both of them do breakfasts well, i give Steak and Eggs the edge due to bottomless coffee and large slabs of meat in their "heart attack" breakfast or whatever they call it

if it's lunch or dinner I'd definitely prefer Grandma's

I only go to steak and eggs ocassionally for their biscuits and gravy--soooooo good. For all my other american food needs I go to grandma's. Chicken sandwiches, salads, burgers, fries--all good.

Grandma's Kitchen's better.

I once had a strawberry short cake at Paul's and it was very disappointing. Went back to try other things, and the chicken wings were very disappointing.
Though Paul is a very friendly person. food is just so-so.

I went to 'Steak and Eggs' once.

Found it overrated and expensive.

Just a few blocks south and behind Scitec, I found 'Welcome Break' for an English Fry-up and a large (Humungous) cappuccino for 51 RMB all else pales.

I used to like the Steak&Eggs combo and Steak & Eggs before they raised the price. Admittedly, it's still worthwhile but no longer as good of a deal.
The Sandwiches there used to be good, especially the burger, but they've gone down in quality. However, they still make one of the better mai tais in town for 15rmb.

At Grandma's ( Jianwai SOHO branch), everything I've tried has been tasty... I love the mexican skillet.

I have not been to either in a while but if I were to pick one right now, I'd say grandma's.

Neither serves Qingdao. For breakfast, I mean.

One of the great mysteries of BJ is how Paul's Steak and Eggs can continue to rate favorably—let alone in the top 10 places to dine in this city. Must be ballot stuffing...

This place is uncomfortable, not particularly clean, new wait staff are perpetually in training (and do not speak any English), and the menu lacks a single creative assembly. If eggs fried in vegetable oil, served with convenience store toast & sausage rounded off with cheap artificial maple syrup are your thing—then you may like this dive.

Grandma’s Kitchen, Café Taipan, and Peter’s TexMex are within the same block and are way better, as is American Cafe.

The only thing “American” about this place is the poor nutritional content of the food and the influx of Americans who are duped by their advertising and ratings. Chinese staff, the owner’s Chinese patrolling the joint, Chinese allocation of napkins—even the effigy of Paul looks decidedly un-American (without the words you would guess that it is a Middle Eastern restaurant. No normal American would shamelessly use his picture in such pervasive advertising).

Their motto should be: Come because of the hyperbole and dubious ratings—never go back because of the lousy food and service.

I believe Paul is from Canada but did run American diners in the USA, in Florida I think. The Grandmas and Pauls are almost next to each other behind the Friendship store on Jianguomen.

If Paul sees this thread he is going to be angry and will start kicking the beggar kids outside the restaurant harder.

He still does a good business, but I do think the quality has diminished somewhat. And I fully know that the quality has not been what we might call great, but does fill the need or cravings that us foreigners get on occasion.

I've been to both only once or twice. At Steak & Eggs, the service was bad. They forgot all about our drinks; I had to ask for them after I got our food (true american style is bring the drinks ASAP) and even then he only brought one drink and we had to hunt him down to bring the other, which was the bottomless coffee... so it sucked because there was barely a chance to even have a refill; my friend was halfway done eating by the time he even got it. The food was ok I guess, but I was distracted by the awkward order things came out in and the lack of beverage or waiter for so long.

Grandma's Kitchen Soho - The omelette with veggies was huge, but the veggies weren't cooked into it, they were just placed on top. I actually never had an omelette like that in the US; they'd always be mixed in during cooking, so it didn't remind me of an american diner at all.

And the mint tea - omg - there was SO MUCH mint in it, like a handful of leaves; it was so strong I could NOT drink it, so I took all the leaves out and had to give a hassle for more hot water to dilute it; he was pretty much not allowed to give me hot water or something, but he finally did after i acted like, "hey buddy c'mon, it's WATER".
I HATE THAT! What's with all the foreign restaurants not wanting to give hot water? Every chinese restaurant does it, and we're in china, just give us the free harmless hot water, geez. I mean NOT EVEN A TEA REFILL. If I just paid 25kuai for a cupful of mint leaves damnit, be prepared to give me a stupid refill of WATER. Geez.

Grandmas Kitchen in Wudaokou is weak. very weak.

Haven't been to the older one. Won't.

Plus, the people that recommended it here are a bit weird.