THE KIDDIE GOURMET
T
— by Barbara Blackburn
he welcome mat
is always out at
Cindy Lou’s, in
an old train car restaurant,
with a family friendly menu.
The cooking is honest, with
both retro and modern touch-
es.
Cindy Lou’s
Home Cookin’
1061 Harlem Rd.
Cheektowaga, NY
(716) 821-0002
~ SPOONS ~
FOOD 4/5
mixed vegetables, and a cup
of minestrone soup. The
compatible waitress suited
the welcoming ambience as
she served up the food, of
quality and quantity.
I suspected a Greek
influence here, what with
breakfast served anytime,
including a Souvlaki version
($9.49), Texas Hot ($4.19),
and rice pudding ($4.29).
The kids’ lunch menu of-
fers grilled cheese, hot dog,
SERVICE 5/5
small burger, and chicken
fingers, with small drink and
fries, for $4.99. The kids’
FAMILY
Our dessert choice from
FRIENDLY 5/5
breakfast runs from $2.99 to
the visible glass case was
$3.99, offering 1 Egg with
Banana Split Pie ($4.29), a
toast; 1 Egg with bacon or
yummy collection of pine-
sausage; 1 Pancake, 1 egg,
apple, banana, and straw-
1 piece bacon, or sausage;
berries in a graham cracker
Fruity cakes, 2 pancakes
crust. It was held together,
with fruit; and French toast,
I think, by something other
1 slice with fruit, bacon or
than whipped cream. Still,
sausage. While waiting,
I deemed it pleasing to the
there is fun and games to be
palate.
had, with a word find, Tic
The only criticism
Tac Toe, and a maze. Boost-
we had were those flimsy
ers, and high chairs for kids, and tables or
napkins. Being a napkin snob who uses
booths for adults provide seating. Also,
cloth for both the environment and eye
the counter gives the feel of a diner.
appeal, I prefer a more substantial one
The specialty called Frank’s Heli-
that doesn’t accumulate into a trashy pile
copter appealed to me ($8.99) with thick
on the table.
cut bologna, cheese, bacon, fried peppers
However, that being said, we re-
& onions, lettuce tomato & mayo on a
ally enjoyed the happy, balanced flavors.
Costanzo’s roll, served with fries. Those
On another visit I would order Louie’s
were good old-fashioned fries, timed
House Salad ($8.99), fried sausage, ba-
perfectly to render them crisp and not
con, ham, mushrooms and peppers. That
greasy. These were the fries my parents
sounds like a Western New York winner.
made, by blanching and cooking in two
If the regular menu doesn’t suffice,
different temperatures. By the way, this
you can gaze at the board of daily spe-
is the Frank of the hot sauce fame.
cials, of which there were five, including
Dad picked a dinner ($9.89) of Hon-
roast turkey, with the trimmings.
ey Dip fried chicken, reminding him of
So, we would say to get on board the
his Mom’s fried chicken, but a little less
restaurant
train for some favorable fare
salty — that’s good. The kitchen staff has
here at Cindy Lou’s.
mastered the art of deep frying. My Un-
cle Lee, who managed a diner in Glovers-
ville, New York was mentored by a small
French restaurant guide, which elevated
his old-fashioned diner food — just like
that of Cindy Lou’s. With the chicken,
Dad chose mashed potatoes and gravy,
Want to let
over
60,000
Western
New York
Families
know about
your
business?
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Western New York
Family Magazine
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Barbara Blackburn is a veteran restau-
rant reviewer and cookbook author who
lives in Williamsville, NY. Check out her
blog at culinarratons.wordpress.com
January 2019 WNY Family 55