Southwest Diner

Consistently delicious breakfast. Fiancé prefers the biscuits and gravy here over any other in the St. Louis area; made with sausage and a little heat! The biscuits are soft, crumbly, and full of flavor on their own. Went around 10 am on a Saturday morning and the wait was about 20 minutes for 2 of us. This place does waiting right. They have a bus outside with seats to wait, free Kaldis coffee (the sweetest little baby cups), and a bar where you can order alcoholic drinks or –our choice– Bitt’s cold pressed coffee. At $ 4/​bottle, it’s not cheap, but it is fun! They come get you from the bus when your table’s ready. Our waitress was awesome and so attentive. She saw our coffee bottles and immediately brought out cups of ice and cream. She even brought us a bit of root beer to try with the coffee when we commented on the suggestion on the bottle! Fiancé got the slinger with mixed chilis and gravy– eggs were perfect, chili was a bit too spicy for him. It was huge! Two burgers, two eggs, loads of potatoes. I ordered the customized omelet with Swiss, bacon, and calabacitas (grilled squash/​zucchini/​onions/​tiny bit of corn)– added a little salt and it was perfect for my taste! Excellent experience, all around. Spent about $ 40 but you could spend much less for 2– we were splurging :)

Not that this place needs another positive review, but it’s almost impossible to not brag on the food! Being from New Mexico, I’m a bit of a green chile/​food snob. This gem that is Southwest Diner uprooted from Albuquerque and teleported to Maplewood; from the moment you walk in, you feel like you’re in another town. The food is stellar, the sopapillas are the real deal, and the green chile leaves your lips tingling. The owners are extraordinarily friendly people, which really is the cherry on top of a great business.

The atmosphere is cozy with a southwest feel. The staff is also friendly. I got the breakfast sandwich, though I would suggest getting the eggs over easy. The menu has expanded quite a bit since I last came, however they’re aren’t many healthy options to choose from… at all. This place is really popular so if you’re trying to go here on the weekends, I would get here early.

Great food and great service! Natalie and Claire are my favorite servers! Love coming on Tuesdays for the tamales and the Greek omelet is delicious!

Went there about 11 AM and found an open table so we didn’t have to wait which was nice since you seat yourself there. Got waters right away but that was about the only thing that came attentively.
We ordered the New Mexican Burrito and the Desayano Skillet. The burrito was HUGE but the skillet was slightly disappointing in size. the food was good, not fantastic by any means and the service was just off.
Could of just been our waiter, but she was not attentive what so ever and it took awhile just to get our order taken and then to get our bill. even after she walked by our table multiple times. She seemed slightly clueless.
Overall, the atmosphere was great (music, décor, etc) but the service was off and the food was okay.

Best breakfast spot in stl by far! Fast friendly service great food! Loved their chicken fried steak! Ate there almost every morning

Very heavy handed spicing on the meat and beans. No salt but very strong cinnamon and cumin flavor. I do love spicy food but this was off balance and I could not finish my lunch honestly.
Got the grits pork special and the fried dough with chorizo and beans
Definitely not going back.

This diner is very consistent. They serve a variety of breakfast fare and lunch sandwiches/​burgers with a southwest twist (smother your eggs or burgers in red or green chiles etc). Their prices are reasonable ($ 6 for basic black bean burger, $ 1.50 to add chiles and cheese). Their specials are also very inventive and range from the Duckin’ Donut (duck confit served on a orange glazed donut) to cherry topped pancakes to firey grits.
Alcoholic beverages include the beer-​mosa ($ 4.50) and paloma (tequila, agave, grapefruit) $ 7.
It gets crowded on Fridays.
Try to come early because they close at 2.

