"As soon as you walk into Metro Diner, you’re greeted by a bright and clean atmosphere. The first thing you notice is the cooking grill area, complete with a counter and stools for customers—this really enhances the nostalgic '50s vibe that the decor exudes. The menu features an impressive selection of food from various cuisines, and the specials displayed on the large chalkboard looked particularly enticing.
We decided to order the fried chicken, which caught our attention. While chatting about the day—my wife had explored the railroad museum and a park in downtown Aiken—our server brought over a massive plate of chicken. My wife opted for the chicken and waffles, which came with strawberry butter and a sweet hot sauce that turned out to be delicious maple syrup mixed with Pete's Red Hot. I chose the fried chicken served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
The green beans were fantastic—crisp, flavorful, and well-cooked, going beyond just being blanched. The mashed potatoes had that perfect homemade touch, with small bits of potato that confirmed they were made with real ingredients, not from a mix.
Now, let’s talk about the chicken. Typically, my wife and I only eat the chicken itself, avoiding most of the skin and breading for health reasons, as I usually prefer just a little of the crispy coating. But Metro Diner has a secret: their fried chicken was so good that we ended up eating nearly all the skin and coating! Honestly, this was the best fried chicken we’ve ever tasted. It was served piping hot, and while we started with small bites to let it cool, we were completely captivated by the sweet and spicy sauce. The setup at the table made it easy to replenish the sauce as needed, and I even took home the recipe, which we've already used a couple of times.
Our service was excellent, and the food was outstanding. Metro Diner truly lives up to its reputation for variety. I can only imagine how delicious breakfast must be there!"
