Karen’s Diner finally opens in Adelaide but is it worth the hype?

Would you like foul-mouthed abuse with that? Karen’s Diner is infamous for insulting its customers, making for a unique dining experience. But is it worth a visit?

Karen’s Diner has finally opened in Adelaide – and boy, I was keen.

I’ve been following the diner ever since viral Tiktok videos of their staff being plain rude to customers popped up on my For You page.

I loved the concept, myself previously working in hospitality and becoming witness to a Karen or two, what better than for wait staff to get to hit back at customers?

So, to East Terrace I went with a friend to review the diner I had been waiting so long for.

We were greeted with a bang on the door and a middle finger.

The humour was shocking at first, a complete culture shock to what I was used to when choosing to dine anywhere, but eventually I got into the flow of things and gave the middle finger right back.

“Hurry up, sit the f**k down … Go and sit at the naughty table, hurry up b*tch,” said a waiter who pointed us to our table, right in the corner of the room.

We perused the menu, which was all fantastic and artery-clogging, and another waiter asked if we had our order taken yet.

Big mistake on our part to say we hadn’t made up our minds.

“It’s just burgers, like it’s not that hard,” they said and sulked off.

My friend decided, as a non-meat eater, to get a vegan burger. The waiter yelled to the other diners “Everyone, it’s a vegan!” and made everyone “moo” at her. Hilarious, but I think they were just getting started.

I ordered a “I want to speak to a manager” burger and fries, and just wow.

Huge burger, well worth the abuse.

The menu featured themed burgers to get the tastebuds excited – The “I Want to See the Manager” Karen and the Karen’s Best Breast burgers got us chuckling.

As well as a variety of burgers, Karen’s also has hotdogs (including one ironically called “The ScoMo Hawaiian Hotdog”) and delectable sides.

Another thing I loved about the menu were the selection of drinks. It was too much fun to pick a Karen-themed cocktail.

Jesse, one of the waiters, did an absolutely fabulous job of being mean to us as well as looking after us. Strange combo, but he did it well.

“Clean up after yourself, you’re a f**king mess,” Jesse said while throwing napkins on tables.

On another table, I overheard a waitress taking drinks orders, and she said:

“A soft drink? You are cheap, aren’t you?”

It was all just a giant comedy show, who could out-wit the other? I loved it, it really was everything I expected and more.

It was a joy to be yelled at, to the point where I kept trying to catch a waiter’s eye so they would come over. And, of course, overseeing the drama on another table.

A few games were also played with the customers as they waited for their food. One was “guess the job – do they have a job or do they live off benefits?” where a customer was picked out of the restaurant and others had to guess their occupation.

Another game was a spin wheel, in which customers would spin to decide their fate. There was anything from a yucky shot to having to run around the restaurant singing “I’m a little teapot” (which someone actually did).

The whole experience made me just laugh out loud – nothing is serious, but if you have a habit of taking things to heart – maybe stay away.

Otherwise, if you’re no stranger to banter and a laugh then come along to Karen’s.

Just like one of the huge posters framed throughout the restaurant, just keep calm and Karen on.

Previously the diner has come under fire online for going too far with their insults.

A family from Brisbane were horrified following a “vulgar” encounter with their 14 year old daughter.

The father was referred to as a “paedophile” by a waiter and told he was “keeping it in the family”.

Karen’s Diner does have a set of house rules for customers and staff to follow.

They include no racism, no sexism, no homophobic comments, no body image comments, no ableist comments, do not touch staff and no sexual remarks towards staff.

If you’re ready to taste the wrath of Karen’s, bookings can be made through their website.