greasy spoon

noun

Slang.

1. a cheap and rather unsanitary restaurant.

greasy spoon

noun

1. slang,  a small, cheap, and often unsanitary restaurant, usually specializing in fried foods

Word History and Origins

Origin of greasy spoon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

He told the man he was looking for a job and the man, who worked for a loan company, told him he should buy the little greasy spoon.

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She maintains an eclectic list of favorite L.A. eateries, from greasy spoons to elevated Italian and American spots.

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In a greasy spoon just off the New Jersey Turnpike, two men sit down for coffee.

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Casual diners ordered meatloaf and burgers at the local greasy spoon.

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The greasy spoon’s sandwiches are unexpectedly delicious, but as a workplace, it’s not healthy; in fact its toxicity is operatic in scope.

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