Roaster's Deli

So, how can you create the fantasy that you actually live in Manhattan?

You could try running down Sauchiehall Street yelling ‘sell, sell, sell!’ into your phone while hailing an imaginary yellow cab.

But a more sensible option might be enjoying New York-style diner food at Roaster’s Deli in Glasgow city centre.

Today’s Big Deal gives you and one other the chance to indulge yourselves with an American dream of a menu.

Milkshake, rattle and roll

Roaster’s Deli on St Vincent Street serves up truly decadent dishes in a contemporary diner setting. It’s the kind of place where Mad Men’s Roger Sterling might take his Martini hangover, then leave with a smile.

This Big Deal gives you the chance to sample the magic with two options:

Option one is for pancakes or French toast with coffee for two, available from 11am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday - perfect for late breakfast, brunch, lunch, dunch or anything that’s not dinner.

Option two is for a burger and vanilla shake for two, available every day from 4pm to 8pm. This would make for a neat treat before heading to the drive-in movies to watch the latest James Dean flick.

(What’s that you say – Glasgow has no drive-ins? Oh, don’t spoil the fantasy).

Born in the USA

Roaster’s menu boasts the kind of food that Elvis would order for room service after his greatest Vegas gig ever. Basically, Roaster’s doesn’t hold back and that’s good, because you don’t want it to.

If you choose option one, you are in pancake paradise. Menus can change but expect to find highlights like New York cheesecake (yes, actual cheesecake filling in a pancake), Oreo chocolate and Boston cream.

For option two, there are plenty of imaginative 6oz burger choices. These might include Sweet Home Alabama (candied bacon, pulled pork and pimento cheese), Texas Ranger (house blend patty, beef chili, applewood cheese) and Buttermilk Chicken (Southern fried with sriracha mango).

So what’ll it be – pancakes or burgers? Choosing could be a challenge.

Happy diners

Roaster’s has a Trip Advisor score of 4/5. Here are some recent positive reviews, edited for length:

‘Been in many times and food always excellent and menu changes to make things fresh whilst keep enough standards to make it dependable…’ Rating 5/5

‘This place – I don’t even know where to start. Tucked away on St Vincent street, this unassuming wee gem turns it out every time. I’m always torn between the sweet home Alabama and the beef dip – but just make sure you leave room for Nutella pancakes. (Though I would definitely recommend them to share afterwards. Both is an impossible feat!). I love this place, though lunch times are always busy, so we always try to go a little later as when the place is full up it can take a little longer, but nothing an Oreo freakshake can’t solve to pass some time.’ Rating 5/5

‘Had heard good things about this place and finally had the chance to go along when meeting a friend at the weekend. We chose to have the stuffed pancakes and when I couldn’t decide, opted for the mixed stack of three…three massive fluffy pancakes were delivered along with sauce, whipped cream, choc chips and some raspberries…I can’t wait to go back to try the french toast toasted cheese.’ Rating 5/5

Diner to die for

Rainy weather doesn’t matter a jot when you’re watching it from behind the window of an upbeat American-style diner.

This Big Deal would be perfect for a relaxed date, catch-up with a friend, or tummy-filler before heading to the sock hop (or maybe just Cineworld).