The 15 Best Diners In America

There is nothing finer than a diner. Menus as long as a CVS receipt. Endless coffee refills. The old-timey Americana vibes. The no-frills ethos and excess conviviality. If you grew up in New Jersey, Rhode Island, or another state that is a hotbed for diners, you probably spent your formative years spending hours upon hours (probably to the server's chagrin) in a mob of teens and possibly a cloud of smoke. While the indoor smoking laws have changed, the relaxed feeling and downhome cuisine haven't.

The American diner is an institution. Paste Magazine displays the many different art and cultural outputs that diners have influenced. Films like "Pulp Fiction" and "When Harry Met Sally" have vital scenes set in diners. Paintings by Edward Hopper feature lonely people at night in a 24-hour diner, and Norman Rockwell depicts less depressing diner scenes. Tom Waits made an ode to the chrome countertop with his "Nighthawks at the Diner" album and, of course, there is the TV series "Twin Peaks," famous for one Agent Cooper who often stopped into his local diner for a slice of cherry pie and a "damn fine cup of coffee." We compiled a list of some of the best diners across the country. They all have a few things in common — comfort food, affordable prices, loyal customers, and a place in American history.

Twede's Cafe is where you go for a slice of cherry pie and a fine cup of coffee. Operating since 1940, it has seen numerous iterations — Mar-T, Thompson's Diner, Railroad Diner, and Marty's Railroad Café — but none as crucial as the Double R Diner. Director David Lynch chose Twede's as the setting for the Double R Diner, a prominent location in his cult classic series "Twin Peaks." The success of the eerie and campy murder mystery prompted the site to become a place for Peak Geeks to visit.

Said Peaks fans were none too happy when, in July 2000, a fire was set by arson, completely gutting the building. When owner Kyle Twede rebuilt it, the only thing that still resembled the Double R was the sign. Thankfully, in September 2015, the diner's retro, moody, woodland look was restored. As part of the reboot of "Twin Peaks," the production company paid to have it brought back to its quirky glory.

Now, the only difference is the switch to more sustainable products and plant-based and vegan options. As of 2020, Rachel Bennett and Max Spears, new owners, have even developed a vegan cherry pie recipe with their head baker. So, it seems everything is as it should be in what is described as "a place both wonderful and strange, where all are welcome, and no one goes away hungry."

Whether you're a "hickster," a "citiot," or a local, the Phoenicia Diner in Phoenicia, New York, has something for everyone. Set in the middle of nowhere, you feel like you should be leaving breadcrumbs to find your way back. But, once inside, it has a shabby-chic design and a modern twist on the traditional diner. A rustic picnic area called The Lot is set next to a retro airstream trailer that is often used as a food truck for larger parties.

The cuisine is elevated diner fare. The ingredients are locally sourced from Catskills farms, and the menu changes seasonally. Regulars and visitors alike have been singing its praises for over 30 years. So much so that the diner released a cookbook that includes 85 classic Americana dishes created at the Phoenicia. Other lovely touches are the highly sought-after coffee from local Catskills roaster, Java Love; the fact that the Phoenicia has an active compost program; and the offer the diner extends for you to bring your pup!

In 1926, Anthony Franks saw an ad in a magazine and jumped at the chance to purchase what is now Franks Diner. The only problem was that the restaurant was constructed by a company in New Jersey, and he was in Kenosha, Wisconsin. So, Franks paid $7,500 for the restaurant and additional shipping charges to have the building delivered by rail. You read that right: This classic American diner came to be because of railways — per Gastro Obscura. As Franks tells it, the building was pulled from the railroad flat car by six horses, then assembled in the place it now stands.

A favorite among Franks patrons is the Garbage Plate. The base is hash browns, green peppers, and onions mixed with eggs, then you add your choice of meats, your cheese selection, and additional toppings (if desired). All Garbage Plates are served with homemade toast (which is made with wheat bran, yogurt, and honey). Of course, with a meal like this, Franks has a food challenge. The competition plate is the largest of all menu options and also includes pancakes. There is a 45-minute time limit to finish everything. Winners earn ½ off the meal, a sweet t-shirt, and a spot on the Wall of Fame with a plaque included.

