Lori's Diner

This diner is on the second floor of a building facing Powell Street, so you can watch the cable cars go back and forth. The ceilings are high with hardwood floors, and the restaurant has an airy feeling. The interior is bright, full of '50s memorabilia. The corned beef on their Reuben was in thick slices--a little fatty, but tender--kind of like a sliced beef brisket. The beef had an excellent flavor. The sauce was a very dark orange. The bread was grilled just right, but the cheese that lined it was not so noticeable. The sauerkraut was just about the right proportion, but the sandwich still seemed just a little dry. The onion rings are good and worth the upgrade.

This is a nicely decorated place. There are pictures on the walls as you go up the stairs (I think there was an elevator too), '50s pop culture icons painted on the brick wall, neon lights, and classic arcade and pinball machines. The restaurant appears to be a converted loft, and so the main dining area is spacious and has a nice high ceiling. There's another smaller dining area in the back, and a light well full of plants divides the two. Lots of large windows keep the area well-lit. Drinks are served in the classic red plastic cups, and the food was served on china plates with metal flatware and paper napkins. The sandwich came with a pickle and--a unique touch in my experience--an orange slice. The onion rings were decent, but not as crisp as I prefer. The bread was thin--you'll want to flip it quickly--had a pleasant but subtle taste. The crust was a bit chewy, but not too bad. The beef was thick, and just fatty enough to be juicy without being too much. There was lots of cheese and some very bright dressing. The kraut was pretty good, but mine had almost slid all the way off my sandwich before it got to me. Service was decent, and we paid at the front register when we were done. All in all a good experience.