[CLOSED] The New Ideal Diner Aberdeen MD – You Are My Ideal – CLOSED

May 2013 – I’m sad to say that by all reports the New Ideal Diner is CLOSED for the foreseeable future. Back in 2011 they said they were closing for repairs, and as of now they’re still not open. Boo! Just a reminder people, none of these places last forever, so get there when you can. 🙁

I think the New Ideal Diner in Aberdeen MD is one of my ideal diners. OK so I could do without the hanging plants – but the vintage look of this stainless steel diner, the friendly waitress, one of my fave crab cake sandwiches, and getting to sit thisclose to the original owner, made for one memorable visit!

Established in 1931 The New Ideal diner that we see today is actually the fourth diner to set on this location, and was moved here in 1952.

A large double doored O’Mahony stainless steel diner with green “flex glas” stripes running through it, the interior of the diner is a well preserved study in green as well, with original terazzo floors, booths and swiveling counter stools. I sat at the counter.

Barely hungry, I threw myself a curve ball and ordered a crabcake sandwich, something I rarely do. They are one of Retro Roadhusband’s faves, and while I think they’re OK, they never really do it for me. But the New Ideal touted theirs on both the outside sign and the menu so I said what the heck. SO GLAD I DID!

This was one of the best crab cake sandwiches I’ve ever had! Now I know there’s probably more cake than crab in it for you purists, but I loved the fact that they seemed to mix in that Eastern Shore staple, Old Bay, right into the cake. Fried up nice and crisp, delish. I also dug how the lettuce was shredded just so, the bun was toasted (always a nice touch) and the pickles totally reminded me of the ones I loved to get at hot lunch at Broadmeadow Elementary.

To cap off a perfectly wonderful visit, I also overheard some local folks exchanging pleasant greetings with the older gentleman beside me.

“Do you remember him?” said the older of the two, pointing to the man next to him:

“Last time he was in here he was in (insert name of mother /wife here, who was obviously a waitress here many years ago)’s belly!” And they all shook hands and had a good laugh.

The new owner, who rung me up, was kind enough to inform me that that older gent- well into his 90’s was the Original owner of the New Ideal and came in regularly.

Later that evening I mentioned my visit to the diner to one of my Maryland gal pals, who exclaimed with delight, saying she used to go there after ballet class as a child, because her dad – an award winning bowler – would visit the bowling alley behind the diner on Saturdays. You just can’t beat stories like this.

Barely 2 miles off 95, you should really make a stop at the New Ideal Diner!