Category Archives: Diners / roadside related

Motorized Lunch Wagons- the missing link

Posted on by
2

The lunch wagon evolved into the modern day diner as it got bigger and became stationary. At the same time some lunch wagon manufacturers, Buckley in particular it would seem, embraced then new automotive technology, modernizing lunch wagons by making them self propelled. Though the diner manufacturers seem not to have continued in earnest with this evolutionary line, self propelled lunch wagons are all over the place today, out of the backs of box trucks or built up on the frames of pickups.

Dec. 1900
Photobucket

1901
Photobucket

Photobucket

1903
Photobucket

1905
Photobucket

1919.
I’m not sure as to the manufacturer on this, but its lunch wagon lineage is clear. Ornate and looks very heavy.
Photobucket

Laurel Diner updates

Posted on by
1

It looks like the Laurel diner (now the Tastee) goes back quite a ways. I’ve found newspaper records of it going back to 1934, when three men an a woman tried to kidnap one of the waiters. The Laurel diner has also had a liquor license going back as far as September of 1939.

Photobucket
I’m fairly confident this is a drawing of the actual diner and not just period clip art. Assuming that’s the case, can anyone make an id or at least a guess as to manufacturer, if it dates from a 1934 or a bit before?

1934
Photobucket

1939
Photobucket

Pushnik’s Diner/ Marabelle’s Restaurant – Lebanon, PA

Posted on by
5

We visited the former Pushnik’s Diner/ D’Alexander’s during a period between 2003 and 2006 when it was operating as the Horn & Horn diner. It was built in 1960 by the Fodero diner company and replaced an early model Silk City which had previously been on the site. It re-opened on Monday as Marabelle’s Restaurant. The full news story can be read HERE
Their new website is marabelles.com

Photobucket
Waterfall Rooms.

Photobucket
gold and stainless

Photobucket
Lightbulb Sputnik

Photobucket

Photobucket
Excellent 1960 space age styling. Quilted stainless, bold thin, outwardly canted supports, flared roof edge, recessed spotlights.

Photobucket

Photobucket
The original Patterson Vehicle Company built Silk City diner.

Mel’s Diner/ Lincoln Diner – Lebanon, PA

Posted on by
6

Photobucket
Permanent metal awning and supports have been added to the front of the diner, partially obscuring the roofline.

Photobucket
Reflection of the neon. I’m guessing when the diner was new it had horizontal bands of stainless and flexglas. It appears to have been replaced, or at the least, covered over, with vertical mustard colored metal bits. I don’t feel it detracts terribly from the design, however, evoking the fluted enamel facades of earlier diners.

Photobucket
Side and corner

Photobucket
“Mel’s” sign covering the original “Lincoln”

Photobucket
Quality food

Photobucket
That means you.

Photobucket
With the exception of updated backbar equipment, the interior is still very original.

Photobucket
Seeburg Consolette

Photobucket
New stool tops?

Photobucket
Donut

Photobucket
In our line we lead the world

Photobucket
What a terrible haircut.

Capital City Diner, Washington DC

Posted on by
Reply

I visited the Capital City diner on May 24th, 2009, shortly after it arrived from Avoca New York to the Trinidad neighborhood of NE Washington. Since then I’ve been eagerly awaiting its opening.

Since I am currently at school in Halifax and could not make it myself, my father visited the Capital City diner this morning for breakfast along with a couple of his friends, fellow diner enthusiasts. The new owners, Matt Ashburn and Patrick Carl, have done an incredible job with the place, as you can see from the photos.

From Michael G. Stewart:
The breakfast was pretty good-Tasty & well prepared. The service was a bit spotty, but I guess to be expected this early on. The physical diner is pretty original, no silly updates or “Happy Days” isms. Despite being in a transitional part of town, there was a really good mix of young urban hipsters, some w/ families, professionals, & neighborhood locals. Good vibe, felt safe, fun & comfortable. So far, so good!

From SallyAnn Rogers:
We had a grand time at the Capital City Diner. My waffle was brown and crisp and not a bit mushy. The place is a little cramped, more like hobbit size, but it was filled to the brim and was a very nice experience. You are going to love it.

Red painted trimwork and roof really make the diner pop.

Blue and black


Silk City Diner manufactured by the Patterson Vehicle company of Patterson, NJ. Note that the background of the tag matches the tilework of the diner. I’m not sure if this is original, but it is a very nice touch.

The diner is located at 1050 Bladensburg Rd. NE washington DC
Become a fan of the diner on facebook.