Carefully preserved and restored to their former glory, these authentic dining-car diners offer a unique dining experience that will delight anyone who loves a bit of nostalgia and history.
These diners, once a staple of American roadside culture, are usually found along busy highways and are easily recognizable by their long, narrow design, which was intended to mimic the look of a train car.
They were initially designed for travelers to grab a quick and affordable meal while on the go. Inside, you’ll find a counter with stools and tables to sit and enjoy classic diner fare, such as bacon and eggs, burgers and fries, and milkshakes.
Highland Park Diner
Rochester
1948 Orleans Manufacturing Company
The Highland Park Diner, originally built by the Orleans Manufacturing Company in Albion, NY, was one of only three diners they constructed. It reopened on its original site in 1986 after being closed for twelve years. The diner was restored as closely as possible to its original design as Dauphin’s Superior Diner, and it remains in operation today. As of 2003, Van Zissis owns the diner.
Learn more about Orleans Manufacturing Company
Skyliner Diner
Rochester
1956 Fodero Dining Car Company
The Bill Grays Skyliner Diner is located within The Strong National Museum of Play and serves as one of the dining options for visitors. However, due to the recent relocation of the museum’s entrance and parking garage to Howell Street, patrons must now pay admission or have a museum membership to access the diner.
Originally located in Pennsylvania, the Skyliner was transported to Rochester and restored by The Strong in 1995. The diner was designed and built by Joseph Fodero, who began his career at P.J. Tierney Sons in 1922 and later worked for Kullman before starting his own company in 1933.
Learn About Fodero Dining Car Company
Swan Street Diner
Buffalo
1937 J.B. Judkins Company
The Swan Street Diner is a Streamliner diner car that was built by the John B. Judkins Co.’s Sterling Company (no. 397). It originally operated as the Newark Diner in Newark, New York.
In 2013, The Larking Company purchased the diner and moved it to Buffalo, New York. After restoring it to its former glory, it re-opened for business in 2017.
Learn About J.B. Judkins Company
Lake Effect Diner
Buffalo
1952 Mountain View Diners Company no. 446
The diner was moved from Pennsylvania to Buffalo in 2001 and beautifully restored. In 2009, Lake Effect Diner was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. After a few years offline, the diner reopened under new ownership on August 16, 2023.
From Dream Diner: Mountain View Diners outsold almost all of the other manufacturers in the 1950s with an aggressive marketing campaign, sending their units nationwide. While attempting to go public in June 1956, the company foundered and went out of business shortly thereafter.
Learn more about Mountain View Diners Company
B’Ville Diner
Baldwinsville
1934 Pixtar
The B’ville Diner was established in 1934 in its current location in Baldwinsville, NY. It originally operated as Grady’s Diner but was later purchased by the Younis family and renamed The B’ville Diner.
In 2003, Jim and Laura Orlando purchased the diner, which they continue to own and operate today. The Diner has a long history in the community and is known for its commitment to quality homestyle cooking.
More Dining-Car Diners Around Rochester
Auburn Diner
1926 Bixler / Auburn
Smokin’ Little Diner
1955 Paterson Vehicle Company / Depew
Connie’s Diner
1965 Manno / Waterloo
Modern Diner
1946 Ward & Dickinson / Wellsville
Of Special Note
Hunter Dinerant – Closed
[excerpt] In 1951, the Hunter Dinerant was trucked into its current location overlooking the Owasco River. Three-quarters of a century later, the iconic downtown Auburn diner will be trucked back out. Where the Hunter Dinerant will be trucked to next will be determined by its new owner, the city of Auburn, which in the coming weeks will issue a request for proposals to purchase and relocate the diner.”
Related News:
- Sep. 14, 2023 – Hunter Dinerant in Auburn to be relocated; city to seek bids
- Sep. 14, 2023 – Diner Dash-Iconic Auburn Diner Has To Move
- Sep. 14, 2023 – Historic Auburn diner with ties to Joe Biden to be relocated from perch over Owasco River
- Aug. 9, 2023 – City Takes Ownership of Famous Auburn Diner
History
Auburn
1951 O’Mahony
The present diner building replaced an earlier one at the same location. The diner is perched on pillars over the Owasco River.
