The best place for a blue plate special in every US state
Classic cheap eats across the US
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If you're looking for a satisfying meal for a bargain price, you can't beat a blue plate special. The term is said to date back to 1892, when the Harvey House chain served discounted meals, heaped on disposable blue plates, to railroad travelers in the Western states. Traditionally the domain of mom-and-pop joints, they typically include meat and three sides with a complimentary drink – though many modern restaurants have now jumped on the blue plate train, too.
Looking for delicious, filling, and relatively cheap eats? Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best place for a blue plate special in every state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Alabama: Blue Plate Restaurant, various locations
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Unsurprisingly, given the name, these down-to-earth Alabama joints, with locations in Dothan and Northport, put on excellent blue plate specials. Select from entrees such as baked chicken, country-fried steak, or meatloaf, with your choice of two sides (we recommend the fried okra and creamed corn).
Alaska: Rollin' in the Dough, Talkeetna
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Artisanal breads and pastries are the drawcard of this cute spot in Talkeetna – but the blue plate specials are worth sticking around for. Typical options include dishes such as braised short rib with buttery mash, or the house jambalaya with yellow lentils. It's located in one of Alaska's most picturesque towns, too; if you're lucky, you'll get views of mighty Denali mountain.
Arizona: Gus Balon's Restaurant, Tucson
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If you're looking for an old-school joint dishing up American classics, you can't go far wrong with Gus Balon's Restaurant. The comforting menu hits the spot and it's augmented by regular blue plate specials – expect heartwarming plates such as chicken-fried steak with mash and gravy, or breakfast specials like grilled country ham with fried potatoes and homemade toast and jelly.
Arkansas: Capitol Smokehouse & Grill, Little Rock
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Swing by this down-home Little Rock restaurant for a meat-heavy menu and rib-sticking portions. The blue plate special changes by the day; choose between meat and two veggies, or a veg-only plate. Mouth-watering options include meatloaf, fried chicken, or Salisbury steak with your choice of sides like squash casserole and baked potato salad.
California: Du-par's Restaurant and Bakery, Los Angeles
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'True classics done right' is what's promised at this long-running spot that began life at LA's well-loved Original Farmers' Market back in 1938. Now there are locations in both LA and Las Vegas, and you'll need to visit between 6am and noon, Monday through Friday, to take advantage of the excellent blue plate specials. Sink your teeth into tempting options such as its award-winning pancakes, French toast, hot cake sandwiches, or a complete breakfast with bacon or turkey links, eggs, and hash browns.
Colorado: Walnut Cafe, Boulder
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Boulder has plenty of funky eating spots, and Walnut Cafe (now with two locations) is no exception. Sit up at the bar on a classic diner stool and feast on everything from egg plates at breakfast time to belly-busting sandwiches at lunch. The specials keep things interesting; check the menu for delights such as veg-packed scrambles, and black-eyed pea soup with sweet cornbread.
Connecticut: Stony Hill Diner, Bethel
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There's nothing quite like an all-American diner when you're in need of some comfort food, and this southwestern Connecticut spot really delivers. It serves a mean breakfast or take advantage of the early bird specials, with filling dinners at reduced prices. Choose from options such as roast pork loin with apple sauce and potatoes, or baked meatloaf with mushroom onion gravy, mash, and veggies.
Delaware: Stoney's, Wilmington
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You'll find a load of traditional dishes on offer at this British-inspired restaurant and bar – from the signature fish and chips to bangers and mash. The British theme continues on the specials board, too. Fill up on hot meat pies and mash, lamb with mint sauce and gravy, or salmon with buttery greens.
Florida: The Gator Cafe, Baker
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Generously sized blue plate specials are served until 4pm at this convivial joint in northwestern Florida. You'll get a choice of meat, three veggies, corn bread or a roll, and a large cup of iced tea. Meats and fish on offer include liver and onions, fried flounder, and grilled chicken breast, served alongside fried squash, rice and gravy, and green beans.
