You just can’t believe everything you read online.

I know that may be a shocker to  those who have found themselves occasionally saying, “It has to be true. I read it on the Internet!”

The various “greasy spoon” designations offered by the many online dictionaries are great examples of where the Internet can fail us. Almost all of them have “greasy spoon” definitions that basically say, “A cheap and rather unsanitary restaurant.”

Who writes these definitions? People who have never left major metropolitan areas? Drink wine with their pinky fingers fully extended? Frequently find themselves craving “food” from brightly colored chain restaurants?

I was born and raised in Kansas, educated in Texas, and have spent the last 20 years loving Arizona. All of these states offer a variety of what are lovingly known as greasy spoons. To me, a great “greasy spoon” is like the one Mary and I frequented for breakfast on our recent Oregon coast exploration. The restaurant is located south of Bandon in Langlois and it is, appropriately, named the Greasy Spoon Cafe. All of the photos on this individual post are from this charming restaurant.

I was going to try and write my own definition of “greasy spoon.” I found, however, that it wasn’t necessary. Online reviews of the Langlois Greasy Spoon best tell the story of why this cafe, and similar restaurants, are ineradicably etched on the hearts (and stomachs!) of so many. A few Yelp reviews are offered below.

My husband and I ate at The Greasy Spoon after reading about it in a USA Two-lane Highway Tour Book. The sausage gravy and biscuits was homemade fresh to order and it was amazing. As well, the pancakes melt in your mouth and  our over medium eggs were cooked to perfection; thick tasty bacon was to die for. We totally enjoyed our server and we even got a chance to chat with the owner/cook. Truly good folks and great home cooking! – Jesse W. from Chino Hills, CA

I was passing by at lunch time on a summer road trip. The Greasy Spoon was perfect road trip fair. I had the ham melt with fries. Thick slab of ham with gooey American cheese on perfectly grilled sourdough bread and the fries were good. My traveling companion had the tuna melt and these tater tot jalapeño poppers that I kept stealing off the plate. She is a self proclaimed tuna melt fanatic and she proclaimed it a great example of the golden sandwich. – Susan M from San Fernando, CA

From Greasy Spoon Cafe’s Gardens

I’ve driven by the Greasy Spoon Cafe for years, but never when it was open. Today I got lucky; the open sign was hanging in the window…I ordered a cheeseburger and fries, and it was better than I expected. (Hmm, I’m not even sure what I was expecting.) A warm, soft bun with a thin but large enough patty topped with two slices of cheese, fresh onion, tomato, and crispy lettuce.  After the couple at the next table raved about their milkshake I wished I would have ordered one, but I’ll be driving past here soon enough to try one, and maybe some pie too…I give it 5 stars, but don’t confuse the rating with some yuppie San Francisco burger bistro. The name of the place says it all. And for $6.50 including a soft drink what do you want? The best part is the sign on the menu board that reads, “This isn’t Burger King. You don’t get it your way. You take it my way or you don’t get the son of a bitch.”   Ha!  Inexpensive food and a priceless sign. A winning combo for this Greasy spoon. – R.W. from Humboldt, CA

I’m thankful so many personable online reviews are offered. I feel like such descriptive stories help better define what constitutes a “Greasy Spoon.” The reviews for the Oregon Greasy Spoon Cafe also help prove that much of what we read online can–in fact–be extremely reliable. This was a great stop!