The Vintage Diner

[NancyNGA]

The Railway Car Style Diner

"A true 'diner' is a prefabricated structure built at an assembly site and transported to a permanent location for installation to serve prepared food. Webster's Dictionary defines a diner as 'a restaurant in the shape of a railroad car.' The word 'diner' is a derivative of 'dining car' and diner designs reflected the styling that manufacturers borrowed from railroad dining cars. Decommissioned railroad passenger cars and trolleys were often converted into diners by those who could not afford to purchase a new diner. "

Was/is there a diner like one of these in your town?

There was one right in the middle of town in my hometown in Ohio. Never was inside, too much traffic, no place to park. I think it was frequented mostly by workers at a nearby factory.

 

[Ken N Tx]

We visited a diner in Baraboo Wisconsin.
.

.

 

[Marie5656]

Here we have the Highland Park Diner

 

[NancyNGA]

From a catalogue for the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company, c. 1943

View inside

Assembly plant

 

[Aunt Bea]

We have a few that are still active. Each one has it's own personality and loyal following.

JJ's Miss Syracuse.

The Gem Diner.

The JR Diner.

.

 

[NancyNGA]

Ken, Marie, and Aunt Bea... Great pictures! Thanks.

 

[Aunt Bea]

We have a few that are still active. Each one has it's own personality and loyal following.

JJ's Miss Syracuse.

The Gem Diner.

The JR Diner.

.

I used to go to Providence Rhode Island for work and always looked forward to the Haven Bros. food truck.

The original horse drawn wagon.

 

[Pappy]

This diner was open when I was a kid. It's in my hometown and just recently went up for sale.

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

We had one in Little Ferry, New Jersey not far from where I grew up. It closed and was empty for a long time then someone bought it and took it across country. I think it even made the news and was on TV.

 

[RadishRose]

Plainville, CT


New Haven, CT

 

[Pappy]

Frankenmurth, Mich. aka, the Yorkville, NY diner. Ate there many times when it was in Yorkville. Now empty. What a shame.

 

[Carla]

Great pics, everyone! So quaint but lovely!

 

[Lon]

I remember a Diner that looked like that in Clifton, New Jersey when I was a kid.

 

[RadishRose]

Pappy, you need to reopen that diner! "Pappy's Pancakes" !

 

[Ameriscot]

My Scottish husband is fascinated by iconic American diners. He'd love to visit some of those posted.

 

[Pappy]

Pappy, you need to reopen that diner! "Pappy's Pancakes" !

I would probably be my best customer, radish.

 

[NancyNGA]

Nighthawks - famous painting by Edward Hopper, 1942

 

[fureverywhere]

New Joisey...diners EVERYWHERE. The Mark Twain in Union is my favorite.

 

[NancyNGA]

Yes folks, there is an American Diner Museum!
Although the museum does not have an exhibit space, they consider every diner to be a living museum.

As reported by a TV show called Your Morning, broadcast from New Jersey (I assume).

 

[bluebreezes]

Maine has quite a few diners that would be considered vintage. The best known is Moody's Diner in Waldoboro, but it doesn't look very vintage any more, although it's been in business continuously since 1927 in the same family. Here's some photos of others.





The A1 Diner in Gardiner - this place has amazing food.

 

[fureverywhere]

If they are Greek owned that is a plus.

 

[bluebreezes]

Are Greek diners more of a metro NY thing? I grew up in NY and I remember there were many then, but outside of the NY area I haven't seen any Greek diners.

 

[RadishRose]

Here is one in Newington, Connecticut

 

[NancyNGA]

RadishRose, that's a good one. Love the cars. We had a Buick the same year as that red one.

 

[Meanderer]