Every bite was spot on! Biscuits and gravy were deliciously peppery and creamy. The Grande plate with chorizo was tasty and filling. The cornmeal buttermilk pancakes were fabulous with maple syrup. A salty/​sweet
pecan scone came home with us. And don’t leave till you tried their bacon; its to die for! Service was friendly and fast, décor is charming and prices reasonable for the high quality ingredients. We sat at the counter; every dish that passed looked mouth watering! We got there at 12:30 on a Friday afternoon and were seated immediately. Stop in and give your tastebuds a treat! Woo-​hoo! We’ll be back!!!

First time in and the place was packed! Weather was a little chilly, but they have an old school bus you can hang out in where they sell Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas, and offer free coffee.
Once we sat the place was busy busy! The waiter accommodated us the best he could. I ordered an omelet with meat and avocado with a side of toast.
They forgot the avocado which was no biggie, since the omelet was still delicious anyways. Took a long time to pay. Otherwise, will definitely be back… But suggest going early to beat the crowd.

Get there early! They opened at 8 on Sunday morning. We got there at 8:10 and snagged the last table. People lined up quickly and for good reason.
Everything is made fresh to order. A large menu full of breakfast classics with a modern twist.
Hope to be back soon and often.

Good, but not quite worth the wait (about an hour) I took my mother, grandmother, and wife out for brunch and we ordered an array of items, including the black bean burger bites which were in my opinion, the highlight of the meal. I had pancakes and an omelette with arugula and goat cheese, but the proportion of goat cheese to egg seemed to be way off and the cheese overpowered the whole omelette. The cornmeal pancakes were pretty unique and actually good. They were very filling.
I will say that the waiter was very patient with my 77 year old grandmother and I appreciated that very much, my mother noticed as well. The black bean burger bites were a special, but if I were to find that they were serving them again I would probably revisit.

Will you wait for an hour on the weekends? Yes, it’s true. But the people waiting around you are usually pleasant because they know what’s about to go into their bellies. If you don’t want to wait, get there before 9AM.
I had to update. I hadn’t eaten here in a couple years but I’m happy to say that the quality is still amazing. I had the Carne Adovada, a red chile braised pork shoulder that’s served with eggs, tortillas, and home fries. Wow. The pork was tender and indulgent due to the huge amount they serve you. The home fries were the best I’ve ever tasted. Perfectly crispy and greasy on the outside with a pillowy potato-​y interior. Match it with some of their guac and you’ll be in heaven.
Ian our server was excellent.

This diner was excellent! I highly recommend it… what really impressed me the most was the loyalty card they gave me with my check. I have never seen an actual restaurant do any kind of punch card for your meals, only like smoothie and coffee places. I think that was a great way to end a great meal.
I came here for breakfast on a Friday morning and it was pretty busy. all tables were full and we were able to get a table within 5 minutes. I had a hard time choosing what to get because everything sounded great. Obviously I’ll have to come back and try other things. but I went with the breakfast sandwich which was absolutely amazing. Great decision on my part! I honestly haven’t had a breakfast sandwich so tasty before! It’s only Saturday and I’m thinking about going back tomorrow, Sunday…

We have been twice. Once we sat at the counter and once at a table. Both times, our experience was excellent. They have brought a little piece of the southwest to St Louis, MO. How cool is that?!
On the first visit, I tried to order everything because I spent time in NM and this was perfect for me. Calabacitas, Posole. Green Chili. I could go on. We had cheese grits too! Everything that arrived was hot, fresh and amazing.
On the second visit, I had seen the Turkey Cornmeal Pancake on FB and knew that I had to go GET THAT. It was great! Corn cakes with Turkey drizzled with Cranberry syrup. It was Umami.
Bought two mugs to remind me of Southwest Diner when I am here in the Chicagoland suburbs. I gave one to my sister in law as a gift.
Happy Holidays 2015

