WHAT? An all-American dining experience that goes far beyond soggy fries and gloopy milkshakes.

WHY GO? Because *everyone* fancies a really great burger now and again – and this place has ’em in spades. And the thickest, tastiest milkshakes we’ve tried in a long while.

The Diner is set up exactly as you’d hope, given the name. Chatty, tattooed waiters (ours was *actually* American, and lovely, might we add) offer fervent recommendations, clearly as appreciative of proper fast food as we are. Think neon signage, wipe-clean tables and crunchy, golden, brilliantly beige stuff served up in baskets – a great place to treat yourself on a Friday after a long week of salads and spin classes.

We tried twice-cooked ‘best end’ St. Louis ribs, fries & slaw (the glaze was, ahem, amaze) and a grilled chicken breast burger – we split them between us to get a good taste of everything and highly recommend you do the same. Somehow, room was found for dessert – a giant, shareable chocolate milkshake with a good dollop of real peanut butter.

When we return in future, we’ll be focusing on the ‘hard’ shakes  and teas – boozy concoctions combining the likes of Kraken rum, banana ice cream, maple syrup & malt, or East London Liquor Co. rum, lime, mint & super berry tea (a Teajito!). Leave your diet (and sobriety) at the door.

WHERE? Bang in the middle of Shoreditch, the branch we visited couldn’t be better placed for a cheeky night out in one of East London’s trendiest areas (if you’re happy to share it with bus-loads of Essex natives pouring onto the streets, in search of The Blues Kitchen and Floripa). Other London venues include Shepherd’s Bush, Chalk Farm, Soho, The Strand, Spitalfields, Islington, Covent Garden, Dalston and Gloucester Road. Phew!

HOW MUCH? You can get a super decent burger and large portion of fries here for a tenner – the Original burger is £6.50 and crinkle cut fries are £3.50. Our ‘Frito Pie’ starter was only £3.50 and lots of fun – American crisps (or ‘chips’) served with a little chilli, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and coriander still in the packet. Thirteen varieties of burger are all under £10, and the ‘Blue Plates’ are slightly more expensive owing to the ingredients. Baby back ribs are £12, and buttermilk fried chicken with fries is £11.50. Salads are around £10, and desserts hover around the £6 mark. Fast service, tasty food, loads of fun.

WEBSITE: Goodlifediner.com

ADDRESS: 128-130 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3AQ / 02077294452