Although diners may not be as ubiquitous as they once were, they are a distinctive part of American food culture, and they can still be found dotting the landscape. Images of these establishments from the Library of Congress collections offer a reminder of some of their common characteristics, and may also bring a wave of nostalgia.
Not all diners look like train cars, but many do because they were fabricated to look that way by the companies that mass-produced them in the 20th century. When ordered, they conveniently fit into actual rail cars for transportation and delivery. This diner in Columbus, Georgia, advertises American and Korean food and features a corrugated metal surface:
The photograph below of the Country Girl Diner in Vermont was taken less than a decade ago. The restaurant features that same distinctive silvery surface and a welcoming entrance, possibly designed to keep the chill out on cold winter days.
Some photographs give a glimpse of a diner’s menu. In this photograph taken in Maryland during the summer of 1940, we see hot dogs on offer for 5 cents and a “platter” for 25 cents.
This exterior shot of a New York City diner from 1959 shows the establishment asking 75 cents for “ham ‘n’ eggs” with a side of potatoes and buttered toast, alongside other breakfast and lunch staples.
Some images include clues about the people who were likely to frequent a given diner. The caption for this photo from 1940 indicates truck drivers formed an important part of this New York diner’s customer base:
The photo below appears to show a row of truck drivers sitting at a Maryland diner counter. Many roadside diners were open 24 hours a day to accommodate customers who worked long hours. The coffee seemed to be flowing in this scene.
Photos that were made within the past ten years demonstrate that diners are not just a thing of the past, although they do often make a nod to mid twentieth-century design. This photograph shows a diner in eastern Tennessee with a Ford Fairlane from the era parked in front.
The 5 & Diner in Phoenix serves up a 1950s-era atmosphere, as evident in this photograph of server Tara Keogh holding a vanilla ice cream soda on a tray, surrounded by checkerboard floors and red accents.
When was the last time you found yourself in a diner? It’s been a while for me, but these images may inspire me to seek one out this weekend.
Learn More:
- Browse additional diner-related photographs from the Library of Congress collections.
- Explore the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, which includes a few images from this blog post and features photographs documenting the United States from 1980 to the present.
Comments (14)
Good Memories ! Thanks
These are great Melissa! I grew up frequenting the Tastee Diner in Bethesda which still squats, enveloped by a huge new development. The little diner that wouldn’t budge. Mini jukes in each booth.
This was so fun. Thank you.
I wouldn’t mind 5 cent hot dog these days… The cheapest is probably at Costco where you have to have membership.
Thank you for this wonderful article!
Both the interior and exterior are distinctive and cool!
Shoutout to Rosie’s Diner in Aurora, CO. Elvis, Betty boop, a daily “dad joke” on the wall and all the traditional meals you could ever want. They’ve got a *pink* ford fairlaine out front, with white sidewall tires. Truly one of my favorite diners of all time.
And let’s not forget the most important part: in a diner, your mug should NEVER run out of coffee!! This was a fun article, thanks.
I particularly like the 1941 photo of the Riverside Diner. Note the diner patron watching the photographer through the window. I also find interesting the signs on the diner indicating “Booths for Ladies” and “Tables for Ladies.” Lovely photos!
Love this! Thanks!
Jersey diners are the best. America needs more diners!
I was a regular at the 5 & Diner in Phoenix back in the late 90’s. So many great times there, especially late at night. I went there again a couple of months ago for the first time in 25 years- it was still the same! Great pancakes and fun atmosphere. Still open 24 hours too!
I love these “time spaceships of culinary experience.” Thanks for the post and your cogent observations, Melissa—spot on. My most recent trip was to what might be the diner capital of the USA: York, PA. We went for breakfast at 8 a.m., but it played like happy hour—the fully stocked bar was already packed with libatious patrons who seemed to have mistaken “two eggs over easy” for “two fingers of bourbon, neat.” Definitely not Prohibition in dear old York. Cheers!
Great photos LOC!
Though I understand that this post was not intended to offer a comprehensive overview of U.S. diners, I’m puzzled that there wasn’t a single reference to New Jersey, often referred to as “The Diner Capital of the World.”
Awesome post!