Reviewed by Katelyn Hemmeke ETA’12-14
City: Daegu (대구)
Restaurant name: The Lazy Diner
Restaurant address: 대구광역시 중구 봉산동 23-3
Website: http://www.lazydiner.co.kr/
Directions: From Banwoldang Station, take exit 10. Take the first left after passing the crosswalk, then the next right. You should see the restaurant on your left, next to the Angelinus coffee shop.
Food Served: American
Payment: Cash or credit card
Price: Most entrees under 10,000 won
If you are craving good American food but don’t want to spend a ton of money, The Lazy Diner in downtown Daegu is a great option.
The menu is not huge, but it has a decent variety considering its size. It does include a few dishes that are difficult to find in Korea, namely macaroni and cheese (a side dish, not an entree). They have an all-day brunch menu and a small selection of salads (with American dressings) and pasta dishes for those wanting something other than a burger or sandwich.
However, the sandwich menu seems to be the restaurant’s strongest point. There are several different kinds of burgers to choose from, all of which include generous amounts of toppings. They use a variety of cheeses, fresh vegetables, and items like barbecue sauce and chili that are rare in Korea. A chicken club sandwich and a BLT serve as non-burger options.
Perhaps the best part is the price point. All sandwiches come with French fries, yet all of them cost less than 10,000 won. Most of the burgers are about 7,500 won, with the non-burger options being slightly pricier.
Despite the low cost, the food quality is very good. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, which was one of the best burgers I’ve had in Korea. The beef patty was large and juicy, the bacon was thick and well-cooked, and the cheese was perfectly melted. The fries were hot, crispy, and well-seasoned, though the portion was not particularly generous. My request for no tomato was forgotten, but my friend’s request for no cheese was met. Another friend ordered the club sandwich, which came double-stacked on wheat bread and looked delicious. I also tried the macaroni and cheese, which cost just under 4,000 won for a side dish. It was nothing spectacular, but it was pretty good, seemed to be homemade (i.e., not out of a box), and satisfied my craving for mac and cheese.
Atmosphere (Out of 5)
3.5- The interior is well-kept with many American touches, such as random memorabilia and a display with American food brands. The lighting is dim and space is pretty limited. The restaurant doubles as a bar, so expect a more bar-like atmosphere if you have a late dinner, especially on weekends.
Service (Out of 5)
3.5- I found the staff to be neither super-friendly nor noticeably rude. One staff member (the owner?) allowed us to put two tables together to accommodate our large group, if somewhat reluctantly. Overall the wait for our food wasn’t long, but there were a lot of mix-ups in our order and a few people were left waiting.
Food (Out of 5)
4- One of the best burgers I’ve had in Korea, and certainly the cheapest for a burger of this quality. Bonus: they serve ice water with lots of ice! How often do you see that in Korea?