The Blue Door Diner
The Blue Door Diner.
It is in the middle of a campground at the beach in Thurso . There is no parking lot. People just park on the grass.
It is owned by a woman who grew up in Texas. And there is a variety of Texas/American themed items on the walls. It is filled with families - both campers and non. And there is a group of Dounreay employees who meet there pretty much every Friday night and have done so for many years (at least 4). They are mix of American, English and Scottish. Sometimes there are lots who show up. Sometimes the numbers are smaller. People leave and new people (like us) join them. Sometimes there are wives. But the two times I have gone, I was the only wife in attendance.
The super funny thing about this little place is the fact that you can bring your own alcohol. I know. Go ahead and read that again. And not only CAN bring your own alcohol, but if you want to consume any alcohol, you MUST bring your own. I KNOW! Where have you ever heard of THAT in the states? NOWHERE, right? So, everyone!! - not just the Dounreay employees - brings their 1 or more beers, a bottle or two of wine. You get the idea. And The Blue Door provides the glasses. And they even clean up after you. They just don't SERVE alcohol. Last night, one guy brought his backpack with ice in it to keep his beer cold. Others bring theirs in a plastic grocery sack. Or inside their coat. I don't really know. I'm guessing. I haven't really observed that part. (but I did refrain from taking a picture of the variety and multitude of alcoholic bottles on the tables)
Now, I do not know if the BYOB (bring your own bottle) is WHY this is such a popular place, but I suspect it is only part of the reason. And that is because of 2 things. 1. The food. And 2. The milkshakes.
1. The food. This is what I had.
Some of you will recognize it from a post I put on FB last week. For those of you who did not see it, it is called the Andy Burger. It was named after a man named Andy (an American) who has been coming regularly for the past 4 years and requests this burger. It is a handmade burger with melted Jack cheese, mushrooms and jalapeños. And the surprise for me was FRIED CHEDDAR CHEESE in addition!! Let me just say now that that is the most wonderful thing! Who ever thought to put fried cheese on a burger??? Was it Andy? I do not know! I really should have asked him last night, but it did not occur to me at the time to do so.
2. The milkshakes. I have not indulged in one yet, mostly because by the time one eats this fabulous burger and fries, there simply is no room for a milkshake. I do believe we will have to go back at another time besides dinner time. Last week, I observed milkshakes being delivered to just about every table. This week, our table was right in front of the counter and I watched a young gal do practically nothing besides make milkshakes. And while I failed to get a picture of one as they were being served, trust me when I say they make them look very attractive. There is about 4 inches of whipped cream on top. And the whipped cream is not from a can. Well, not store-made.
So, as I sat there and just watched in awe and admiration, it came to me to look at the menu.
While the milkshake options are extensive, I did not see an espresso shake. A few of you know about my passion for espresso shakes.
So, I went to the counter and talked to this young milkshake diva and asked if she had ever made an espresso shake. She had! Oh joy! But even if she had not, I could tell that she would be open to the idea. Now see, another wonderful thing about Scotland is that there do not seem to be any coffee pots. Every place seems to have their own espresso machine and so they make coffee one cup at a time. Oh yeah. Well, that is not completely true. I have seen someone order coffee and it was served in a little self-server, like a teapot, only with coffee. There was probably 2 servings in that. But you get what I'm saying. Every cup is freshly made! And if you are a true coffee snob, as I am, this is meaningful. So, with the knowledge that they have an actual espresso machine, I know that they can make a really good, authentic espresso shake (not like one of those places that tries to give you coffee flavored syrup instead of actual coffee).
Now, I wonder. If I should start going into The Blue Door once a week and order an espresso shake, and do this for years, would they eventually add MY name to the menu - like they did for Andy?
It is in the middle of a campground at the beach in Thurso . There is no parking lot. People just park on the grass.
And it is a hopping place.
It is owned by a woman who grew up in Texas. And there is a variety of Texas/American themed items on the walls. It is filled with families - both campers and non. And there is a group of Dounreay employees who meet there pretty much every Friday night and have done so for many years (at least 4). They are mix of American, English and Scottish. Sometimes there are lots who show up. Sometimes the numbers are smaller. People leave and new people (like us) join them. Sometimes there are wives. But the two times I have gone, I was the only wife in attendance.
The super funny thing about this little place is the fact that you can bring your own alcohol. I know. Go ahead and read that again. And not only CAN bring your own alcohol, but if you want to consume any alcohol, you MUST bring your own. I KNOW! Where have you ever heard of THAT in the states? NOWHERE, right? So, everyone!! - not just the Dounreay employees - brings their 1 or more beers, a bottle or two of wine. You get the idea. And The Blue Door provides the glasses. And they even clean up after you. They just don't SERVE alcohol. Last night, one guy brought his backpack with ice in it to keep his beer cold. Others bring theirs in a plastic grocery sack. Or inside their coat. I don't really know. I'm guessing. I haven't really observed that part. (but I did refrain from taking a picture of the variety and multitude of alcoholic bottles on the tables)
Now, I do not know if the BYOB (bring your own bottle) is WHY this is such a popular place, but I suspect it is only part of the reason. And that is because of 2 things. 1. The food. And 2. The milkshakes.
1. The food. This is what I had.
2. The milkshakes. I have not indulged in one yet, mostly because by the time one eats this fabulous burger and fries, there simply is no room for a milkshake. I do believe we will have to go back at another time besides dinner time. Last week, I observed milkshakes being delivered to just about every table. This week, our table was right in front of the counter and I watched a young gal do practically nothing besides make milkshakes. And while I failed to get a picture of one as they were being served, trust me when I say they make them look very attractive. There is about 4 inches of whipped cream on top. And the whipped cream is not from a can. Well, not store-made.
So, as I sat there and just watched in awe and admiration, it came to me to look at the menu.
So, I went to the counter and talked to this young milkshake diva and asked if she had ever made an espresso shake. She had! Oh joy! But even if she had not, I could tell that she would be open to the idea. Now see, another wonderful thing about Scotland is that there do not seem to be any coffee pots. Every place seems to have their own espresso machine and so they make coffee one cup at a time. Oh yeah. Well, that is not completely true. I have seen someone order coffee and it was served in a little self-server, like a teapot, only with coffee. There was probably 2 servings in that. But you get what I'm saying. Every cup is freshly made! And if you are a true coffee snob, as I am, this is meaningful. So, with the knowledge that they have an actual espresso machine, I know that they can make a really good, authentic espresso shake (not like one of those places that tries to give you coffee flavored syrup instead of actual coffee).
Now, I wonder. If I should start going into The Blue Door once a week and order an espresso shake, and do this for years, would they eventually add MY name to the menu - like they did for Andy?
Leave it to you two to fund a place run by a Texan! Who would have thought it! It looks like a fun place. That burger looked amazing. I think you should push for the Jodi shake!
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