Time ran away from me this month and I had intended to make a special dish for the 4th of July (Independence Day in America) so I thought that the next best thing would be to eat American food. I have an obsession with American things, particularly American retro – my Twin Peak’s Cherry Pie is a prime example of this. I blame it in a steady diet of American TV growing up which continues to this day. So when I read in Grazia and on Simon’s site that the Big Rig Diner was an American style diner in true American fashion, it jumped to the top of my list. Part of the Ruby Rabbit venture, Mr NQN and I tried to book for a Sunday afternoon via the mobile number only to find out that they’re only open at night for this month. So after traipsing through the city and Surry Hills one evening, my magical friend The Second Wife and I are peckish having devoured not very much except finger food in the last few hours. We find ourselves at the door of the Big Rig Diner.
The Big Rig kitchen
Booth seating
They weren’t kidding – it’s a diner alright. There’s booth or bar style seating only and a jukebox playing Elvis. As it only opened officially the day before and we are on Oxford Street, the pans aren’t yet covered in a coat of grease and there isn’t someone called Irma tending to the tables. The staff are all young and good looking but oh so friendly. We’re shown our menus which is a single photocopied page. The food ranges from their famous homemade chili, fajitas, pies as well as of course burgers and hot dogs. Prices are very reasonable ranging from $9.50 to $19.50 particularly given that they’re American sized servings too. And it needs to be said – they play some fabulous music here too (think Jump by Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie and Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit).
The Menu
Our waiter who has The Second Wife and I giggling like schoolgirls takes out order. He recommends the Fajitas, the Hot Dog and a serve of fries and we’re happy with that order and of course what else should we wash this down with but a Coke if we’re going for the true American experience. Drinks are $5.50 each.
Chili chips $5.50
The fries come out first and it’s a huge bowl of super crispy chips seasoned with a chili spice with a ladle of hot, rich beef chili poured on top. We liked the idea of these as we were drawn to the their “Famous Homemade Chili” and wanted to try that so ordering these meant that we could. It’s crispy and drippingly good with the lightly spiced chili (although there’s Tabasco on the table if you want extra heat) and I think back to my husband and how much he’d love this.
Big Rig Hot Dog $9.50
Our Big Rig Hot Dog is rather big and sits in a lightly toasted sesame seed bun. We opted for the Big Rig version rather than the classic and ours is filled with a pork and fennel sausage, caramelised onion and topped with melted brie and tomato chili jam. The combination is delicious, particularly with the melted brie, sweet onions and juicy, flavoursome sausage although the chili jam doesn’t seem so much a chili jam rather than a sauce but that’s not a bad thing as a super sweet, thick jam would be too sweet against the already sweet onions.
Chicken Fajitas $16‘
Our Fajitas are brought out and the serve is big and could have fed both of us. The sizzlling plate of chicken is char grilled and very tender and moist with a distinct char flavour. It’s accompanied by tomato, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and four flour tortillas. We do our best to finish these but the sizes of the meals have gotten the better of us.
“Have you seen the Butterscotch room?” our waiter asks us which is music to my ears! I’d read that the Butterscotch room is a room out the back that you only see if you’re nice to the grill staff. We eagerly go in, past the autographed Breakfast Club framed picture (staff are taking bets as to how long until it gets stolen) and we enter the Butterscotch room. It’s quite amazing looking in an Alice and Wonderland way. He explains that people can go through to have cocktails here once they’ve eaten in the diner. They can then walk through the phone booth to a Motel Room out the back which can be used for private parties. The phone booth and Motel room aren’t ready yet but they sound like a lot of fun. I should also point out the restroom which is currently being renovated (and doesn’t have a lock) is plastered with pages from a rather interesting “How To” book which makes for entertaining reading.
And if the night wasn’t already sprinkled with a bit of magic, who else walks in but Chris Taylor from the Chaser TV Show! I am a bit stunned and want to tell him about my idea for a Chaser stunt but before I can he leaves.
The only thing missing? Cherry Pie for dessert of course!
So tell me Dear Reader, which song would you choose on a Diner jukebox?
And I’m rather excited to be featured on the Home Page of the Daring Baker’s website. Click here to read more and to meet other Daring Bakers members! And yes you read it right, I’m taking this venture full time thanks to the support and encouragement of my sponsors and husband. So if you know anyone in the food, wine or tourism industry that would love to support Not Quite Nigella please let them know that there are sponsorship or advertising opportunities here! 
