I like the Country Club. They still know how to do diner food and the coffee is always fresh.

I love the Country Club and think their breakfast is second to none around that part of the Northeast, but I'mma have to call this one...4 bells? As in, setting fine dining standards (that is how the Inqy defines it)? The Country Club may be the perfect representation of its kind (a classic diner) but 4 bells is a little over the top.

Fwiw, their blintzes are absolutely delicious.

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The passage I boldfaced in your post is precisely why LaBan gave it four bells.

He explained fairly early on that his highest ranking would be reserved for establishments that set the standard for dining -- but that the standard would also be dependent on the nature of the dining. And I agree with his relativistic criteria, BTW: we should recognize outstanding everyday dining every bit as much as we should outstanding restaurants that you plan to attend years in advance.

IOW, a diner that defines the experience of everyday dining (which is what diners specialize in) is as worthy of four bells as a white-tablecloth restaurant that sets the standard for fine dining.

You've heard colleges call themselves "The Harvard of _______," right? This is the same thing: The Country Club is the Le Bec-Fin of diners.

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Actually, Harvard is the Country Club Diner of Universities (or is it Colleges; I think that Harvard itself doesn't know).

Carmen's Country Kitchen is technically a "luncheonette" (says so on the outside of the building); Morning Glory calls itself a diner, but I would classify it as a restaurant, especially as they're only open for two meals.

Domino Diner in Roxborough is pretty good. There doesn't seem to be many good quality diners left, but this one was an exception. I had their Maryland omelette a few weeks ago, which is an omelette filled with crabmeat and topped with hollandaise sauce. It was delicious, and surprisingly so were the homefries(most diners' homefries are too bland). The waitress was very attentive, and when I made a last minute change affecting the ingredients in the omelette, she notified them right away and the omelette came out exactly as I wanted.

Silk City (in Northern Liberties) has great food too, although these days it isn't typical diner food and it's a little costlier than your typical diner. Although many people say that the chocolate bread pudding isn't what it used to be, it's still pretty good nonetheless.

YOU may classify it as a restaurant, but it's still a diner, even with the two meals.

Melrose also has EXCELLENT coffee!

The best diners in Philly are probably in Jersey.

I went to the Boulevard Diner tonight and it was very good. It's on Roosevelt Blvd. across from Nabisco.