Sun Dog Diner

Sun Dog Diner Restaurant Review:

This eatery has been holding up its corner of the Atlantic Beach-Neptune Beach Town Center area for 15 years---though it feels like it's been there much longer. The place boasts an Art Deco-fifties-retro-meets-aging-hippie décor that seems organic to the Beaches laid-back vibe. Old-fashioned booths are separated by chrome and glass dividers; chrome-trimmed barstools line the horseshoe-shaped bar with dark wood and teal tile accents. Although the menu strays into some trendy preparations (Sambal Caesar salad anyone?), regulars go for the all-American comfort food: meatloaf and mashed potatoes, burgers and fries, hot dogs, crab cakes, fried shrimp or grilled fish. There are good milkshakes but for stiffer libations try the full bar with its creative bartenders. Early evenings it's easy to find families with kids loading up on the former, while a few tables over those warming up for a night of partying are taking advantage of the latter. There's live entertainment most nights and the place really isn't big enough for it, so if you want to have a quiet conversation, go early. Better yet, drop in for the weekend brunch and have huevos rancheros or eggs over crab cakes with hollandaise.