Big Rig Diner
231 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9326 0044
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm until late (or as early as 3am or 6am on Fridays and Saturdays!). In August, the Big Rig will be open for lunch as well and in September it will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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47 Comments | Add your own
That diner looks fabulous with just the right amount of kitsch. Congratulations on being able to take this on as a full-time endeavour.
Keep up the good work!!!
A diner in the midst of Sydney! FINALLY! I have only dreamt of eating at one after watching too many American movies/shows, and I think one of the classics is the presence of tabasco sauce and the booth-style seats. And congratulations on being featured on the Daring Kitchen’s website!
LOl – just the name of this place makes me smile. I’ll have a big serve of chilli chips pleaes – it’s cold outside today! How fun to see Chris Taylor – shame he wasn’t working when he was there – that could have been interesting.
ok, now I wanna know your chaser stunt idea?
on a jukebox it would have to be chubbey checkers twist
the chips with chili remind me of another lunchtime meal i used to have at middle school in iowa, fritoes corn chips packet, opened up and then ladled with hot chili. just eat it our of the packet and lick your fingers clean after. perfect for 12 year olds. lol
Full time?! Good on you. We should all be so lucky to be able to do something we love full time! Fingers & toes crossed for you
Thanks for celebrating our 4th of July the American way, diners are a way of life in the norteast. We have BBQ’s on the 4th, like yo have them on Christmas. I live in NY and have been to many famous old diners, deco mostly. In the burb’s it’s a way of life for all young adults to go to diners since they stay open till 4am and you can order breakfast, lunch or dinner at any hour. The drinking age is 21, so it’s a place to hang out late w/o getting into trouble. I once had a greasy burger at 3am and it was a bit unpleasant for days. I have some pictures of Ny diners if you ever want to see them.
The chilli fries look so good! The butterscotch room looks wacky and cool. I wonder what the motel room looks like, it’d be cool to have a party there!
Hey Drinks were incorreclty priced they are $3.5 not $5.5.Thanks.
Hi Phil-We were charged $5.50 for each drink. I have the receipt in front of me.
Lorraine, you have to get the American Diner Cookbook. It’s a fantastic read, so nostalgic and the food is pretty good too. My diner jukebox song would be anything by Meatloaf!
What a great post! The diner is too cute and the chicken fajitas look great! My diner song of choice would have to be AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
haha, I live in America, but I have yet to visit a real diner. Shame on me!
Very interesting Butterscotch room. Not sure I’d want that wall paper up in my place
I love cute places like this! The chili fries look goooood. Omg loved the Breakfast Club. Now I’m curious to know what your idea for a Chaser stunt is!
Wow, going full time!!! Your posts are so frequent and so good I thought it already was full-time! I can’t imagine how much better you can make it but I wait with baited breath and tingling tastebuds!
I saw this place mentioned in Good Living and I am so keen to take my American boyfriend there. Although I know he’s going to complain about Fountain Tomato Sauce on the table – should be Heinz ketchup. Maybe I’ll leave him at home and go myself. Did they have cherry pies or something similar on the dessert menu?
And the Breakfast Club picture? It’ll only last until I get there. I LOVE the Breakfast Club. Judd Nelson … hmmmm, tastier than chilli fries!
I love chili fries!! We used to have a local diner that had awesome chili fries, potato skins & snickers milkshakes. All the best on going full time I know you’ll do great!!
Lucky you, to be able to do something you obviously love full time must be one of life greatest pleasures. Keep up the good work and thankyou doing it. Wish it was me.
Definitely have to check this out! Would love a good hamburger. And the fajitas are making my mouth water. Why oh why do these places have to be in the inner city/eastern suburbs where getting to it and parking are such a pain unless you already live there.
I second the comment about Fountain tomato sauce. Absolutely has to be Heinz and I will bring my own bottle of ketchup if I have to! LOL
the Butterscotch room sounds cool. i’ve have to try and check out next time. that’s for the blog link in your article. much appreciated. that hot dog looks huge!
Hang on, what’s with the waiter giggles???
Am liking the sounds of the Butterscotch Room. And congrats on going full-time!
Congratulations on taking this full time!! You should put a cookbook together of all your recipes on your blog! You would do really well looking at the following you have
You got my hopes so high only to dash them again.
