greasy spoon

noun

: a dingy small cheap restaurant

Did you know?

In the decades following its first use in 1902, the surrounding context of greasy spoon usually included words along the lines of lousy, wind up eating in, slinging hash, the underside of society, settle for, or rather starve. And while things haven't changed entirely, a recent wave of nostalgia has elevated the status of greasy spoons. Since the 1970s, the descriptions might contain words like fabled, distinction, beloved, classic, an institution, fondness for, and comfort food. Now you can consult a Greasy Spoon Guide and read up on Best Greasy Spoons, or lunch at a diner restored to look like a greasy spoon. Some of these eateries are now even named "The Greasy Spoon."

Examples of greasy spoon in a Sentence

We ate at some greasy spoon near the bus station.

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Residents of New Hampshire, where Presidential hopefuls often court diners at greasy spoons, have come to expect high-level politico drop-ins. —

Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 So far, Pilcher says Germans seem to love the state’s array of greasy spoons. —

Will Peischel, Curbed, 7 Oct. 2024 Will Ferrell and Harper Steele eat Pringles in the Beech Grove Walmart parking lot, talk gender at a greasy spoon breakfast joint After arriving in Indianapolis, the pair take a trip down to the Beech Grove Walmart, 4650 S. Emerson Ave., to pick up some road trip snacks. —

Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Oct. 2024 The greasy spoon is a sublime choice, offering up great patties for under $10 since 2005. —

Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for greasy spoon