The Bendix Diner on Route 17 in Hasbrouck Heights is recognized for many things. Its sleek blue and chrome retro façade is a "classic American diner." The 1995 movie "Boys on the Side" was filmed there, and more recently, the "The Many Saints of Newark," which is a prequel to "The Sopranos," featured the diner as a part of the set. But, the most important thing this diner is known for is John Diakakis, the blind waiter who will take your order, deliver your meal, and give you his stand-up comedy routine. Having worked in the family business for decades, he has moved up the ranks and is now the manager. According to The New Yorker, filmmaker Stephen Michael Simon was inspired by Diakakis and made a new short documentary called "Bacon 'n' Laces" about him. (The film, about 20 minutes long, is posted on YouTube). It gives an inside feel to Diakakis's story and the Bendix Diner all at once.

Opened in 1947, the Bendix Diner is more than a movie set — it's a local landmark known for its traditional diner fare. Bendix has a big rig parking lot because the restaurant is open all night on weekends (and late on weeknights), making it a comfortable spot for truckers to pop in for a hot meal. Sidle up to the counter barstool or grab a booth and enjoy a milkshake served with a side of friendly banter.

Only a few Sterling Streamliner diners are still in existence, and Modern Diner in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is one of only two that remain in operation, per Atlas Obscura. A Sterling Streamliner is a chrome, bullet-shaped diner built in the 1930s by the John B. Judkins Company, which usually made car bodies. The particular example of Modern Diner was built in 1941 but at some point had been left abandoned. This was until 1986, when Nick Demou purchased it with his late father. In 1978, it was the first-ever diner to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, the Modern Diner is lauded for its often changing specials menu, which is nearly as big as the full diner menu (which features more than 30 everyday additions). In 2015, the Food Network show "Top 5 Restaurants" named Demou's Custard French Toast as the best diner dish in the country. This epic dish was created by a happy mistake. When Demou made too much vanilla pudding one day, he decided to add it to his French toast, which was already decadently topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, sliced kiwi, house-candied pecans, and raspberry syrup. Clearly, it was a hit (as is the rest of the menu).

Contrary to the unspoken diner ethos that a menu should be as thick as War and Peace, Jones Bar-B-Q Diner has no menu at all. In fact, this diner only serves one thing: pork BBQ on Wonder Bread. The only decision you have to make is if you want it with or without, homemade slaw. Meat by the pound is also available for purchase. Owner-pitmaster James Jones, or "Mr. Harold," as he is known to the locals, estimates that he cooks 900 pounds of pork each week.

Jones Diner, established in 1910, is the oldest black-owned BBQ restaurant in the country and is well-deserving of the America's Classics distinction from the James Beard Foundation Awards in 2012. According to The Chicago Tribune, the organization defines America's Classics as "restaurants with timeless appeal and that are beloved for quality food that reflects the character of their community." Mr. Harold is the only Beard award winner in Arkansas.

The menu isn't the only simple thing — there's no ordering by phone and no website. Just show up, order, get your brown bag to-go, or grab a seat in the cozy 10-seat dining room. Beyond diners, Jones is one of the best bbq restaurants in the country. 

Ruth's Diner may be the second oldest restaurant in Utah, and may also be known for its top-notch food, but the real draw was always Ruth herself. Ruth was a character whom people flocked to see, with no regard for the law and always a story at the ready. According to company info, Ruth was a cabaret singer from 1912 to 1916 before becoming a burger-joint owner in 1930. Her restaurant, Ruth's Diner, opened in 1949 and still operates today. It is said that Ruth would feed the girls in the brothel across the way — not just hot meals, but with stories and warmth as well. As an example of her fierce independence, the diner's website shares this tidbit: "One of our waitresses visited Ruth after her shift. She sat down on the couch but felt something hard. She reached between the cushions and found a gun. She said, 'Ruth, this gun is loaded!' Ruth replied, 'Well, it wouldn't do me any good if it wasn't.' " 

Sadly, Ruth passed in 1989, but new owners, Tracy and Erik Nelson have carried on her legacy by feeding anyone who needs it. Today, the diner hosts live music most nights of the week. The stage is inside a historic trolley car overlooking views of Salt Lake City's gorgeous canyons. The diner has a patio beer garden that is very popular. Ruth's famous mile-high biscuits come with every meal, and they're served with just as much hospitality as Ruth had done.