While this place looks great it doesn’t seem to be what I would think of as an American diner – where’s the chicken fried steak with home gravy, fries and onion rings? Or chicken wings? Or nachos or even a blue plate special with meatloaf and mashed potatoes? What’s wrong with a frankfurter in the hotdog? As you mentioned where are the dessert pies? Bangers and Mash? not American fare as far as I know and neither are the savoury pies. In comparison to the great Soda Rock diner or Misty’s diner, both in Melbourne this seems a poor cousin. For now I’ll stick to South or The Counter for my American fix.
Congrats on going fulltime, I am, as always an avid reader
Congratulations on going full-time on something you love doing!
As for the food at the Big Rig…well, the Big Rig sandwich and everything on it certainly caught my attention – oh, and those chili-smothered chips!
Oohh looks like a fun place and if they really serve American-sized portions I must give it a go XD!
I could do with a huge bowl of those chili fries!! mmmm….my weakness right there
Great looking fries — I’ll have to try this joint out — I’m in need of some grease!
I read that you were doing this full-time on the Daring Bakers page, and wondered if it was a new thing. Congratulations! Meanwhile that diner looks fantastic…
It’s cool that you get to assemble your own tortillas! You’ve got me curious too – what’s your Chaser stunt?
you don’t do well in the winter months? another helping of crumble and ice cream should cure that!
i was only chatting about American style diners the other day, in particular the Ed’s Easy Diner that i used to love in Soho. cheese fries and malt shakes – mmmmmmm!
i wish there were a diner near here, complete with an apron-clad Irma. i’d be there with bells on!
Congratulations on being able to do something full time that you love. Wish it were me. But unfortunately I have a 50 hour a week job I need to attend to!
Great diner story. Made me ‘homesick’ for Boston. During 5 years there I went to many diners. The table is just missing the necessary american mustard and I could have been fooled! 
Hey Lorraine,
Congrats on being featured on the DB challenge! ^_^
THis place looks amazing! I love the look and feel of the place! it reminds me of the days of watching “Happy Days” The typical diner scene.
I have a book on American diner food too, the blue plate specials, the pies, the sodas and shakes but especially the coconut or banana cream pies! Having a mispent childhood in front the TV watching Happy Days, the jukebox would have to play Blueberry Hill!
love the look of the booth seat!
and congrats on finding something to do full time which you enjoy. i love your blog!
Congratulations on becoming a full-time blogger. I wish you all the success in the world. You deserve it – super blog.
Oh, honey. Come on down to Texas and I’ll treat you to more Mexican and BBQ than you can stomach.
Song on the jukebox: “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds… after I steal that framed picture!!!!
Have added this place to the “must do” list. Thanks!
Always up for some chili cheese fries, especially on the 4th of July. Fleetwood Mac, saw them in 1976 at Philadelphia Music Hall; boy that brings back memories,and makes me feel a touch old.
i love the look of this diner!!
Cherry Pie on the menu from tonight along with pecan pie and yes the drinks prices have been changed.
Hi sandra-Thankyou so much for your lovely comment and for reading!
Hi Trisha-Yes, finally! Melbourne has had their diners for a while but we’ve been waiting for one! yes the sauces are reassuring although I think they should have been Heinz
Thankyou so much! 
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe it’s very fitting isn’t it! I know! I’d love to be there when Chaser were filming a stunt
Hi Tara-Aww it’s not so funny once I try and explain it. It has to do with people that live in my suburb and 4WD’s
Ahh the twist! So Mad Men too. Ooh sounds like a version of nachos-yum!
Hi Forager-Thankyou so much! I’ll give it a good go!
Hi roxanne-It was my pleasure- really!
Ahh really, so that’s where people end up after going out?I’d love to see the pictures! :O 
Hi Betty-They were so big and tasty! Yes I’d love to see it-sounds intriguing!
Hi Phil-We were charged $5.50 for each drink. I have the receipt in front of me.
Hi Sue-Oooh looked it up on Amazon and it sounds fantastic!
Oooh I love Meatloaf too! I want “Bat out of Hell” played at my funeral. Weird?
Hi Faith-Thankyou! Oh yes another great song, great choice!
Hi Sophia -Oh no really? But you’re in diner land?
Hi Anita-Hehe yes my friend Second Wife has concerns about soft furnishing everywhere too!
Hi Steph-Oh cool.Aww I shouldn’t have said it because I don’t think it’s that funny anymore
Actually prob was a good thing he wasn’t there!
Hi SydneyGal-Yep! I’ll give it a try!
Aww thankyou so much! Yes you’re right about the Heinz ketchup, that’s what I thought too! I wonder what he would think of it? Haha I don’t know how he shapes up now though! 
