Classic American Diner-Style Coleslaw

A Classic American Diner-Style Side Dish Copycat Recipe

Although this Recipe does not come from a specific restaurant, it is a Traditional Diner Favorite and will be instantly familiar to you from dishes you have enjoyed at Diners along the Highways of America.

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On the Side, But Never Forgotten: Diner Sides That Made the Meal

For all the talk of meatloaf and pie, the heart of a true diner plate often rested in the side dish—those small scoops of comfort nestled next to the star of the show. From the 1940s through the 1970s, American diners were the kingdom of the “meat and two,” and the sides were anything but afterthoughts.

There was the familiar trio—mashed potatoes with brown gravy, buttered corn, and green beans cooked with bacon. But venture farther down the menu and you’d find fried okra, three-bean salad, sweet-and-sour slaw, creamed spinach, or even a cold scoop of macaroni salad, beets and onions, or stewed tomatoes with bread cubes.

Every region had its favorites. Along the Dixie Highway, you were likely to see mustard potato salad, corn pudding, and fried green tomatoes. In the Northeast, diners served Creamy Coleslaw, cottage cheese with a peach half, or a ladle of navy beans and ham.

Places like the Blue & White Restaurant in Mississippi or The Crystal Diner in New Jersey built entire reputations on hot plates with memorable sides, served in warm bowls, ramekins, or paper-lined baskets.

These sides did more than fill a plate. They told stories—of thrifty cooks, regional flavors, and generations of regulars who swore by the slaw or came in just for the mashed potatoes.

Today, you can bring them home one bowl at a time. Make a batch of vinegary cabbage slaw, butter and syrup grits, or rice pudding for dessert. Serve them next to something hot—or let them stand alone. Because when it comes to diner food, the sides have always been the soul of the meal.

Slaw, Simplicity and Louisville’s Blue Boar Cafeteria

You can judge a diner not just by its coffee or pies—but by its Coleslaw. A good coleslaw is crunchy, creamy, slightly tangy and never watery. It’s the sidekick to Fried Chicken, BBQ Sandwiches and Open-Faced Roast Beef Plates. It cleanses the palate and balances the meal. And at any self-respecting American diner, it arrives in a chilled ramekin with all the pride of a main course.

Coleslaw’s roots go back to Dutch settlers who brought “koolsla” (cabbage salad) to the American colonies. Over time, mayonnaise replaced vinegar as the dressing of choice in the South and Midwest and diners gave it a permanent spot beside every hot lunch special.

In Louisville, Kentucky, that meant a trip to the famous Blue Boar Cafeteria, once a grand fixture on Fourth Street. While not technically a diner, it served the same faithful clientele and offered the same kind of homey food. Known for its gleaming glass counters, uniformed staff and towering trays of comfort fare, the Blue Boar was a downtown institution from the 1930s until the early 2000s.

Their coleslaw was as dependable as sunrise—cool, crisp and just the right amount of sweet. It was served with everything from hot ham sandwiches to fried fish Fridays. The Blue Boar may be gone, but to Louisvillians of a certain age, that first bite of creamy slaw can still bring back the hum of cafeteria trays and the murmur of a lunch crowd in a long-lost dining room.

Applebee’s Onion Rings

Applebee’s Onion Rings are a classic appetizer featuring thick-cut onions coated in a seasoned batter, deep-fried until crispy and golden, and served with a zesty dipping sauce.

Make our Applebee’s Onion Rings Recipe at home. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Onion Rings will taste just like Applebee’s.

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Texas Roadhouse Baked Beans

Texas Roadhouse’s baked beans are a savory side dish featuring tender beans slow-cooked with a smoky, slightly sweet sauce that complements their signature barbecue flavors.

Make our Texas Roadhouse Baked Beans Recipe at home and your Baked Beans will taste just like Texas Roadhouse.

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Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples are a beloved side dish featuring tender apple slices cooked in a sweet, buttery cinnamon sauce, often served as a complement to the restaurant’s hearty Southern meals.

Make our Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe at home tonight for your family. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Fried Apples will taste just like Cracker Barrel’s.

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Longhorn Steakhouse Fried Green Tomatoes

Longhorn Steakhouse Fried Green Tomatoes are a crisp and savory appetizer featuring slices of green tomatoes battered and fried until golden, served with a creamy dipping sauce for added flavor.

Make this Straight-From-the-Restaurant Longhorn Steakhouse Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe at home and your Fried Green Tomatoes will taste just like Longhorn Steakhouse.

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