City Diner Home Fries [Tom]

My Dad owned a diner in Long Island City just south of the 59th Street Bridge. The views from the diner were of the Manhattan skyline. I was singing the Feeling Groovy song otherwise known as the “59th Street Bridge Song “by Simon and Garfunkel while preparing this dish.

Anyway, the diner was a stand alone classic. The construction was of a stainless steel exterior as well as stainless steel interior walls. It offered seating at booths as well as on the round swirly stools at the counter. As a kid, I did my share of pearl diving at the diner (Washing Dishes) mostly on Saturdays when my brother George worked half a day 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We would ride the #7 train from Flushing at 5:30 a.m. to open for breakfast.

This recipe is dedicated to George’s memory.


Home fries are made from previously baked potatoes.
In the mornings the steam rose from the grill rising from the potatoes that cooked on the rear of the grill. As they were served more were added to the pile. George would toss them occasionally, cooking and browning them slowly. The odor filled the place. I wondered, how could any customer not order eggs with these potatoes?

For two you will need:

- 1 Large Baking Potato
- ½ Cup Diced Red Onion
- ½ Cup Red, Green or Yellow Bell Pepper
- 1 TBS Paprika
- 2 TBS Vegetable or Olive Oil
- Salt and Black Pepper

Use either a leftover baked potato or wash the skin of an uncooked potato. If microwaving, puncture 4 or 5 times with a fork, then wave for 4 to 5 minutes or until softened. Do not cook completely.
Set aside to cool before slicing.

Your choice, oven bake or fry the babies.

Slice the potato length wise then into ¼ inch slices.

In the oven, coat the bottom of a baking dish with 1 tbspn oil spread half the onion and pepper on the bottom then layer the potato slices coat the potato with the remainder of the oil. Spread the remainder of the onion and pepper on top. Salt, pepper and sprinkle the paprika on top. Top the dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Pan Fry. In a frying pan heat the oil. On medium heat add the onion, pepper and potato slices. Slowly flip. Add the salt, black pepper and paprika. Cook until slightly browned.