I don’t know about other parts of the country, but the local diner was huge growing up in Minnesota. Whether it was a mom-and-pop shop or a chain like Perkins or Country Kitchen, the menus were all similar and delicious. This post will walk you through my favorite diner breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you can make in the comfort of your kitchen, no matter where you live.
Diner Food Favorites Made At Home
People don’t always think of the Midwest as some grand culinary destination, but people are wrong. You might not have as big of a concentration of Michelin stars or James Beard nominees as there are on the coasts, but that’s not for a lack of talent in the area.
The people of the Midwest are essentially a meat-and-potatoes, home-cooking bunch, and I’m here for it. They are me. My most significant comfort foods are rooted in these traditions and are a big part of me and this website.
From the creamiest mac and cheese you’ve ever made to pot roast, poutine, meatloaf, and crispy beer-battered fish and chips, we’ve got it all here for you!
Diner Meals Cooked At Home
Our collection of diner meals at home is going to have you making the breakfast, lunch, and dinner of your dreams. No tips required.
Homemade Patty Melts that are just as good as your local diner's are not only possible, but pretty simple too thanks to a gas griddle!
Homemade mac and cheese is simple to make, is cooked in one pot, and is one of my family's favorites! Make it as a side or as the main meal, either way you're going to want to get this cooking.
A delicious and different meal with ground beef and onions that is cooked in a rich gravy spiked with sherry. Perfect for a weeknight meal, and is perfect to serve alongside mashed potatoes or pasta.
We took our Traeger Pot Roast and turned it into the most ridiculous, beefy, gravy-filled sandwich you've ever had to eat with a fork.
These rich and creamy mashed potatoes are given some smoke on the grill and have copious amounts of smoked garlic in the mix! One of the most decadent mashed potatoes you'll ever have.
Traeger Smoked Turkey is going to quickly become your new favorite turkey method. Moist, tender, and with just enough smoke to keep it interesting - you'll be coming back for seconds.
This is not your average fried chicken, as before the breading and frying process we are going to infuse the meat with smoke on our pellet grill! Smoked Buttermilk Fried Chicken is going to be one of your favorite things after you taste this crunch crust covering the most delicious smoked chicken you’ve ever had.
Delicious homemade meatloaf gets smoked on the pellet grill and coated with a tangy, Carolina-Style BBQ Sauce spiked glaze.
Traeger Pot Roast take a simple chuck roast and onions and transforms it into something incredible. Wood-fired flavor, deep and rustic gravy, and a recipe you need in your back pocket for sure.
Homemade beer battered halibut is such a special treat to make when you have fresh halibut in the house! This is our favorite batter recipe, and you'll see why once you take a bite!
Our Blackened Shrimp Caesar wrap takes blackened shrimp and combines them with fresh Caesar dressing and a wrap to make a delicious and easy lunch!
These spicy, cheesy, smoked Jalapeño Jack Juicy Lucy burgers are going to be your new favorites! Great flavors, and perfect for the pepper-lovers in your life!
Cooking frozen fries on the griddle was never easier! Fire up the Blackstone and break out your favorite bag of frozen fries!
These homemade chicken tenders use saltine crackers to make the breading super crunchy and full of flavor.
Homemade French Toast with cinnamon and brioche cinnamon swirl bread made right on the griddle! If you don't have a griddle this can easily be made in a pan on the stovetop.
Make the crispiest Blackstone Hash Browns ever with this simple recipe!
Homemade raspberry buttermilk pancakes made right on the Blackstone Griddle and feature raspberry sauce and made-from-scratch buttermilk pancake mix. Make these! You need them!
You've never had poutine like this before. Smoked and cider-braised, tender chunks of beef short ribs are served on top of crunchy baby potatoes, loaded up with sharp cheddar cheese, and then smothered in gravy.
This delicious take on the Monte Cristo is made right on your Blackstone Griddle! Ham, cheese, and French Toast (basically) make up this classic diner sandwich. Don't forget the raspberry jam!
Homemade blueberry buttermilk pancakes feature fresh blueberry sauce and made-from-scratch buttermilk pancake mix. Make these! You need them!
These fluffy scrambled eggs are my favorite breakfast foods! With a few tips and tricks, you can make perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs too!
Your favorite skillet at Country Kitchen comes to life right at your own house.
Sausage and Egg Loaded Hash Browns are cooked on your gas griddle, stuffed with scrambled eggs and sauteed sausage, lots of cheese, and then sandwiched with more crispy hash browns!
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.