“Cow-nt” Me In!

Big Irene’s Little Diner

A Restaurant Review

What’s up with the cow art?

That’s what my friend and I wondered as we sat in a booth at Big Irene’s Diner in Albion recently.
Though not to the point of overdoing it, the cute, friendly

cows portrayed and hung to the walls not only had us curious but kinda feeling guilty since one of us (Guess who?) really craved a burger.

There was even black and white Holstein cow out front.

Was this supposed to be some sort of subconscious deterrent to order chicken or fish or even—gasp!—a vegetarian meal? But if so, why was the beef that I sought on the menu?

Hmm, maybe instead they’re advertising beef?

Who knows? I was too hungry to care.

But seriously. Big Irene’s Little Diner has been serving up hearty and eclectic breakfasts (from blueberry pancakes, to sausage gravy and biscuits, to “Paul’s Favorite:” an “omelet” consisting of meatballs, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese), for its customers at 6 am every morning for several years (except Mondays).

But it’s the afternoon now and my friend and I are too hungry to appreciate the warm, homey atmosphere. We just want something lip-smackin’ to eat!

Avoiding eye contact with the cow art, I nonetheless ordered the Black and Bleu burger, a “Cajun-seasoned” burger topped with crumbled bleu cheese, lettuce and tomato with a small salad
as my side dish. I didn’t particularly notice the Cajun seasoning, but the salty, gooey flavor of the melted bleu cheese gave the burger a real zing.

My friend went with the “Rachel,” a pretty-sounding name for a tasty sandwich. Made with turkey, Swiss cheese and coleslaw on marble rye bread, the grilled sandwich allowed the cheese to melt, allowing it to go from an ingredient to a topping. Add the sweet Thousand Island dressing that comes with the sandwich and you have something with several different flavors that all combine for something yummy.

Their side dish? Chili. Irma’s chili was just the way I like it: thick with chunks of hamburger, kidney beans and tiny bits of tomatoes. Spicy, but not too spicy. No four-alarm chili to lay waste our taste buds here, thank goodness!

Since I like to try different things at every restaurant, I went with the watermelon iced tea. Big mistake! Ick! Maybe it’s just me, ‘cuz I do love watermelon and ice tea, but somehow the two (that is the tea and whatever chemicals are used to fashion the “watermelon” flavor), combined just don’t mix. The taste was just bleh! I had trouble even sipping it, so I just stayed with my glass of ice water.

But we rebounded with dessert!

After all, we couldn’t turn down the Peanut Butter Pie!Light-as-air whipped cream, topped with chocolate sauce and chocolate sprinkles above a thick, velvety layer of peanut butter and a graham cracker crust! Thanks goodness, neither of us had peanut allergies, (Pass me an EpiPen, please!) it’d be good to resist!

Big Irene’s Little Diner. A good place to stop & eat a hearty breakfast or lunch next time you’re passing through Albion.

But a word to the wise: If you’re eating a burger, try to ignore the bovine art. I swear their cow eyes moved—as if watching me!

Eat Your Veggies, Dearies!

***The Lunch Lady

Big Irene’s Little Diner is located at 79 E. State St, Albion. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. For more information visit their Facebook page or call (814) 859-0111.