Wow oh wow! A diner that is inexpensive, delicious and unique… can I have this every day please.
Not only does this place get crowded, because who wouldn’t want to try this place, but the line goes quickly. And the best part is they have a bus located next to the diner that you can order drinks including bloody Mary’s and mimosas or coffee while you wait. We waited in the bus before our table was ready. It’s air conditioned so we got out of the heat, socialized with some amazing people and had a few drinks!
Once we got our seats, I had the struggle that I always have when I eat there. My brain thinks bigger then my stomach and everything is so delicious I can’t decide what to eat!
I usually go with the huevos rancheros, but anything you try I can guarantee you will enjoy! Sometimes I go with just the typical eggs, sausage and bacon breakfast and regardless I never have left disappointed.
So thankful for a southwest diner in St. Louis. I know more and more people are going to start trying this place out and they should, it’s delicious. Plus I’m willing to wait… I’ll be there… on the back of the bus!

Congrats SWD, this is your 257^th review and it too is 5 stars! Thanks to Unilocal’rs for pointing this place out.
What’s not to like? Loud, noisy, great food, and a full bar… for breakfast! You get me!
Shame on me for thinking Southwest was just a name for the street you’re on. No Sir! Knowing you’re always busy, I’ll gladly wait in the bus patiently with my bloody mary or mimosa.
SWD, prepare yourself for a long term relationship with me.

Yikes is this place busy on a Sunday. The hours are short they close at 2pm on Sunday. I don’t know how they serve everyone without making people angry when they are in line and close. Just a random thought.
I ordered their breakfast burrito and with all the options it went from $ 6.00 to $ 9.50. Because I wanted bacon, and served enchilada style. Still a good value just not great.
My burrito was huge and very tasty. Had a mild (to me) amount of heat to it from the sauce.
I am not a big line person so the chances of me coming back would be rather slim. But the food is outstanding so if you don’t mind lines please don’t hesitate to come.
Seating was interesting as we had 5 people and a 7 month old baby. We were seated with another couple at the same table. Boy I bet we made them happy with the 7 month old. LOL!

I almost don’t want to tell people about this place. Don’t go. Leave it for me. Find your own breakfast place.
Not a big place by any means, but they hustle to move people in and out. They won’t throw you out of your table, but watch the line, be respectful and give up the table if you have been there long past your meal.
The food. God I love it. Since this review is based on multiple dining experiences I will give some recommendations. Order the specials. Quick before they run out and they WILL run out. As soon as 10:00 on a Saturday. Get the spicy breakfast sausage with anything you order. Biscuits and gravy and the slingers are wonderful. I take my biscuits and gravy very seriously and you can count on the dish at Southwest Diner. I’m not a pancake person, but I order them here because they make them with cornmeal which creates a perfect texture. Carne Avodada has some kick to it if you want something with a little heat. Breakfast potatoes with everything and always in massive portions. Expect a food coma. Embrace it.
Expect to wait in line, but stop bitching about it because it is worth it. Not sure if they will keep it going, but this winter they had a decked out school bus in the alley where you could drink coffee and stay warm in while you waited.
Street parking is all over the place, but depending on the line you might have to hoof it back after parking.

Best in Class! I try to do my reviews while thinking of the type of place I’m at, whether it’s a swanky white tablecloth French place or a BBQ place with picnic tables and lawn chairs for seating. Both could be 5 star places. This is true of Southwest Diner. This place is hands down the best diner in STL. From the insane slinger to the amazing housemade breakfast sausage, they really nail it.
This morning we arrived mid morning on a Friday and had a short wait in the school bus We were quickly seated and had a breakfast burrito and an omelette with arugula, bacon, and goat cheese. And a side of the sausage.
I will say that during past visits we have had items with chili and also chile sauce– both of which packed some heat. If you are not a fan of scoville units you may want to steer clear of the items with sauces or perhaps get on the side so you can adjust accordingly.
Everything we had this morning was very tasty and came out quick and hot. Our drinks were kept fresh and portions were more than enough– all at a very reasonable price too. Last visit the service was a tad on the leisurely side, but this visit produced much better results.
Set your GPS for this tucked away place between The Hill and Maplewood and prepare to be impressed. And get there right at opening of you come on a weekend!