A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, we found a restaurant unlike any other. Hilliard's Starliner Diner (SLD) boasts a menu that serves a full spectrum of dishes from Cajun-style jambalaya to the All-American pizza. But Francie Buschur, ¿Qué Pasa?'s new graphic designer and Web developer, and I were not there to eat the usual American fare. We were there to experience the eclectic mix of southwest and Caribbean food so many people had recommended. We knew we were in for a treat, but we had no idea how well it would eventually turn out. The Starliner Diner excels in every way, from the comforting furnishings to the conscientious service and, of course, the exceptional food on the dynamic menu.

The drive out to Hilliard is well worth the trip. There isn't much to the exterior of the SLD, except for a huge mural of an alien planet on the side of the building. It is not until you walk in that you feel you have entered a place unlike any other. The walls are covered with old decorations in curious arrangements, probably used during the "Leave It To Beaver" days. Disco balls hang from the ceiling, old clocks are bunched together on the same wall, and religious artifacts watch over all who pass through the doorways.

We were greeted by two lovely hostesses, and seated immediately in the non-smoking section. We did not notice it at the time, but SLD's smoking section is also a full service bar. Our waitress soon brought our menus, and we were surprised to see that not many of the main entrees were southwestern. It was hard to resist the dishes that caught our eye like the extensive pizza list, the sandwiches, salads, and pastas.

Most of the appetizers met our qualification, though, featuring chiles rellenos ($5.75) and fried plantains ($3.75). We decided on the fried plantains, as everyone we had talked to prior to the review insisted we try them. They were promptly served with a sour cream/salsa dip. With a unique kick from the dipping sauce and the golden, crisp outside, these plantains lived up to the hype.

As it was a Friday evening, SLD was busy. After waiting a while, our waitress approached us to take our order, which we weren't exactly ready for. She ran through the list of dinner specials, and JACKPOT! We hit the mother load! The list consisted of all sorts of Cuban, Puerto Rican and Mexican dishes. Lucky for us, Francie's husband was along for the ride at SLD, so that meant we would have one more dish to share, and not just the two we would have had ourselves had he not joined us. With my suggestion, Francie ordered the ropa vieja ($11.50), Nick, her husband, got the mofongo chicken ($10.50), and I requested the Yucatan Marinated Chicken plate ($8.50). Oh, I have to mention another big surprise I found at SLD: along with the usual line of soft drinks and iced teas, they proudly serve Yoo-Hoo chocolate drink ($1.35). I guess I'm just a big kid at heart.

We were all very hungry, so we were glad to see that the food was prepared and served shortly after ordering. Our meals were piled high on decorative ceramic dishes. The Yucatan Marinated Chicken plate consisted of three chicken breast filets, and sides of southwest vegetable salad and a bed of white rice topped with a generous portion of black beans. The chicken breast filets were tender and moist, smothered in a light sauce almost like barbeque sauce mixed with teriyaki. The vegetable salad got its great flavor from a mix of squash, corn, and other seasonal vegetables. Even though I grew up eating pinto beans, the freshly-made black beans served over the white rice had a much richer flavor than their lighter cousins. This entrée is a menu item, not a feature of the specials list, so you can order it any day.

The mofongo chicken was incredible! Imagine a big breast of chicken split in half, stuffed with bacon, queso fresco, rice, then encrusted with bread crumbs and bathed in two different sauces. One was like marinara, and the other like ranch dressing. The crunchy shell of bread crumbs contrasted the soft mix inside perfectly, giving it a texture like fresh-baked bread. Speaking of fresh-baked bread, this meal is served with a large slice of the bread baked daily at SLD. It also came with a side of plantains, beans & rice.

Not to be outdone, the ropa vieja lived up to the high standards of the two other dishes. In Spanish, it translates to "old clothes", but don't let that fool you. The name is a throwback to the Cuban influence, referring to the shredded beef that resembles tattered clothes. The seasoned shredded beef is then mixed with caramelized onions and peppers, and served with another helping of those awesome fried plantains, beans & rice.

One piece of advice we can offer to you is to come hungry and do not make any plans for after your meal. You will need a big appetite to finish the heaping helpings of food, and you will probably be too stuffed to do anything other than sit on your couch or in a theatre enjoying the latest movies.

The Starliner Diner is a great place to start a fun night out with friends and visiting relatives. The warm, open atmosphere makes it a place to relax and enjoy the varying types of food. The food is exceptional. The staff is friendly and patient, willing to answer questions about the recipes and the restaurant itself. A nice touch was when Francie received a flower as we left the restaurant, as all female patrons do. It's that attention to detail that makes the Starliner Diner out of this world.

The man behind the meal! We were sure to express our compliments to the Chef!

The eclectic furnishings and eye catching murals make for a comfortable dining atmosphere.

Carlos and Nick take a moment to explore the full service bar that serves as the smoking section at The Starliner Diner. Photos by Francie Buschur.