Mango Vegetarian Stir Fry is one of the new 600 calorie options on the Silver Diner’s new menu. Pictured is a family style serving not actually offered on the menu.

The Silver Diner is rolling out updated menus across their locally owned mini-chain of eateries this month. The new menu features hormone-free burgers, 600 calorie and gluten-free options, and plans to bring in nitrate-free bacon. The menu has also been updated to feature local and farm-fresh ingredients, such as eggs, beer, and breads. “We’re really excited about the ability to create the next generation diner, to update what a diner stands for,” said co-founder Bob Giaimo. Started in Rockville, the mini-chain now stretches out across 17 locations throughout the East Coast.

DCist stopped by Silver’s Clarendon location last week for a blogger tasting event to see how executive chef and co-founder Ype Von Hengst has freshened up the kinds of food that are more often associated with grease and Sysco than Greenberry coffee and Maryland strawberries.

Where the Silver Diner changes really shine is between the buns. Co-founder and CEO Robert Giaimo spent time polling diners to see if they would pay a buck extra for hormone-free ground chuck, or 50 cents more for their omelets. “The answer was yes, and it was the first time we got that yes,” Giaimo said. The updated ingredients show up in the thick, massive burgers cooked to a perfect medium, or miniaturized as sliders. Large fillets of teriyaki salmon on whole grain bread are worthy appetizers or meals unto themselves, while a tomato-mozzarella combo with pesto on ciabatta is a light yet hearty sandwich.