Monster Mash

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From the Beano comics in the magazine rack, to the tomato-shaped ketchup bottles, this cute retro-flavoured diner near Edinburgh University is a no-nonsense gem. It opened four years ago and proved a winning formula, and there are now branches in Thistle Street and Glasgow. They don't do posh or fancy; just honest, old-school staples, such as macaroni cheese, steak pie and beans on toast at breakfast time. The speciality is bangers and mash. The sausages come from Crombies, with daily specials such as pork and chilli or, for vegetarians, sage and apple. After deciding whether you can handle one or two, choose your mash (plain, mustard or champ with spring onion) and your gravy (classic brown, tomato or onion and red wine). The stodgy, comforting desserts are a trip down memory lane, passing creamy banana splits and a very tasty apple crumble with custard. For a shorter pit-stop, milkshakes and Coke floats are always popular, or there's Sweetheart Stout and Newcy Brown if you fancy something stronger. Attention to detail makes this super-friendly venue feel like a real treat. Naff touches such as the 1970s patterned crockery and complimentary Drumstick lollies with your bill add to the fun, school dinner feel of the place. A second branch in the New Town opened last year, serving their tried and tested bangers and mash, with an added kitsch Mexican theme. Margaritas, enchiladas, chilli and nachos are available, with multi-coloured piñatas and sombreros for decoration.

• High point: See Monster Mash Forrest Road
• Low point: See Monster Mash Forrest Road