Hey! Hey! Hey! There’s a new Denny’s in town. This forth incarnation of the all-American diner opened recently in Dubai Festival Plaza, itself still not completely open. Sandwiched between Sanjeev Kapoor’s A Grain of Salt and Tony Roma’s, the Denny’s interior is stereotypically American diner – Pulp Fiction galore. Which made it all the more heart-breaking to walk in for a mid-week lunch to find it absolutely empty. In the hour I spent there, I think only one other table became occupied. I am told weekends are better.
Interior 
Denny’s delivers! 
A view from the mall
The Denny’s menu is dangerous in my hands as it awakens my inner kid – it’s like being handed the menu of rides at Disneyland. Pancakes – check. All American breakfast – check. Monster burgers – check. Steaks – check. Did I say breakfast? Check! Get the point? But as I was there for lunch (two days before my low-everything diet started), I eventually decided to order the humungous America’s Diner Double Cheeseburger. And you know what? It was so juicy and gushy with each jaw stretched bite, that I was happy there was no one around to see the mess I was making. This may not the best burger in Dubai but hey, it’s definitely up there…
America’s Diner Double Cheeseburger 
After a bite…
I don’t think I’ve ever walked out of a Denny’s without having pancakes. So, stuffed as I was from that colossal burger, I ordered pancakes. They actually have an offer of two pancakes for AED10. Problem: I found the overly fluffy pancakes tasting of artificial vanilla, so I poured on (more than usual) maple syrup. It just compounded the problem. Anyway, the pancakes and the maple syrup were a huge disappointment.
2 Pancakes for AED10 
Overly fluffy pancakes tasting of artificial vanilla 
No amount of maple syrup could make it better
Service, however, wasn’t a problem at all. In fact, it was brilliant. But remember, this was three servers to one customer. That said, I’m sure their chirpy team will perform extremely well given half a chance. So, if you find yourself in or around the Jebel Ali Village area and fancy an all-American meal, especially (but as the lawyers say, not limited to) breakfast, Denny’s is the place for you. In the words of the great Arnold Schwarzenegger, I’ll be back.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.