Adventures in South County: Driftwood Diner

When I first walked into the Driftwood Diner in Shady Side, I immediately thought of one thing.

Seinfeld.

It may not make sense, but as soon as I walked in and saw the retro-styled counter, old school stools and its hometown feel, it felt so much like the famous restaurant in Seinfeld where Jerry and his friends always got coffee.

Naturally, I too ordered a cup of coffee.

Once you're seated, the Driftwood Diner can entertain you without much effort. Its side wall is covered with lovely pieces of art created locally as part of the Muddy Creek Artists Guild. And if art isn’t your thing, the diner usually has local news, soap operas or even Family Guy flashing on the television at the coffee bar.

During my visit, the people I was with enjoyed a wide variety of dishes. Whether a giant plate of nachos, a Reuben or fish and chips, the menu at Driftwood Diner surely won’t disappoint if you’re a fan of quantity.

The plates were huge, but the food was good too and the coffee was stellar.

Despite the fact that Driftwood’s food was high in both quality and portion, its best feature has got to be the inescapable hometown vibe patrons get immediately upon entering the diner. Regardless of whether the servers have ever met you, there’s a warmth and small town-feel that automatically makes you feel home.

Tucked off the beaten path in Shady Side, Driftwood Diner is a great place to check out when you’re looking for healthy portions of feel-good food and hometown flavor.