From Pancakes To Shrimp And Grits
St Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Diner, American
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 2/5
Dined in: December 2018
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Metro Diner Zomato rating:
Metro Diner Executive Chef:
Chef Mark Davoli
From reading the three previous articles written about Metro Diner and now starting the fourth, you may be able to tell that I’m a fan of this classic American breakfast and lunch diner chain. There are currently 74 locations in 14 States from Florida to Nevada. The new additions or changes to the St. Petersburg, Florida location is that they have recently gotten their liquor license, offering table wines and a few brunch style drink specials like Bloody Mary’s, which I enjoyed on this visit, while others in our group had the house chardonnay with their meals.
Menu:
- Salads
- Soups
- Fruits and Such
- Griddle Greats
- Eggs Galore
- Benedicts
- Omelets
- Breakfast Favorites
- Sandwiches
- Breakfast Sandwiches
- Lunch and Dinner Favorites
- Sides
- Kids Menu
- Desserts
In previous visits with different family members or just my wife and me, enjoying a casual and locals breakfast. We have enjoyed Metro Diner favorites like the chicken pot pie, breakfast platters, and sandwiches, biscuits with pork sausage gravy, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, plus much more. On this visit, my wife had the hot turkey plate with oven roasted turkey breast, mashed red-skinned potatoes and brown gravy, steamed zucchini and squash, cranberry sauce and a baguette. Though I did not have any, she told me that the turkey was tender with good flavor, and their house-made mashed potatoes are always a hit.
 |
| Metro Diner / Turkey Plate |
My stepmother had the fish and chips entree to which the kitchen sources wild-caught North Atlantic cod fillets that are lightly dredged and fried, placed over a lettuce leaf, then served with the classic french fries, coleslaw and tartar sauce. The fish tasted a little on the blander side, though the batter had some flavor to it.
 |
| Metro Diner / Fish and Chips |
My father ordered the pancakes and did not expect the twelve-inch challenge. This was by far the biggest pancake I had ever seen, and he did end up having to take half them home in a box. The pancakes were so large that they covered the dinner plate and flopped over the sides. As far as taste and quality they were like most other pancakes you get in breakfast restaurants and satisfied the comfort craving.
 |
| Metro Diner / Pancakes |
Finally came the Charleston Shrimp and Grits, a favorite of mine, and something I always order when visiting South Carolina. The dish is served with two fried grit cakes infused with cheese, roasted red peppers, and Cajun Andouille sausage. From there the cakes are topped with shrimp, sausage, onions, and peppers in a shrimp sauce and garnished with chopped bacon and green onions. This was an absolutely outstanding dish, filled with bold flavors with every bite.
 |
| Metro Diner / Shrimp and Grits |
Dessert:
We did not have dessert during this visit
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other noteworthy Breakfast and Diner articles and restaurants similar to Metro Diner:
A diner is a small fast food restaurant that was created in 1872 in the Northeastern United States, and now has locations throughout the Midwest, as well as in other parts of the US, Canada, and parts of Western Europe. Diners offer a wide range of foods, mostly American cuisine, and have a casual atmosphere, a long counter with bar stools where patrons eat their meals, and late operating hours.
Al Fanar Restaurant and Café Authentic Emirati cuisine, Festival City, Dubai, UAE
Café du Monde Iconic café and coffeehouse serving beignets since 1862 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Mad Fish A casual Gourmet American Cuisine restaurant in a Retro-Style Diner in St Pete Beach, Florida
Skyway Jacks Restaurant A local breakfast dive named after the Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida
Stella’s Restaurant Southern-inspired comfort eats and diner in Gulfport, Florida
Trip’s Diner a local and historical diner named after the owners’ triplets in St Petersburg, Florida
Waffle House A Southern 24/7 breakfast chain known for their hash browns, based in Atlanta, Georgia
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St. Petersburg restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
|
Local and organic at the Birchwood
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
52 Craft Breweries Participate in the 97X radio hosted event
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Pizza, Calzones, and Meatballs
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
Green Lemon
Modern Upbeat Mexican Hangout
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Weekly, Organic, Sustainable
Gulfport, Florida, USA
|
Organic & hormone-free steakhouse
Clearwater / Beach, Florida USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations, and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Metro Diner a 2 out of 5 stars, meaning that they not only exceeded my expectations but they were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants. The first few visits review scores were also 2 of 5 stars, so they have maintained they're standing from the previous visits.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for Metro Diner
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
10
|
8
|
2
|
Food quality
|
9
|
6
|
3
|
Plate presentation
|
8
|
5
|
3
|
Customer service
|
7
|
4
|
3
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Total regular points awarded
|
34
|
23
|
11
|
Total percentage Before Bonus
|
0.676470588235294
| ||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0.0588235294117647
| ||
Total percentage with a bonus for the final star rating
|
0.735294117647059
| ||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
|
0 - 5
|
2
|
**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
|
2 of 5 Stars:
74% Rating with a 2 point “wow” bonus
Far Above the Average Experience
|
Restaurant style:
|
Casual dining
|
Cuisine Style at Metro Diner:
|
American Breakfast, Chain
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Low Carb, Vegetarian
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted
|
Dress code:
|
Casual attire
|
Child policy:
|
The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
|
Metro Diner Experiences:
|
Contemporary, Hot spot, Rustic, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
Private lot
|
Wifi:
|
The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
|
Noise level:
|
Medium
|
Smoking:
|
Nonsmoking restaurant
|
Patio or terrace:
|
No
|
ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS ARTICLE ON METRO DINER SO FAR? PLEASE CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TO RECEIVE NEW POSTS OR SHARING ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA!!
Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
££
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$$$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€€
|
Alcohol prices:
$16.00 USD
Metro Diner:
5250 4th Street N
St. Petersburg, FL 33703
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
| |
Maître d or host:
|
+1 727 324 6088
|
Website Contact:
| |
Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Sun-Thur
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Fri & Sat
7:00 am - 9:00 pm
|
Social Media
And
Accolades for Metro Diner:
| |
****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
|
Rooftop Artisan Fusion Bistro
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
A walk into the Piemonte with a contemporary twist
DIFC, Dubai, UAE
|
Contemporary Cape Malay Cuisine
Cape Town, South Africa
|
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
