Tag Archives: Diners

Comet Classic Diner

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As I steered the Nerdmobile into the Comet Classic Diner parking lot yesterday, I told my traveling companion that I would buy her a really good lunch if our breakfast was bad.

You see, it isn’t uncommon for me to choose a restaurant for its appearance. This is the same concept as judging a book by its cover and the results can sometimes be lacking.

Since mid century diners are my favorite, I practically squealed like a little girl at the sight of an old silver sided diner outside Frankenmuth, Michigan Thursday night

By the time we packed up and checked out of our hotel Friday, we had missed the breakfast rush and had the place mostly to ourselves. That meant there was time to chat with our incredibly nice waitress and admire the beauty of the place.

This counter is spectacular.

She said the diner originated in Yorkville, New York in the forties and was brought to this site in Birch Run in the nineties. It operated under a host of names over the years and was even featured in the movie Whip It back in 200&. It has been the Comet for the better part of the last decade, serving up diner classics in a gorgeous retro environment.

Look at the ceiling!

They play great music too – the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline and Elvis were among the popular musicians that crooned, rocked and rolled through our meal.

My pancakes were really good and the hot chocolate was amazing. Sherrie ordered off the kids menu – an egg, bacon and toast that she said was delicious. While we consider that a kid’s meal today, this small plate would have been a standard adult meal back when the diner was young.

We had no complaints. In all, I rate the experience well and will happily return if I’m ever in the area again!

Ellen’s Stardust Diner

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Ellen’s Stardust Diner has been in business since 1987 but operates with a fifties theme. I caught a glimpse of the statue out front but we didn’t go in. We were already loaded down with take out bags as we traipsed back to our hotel near Times Square.

I looked it up later that night, thinking we might grab breakfast the next day but the timing didn’t work out.

The waiters sing, they serve breakfast all day and it has a fifties theme. What’s not to like? They even have several meatless options on the menu.

Perhaps another time.

Meanwhile, if you want to study the menu and learn more about this New York City diner’s place in pop culture, click here to visit their website.

Nutcracker Family Restaurant

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When I visited the Cranberry Bog at Buckeye Lake a few weeks ago, my pal directed me into Pataskala for an early dinner at the Nutcracker Family Restaurant. I have been a few times but find it such a delight that going again was a true pleasure.

This isn’t exactly the best place to find vegetarian or even healthy food but I do still eat some fish occasionally so I was happy to get the perch special. It was fried to perfection.

I didn’t take a ride!

As you can see in the picture at top, there’s lots of interesting stuff to study while you wait for your food.

I wrote about the Nutcracker Family Restaurant once before. You can read that story and find more pictures by clicking here.

Mary B’s Diner

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Mary B’s Diner has been on my list for some time. It’s in Parkersburg, West Virginia in an unassuming building on a busy corner.

They specialize in home cooking and, while their menu is broad, it isn’t at all fancy. From burgers and grilled cheese to meatloaf and homemade soups, it seems there’s something for everyone. People at a neighboring table ordered enormous taco salads that looked amazing.

They have a few daily specials and offer breakfast all day. I opted for a veggie omelette that came with hash browns and toast. My mother also opted for an omelette with bacon and cheese.

Their vast menu of homemade pies was too much to resist but I must admit that there were so many to choose from it felt a little overwhelming. By the time our waitress had finished naming them all, I couldn’t remember the beginning of the list. I chose the peanut butter cream and my mother went with chocolate cream. Both were delicious.

The pictures really don’t do justice for the food and certainly don’t tell the tale of the great service. The place was hopping and our waitress made sure we wanted for nothing.

I would absolutely go back. Find Mary B’s Diner at 2212 Pike Street, Parkersburg. If you go, take note that instead of waiting for someone to come and ask how many, there’s a list that you sign your party to. I have never seen this done but it seems to work for them. Find Mary B’s and their menu online by clicking here.

Davie’s Chuck Wagon Diner

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As we approached Davie’s Chuck Wagon Diner, I reminded Johnna that I wanted to eat there for the atmosphere and offered to buy her lunch if our breakfast was terrible.

Honestly, I really just wanted to see the sign and figured it was worth the visit if the food was at all decent. There was no need to worry as the quality of the food and service surpassed even the fabulous atmosphere of this 1957 era diner.

It’s a prefab diner, manufactured in New Jersey and shipped by train to its home here on Denver’s Colfax Ave. Weighing in at 46 tons, transporting these old diners and placing them on their foundations was no small task.

Look at that sign.

Tabletop juke boxes, gorgeous tile work and a counter full of regulars make for great atmosphere. The menu features your traditional diner fare and our waitress was amazing. We hardly waited five minutes before she returned with our steaming hot breakfast plates. I had a veggie omelette, hash browns and sourdough toast and it was all delicious.

Check out these horse tiles.

And the pink tile ladies room.

And the regulars at the counter!

Davie’s Chuck Wagon Diner is well worth a visit if you enjoy diners and vintage okaces. Find the location, hours and menu at their website by clicking here!

Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl

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Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl is a Zanesville tradition. With its great exterior sign, chrome stools and long counter, I was a sucker for the place before even opening the menu. As my friend Jerry said “it’s not vintage- it’s just old!”

Old indeed. The restaurant began life as a partnership between two cousins in 1948. Those cousins were Jack Hemmer and Tom Mirgon but for some reason the restaurant was just called Jack Hemmer Ice Cream.

That first restaurant specialized in ice cream with counter seating for seven and an additional four tables. They quickly outgrew that spot and moved into their current location in 1950. Tom eventually bought out his cousin and renamed the restaurant Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl.

Tom retired years ago, selling the business to former manager Bill Sullivan. As far as I can tell, he has maintained a high level of service and quality.

In fact, my two scoops ice cream were heaping and the service couldn’t have been better.

The menu includes far more than ice cream and I was impressed to see there was even a veggie burger. I went for ice cream though so that’s what I got along with a pound of fresh roasted nuts to bring home. They also have a case filled with their own decadent looking chocolate candies.

Want to drool over the menu or just learn more about this Zanesville landmark? Click here to visit their website.