The idiom "greasy spoon" refers to a small, cheap, and often unclean restaurant or diner that serves simple and unhealthy food. It is usually used to describe a place that is not fancy or upscale, but rather a place where people go to grab a quick and cheap meal.
The term "greasy" refers to the fact that the food served in these places is often fried or cooked in oil, which can make it unhealthy and greasy. The term "spoon" refers to the utensil used to eat the food.
You might use this idiom when you want to describe a restaurant or diner that is not very high-quality or fancy. For example, you might say, "Let's go grab a quick bite at that greasy spoon down the street," or "I don't feel like cooking tonight, let's just order some food from that greasy spoon we like."
• I went to the greasy spoon diner for breakfast.
• My friends and I enjoy grabbing a bite to eat at the local greasy spoon.
• As a food critic, I've tried many high-end restaurants, but sometimes nothing beats a good greasy spoon.
• Despite the trendy new cafes popping up in the city, the greasy spoon diner on Main Street remains a beloved staple for locals.
• Despite the greasy spoon's unappealing appearance, their food is surprisingly delicious.
• The greasy spoon restaurant is always crowded during lunchtime.