Underated in America: Diners
Filed under: Bargains, Budgets, Food
There are two main breakfast options in my neighborhood: A charming but perpetually-crowded bistro, known as much for its quiche and muffins as for its hour-long waits; and the local '50's-style diner, which features no nonsense food with no nonsense service.
I always choose the diner. And apparently I'm in the minority.
In the age of bistros, cafes, cucinas and ristorantes, where is the love for The Great American Diner, that bastion of jukeboxes, polished steel and vinyl stools, grill jockeys in a white t-shirt and apron, and good old-fashioned American grub at prices the average American can afford? Although the diner has enjoyed a long tenure in American culinary history, The diner, the precursor to fast food, is fast becoming just another American memory, gone the way of the New Deal and the '57 Chevy.
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But I argue that the diner is one of those few American traditions that will never entirely go away. Because at bottom, Americans love their no-nonsense value meals as much as they still love their cars, the fading of Detroit's Big 3 notwithstanding.
Especially these days, with the restaurant industry hurting along with everyone else. Now, more than ever, Americans must appreciate the neighborhood greasy-spoon, where a two eggs sunny-side up, hash browns and a cuppa joe sells for $6 and the waitresses always know your name. With higher gas prices, the neighborhood joint has an instant appeal for those Sunday morning breakfast jaunts. A good diner has something for everyone, from the Senior Citizen special to the kiddie menu to the pie and coffee catering to the late night crowd.
When the dust eventually clears, the diner will still be standing, thanks to the value they provide and the sense of community they foster. It's where I'm getting my breakfast most Sunday mornings, anyway. Anyone care to join me?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-30-2008 @ 9:00AM
bill said...
An outgrowth of the diner, the Waffle House chain, is still growing in the South and other areas. Most maintain the single aisle design, though with a few tables added. They still have counter service, a juke box and other aspects of a diner. Through restauarants such as this, the low-priced diner is still very much alive, just with a little different style.
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10-30-2008 @ 9:04AM
Chris said...
What is greater than taking a ride through the mountains of Tennessee and stopping at a little country diner on the side of road. You can find these almost in any small town and the food is good and less expensive.
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10-30-2008 @ 10:37AM
hmsboston said...
A few months ago I was in Oneonta, NY where I had dinner and breakfast at an excellent large, all-night diner. My hometown is Charlottesville, VA, a city three times the size of Oneonta that DOES NOT HAVE A SINGLE DINER IN THE VICINITY.
We do have several gourmet restaurants, though.
And two Waffle Houses.
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10-30-2008 @ 11:17AM
ray said...
We just added a soda fountain, diner to our new drugstore here in a small town of 5000, everything fresh and homeade and the prices are better than any chain you'll find around. You can't believe the flock of people in the door. No one makes fresh American burger and fry type meals and homeade pies, cookies, and cakes anymore. Even our wholesaler keeps trying to get us to buy redi-made. The people DO know the difference. Diner need to make a comeback!
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10-30-2008 @ 11:30AM
Margie said...
I am guilty of taking some of these wonderful things we enjoyed for granted & just thinking that they would always be there, How sad!
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10-30-2008 @ 1:14PM
Ed said...
The diner is indeed wonderful, as is the institution from which it was a spin-off, the railroad dining car. During their heyday, diners were not only the size and shape of the rail passenger cars, but often were actually "recycled" rail cars. Some of the best diners still have railroad decor, and some sit on rail side-tracks.
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10-30-2008 @ 1:59PM
Ethel G said...
I am from NY and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio 12 years ago. The thing I miss most is the Diner. They don't have any here. There was one when I moved here that has since closed.
It's my first stop when I go home for a really good hamburger.
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1-11-2009 @ 7:57PM
john shoaf said...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9588695@N05/2210057005/
just south east of you in Sabina Ohio is a true DINER
excellent food
tell them the "DINERHOLIC" from WV sent you
11-01-2008 @ 2:48PM
Brian said...
The food (any meal) tastes better, larger portions and cheaper prices than the fast food chains: McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, Subway etc. I live in Staten Island NY>
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1-09-2009 @ 1:32PM
Art Aliperti said...
While traveling from Florida to NY. on I95 I discovered a Beautiful Diner, & found it is part of a chain, called Silver Diner.A real treasure,you can find out everything about them& locations on the web.
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