Satellite Diner – Best Family Breakfast….. Ever
Friday, August 13th, 2010
Best Family Dining Ever - Satellite Cafe
K. So, this post is going to be so freaking positive that you are all going to assume that I've been bribed. So, I just wanted to preface it with the following statement. I have never been paid or comped by any restaurant that I post about. Sure, if you click on some of the cookbooks listed on the site or the ads on the side, I get a tiny taste (unless it's the Big Dipper ad, I do that one for free) but I'm certainly not getting rich. Hell, maybe I get enough bread to buy an extra drink a month. 
I guess what I'm saying is that this is a labor of love because I like to eat and talk and talk about eating. So, when I go off about how rad the Satellite Diner was, you know I'm not scamming you.
If you have kids then you know it's not always to find a restaurant where everyone has a good time and gets what they want to eat. Hell, just finding a place where you don't get scornful looks is sometimes tough enough. Well, recently we were driving back from a vacation on the Washington coast and it was our second day on the road. I'd been doing google searches for "spokane family restaurant" and not really finding dick. A few places mentioned Frank's Diner and that sounded decent. I mean, it's in a train car, so the boys would have dug it, I'm sure. But, I figured I'd give the Satellite Diner a show because both of my brothers were really talking it up. Also, it's a diner/bar and my wife and I could really use a bloody mary.
So, at 8:30am we walk in to see the place mostly empty. There were a few random patrons enjoying a cup of joe and a giant of a man, dressed in a clown costume. Yup. You heard me. I think his name is Mr. Balloons and he quickly made a balloon sword and a balloon dog (I think?) for my boys. I don't think he's affiliated with the diner in any way. He's just pretty much always there. Then the waitress comes over and she's pretty much overflowing with energy. The first thing out of her mouth was "Who wants hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles!" I'll give you two hints as to who wanted that. Heh.
Then she brings over two paper cook's hats for my boys and takes my oldest boy on a tour of the diner. Here's what he got to do:
- Crack an egg on the flat top.
- Tour the walk-in
- Walk around the restaurant with a pot of coffee and top off the regulars (he got tipped $1 by Mr. Balloons)
- Open the cash register and take out two quarters (one for his brother, Gus, who was too shy)
Erika and I ordered breakfast and Bloody Marys and the waitress told us she had the kids taken care of. We didn't order them breakfast, she took care of that. So, about 10 minutes later, we were all stoked when that happy-looking plate made it's way in front of the boys.
I think I'm forgetting stuff, but basically, my kids still talk about how rad it was. Are you going to get that same experience when you go there? Hmm.. .probably not. I mean, it was pretty dead and the waitress must have kids herself so she was super into the boys. But, what's important to note is that it's not like we knew anyone. I mean, we aren't lifelong friends of the owner or anything. We were just a tired family who got treated to the funnest breakfast experience ever..... in Spokane, of all freaking places!
Chewer: Simon
Chewing Location: Satellite Diner, Spokane
Prepared by: Satellite Diner
