greasy spoon
noun Slang.
a cheap and rather unsanitary restaurant.
Origin of greasy spoon
An Americanism dating back to 1920–25
Words nearby greasy spoon
greaseproof paper,
greaser,
greasewood,
greasies,
greasy,
greasy spoon,
greasy wool,
great,
great abaco,
great ajax,
great ape
British Dictionary definitions for greasy spoon
greasy spoon
noun
slang
a small, cheap, and often unsanitary restaurant, usually specializing in fried foods
Idioms and Phrases with greasy spoon
greasy spoon
A cheap restaurant, especially one serving short-order fried foods. For example, College students short of cash tend to eat a lot in that greasy spoon. This expression also implies that the restaurant is not very clean. [c. 1900]