True diners are getting harder and harder to find these days. While many family style restaurants offer great “diner style” food, few of the mid-century diners are still in business along the Lincoln Highway. So, what exactly is an authentic diner? According to authors, Brian Butko and Kevin Patrick, diners were manufactured by DeRaffele, Mountain View, O’Mahony, Silk City or similar companies that built these restaurants in factories to be relocated across the country to serve delicious food. Some popular styles include Barrel Roof, Modern Stainless and Postmodern diners.
Along the Lincoln Highway around Philadelphia, the Ace Diner at 5517 Lancaster Avenue is described as “a reconditioned 1940’s Silk City” diner. One of our challenges is to find the history that may be hidden under decades of remodeling by various owners.
Along the Main Line, you may want to visit either the Double D Diner (1950s Paramount) at 1323 E. Lincoln Highway in Coatesville, the Downingtown Diner (1960’s Silk City), at W. Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown or even the former Frazer Diner (a mid-1930’s O’Mahony) at 189 W. Lancaster Avenue in Frazer that this is now a Mexican restaurant. Finally, in Wayne stop by Minella’s Main Line Diner a 1964 Fodero.
In Lancaster County you’ll find the former Jennie’s Diner, now US 30 Diner, still serving hub cap size pancakes in Ronks along the Lincoln Highway. Further west in Columbia there is a marvelous example of exaggerated modern style called the Prospect Diner. Unfortunately, Lee’s Diner just west of York has been closed for a number of years. Still, you can admire their original neon sign at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum in York City. The Lincoln Diner just north of the square in Gettysburg remains a busy Modern Stainless diner that you’ll want to stop in for some breakfast favorites.
Finally, we highly recommend that you stop in the Lincoln Highway Experience and enjoy a slice of pie and a cup of hot coffee at the end of your tour. Remember that conference participants get free admission! Their fully restored 1938 diner is the best example of an early diner that you’ll see in your travels across Pennsylvania. Pull over and relax a spell at your favorite diner.
We’ll have a limited number of the out of print book, Pennsylvania Diners, available for purchase at our pop-up bookstore. You may even get Brian Butko to autograph your copy
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