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

The 25 Best Diners in the U.S.

Gwen McClure headshot
By Gwen McClure June 24, 2018
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The 25 Best Diners According to Yelp
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

Ray's Family Restaurant, Elgin, IL
Credit: Stephan P. via Yelp; Akmam S. via Yelp

Elgin, Illinois

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24. Mom's Kitchen

Mom's Kitchen, North Bend, OR
Credit: Oh C. via Yelp; Cherie H. via Yelp

North Bend, Oregon

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23. Iron Dog Diner

Iron Dog Diner, North Charleston, SC
Credit: Jessica T. via Yelp; Amanda W. via Yelp

North Charleston, South Carolina

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22. Roadhouse Diner

Roadhouse Diner, Great Falls, MT
Credit: Courtesy of Roadhouse Diner via Yelp

Great Falls, Montana

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21. The Village Diner

The Village Diner, Johnson City, NY
Credit: IrregularPant S. via Yelp; Vince T. via Yelp

Johnson City, New York

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20. Southern Charm Cafe

Southern Charm Cafe, Cape Canaveral, FL
Credit: Jeff S. via Yelp; Tilda H. via Yelp

Cape Canaveral, Florida

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19. Sparetime Belly & Soul

Sparetime Belly & Soul, Alexandria, KY
Credit: S B. via Yelp; David B. via Yelp

Alexandria, Kentucky

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18. Flip it LJ Diner

Flip It LJ Diner, Washington, D.C.
Credit: C B. via Yelp

Washington, D.C.

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17. Moose's by the Creek

Moose's by the Creek, Charlottesville, VA
Credit: Sudheer V. via Yelp; Deepa M. via Yelp

Charlottesville, Virginia

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16. Dahlia Cafe

Dahlia Cafe, Liberty Hill, TX
Credit: Courtesy of Dahlia Cafe

Liberty Hill, Texas

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15. SNS Diner

SNS Diner, North Las Vegas, NV
Credit: Courtesy of SNS Diner

North Las Vegas, Nevada

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14. Jesse's Place

Jesse's Place, Panama City Beach, FL
Credit: Alicia W. via Yelp; Helena C. via Yelp

Panama City Beach, Florida

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13. Woolworth Diner

Woolworth Diner, Bakersfield, CA
Credit: Lorena S. via Yelp; William A. via Yelp

Bakersfield, California

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12. Wheel

Wheel, Pottsville, PA
Credit: Courtesy of Wheel

Pottsville, Pennsylvania

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11. Welcome Diner

Welcome Diner, Phoenix, AZ
Credit: Paige T. via Yelp; Nahall K. via Yelp

Phoenix, Arizona

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10. The Little Diner

The Little Diner, Vail, CO
Credit: T G. via Yelp; Sophia Q. via Yelp

Vail, Colorado

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9. Liz's Where Y'at Diner

Liz's Where Y'at Diner, Mandeville, LA
Credit: Angelique R. via Yelp; Justin T. via Yelp

Mandeville, Louisiana

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8. Jim's Deli & Restaurant

Jim's Deli & Restaurant, Brighton, MA
Credit: Erin E. via Yelp; Jennifer N. via Yelp

Brighton, Massachusetts

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7. Carla's Cafe

Carla's Cafe, Bakersfield, CA
Credit: Alex P. via Yelp; Charles M. via Yelp

Bakersfield, California

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6. 3 Brothers Diner

3 Brothers Diner, Grove City, OH
Credit: Jane W. via Yelp; Isac K. via Yelp

Grove City, Ohio

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5. David's Diner

David's Diner, Springdale, PA
Credit: Matthew L. via Yelp; Joe G. via Yelp

Springdale, Pennsylvania

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4. Krystal Jo's Diner

Krystal Jo's Diner, Flint, MI
Credit: Mich C. via Yelp; Jeffrey D. via Yelp

Flint, Michigan

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3. The Stilly Diner

The Stilly Diner, Arlington, WA
Credit: Helen M. via Yelp; Susan C. via Yelp

Arlington, Washington

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2. Rosy's Diner

Rosy's Diner, Escanaba, MI
Credit: Elizabeth G. via Yelp; Tom T. via Yelp

Escanaba, Michigan

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1. Villatoro Restaurant & Cafe

Villatoro Restaurant & Cafe, Marlborough, MA
Credit: Gina M. via Yelp; Donald S. via Yelp

Marlborough, Massachusetts

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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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