Georgia: Southern Star Grill, McRae-Helena
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This small-town gem is known for its friendly service, homecooked food, and heavenly desserts. The blue plate specials come highly rated by customers, who say this is Southern comfort food at its best. Expect dishes such as cubed steak and fried pork chops, served with a choice of two sides including mac 'n' cheese, butterbeans, and mashed potatoes.
Hawaii: Zippy's, various locations
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All the food is good at Zippy’s, but if you’re after a bargain, the daily plates are the thing to order. Feast on options like the chicken trio – fried chicken, chicken katsu, and pieces of Korean chicken on a heap of shredded cabbage – or opt for the generous hamburger steak with balls of rice.
Idaho: Blue Plate Café, Hayden
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This Hayden staple dishes up some fantastic specials – just as its name suggests. At breakfast time you can expect one-off options like blueberry French toast with eggs and your choice of meat, while come dinner you can dig into the likes of gravy-covered ham steak with eggs and potatoes.
Illinois: Shannon's Five Star, Bloomington
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Whichever day of the week you come by Shannon's Five Star – a Bloomington favorite whose current iteration has been running for two decades – you'll find a top-notch, well-priced special on the menu. On Mondays, it's meatloaf or spaghetti with meat sauce, on Wednesdays it's chicken and noodles with mash, and, come Friday, barbecue ribs with slaw is the pick of the bunch.
Indiana: Mann's Grill, Indianapolis
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There are no frills at this Indy joint, but that's all part of the charm. It’s known for its $9 dinners, which mostly involve a meaty main event and a couple of veggie sides. Decide between baked pork chops, barbecued ribs, or turkey and dressing, accompanied by the likes of Buffalo fries, fried green tomatoes, or macaroni salad.
Iowa: Drake Diner, Des Moines
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It's not unusual for diners to dish up stellar blue plate specials, and this Des Moines option doesn't disappoint. The place has been going strong since 1987, so it has plenty of experience turning out its excellent specials. You can choose between meatloaf, roast beef, or turkey breast, along with skin-on smashed potatoes, gravy, and veggies.
Kansas: Old Mill Tasty Shop, Wichita
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The name of this friendly joint sets high expectations, but pleasingly Tasty Shop is tasty indeed, with a menu full of comforting American staples. Specials change by the day, but you can expect to tuck into the likes of sizzling chicken enchiladas, perfectly made lasagna, and comforting meatloaf.
Kentucky: Main Eatery, Louisville
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There are daily blue plate specials at this cheerful spot in Kentucky's biggest city. The options are typically meaty and ultra-satisfying – think a ham and Swiss sandwich on toasted focaccia, or the signature charburger with hand-patted ground chuck, each served with chips or soup and a drink.
Louisiana: Liuzza's Restaurant & Bar, New Orleans
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You may need to wait a little longer for the blue plate special at this restaurant, as it takes some time to cook. But it's well worth it to dive into a hamburger steak with flavorsome smothered onions, plus mashed potatoes or fries, and gravy. There are plenty of other reasonably priced staples too, from a classic lasagna to eggplant casserole.
Maine: CBG Bar & Grill, Portland
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CBG is more upmarket than many of the stalwart down-home joints serving up blue plate specials on this list. The swish spot is known for its thoughtful menu, with vegetarian options and a first-rate brunch list. When it comes to blue plate specials, discerning diners can expect delights such as a dry-aged ribeye steak with garlic confit mash and asparagus.
Maryland: Bull on the Beach, Ocean City
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Leaving Bull on the Beach hungry is pretty much impossible. The menu heaves with filling, nourishing delights, from crab cakes on buttery brioche to fried clams and calamari. You can always nab an affordable special, too. Visit for dishes such as bulging pit-beef sandwiches, or pastrami and spicy brown mustard layered onto marbled rye.
Massachusetts: Krazy Jakes, Wilbraham
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There's always an uber-tempting special on offer at this chilled-out Wilbraham spot. Each day kicks off with inviting breakfast options and finishes with some outstanding dinners. Appetizer specials include dishes such as Irish potato sliders with corned beef and cheeses, while you can tuck into blackened catfish with cilantro rice and mango salsa for an entrée.
