My Favorite American Diners & Cafés
By Bob Glaze:
Whenever I travel throughout the country, I always gravitate to the old diners and cafés in a city. I have fond early memories of eating at diners at the Jersey Shore when I was a child and love the atmosphere. Here are some of my favorites that I have tried recently. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did!
Columbus, Indiana
Jill’s Downtown Diner: Though it's moved to a new location, this is the perfect downtown diner right out of the past. Open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. most days, I highly recommend it for breakfast where the people watching is amazing!
Chicago, Illinois
After many years, I recently went back to Eleven City Diner at 1112 S Wabash Ave. They have an extensive menu of classic American diner meals and deli standards in a colorful retro-style restaurant. They have excellent omelettes, bagels, pancakes, waffles, soups, and sandwiches (including grilled cheese and reubens), mac & cheese, salads, and hamburgers along with pies, cakes, and ice cream. It was a fun experience.
Ed Debevic’s has been a local institution since 1984. After closing its original location in 2015, it reopened a new Streeterville diner in 2021. I recently went back for the first time in its new spot and loved the experience. It has a traditional 1950s-style diner vibe with a great menu of burgers, cheese fries, milkshakes, and more along with snarky, fun waiters and waitresses dressed in costumes. They even did a dance number while I was there having lunch with a local friend. It has a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. I highly recommend it for families who are visiting the city. It is a block off of N. Michigan Ave., or The Mag Mile, at 159 E. Ohio St.
Brooklyn, New York
Diner opened in 1999 in a classic Kullman Diner underneath the Williamsburg Bridge at 85 Broadway. It is open for lunch and dinner along with a weekend brunch. The menu changes daily. I enjoyed the pork sandwich and salad and my friend his burger. The atmosphere is right out of the past, including the old tile floors. I highly recommend it.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
The Chuck Wagon has been a casual diner for over 60 years. This is a fun local’s hangout for breakfast and lunch. I loved it for breakfast before my ferry back to the mainland. Don’t miss it when you are in town. 7400 Main St.
Moab, Utah
The Moab Diner started in the 1960s as the Poor Boy Drive-Inn. Known for its burgers, it became the Grand Ice Cream Parlor in the late 1970s. Today, it is the Moab Diner, which still serves ice cream but is a full-service restaurant and a great spot for breakfast with a fun atmosphere. 189 S. Main St.
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Thanks to Eater NY and Philly, I found Frank’s Deli & Restaurant, a casual diner/café in Asbury Park from 1960. It has a great selection of breakfast items, breakfast sandwiches, and sandwiches. The atmosphere is right out of the past and attracts a local crowd. It was a favorite of TV legend Anthony Bourdain and is on the Anthony Bourdain New Jersey Food Trail.
Red Bank, New Jersey
Toast City Diner, at 45 Monmouth St., recently took over the space that has been a diner since 1959. I loved the traditional décor and design. They also have locations in Asbury Park, Montclair, Cranford, and Manalapan.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pamela’s Diner is a colorful, casual diner at 60 21st St (as well as three other Pittsburgh locations). It features a large breakfast menu with egg combos, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, homemade hash plus pancakes, french toast, and waffles. The lunch menu is smaller but includes burgers, sandwiches, and salads. I love the atmosphere.
Primanti Bros: Stopping by this local institution is a must when you are in Pittsburgh. The original location of this chain is located in the Strip District at 46 18th St. Founded in 1933, its signature sandwich is grilled meat, an Italian dressing–based coleslaw, tomato slices, and French fries between two pieces of Italian bread. In 2007, it was named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation.
St. Joseph, Missouri
South of the Patee House and the Pony Express Museum is Betty’s Cafe at 6307 King Hill Ave. This is a fun, casual diner serving breakfast and lunch since 1989. The pie is to die for!!!
Knoxville, Tennessee
Another new find is Pete’s Restaurant, a fun diner that has been around for over 30 years. I loved the atmosphere and the great food. It is in a great location downtown, so skip breakfast at your hotel and head over early: 540 Union Ave.
Kansas City, Missouri
There are many food options in Kansas City’s River Market, from Kansas City barbecue to Chinese (Bo Lings) to Vietnamese. There is an Italian grocery, a great bakery, and vendors selling local produce. I had no idea that this even existed and was really excited to find it. I really enjoyed my brunch with the family at the City Diner at 301 Grand Blvd. It was casual and fun.
Sedona, AZ
The Coffee Pot Restaurant is located on the west side of town and is the perfect spot for breakfast before you head out on a hike or to tour the red rocks. Open for over 30 years, it features 101 omelettes. 2050 W. State Route 89A.
Ephraim, Wisconsin
A trip to Door County would not be complete without a visit to Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor. This is a vintage soda fountain serving ice cream, house-brewed root beer, and burgers since 1906. The lines can be long, so be patient. 9990 Water St.
Durango, Colorado
Durango Diner is a traditional casual diner from 1970 with a great atmosphere and service. I enjoyed my eggs benedict for lunch. It is open every day from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 957 Main Ave.
*All photos by Bob Glaze for Globalphile.com
Bob Glaze is writer/photographer for the international travel site Globalphile.com. A "citizen of the world," Glaze has traveled to over 900 cities in 43 countries and creates the best in travel content for the independent, sophisticated, creative, and design-conscious traveler to help them craft and create the ultimate experiences in the destinations they wish to explore and discover.
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