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greasy spoon
A small restaurant or diner, especially one that serves fried foods. Every time I go on a road trip, I make it a point to stop at a greasy spoon for at least one of my meals.
greasy spoon
Fig. a cheap diner, where the silverware might not be too clean. The corner greasy spoon is always busy at lunchtime.
a greasy spoon
(informal) a small, cheap restaurant which mainly serves fried food of a low quality There's a greasy spoon on the corner of his street where he usually has breakfast.
the greasy pole
(British & Australian) the attempt to improve your position at work His ascent up the greasy pole of academic advancement was remarkably quick.
greasy spoon
A cheap restaurant, especially one serving short-order fried foods. For example, College students short of cash tend to eat a lot in that greasy spoon. This expression also implies that the restaurant is not very clean. [c. 1900]
greasy spoon
n. an untidy and unappetizing diner or restaurant. Let’s eat at the greasy spoon over on Maple. The food is gross, but the people-watching is good.