Michigan: TV's Deli and Diner, Trenton
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This cozy diner specializes in classic, homemade comfort food including the popular daily specials of chicken and waffles, lobster bisque, and fried lake perch, each served with a choice of two sides. As well as the friendly service and great food, people rave about the diner's retro decor, and say it's a must-visit when in town.
Minnesota: Longfellow Grill, Minneapolis
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Feeling hungry? The sizeable 'family blue plates' (available for pickup only) at Longfellow Grill will feed your whole clan. You'll choose between family-style servings of the likes of chicken pesto pasta, chimichurri short ribs with mash and veggies, and chilaquiles with a giant helping of fruit. Other blue plate specials include strawberry mimosa French toast, Reuben sandwich on rye with a choice of sides, and steak au poivre.
Mississippi: Hal & Mal's, Jackson
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Locals and visitors alike love the warm vibe at retro Hal and Mal's, which plates up Southern classics and entertains diners with regular live music. It has been going strong since 1985, and there's not a bad item on the menu. That means you can never go wrong with the blue plate special; tuck into warming dishes such as roast beef and gravy with mash, turnip greens, and black-eyed peas, or try brisket with potato salad, fried okra, and coleslaw.
Missouri: Farmhaus, St Louis
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You might associate blue plate specials with simple mom-and-pop joints, but that's not always the case. St Louis' Farmhaus is an upmarket restaurant that champions seasonal, local ingredients and imaginative modern American cuisine (think skirt steak skewers with sushi rice or peri peri shrimp with corn grits). Look out for regular blue plates such as roast beef with smashed sweet and russet potatoes, garlic cream, and jus.
Montana: Cafe Regis, Red Lodge,
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The quaint yet cool mountain town of Red Lodge punches above its weight when it comes to great food and drink. And among the top offerings is Cafe Regis, a down-to-earth breakfast and lunch spot with neon signage and a sun-dappled garden area. The daily specials are always a winner; swing by for options such as a turkey melt sandwich, and sides like hash browns or cheesy grits.
Nebraska: Block 16, Omaha
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Trendy Block 16 is a firm fixture on Omaha's lunchtime food scene, serving excellent and bulging sandwiches, from a poutine burrito with roasted brisket to hot Nashville-style fried chicken with buttermilk dill slaw on a sesame bun. The specials go down a treat, too. Plump for options such as Wagyu bulgogi with soy-ginger aioli and pickled veg on a South Asian-style paratha flatbread.
Nevada: Yardbird, Las Vegas
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Vegas is better known for its indulgent seafood buffets and ritzy steakhouses than it is understated restaurants serving blue plate specials. But sophisticated Yardbird takes Southern classics and spins them in new and creative ways – think deviled eggs with smoked trout roe. They don't always run blue plate specials (and when they do, they're off menu), but they're always a hit; fried chicken with citrus-pepper watermelon and a house-made buttermilk biscuit has been an option in the past. There are also locations in other cities including Washington DC, Dallas, and LA.
New Hampshire: Red Arrow Diner, various
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A classic all-American diner is a great place to nab a blue plate special, and this retro mini chain has locations in Concord, Londonderry, Manchester, and Nashua. The vibe is every bit the textbook diner – think neon signage and walls heavy with old photos – and the specials always hit the spot. They're served on TV dinner-style trays and regular rotating choices include the pork pie dinner, chop suey Parmesan (pictured), lasagna, haddock, and fried chicken and waffles.
New Jersey: blueplate, Mullica Hill
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'Redefining the familiar' is the strapline of this upmarket Mullica Hill joint. The menu is imaginative, with options such as lobster beignets, and seared scallops with spicy cream and potatoes. Specials are always on point, too; like this wine marinated flat iron steak served with pesto and oven dried tomato risotto. You can also order family meals such as generous fried chicken sandwiches accompanied by homemade chips and corn salad, or look out for breakfast specials like the brandy pineapple French toast. There's a lovely patio for the summer months, too.
