Twinkies Shminkies: Dinah Fingers point to a better treat

Published on Tuesday, 20 November 2012 11:03

Written by Randy Garbin

The lavishly creamy filling in a Dinah Finger.

With the whole world currently obsessing over the future of the Twinkie, I took the opportunity to travel up to the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, New Hamphire to have a chat with owner Carol Sheehan. Long before the venerable snack cake made national news, Carol and crew had concocted her own version she called Dinah Fingers. 

On my drive up to New England, I stopped at a convenience store and snapped up package of original Twinkies, thinking that for old time's sake, I'd indulge just one more time. As a child, Twinkies were a go-to snack cake, and if I had a spare quarter (they cost about $1.50 now), I grab a package and wolf them down. I said farewell to the cake with much less enthusiasm, but at least I reminded myself why I don't eat them anymore. Lifeless, bland, and teaming with preservatives, this was an experience I would not miss. 

Biting into a fresh-baked Diner Finger reminded me of why I used to covet this treat so much as a kid. Homemade baked goods are almost always superior to anything store-bought, of course, but the Dinah Finger just might make you say good riddance to the Twinkie. Unfortunately, if you don't live in southern New Hampshire, you may have to go a long time and distance between indulgences. However, if you're trying to watch your weight, maybe that's a good thing. 

The always busy, fun scene inside the Red Arrow Diner.

We've frequently cited the Red Arrow for its overall quality, and this visit showed no letup. Besides my Dinah Finger, I lunched on the fish chowder, stocked with large chunks of haddock swimming in a sinfully buttery broth — perfectly made and impossible to find back in Pennsylvania. 

Finally, among lots of other things she has going on, Carol let me know that she's soon opening a third Red Arrow in the area. This new store joins the original downtown Manchester and the Milford locations. She's showing the world how to make a small diner work and work well. I hope anyone looking to get into the business stops by for a visit and takes lots of notes.