From Dream Diner: Starting in 1913 in Bayonne, NJ, Jerry O’Mahony was the leading manufacturer for decades. O’Mahony gave many diner builders their start in the industry. Many classic diners from the 40’s and 50’s that survive today were built by O’Mahony.
Penn Yan Diner – Closed
Penn Yan
1925 Richardson Dining Car Company
In May, 2024, the Penn Yan Diner suffered a devistating fire, and it’s future is yet to be determined. Please follow their Facebook page for updates. Read more on WXXI: Fire devastates iconic Penn Yan Diner, leaving community and owners heartbroken
In 1925, Byron and Lena Legters brought the Penn Yan Diner to its current location. Unfortunately, a fire damaged the diner in 1932, and the Legters decided to move on shortly after. When the diner went up for sale in 2022, Anna Sweet, Nate Salpeter, Alicia Avellaneda, and Cameron Mills partnered up to ensure that the diner would continue to be a vital part of the community.
As the Penn Yan Diner approaches its 100th birthday, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of these classic diners.
Learn More About Richardson Dining Car Company
A Brief History of Diners
Diners were designed to be mobile, often manufactured, and transported by rail to their final location. According to the American Diner Museum, as automobiles became more popular, some people converted decommissioned railroad cars and trolleys into diners because they couldn’t afford a new one.
These diners often had a classic Art Deco appearance with stainless steel and neon in the design. Atlas Obscura notes that diners were created with mobility in mind, just like trains, and in the 1930s, both diners and trains took on a streamlined, chrome look.
After World War II, diners incorporated features such as Formica countertops, porcelain tiles, leather booths, wood paneling, and terrazzo floors. In the suburbs, diners had a different appearance with stainless steel exteriors, large windows, and wall decor. In the 1970s, diners were revived, and many were built with a retro look.
Learn More About Diners
- American Dream Diner
- Paster Magazine
- Smithsonian Magazine
- Mental Floss
- Love Food
- Epicurious
- Gambero Rosso
- JSTOR Daily
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Which are your favorite diners?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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State St Diner Ithaca NY is where I had my first job and Fl and gravy the best times of my young life
Mike’s diner in Brighton was awesome. They closed 6 years ago.
All of these great diners, AND ME and MY WIFE CAN’T EVEN GET IN. NO RAMP. Thanks for nothing..
Check out Jays Diner in Henrietta, NY great service and food!
I lived in Rochester in 1966 and we often stopped at a diner around Lake ave and rt 104. Any idea of what diner thar was?
Maplewood Diner.
What about Jay’s Diner Rt 15 technically Brighton NY. Isn’t it an original dining-car diner that’s been added onto?
Hello, George! To the best of my knowledge, Jay’s is a 50s-style diner, built in 1966. These dining-car diners mentioned here were typically built off-site in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, then transported by train to their service location. I would love to write a separate guide for 50s-style diners, which are very different than “family style diners”. Jays in Henrietta and Reminisce in Caledonia come to mind. I’d love to hear about more of these.
Miss Batavia Diner…….opened in 1933 and still going strong!!
Thank you for suggesting Miss Batavia Diner, Lance! I usually come into Batavia from NY-33 and I have never noticed it there! I’ll make it a point to enjoy a meal there soon.
Down memory lane! Thank you! So many are gone like the Sterling Diners in Rochester NY. Glad we still have the two still here!
I agree, Sharon. Anytime I need a moment of nostalgia, these diners are my go-to. Or Seabreeze!
Gotta check out Crazy Otto’s Empire Diner in Herkimer NY. Great sevice and menu. Anytime were in the area we try to stop in.
I’ve pinned it to my map of places to try. Thank you for suggesting Crazy Otto’s, Jonathan!