Everything old is new again. New to New York in 2005, Big Daddy's reaches way back to the nostalgia of the 1980s, when the Incredible Hulk was a TV show and Harrison Ford was Indiana Jones. Glance at the dozens of other pop-culture icons that together form the mural overtaking the main wall, and let the reminiscing begin. Once settled into one of the brightly colored red or blue booths, the menu is a whole other distraction. Encompassing the typical diner fare of large salads, sandwiches and burgers, the menu verges on the ridiculous with names like Adam and Eve on a Raft for a sunny-side-up egg breakfast or Mr. French Toast (Challah for More!). If the high cheese factor is your kinda thing, make sure to pick up a Big Daddy's t-shirt or trucker hat on your way out.

Blue-plate specials are the best way to go: You'll fill yourself elbow-deep in heaps of crisp fries, fat grilled sandwiches and pancakes so big they hang over the side of the plate (breakfast is available anytime.) Plus, Big Daddy serves some of the best fried chicken in the five boroughs. It's all delicious stuff, but-depending on how hungry you are-it may not be worth the wait. Still, we had no problem getting a drink: Big Daddy's has a full bar.