Thank Us Before and After

The all-night diner has long been a home away from home for a certain stripe of night owl: The over-the-road trucker, the third-shifter and the unrepentant barfly can all find a swiveling stool at the counter to enjoy the camaraderie that comes with shared solitude. Given the communal nature of the diner, it's fitting that the Grove neighborhood's 24-hour greasy spoon After 24 Hour Diner & Games (4146 Manchester Avenue; 314-652-4800 or www.afterdiner.com) is hosting an all-day Thanksgiving party (from 8 a.m. to midnight). Revelers can partake in a mostly traditional Thanksgiving feast or pick from the menu, though we suggest getting creative and combining the two: In lieu of gravy, top off your chicken and mashed potatoes with some warm nacho cheese. It was the spirit of cooperation and shared traditions that gave rise to this fine holiday, after all. So if you can't make it home for the holidays, or if you would rather excuse yourself from another year of forced family togetherness, your new friends will be waiting for you at After with open arms, football on the TV and board games at the ready.
Thu., Nov. 22, 2007