JANUARY 10, 1990
We had heard mixed reports on the food served at the VFW Diner in South Forks Plaza. So Thursday, I said to Constant Companion, “There’s one way to find out. Let’s meet there for lunch.”
He was agreeable, and I was glad. I want to make the rounds of the clubs in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks this winter to find out about their food. This gives me a start.
At first, it didn’t seem too promising at the VFW Diner, but we found our way into the clubrooms and to a table where we could sit. Nothing fancy, but not bad at all in here. There were signs saying the luncheon special was soup and a Denver sandwich for $2.25. In places where food service is limited, I tend to take the special. I wasn’t born yesterday.
CC got a little fancy and asked for the Philly sandwich he saw on the menu. But when he found out they didn’t have any roast beef, he settled for the Denver and a Michelob.
The more we looked around the VFW Diner, the more it seemed like a neighborhood pub. Sort of a comfortable, unassuming place to drop in for lunch or dinner. There were several tables of people quietly eating. One gentleman came in and sat in a booth and read while he had a sandwich.
There were a couple of people at the bar cracking jokes and passing the time of day. The lone waitress on duty that day was Kristy Speckman, who was helping out temporarily during the holidays. She was moving around at a steady pace, taking care of everybody but not breaking any speed records. That suited me just fine, because I get dizzy when waiters or waitresses rush the food to me and whisk the plate away before I have time to swallow my last bite.
I chose a golden chowder from four soups offered Thursday. It was thin—the way I like cream soup—with a nice, mild flavor. The Denver sandwiches were just fine. Sort of like you would make them at home. I had plenty of ketchup with mine and enjoyed the dill pickle slices and crisp chips on the plate. The twist of orange slice that garnished the plates sent a message: The cook cares.
All in all, the food was a favorable experience. However, the soiled menus should be replaced.
Quarter-pound hamburgers, which are $1.75 plain, are popular items in the VFW Diner. Weekend specials include a walleye dinner for $5.99 on Fridays. A sign in the entryway says steaks are $1 off on weekends.
The club is open to members of the VFW and those who sign the guest book. Business is bolstered by the Tuesday night bingo games with meat as prizes, a Thursday bingo session for women and a Saturday afternoon bingo game for men.
The VFW continues to serve food in Grand Forks.