Diners Near Me

Since 1927, the American diner has been a staple in communities throughout the United States. Offering delicious home cooked meals in a casual setting; diner’s made the average person feel as if they were eating their own Mother’s cooking. Few thing compare to the feeling after consuming a delicious diner meal.

Are you interested in finding a diner near you? Simply browse diners near me on the map below and find a list of diners in your area. Need a bit more information on diners? Read on for interesting facts, trivia, and a list of the top 3 diners in the United States!

Diners Near Me – Find it on the Map

Diners Near Me – Diners Trivia

Where was the first diner opened?

While searching diners near me, consider the long and storied history of the American diner. The first diner opened back in 1927 in Providence, Rhode Island with Walter Scott and his very popular horse drawn lunch wagon. During lunch hours, Scott would sit inside the wagon. Customers would order sandwiches, boiled eggs, and pie through the open wagon windows on the side. For the most part, Scott got most of his business from night workers from the nearby Providence Journal newspaper. Before long, lunch wagons began to pop up all over Rhode Island.

True or false: From the 1920s to the 1940s diners were typically prefabricated in factories.

True! If you’ve ever noticed that a lot of old school diners tend to look the same, there’s a reason. From the 1920s until the early 1940s, diners were pre made in factories (much like a mobile home) and then delivered to the site of the restaurant. Because of this, most old diners didn’t hold many people and were typically very narrow and small. This is attributed to the fact that the diner could only be as big as a rail car or truck due to delivery needs. Over the years, many vintage diners have expanded and owners have added additions to the prefab structures in order to add more dining space and more visual interest. Diners have always historically been owned by small business owners; however, that did change in 2010 when a few diners were acquired by larger chains.

What kind of food is served at a diner?

If you’re searching diners near me, then you probably already understand that most American diners sell very Americanized food. Few stray into the areas of Italian or Chinese. Diner standards often include hamburgers, french fries, club sandwiches and other inexpensive fare. Almost all of the food at a diner is prepared on a grill or in a fryer. In fact, many early diners built their entire menu around the grill. Coffee is another diner staple. Though not always of high quality, patrons will often sit around for hours just sipping on coffee and gossiping about local news. Most diners often serve homemade desserts such as pies and hand blended milkshakes or sundaes. The idea is that eating at a diner is kind of like eating at a home away from home.

Diners Near Me – Diners Facts

An Unkind Decade

While many look back at the 50’s and 60’s as fond years for the diner, the 60s didn’t always treat the diner industry well. IN fact, the spirited 60’s seemed to inhibit the growth of the American diner. Instead the younger generation wanted the prompt, cheap and predictable menus available at fast food joints. Diners were suddenly tired obsolete relics to the younger generations; with some diner owners facing embarrassment and literally stuccoing over their diner cars. Any diners that did pop up during this decade looked complete unlike their vintage predecessors and often featured brick arches, flagstone fronts, and mansard roofs. They looked much more like Mediterranean family restaurants than the diners America had come to know and love.

A Love Rekindled

Obviously if you’re searching diners near me, then you know that America has since rekindled its love affair with the diner. This is attributed to the 1990s when a widespread effort was created to restore, preserve, and revive these historic pieces of American. With many Americans feeling some growing pains, they longed for the kinder safe side of America that the diner seemed to embody. And diner makers can’t help but agree. There is something beautifully comforting about true diner in all of its glory.

Top 3 Diners In the US

If you find yourself near one of these top 3 US diners, consider yourself lucky. Not only are these diners full of nostalgic charm, but their menu will not disappoint in the slightest.

1. Bluebird Diner, Iowa City, Iowa

The Bluebird Diner is known for it’s delicious local fare and bustling crowd. The personalities you’ll meet at this diner are surely worth the trip.

2.Dining Grill, Chicago, Illinois

Built from an old railroad car, this Diner is as vintage and nostalgic as they come. You won’t find fuss and frills in this restaurant, but you will find delicious home cooked food served up with a smile.

3. Tops Diner, East Newark, NJ

As the most iconic restaurant in New Jersey, Tops is not only visually stunning, it is pretty easy on the stomach as well. Patrons travel from all over the world to grab a meal at this delicious old school diner.