After more than two years in the making, Diller is now open on the Lower East Side. Situated on Grand Street next door to The Pickle Guys (who also own Diller), the restaurant is certified kosher and is vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options.
The signature menu item is obviously the fried sour pickles ($7.95), which are thick-cut, crispy, and are served with a choice of one of nine different dipping sauces. These include the signature fresh dill-and-yogurt Diller sauce, the kicky Comeback sauce, the tangy Turmeric Honey Mustard, and the super-hot Death sauce.
I also tried the Beyond Burger which I really enjoyed. If you’re only going to try two items off of the Diller menu, I highly suggest you get this burger, along with the fried pickles. For those not familiar with the Beyond Burger, it’s the world’s first plant-based burger that looks and tastes like meat. It’s free of GMO’s, soy and gluten, and one patty packs 20 grams of protein. Diller’s fat and juicy burger is topped with melted cheese, chipotle aioli and lots of pickles on a Martin’s dairy potato roll. This burger was so satisfying and tasty, it’s hard to believe it’s not meat!
The fries ($4.50) served with the burger may look like regular fries, but they’re definitely not! Diller brines the potatoes overnight in a special salt and vinegar brine. Then the fries are seasoned with dill and garlic, and double-fried to perfection. They also offer a combo deal with burger, fries and a drink for $16.
Other menu items include Pickled Rice Balls ($6.95), filled with cheese, pickled okra and ‘pastrami’ spices; a Reuben Egg Roll ($3.50) which substitutes meat for lentils, gumbo spiced rice and other pickled vegetables including okra and sweet peppers.
For something to wet your whistle, there’s the housemade Pickled Pineapple Lemonade and the Watermelon Lemonade ($4.50). I tried the pineapple one, and it was a perfect mix of tart, fruity and sweet, with a brine made with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, salt water, sugar & vinegar. I’d definitely get this again! If you’re in the mood for something with alcohol, there’s the Pickle Monster ($8), made with sour pickle juice and cucumber juice. They also sell Boylan Bottling Company sodas.
The space itself is compact, with counter seating and a bright green interior. Diller is open 6 days a week, Sunday-Thursday 12pm-10pm, Friday 12pm-4.30pm, and closed on Saturdays in observance of Shabbat.
Diller: 357 Grand St, New York, NY 10002
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