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  4. The 25 Best Diners in the U.S.

The 25 Best Diners in the U.S.

By Gwen McClure
June 24, 2018
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Credit: Kyle Monk/Getty Images
Imagine trying to explain a diner to someone who’s never eaten in one. It’s like a restaurant, but not quite; like a cafe, but not quite; like a bistro; but not quite. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of plopping down on a stool at the countertop for a milkshake, here’s what makes a diner a diner: They’re inexpensive, casual, open late (often around the clock), and serve a menu chock-full of all-American classics with a side of nostalgia.

That nostalgia comes from the fact that diners have been part of the American experience since the late 1800s. According to the American Diner Museum, back then, men started selling sandwiches out of horse drawn carriages, and pretty quickly, companies were manufacturing made-for-purpose modified carriages with counters and stools, so customers could eat inside. By the 1920s, the old-fashioned horse-drawn cart gave way to the railway car, and the modern-day diner was born.

Throughout the decades, design in diners has followed trends. In the '50s, the space race meant neon rockets and stainless steel countertops. In the '60s, Mediterranean and neoclassical styles became popular as diners fought to maintain customers’ interest while fast food gained popularity.

It clearly worked: Fast food stuck around, but diners did, too. Sure, fast food restaurants are ubiquitous and inexpensive, but so are diners. Even the predictability of fast food can’t compete. You always know what you’re getting when you pull up to the drive-thru of a chain, but diners offer similar menus everywhere, with the chance of much better food. No matter where you are, you can count on hot coffee with a tiny pitcher of milk. The menu will always be long (and arrive on your table in a folded plastic sleeve) and chances are it will include a short stack of buttermilk pancakes with a scoop of melting butter on top, chicken and biscuits, smothered in gravy, and an oversized hamburger with chunky fries and a small side salad. Whether you’ve gone for pancakes or the burger, your condiments (maple syrup and Heinz ketchup, respectively) will be sitting on the table already.

Diners have cemented themselves in American culture, and these days, they’re an attraction in and of themselves. And while many are good, some are absolutely great. To determine the 25 best diners in the country, Yelp ranked businesses in the diner category, excluding large chains. “Best,” according to Yelp, is based on an algorithm that looks both at the number of reviews and star ratings. No more than two diners per state can make the list in order to ensure geographic diversity.

Whether you’re sliding into a booth for breakfast or pulling off the highway for a midnight snack, keep an eye out for these excellent establishments.
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25. Ray's Family Restaurant

Credit: Stephan P. via Yelp; Akmam S. via Yelp

Elgin, Illinois

1 of 25

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2 of 25

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24. Mom's Kitchen

Credit: Oh C. via Yelp; Cherie H. via Yelp

North Bend, Oregon

2 of 25

3 of 25

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23. Iron Dog Diner

Credit: Jessica T. via Yelp; Amanda W. via Yelp

North Charleston, South Carolina

3 of 25

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22. Roadhouse Diner

Credit: Courtesy of Roadhouse Diner via Yelp

Great Falls, Montana

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21. The Village Diner

Credit: IrregularPant S. via Yelp; Vince T. via Yelp

Johnson City, New York

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20. Southern Charm Cafe

Credit: Jeff S. via Yelp; Tilda H. via Yelp

Cape Canaveral, Florida

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19. Sparetime Belly & Soul

Credit: S B. via Yelp; David B. via Yelp

Alexandria, Kentucky

7 of 25

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18. Flip it LJ Diner

Credit: C B. via Yelp

Washington, D.C.

8 of 25

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17. Moose's by the Creek

Credit: Sudheer V. via Yelp; Deepa M. via Yelp

Charlottesville, Virginia

9 of 25

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16. Dahlia Cafe

Credit: Courtesy of Dahlia Cafe

Liberty Hill, Texas

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15. SNS Diner

Credit: Courtesy of SNS Diner

North Las Vegas, Nevada

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14. Jesse's Place

Credit: Alicia W. via Yelp; Helena C. via Yelp

Panama City Beach, Florida

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13. Woolworth Diner

Credit: Lorena S. via Yelp; William A. via Yelp

Bakersfield, California

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12. Wheel

Credit: Courtesy of Wheel

Pottsville, Pennsylvania

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11. Welcome Diner

Credit: Paige T. via Yelp; Nahall K. via Yelp

Phoenix, Arizona

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10. The Little Diner

Credit: T G. via Yelp; Sophia Q. via Yelp

Vail, Colorado

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9. Liz's Where Y'at Diner

Credit: Angelique R. via Yelp; Justin T. via Yelp

Mandeville, Louisiana

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8. Jim's Deli & Restaurant

Credit: Erin E. via Yelp; Jennifer N. via Yelp

Brighton, Massachusetts

18 of 25

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7. Carla's Cafe

Credit: Alex P. via Yelp; Charles M. via Yelp

Bakersfield, California

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6. 3 Brothers Diner

Credit: Jane W. via Yelp; Isac K. via Yelp

Grove City, Ohio

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5. David's Diner

Credit: Matthew L. via Yelp; Joe G. via Yelp

Springdale, Pennsylvania

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4. Krystal Jo's Diner

Credit: Mich C. via Yelp; Jeffrey D. via Yelp

Flint, Michigan

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3. The Stilly Diner

Credit: Helen M. via Yelp; Susan C. via Yelp

Arlington, Washington

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2. Rosy's Diner

Credit: Elizabeth G. via Yelp; Tom T. via Yelp

Escanaba, Michigan

24 of 25

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1. Villatoro Restaurant & Cafe

Credit: Gina M. via Yelp; Donald S. via Yelp

Marlborough, Massachusetts

25 of 25

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Everything in This Slideshow

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1 of 25 25. Ray's Family Restaurant
2 of 25 24. Mom's Kitchen
3 of 25 23. Iron Dog Diner
4 of 25 22. Roadhouse Diner
5 of 25 21. The Village Diner
6 of 25 20. Southern Charm Cafe
7 of 25 19. Sparetime Belly & Soul
8 of 25 18. Flip it LJ Diner
9 of 25 17. Moose's by the Creek
10 of 25 16. Dahlia Cafe
11 of 25 15. SNS Diner
12 of 25 14. Jesse's Place
13 of 25 13. Woolworth Diner
14 of 25 12. Wheel
15 of 25 11. Welcome Diner
16 of 25 10. The Little Diner
17 of 25 9. Liz's Where Y'at Diner
18 of 25 8. Jim's Deli & Restaurant
19 of 25 7. Carla's Cafe
20 of 25 6. 3 Brothers Diner
21 of 25 5. David's Diner
22 of 25 4. Krystal Jo's Diner
23 of 25 3. The Stilly Diner
24 of 25 2. Rosy's Diner
25 of 25 1. Villatoro Restaurant & Cafe

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The 25 Best Diners in the U.S.
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