**** Keith's has closed
I'm pretty sure if you've driven South on the 15 freeway, you've seen the sign for Keith's.
The Missus, who loves diners just could not fend off the pull of this sign forever. So I just knew that we'd eventually be eating here.
On the day we visited Keith's we'd arrive right before what would be considered a normal dinner service. We grabbed a table, and soon enough our menus arrived.
My first thought was that the prices were a bit higher than others, but that could've just been my imagination.
The Missus who loves breakfast for dinner, or lunch, or even a midnight snack went for the two eggs combo. Now, there's just a couple of things that make a diner, well….. a diner for us. Two of them are eggs and potatoes. And though the Foodanistas will criticize something that they think it's below them….it's the potatoes(namely the usually perfectly executed SYSCO hashbrowns) that makes a place like Perry's Cafe (which we hope reopen soon). This is what arrived at our table:
The eggs were an adequate over-medium, though the toast could have been in the toaster a bit longer. The hashbrowns were a letdown. They weren't crisp enough on the exterior, I just don't think enough oil was being used. We really don't go to a diner for "healthy" hashbrowns. The strands of potatoes under the semi-crust were hard, and not good eats.
The entree I ordered started with a Macaroni Soup:
This was really just "meh" for me, but at least they used enough salt in it. The Missus enjoyed it more than I did.
Now one of the other items that makes a diner for us is gravy (and club sandwiches but that's another post). On the basis of a recommendation I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak ($11.79):
Now the steak was fairly good, it was tender and had been processed properly. The flour based coating could have used a bit of seasoning. I expected the vegetables to be mushy and bland, and they were. The fries (potatoes) were a disappointment, as fries with gravy of any kind is weakness of mine. The were the faux "natural" style fries, but were limp, dry, and bland. So on to the gravy….. how can I put this….. think of the texture of thick glue, very gummy…… it actually stood on my upside-down spoon. It also lacked flavor and was badly in need of salt. A disappointment overall.
The woman who served us was very nice…. and even tolerated the two guys who came in later and started asking question about how the mushrooms were sauteed, and stuff like that with good humor….. geeez, this was a diner, not Pampelmousse! We also noticed all the older folk who started coming in while we were living….. what does it say when one has dinner before the "blue plate special" crowd? Oh well, unless someone has a fantastic recommendation, I don't think we'll be back.
Keith's Restaurant
9449 Kearny Mesa Rd
San Diego, CA 92126
Open 24 Hours