New Mexico: Tomasita's, Santa Fe and Albuquerque
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If you're craving classic New Mexico dishes, head to Tomasita's, with locations in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Top menu items include chili relleno or enchiladas heaving with pinto beans, Spanish rice, and chili. Blue plate specials vary depending on the day; come by on Monday for the tamale blue plate, with pork tamales, a blue corn cheese enchilada with green chili, and a beef taco.
New York: Cafeteria Restaurant, New York City
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There are endless places to dine in the Big Apple, but this upmarket spin on a diner is well worth seeking out. Any day of the week you'll feast on delights such as old-school meatballs, burgers, and fish and chips – but you should look out for the regular blue plate specials. Past options have included a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
North Carolina: Big Ed's Restaurant, Raleigh
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Founded back in 1958, Big Ed's has become something of an institution in Raleigh. The cheerful spot promises 'country cooking at its best', with menu staples such as homemade meatloaf and baked chicken, served up in a dining room with checkered tablecloths and mismatched photos on the walls. Blue plate specials change by the day and include options such as fried catfish with coleslaw and your choice of two sides (we love the butter beans), tea or coffee, and dessert.
North Dakota: 40 Steak + Seafood, Bismarck
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People rave about the specials at this popular surf and turf restaurant. Pay reasonable prices for one-off options such as a 16oz ribeye in a rich demi-glace with buttery vegetables. Always on the menu are a roster of tempting burgers and seafood dishes such as oysters Rockefeller. To add to the appeal, the jumble of rooms are themed around North Dakota history.
Ohio: Cap City Fine Diner, various
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Another excellent diner serving solid blue plate specials, this Ohio mini chain has locations in Gahanna, Dublin, and Grandview. It's a classic diner set up with red leather booths and a lengthy bar, and the daily blue plates include options like shrimp and grits, chicken pot pie, and liver and onions.
Oklahoma: Sweets & Eats, Oklahoma City
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This Oklahoma stalwart purports to be the 'home of the blue plate special', with a different option served Monday through Friday. It's a casual spot, with customers ordering at the counter then pulling up a chair and waiting for the likes of baked chicken with buttered red potatoes, or beef stroganoff with green beans.
Oregon: Jake's Famous Crawfish, Portland
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Jake's Famous Crawfish has been feeding the folks of Portland, Oregon – as well as a star-studded list of diners that includes Humphrey Bogart and Madonna – since 1892. As the restaurant's name suggests, its USP is seafood and the blue plate specials follow suit. Book a table for meals such as grilled steelhead trout with steamed rice and seasonal veggies, all doused in garlic butter.
Pennsylvania: Gracie's 21st Century Cafe, Pine Forge
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Diners love the cheerful decor and facade, with its popping pink shutters and sign, at Gracie's 21st Century Cafe. But the real drawcard, of course, is the food; you can feast on everything from this beautifully presented halibut to Thai-style noodles and filet mignon. Blue plate specials are served on Wednesdays and include mouth-watering choices like Korean barbecued pork or sliders.
Rhode Island: Patriots Diner, Woonsocket
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Like any good diner, this chilled-out restaurant has a down-to-earth vibe, an all-American menu, and service with a smile. There's a giant breakfast menu – think egg plates, French toast, and stacks of pancakes – plus meaty mains like burgers, roast beef sandwiches, and sirloin steak. Save a few dollars and opt for blue plate specials like corned beef with potatoes and veggies, or a fried fish sandwich with fries.
South Carolina: Nannie Annie's Breakfast & Lunch, Conway
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Any restaurant with a name like Nannie Annie's will surely deal in comfort food favorites. Indeed, that's exactly what you'll find on the menu at this cozy joint with a simple dining room and a generous menu for breakfast and lunch. Blue plate specials are typically served from 11am–2pm with options like fried fish with two sides, tea or pop, and an indulgent dessert.
