Best Diner Atmosphere

Kansas City just isn't a diner town -- and if you think it is, you have spent very little time in New York or Chicago. The usual assortment of midtown diners might be half-decent, unhazardous greasy spoons at 2 a.m., but you'll be in the company of people who are there only to deal with the fact that they've drunk themselves into a state of complete idiocy. A diner should really be more than that. At Chubby's on Independence Avenue, the waitresses will remember you from one day to the next. They'll tell their relatives and friends sitting at the booth by the door to hop up and move when paying customers come in. They will yell across the diner to the cook that the couple who just ordered eggs is confused. "He likes it hard, and she likes it soft," one server will holler. "They can't get it together." You're taking your sweet time on your coffee? Chubby's waitresses care about matters of integrity, and they will reprimand you for the half-assed job. "You're just sipping," they'll taunt. The portions are big, the toast comes on rye and the jukebox plays "In the Ghetto."