Two other diners that have changed hands during the pandemic:
The Yankee Diner on Rte. 20 in Charlton, MA. They did a fantastic job of restoring it to almost it's original. Food, service and atmosphere are all as dinner aficionados will love.
The other is Josh's Place at the Southbridge, MA airport. This has changed at least three times in the last five years. I was very disappointed with the last two so I haven't tried the new.
What a walk down memory lane. Back in 1995 I remember rolling across half of Pennsylvania between Wellsboro and Erie just for a bite to eat at each of two diner landmarks: respectively, the Wellsboro Diner for a late breakfast and the Lawrence Park Dinor before its early closing time. That was a real hustle but well rewarded: I remember like it was YESTERDAY pulling up to the Dinor to see the 'open' sign still. That feeling!
And I remember thumbing the pages of roadside like it was yesterday, too. This here little banquette on Substack lets me revisit those wonderful moments -- and meals -- and feel like I am in the company of friends. But that makes it no easier to take-in the news that the Melrose -- the mighty Melrose! -- can face the wrecking ball?
The last time I visited the Melrose, it was running on all cylinders into the wee hours. It seems inconceivable that it could be lost. And goddamn it there is not a restaurant that I've patronized in the last *decade* that I wouldn't sooner see scrapped than the Melrose. That goes for any of the diners that welcomed me early or late, in summer air conditioning or wintertime steamy heat, and served a heap of respect along with eggs or club sandwich.
Unfortunately, in Southern California we don't have diners, as such. Sure we have a few fine countertop establishments, including some that are historic like the Armet & Davis Panns and Norm's (the latter recently saved from the wrecking ball). What we don't have is prefab, and what these estimable places don't have (for me at least) is the diner *magic*: the quickened heartbeat upon approach, the immediate comfort once inside, and the tangible history that is so evident from a counter stool that looks over the back bar.
I've thought about that diner magic ever since Roadside hopped the proverbial counter to hip us to the diners' stories: how they came to be, what it takes to keep them operating, and of course the operator's watchful eye on a future that is never assured.
Those stories were never more tasty than when consumed right there at the counter, with breakfast, having picked up the new Roadside issue on the way in. Alas, thanks for the memories.
The Miss Adams is open, again. I stopped there last October, during a 10 day "Diner-a-Day" Motorcycle Ride. The staff was friendly, the food was good. I hope to revisit it when the roads are clear enough to ride. I also visited the Aero Diner in Windham, Ct, the Yankee Diner in Charlton, MA, the Blue Moon in Spencer, MA, and a few others.
Two other diners that have changed hands during the pandemic:
The Yankee Diner on Rte. 20 in Charlton, MA. They did a fantastic job of restoring it to almost it's original. Food, service and atmosphere are all as dinner aficionados will love.
The other is Josh's Place at the Southbridge, MA airport. This has changed at least three times in the last five years. I was very disappointed with the last two so I haven't tried the new.
What a walk down memory lane. Back in 1995 I remember rolling across half of Pennsylvania between Wellsboro and Erie just for a bite to eat at each of two diner landmarks: respectively, the Wellsboro Diner for a late breakfast and the Lawrence Park Dinor before its early closing time. That was a real hustle but well rewarded: I remember like it was YESTERDAY pulling up to the Dinor to see the 'open' sign still. That feeling!
And I remember thumbing the pages of roadside like it was yesterday, too. This here little banquette on Substack lets me revisit those wonderful moments -- and meals -- and feel like I am in the company of friends. But that makes it no easier to take-in the news that the Melrose -- the mighty Melrose! -- can face the wrecking ball?
The last time I visited the Melrose, it was running on all cylinders into the wee hours. It seems inconceivable that it could be lost. And goddamn it there is not a restaurant that I've patronized in the last *decade* that I wouldn't sooner see scrapped than the Melrose. That goes for any of the diners that welcomed me early or late, in summer air conditioning or wintertime steamy heat, and served a heap of respect along with eggs or club sandwich.
Unfortunately, in Southern California we don't have diners, as such. Sure we have a few fine countertop establishments, including some that are historic like the Armet & Davis Panns and Norm's (the latter recently saved from the wrecking ball). What we don't have is prefab, and what these estimable places don't have (for me at least) is the diner *magic*: the quickened heartbeat upon approach, the immediate comfort once inside, and the tangible history that is so evident from a counter stool that looks over the back bar.
I've thought about that diner magic ever since Roadside hopped the proverbial counter to hip us to the diners' stories: how they came to be, what it takes to keep them operating, and of course the operator's watchful eye on a future that is never assured.
Those stories were never more tasty than when consumed right there at the counter, with breakfast, having picked up the new Roadside issue on the way in. Alas, thanks for the memories.
Unfortunately the Miss Adams Diner announced it was closing, again.
https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/berkshire-county/miss-adams-diner-closes-until-further-notice/
Now I need to go to MA to check out the Unique Cafe…
The Miss Adams is open, again. I stopped there last October, during a 10 day "Diner-a-Day" Motorcycle Ride. The staff was friendly, the food was good. I hope to revisit it when the roads are clear enough to ride. I also visited the Aero Diner in Windham, Ct, the Yankee Diner in Charlton, MA, the Blue Moon in Spencer, MA, and a few others.