Hi Shanks-Oooh I like potato skins too and Snickers milkshakes? I want to be there!
Thankyou so much! 
Hi leslee-Thanks so much! Yes if I can make a living out of it that would be wonderful. Thanks so much for your kind words!
Hi Shants-Yes I wonder what their burgers are like! I know, that is one downside, the damn parking! Yep I think if you bring some Heinz the point will be made well
Hi Simon-Yes would love to see it in full swing! No problems!
Hi Tina-He was just cute and a great waiter!
Thankyou so much!
Hi Einna-Thankyou so much! That would be great! Aww thankyou so much
Hi Heather-Ahh well it’s not Southern but I thought that diners weren’t just a Southern thing? Yes the missing pies and the bangers and mash are an odd choice for a diner. Maybe it’s an American Diner via Australia
Thankyou so much and thanks for reading! 
Hi Midge-Thankyou so much! Oh yes a Big Rig Sandwich sounds lovely and I could go for some more chips right now!
Hi FFichiban-Ah yes there’s no doubt that servings are big!
Hi Alexandra-Mmm yes they were great and the fries were so crunchy!
Hi Syrie-Hehe cool! Let me know what you think of it!
Hi KT -It’s newish!
Thankyou so much! 
Hi Arwen-Yes I like self assembly of food! Oh it wasn’t that funny now that i’ve told others
Hi the projectivist-NO I don’t but yes that does help in that regard!
Cheese fries? Hmm I haven’t tried those! Yes a real waitress for life called Irma!
Hi Julia-Thankyou so much!
Oh no, uyes it’s a hard decision. Ahh American mustard, true!
Hi Leona-Thankyou so much!
Yes it’s so yesteryear in look and I love retro!
Hi Moya -Oh sounds like a great book. I’ve alkways been interested in the concept of the Blue Plate special! Ahh yes that song is so Happy Days!
Hi Panda-Yes I have a love of booths
Thankyou so much and thanks for reading! 
Hi Reality Raver-Thankyou so much! That’s so lovely of you to say!
Hi Blond Duck-Yes yes yes!
Hi Jane Doe-I love music from those JOh Hughes movies. I loved Psychadlic Furs’ Pretty In Pink
Cool! PLMK what u think of it!
Hi Kim-Yes what timing! I love Stevie Nicks and FM too
That’s not old!
Hi Mei-It’s cute isn’t it!
Hi phil-Good to hear on all points. $3.50 is a better price for drinks and there aren’t a lot of places that do a good pie!
Hi Lorraine,
I may have to persuade some friends to accompany me one day 
I like the look of the chili chips! 
Either that or Sweet Child Of Mine by Guns N Roses… both great songs to sing at the top of your lungs! 
First of all, congrats on going full time with NQN!!
Secondly, this place sounds fun! Too bad I work by myself in ‘my’ shop on Oxford Street, otherwise I’d be walking there for some food during my lunch break!
Now…for my jukebox song…it’s gotta be Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer! I LOVE that song!
Hi Liv-Thankyou so much! Oh you work on Oxford Street? How convenient! Yes grab some friends and hopefully the butterscotch room will be finished
I love Guns and Roses and Sweet Child of Mine is my favourite song of theirs (yes so singable) as well as November Rain but that’s more moody
But the best meal to have at a diner is breakfast….sigh
I went there on Friday night, which was quite buzzy. The music is perfect, not too trashy and not too loud. We were placed in “the pit” as all the booths were full (not as nice but beats waiting). The team lost our order but the atmosphere was so nice I did not care. They only had one brand of beer, Parma Luaca, I’d never heard about it either but it is nice and at $7.50 not a rip-off. Nice grill char on the burgers. The juke box is for show only as it was in the pit next to me.
Hi alwaysmissingdiners-Yes hopefully they’ll be open for breakfast soon!
Hi Michael-Good to hear and it sounds very busy! I loved the music too
Did you tell them staff you were reviewing the Diner? Of course they’re going to be nice and attandant and make sure everything goes well. Give it a few weeks and then try again. Have you seen the lacklustre reviews on eatability.com.au ? my experience was the opposite of yours!
Moonboots-You sound like you’re quite unfamiliar with the concept of blogging. We rarely let people know that we’re reviewing a place. We sit and aet and pay like a regular customer most of the time so I wasn’t getting any special treatment unlike what you’ve assumed. And you know what they say about assuming…
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