South Dakota: Phillips Avenue Diner, Sioux Falls
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Make a beeline for Phillips Avenue for a classic, low-key diner vibe, retro decor, and a solid menu of American staples. Go easy on your wallet with the joint's blue plate specials, especially for early birds (Monday-Thursday, 7am-10am). All meals are less than $12, and you can have everything from egg scrambles to waffles, all with free coffee.
Tennessee: The Loveless Cafe, Nashville
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The Loveless Cafe is more than a restaurant – it's burgeoned into an entire tourist attraction, with gift shops, cornhole, and an events space. Still, the main reason to come by is the food. The place is famous for its country ham, but the specials are well worth a try too. There's a different one on offer every day, from brisket cottage pie or chicken and dumplings to smoked dry-rub ribs.
Texas: Stevie's Diner, Fort Worth
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Open for breakfast and lunch, this jolly Forth Worth restaurant is committed to keeping the concept of the retro diner alive. That includes regularly changing blue plate specials that attract diners in search of a well-priced lunch. In true old-school diner style, tuck into comforting classics including hamburger steak, fried catfish, or smothered chicken-fried steak.
Utah: Vertical Diner, Salt Lake City
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This fun Salt Lake City diner tips itself as the 'home of fine vegan dining'. Sink your teeth into plant-based dishes from lentil burgers to California-style burritos with jackfruit – or time your trip for one of the weekly specials. Turn up for all-you-can-eat pizza on Tuesdays or try Taco Thursdays and sample plenty of drink specials. too. There's also a location in Portland, Oregon.
Vermont: Blue Benn, Bennington
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This charming, old-school diner – built by the Paterson Vehicle Co. – has stood in its current spot since way back in 1948. Classics are dished up in the bright blue dining car, from breakfast egg plates to sandwiches, burgers, and an extensive list of vegetarian options. The daily specials are raved about too; try the turkey dinner with mash and cranberry sauce or go for grilled chicken breast with brown rice and salad.
Virginia: Princess Anne County Grill, Virginia Beach
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Priding itself on both its family-friendly vibe and its Southern hospitality, this relaxed grill has a giant menu packed with tempting classics – we're talking fried catfish sandwiches, all-day breakfasts, and blue plate specials that change by the day. These include mouth-watering options like pot roast with gravy and mashed potatoes, homemade lasagna and garlic bread, or chicken and dumplings with cornbread.
Washington: Chinook's, Seattle
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With a stellar location on Seattle's Fishermen’s Terminal, Chinook's is a casual place known for its excellent seafood. The menu heaves with fresh fish dishes, from seared wild salmon to blackened rockfish tacos, plus impressive rotating blue plate specials such as a generous hunk of cod with potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a cup of clam chowder.
West Virginia: Olde Country Diner, Martinsburg
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There's always a reasonably priced breakfast and lunch special on offer at this no-frills diner. Kick off your day with filling staples such as sausage and gravy with hot cakes or biscuits, or a skillet packed with cheese and vegetables. For lunch, dig into options like turkey and dressing with mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry relish, or chicken livers with your choice of sides.
Wisconsin: Monty's Blue Plate Diner, Madison
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Monty's serves nostalgia on a platter, with its bright neon clock and booth seating – and, alongside it, some tempting daily blue plate specials. Tuesday is 'date night burger and shakes' with two burgers and two milkshakes offered for a discounted price, while Thursday is the time to visit for a pot roast served with mashed potatoes, a dinner roll, and garlic buttered broccoli.
Wyoming: Jody's Diner, Evanston
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This much-loved diner serves up all-American favorites and all-day breakfasts to hordes of loyal locals. Known for its homestyle cooking and welcoming atmosphere, this place is all about the classics. Popular options include the Friday dinner steak special, and the pot roast with potatoes, carrots, celery, gravy, and a side of Texas toast. If you’re in the mood for breakfast food, the Torie Special – a biscuit breakfast sandwich with sausage patty, two eggs over-hard, and American cheese, all doused in country gravy – is not to be missed (and comes in at under $10).
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