perfect shiny brioche buns. Last time we visited, my boyfriend tried the ma-​hoo-​sive All Day Breakfast burger (minus the mushrooms) and proclaimed it to be carb-​loaded heaven. The chips (fries) are a real highlight; thick-​cut, fresh and homely.
The décor is also super, as you really feel like you’ve stepped back into kitsch 50s America. We had fun playing the old school juke box machine on our table, and I love the retro black and white tiled floor, formica topped tables and red leather booths. The slogans on the walls are also great fun: «The bank doesn’t do hamburgers and we don’t do loans!»
So, why 3 stars? The service often lets Ed’s down. My food has been served lukewarm on occasion. We have also been left waiting rather a long time for the bill. I was also once told by a waitress that she «couldn’t wait to get out of here», which seems to be the prevailing attitude.
Essentially I do love this place, and will happily pop in just for a milkshake. However, we only tend to eat here if we have a voucher code for 50% of food, or a free burger with your drink, as the prices don’t always reflect the quality of experience and service received.
(Incidentally, sign up to Ed’s Loyalty Club to get great offers!)

Ok, its getting a bit of a habit now that I go to these ‘American’ diner style places and until now, I have to say I have been pretty disappointed.
So have Ed’s nailed it and got it right where so many others have failed? Well not quite, but they are far closer than any others I have visited so far.
Apart from the location, the actual décor is pretty good, nice retro Diner vibe. They got the layout pretty accurate, some nice high bar stools and some cool little booths.
The location, for me, lets it down. If your going to have a ‘real’ American Diner then a department store in a mall isn’t really the most authentic of locations, but that aside, they are doing pretty good so far.
So food and service — Food was pretty good, actually it was very nice. I had a cheese Burger, I made it up to an ‘Eds plate’ meal which took it from a solo burger to a burger with fries, onion rings and slaw. It was all real tasty, I didn’t get an option as to how I wanted my burger done, I prefer it medium however, I have been informed by my friends who are native to these soggy islands that cooking preference in the UK is pretty much restricted to steak. Thats not a deal breaker but its a shame as if they are aiming for authenticity then its all about attention to detail.
My meal arived and it was pretty delicious, it was nice patty in a nice soft bun. Fries were good as were the rings, I’m not a fan of slaw but I was told by my friend who had it that it was pretty good stuff.
I went with friends and their kids, we all had burgers of some descripton and the kids seem to pretty much inhale theirs! The kids menu looked good and seemed to represent better value for money than the adult menu.
Drinks — this place has a reputation for good shakes. I can confirm that reputation is well earned. Not a huge selection but a decent choice of shakes and malts. They are thick and tasty shakes and dare I say it — pretty authentic and would give most diners in the States a good competition.
Service — Well the server was friendly enough however the customer service in the States always seems to be better than here. I’m guessing that must be more down to cultural traits between the two as it sureley can’t be that the training here is just not up to par. It took a while to get our servers attention when we wanted the check, when we did it took a little while for it to arrive. Its not huge issues (Unlike some places where they are just rude) and don’t get me wrong the staff were doing preety good, but it was just lacking that personal touch and again attention to detail. I felt like just another cover rather than an individual.
So have they got it right?
They are definately on the right track thats for sure.
My main gripe is cost. I really can’t work out why anywhere in the UK that tries the ‘Authentic US Diner’ thing has to charge so much! Its not like they are importing all of the stock!
Prices in here are in my opinion a little too high. A solo classic burger (just a plain old burger) will set you back £5.95, if you want to make that up to an Eds plate (Fries, Rings and slaw) the price goes up to £9.90, cheese burger will set you back 6.75 solo or 10.70 on an Eds plate. Seems a little steep to me and certainly doesn’t make for a cheap lunch with kids etc. Although the kids menu was better priced.
No self respecting diner in the States would be seen without Hot Dogs. Eds has Hot dogs too — Solo £5.75 or £9.70, again a little steep.
Shakes start from £4.15 which is a lot for a shake! (they are superb though)
Desserts are beter priced with a Sundae costing £4.45. Diners in the States are there to and strive to produce filling, tasty, quick food cheaply. If these prices were converted to Dollars then a shake would cost nearly $ 7 and a burger meal nearly $ 17! Theres no way they could charge that over there.
What also impressed me was that they had Miller! yes I know beer connoisseurs will curse me! But Miller is a true indication they are trying to get the feeling of the place right — and being a Southern guy Miller is a real hit! (Budweiser also available) both priced at £3.95 for a bottle.
Something else I was impressed with is they serve real Root Beer, imported from the States.
Overall this place suceeds where Coast to Coast and Tinseltown fails. A pretty good ‘Diner’ experience and the kids really enjoyed it. I guess they are just going to have to go Stateside for the real thing though!

I have a spot spot for Eds Easy Diners and it’s great to see them in Selfridges rather than just at airports and train stations (although that’s great too!)
It’s been the milkshakes that I’ve always gone for in these old fashioned diners, especially now they do the even more ludicrously over the top malt shakes. Paying around £4 for a frothy, flavoured milk drink that’s full of sugar does seem crazy.
But don’t knock it till you try it. Especially now that they’ve expanded so much in Selfridges, they have more than one separate milk shake bar.
Enjoy!