Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner in the desert town of Yermo, California has a sign above the door that reads: “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone — Regardless of who you are, who you think you are, who your daddy is, or how much money you make.” This is why I love diners. In a society where money and class takes center stage, in diners, fur coats hang next to cowboy hats and Jaguars and junkers sit side-by-side in the parking lot.
In neighborhood institutions the counter is a makeshift community where 'everybody knows your name.’ It’s like Cheers without the liquor. Customers bring warmth, character and vitality and become extended family members to each other and to the restaurant staff. One regular at Betsy’s Pancake House in New Orleans says, “It’s like sitting on your front porch with your neighbors.”
I love to stay connected to the places I documented for Counter Culture. Has anyone visited any of these diners? Does anyone have stories to share about these places? If not, tell me about your favorite restaurants and the people who work there. Let's make this a forum to celebrate them!
Gold 'N Silver Restaurant. Reno, Nevada
Florida Avenue Grill. Washington DC
Pie 'N Burger. Pasadena, California.
Butter Cream Bakery & Diner. Napa, California.
The Venus Diner. Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
RESTAURANTS IN COUNTER CULTURE
Al’s Good Food - San Francisco, CA
Betsy’s Pancake House- New Orleans, LA
The Boulevard Diner - Worcester, MA
The Busy Bee - Atlanta, GA
The Butter Cream - Napa, CA
The Colonial Cottage, Erlanger, KY
The Copper Cart - Seligman, AZ
The Crystal Diner - Lawrenceville, NJ
The Crystal Grill - Greenwood, MS
Edith’s Cafe - Central City, KY
Florida Avenue Grill - Washington, DC
George J’s - Glasgow, KY
Gold N’ Silver - Reno, NV
Harry’s Plaza Cafe - Santa Barbara, CA
Louis’ Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Mastoris Diner - Bordentown, NJ
The Meadowthorpe Cafe - Lexington, KY
The Melrose Diner - Philadelphia, PA
Miss Florence Diner - Florence, MA
Mojo’s Bowling Alley - Sun City, AZ
Mt. Vernon - Somerville, MA
Ole’s Waffle Shop - Alameda, CA
Pie ‘N Burger - Pasadena, CA
The Rainbow Casino Coffee Shop- Henderson, NV
Ryan’s - Florence, AL
Sears Fine Foods - San Francisco, CA
The Seven Seas - Sausalito, CA
The Seville Diner - East Brunswick, NJ
Sharkey’s- Gardnerville, NV
The Sip ‘n Bite - Baltimore, MD
Sittons Diner - North Hollywood, CA
Trio Restaurant - Washington, D.C.
The USA Country Diner - Windsor, NJ
The Venus Diner - Gibsonia, PA [Closed]