6 Diners You’ll Want to Go Out of Your Way For
Brake for a meal at these spots famed for their great food and celebration of local culture
Even though it’s known for its made-from-scratch pancakes, there’s something for everyone on the menu at Ria’s Bluebird in Atlanta.
Diners are as much a part of Americana as baseball and apple pie. In addition to serving up some of the most affordable meals around, the booths and barstools at these spots are often filled with locals who are eager to introduce you to their unique slice of the world. It’s hard to single out the best diners in America, but here are six you’ll definitely want to go out of your way for.
Enjoy French toast with a side of tofu
One of the newest diners on our list is Ria’s Bluebird in Atlanta, Georgia. Opened in 2000, this casual Grant Park neighborhood diner is known for its fluffy pancakes, pimento cheese sandwiches and a 14-hour slow-roasted brisket shredded in a spicy tomato broth. Don’t feel overwhelmed by Ria’s expansive menu—you can’t go wrong with any selection. Vegetarian and vegan visitors have plenty of choices, too—Ria’s offers plenty of entrees featuring tempeh and tofu.
Cash in your prescription for a good meal
Jackson, Mississippi’s Brent’s Drugs opened in October 1946 as a pharmacy and soda fountain in the Fondren neighborhood. Not only did the classic drugstore become a successful pharmacy, but Jackson locals flocked there to catch up on the latest news and gossip, too. Today, Brent’s Drugs has evolved into a family diner that serves burgers, fries, grilled cheese, and chicken and tuna salad sandwiches, along with great milkshakes and its famous hand-squeezed lemonade and limeade.
Grab a root beer
Don’t let the name fool you. Triple XXX Family Restaurant in West Lafayette, Indiana, is not as racy as it sounds. Named after a vintage root beer brand, this quaint roadside diner is located a few steps away from Purdue University. Triple XXX opened as a drive-in in 1929, and today it offers burgers, fries, milkshakes and frosty-cold root beers. The diner makes all of its burgers from scratch, and one of its most popular menu items is the Duane Purvis All American burger—a quarter-pound, thick chop steak slathered with creamy peanut butter and topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion on a toasty sesame seed bun.
Chow down on crepes and croissants
Locals hungry for breakfast in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, head straight to P&G’s Pamela’s Diner, fondly referred to as Pamela’s. The popular diner, which has been serving locals since 1980, now has six locations spread throughout the city that serve its popular light and fluffy, crispy-edged crepe hotcakes, lyonnaise potatoes and bottomless cups of coffee. For the table to share, order the croissant French toast soaked in cinnamon-vanilla egg batter and topped with caramel sauce and nuts. Go early on the weekends—the line stretches around the block.
Rub elbows with the locals
Looking for a great lunchtime spot or want to grab some sliders at 2 a.m.? Check out Hayes Hamburger & Chili in Kansas City, Missouri. Opened in 1955, Hayes is the smallest diner on the list—seating about 24—so you’ll be getting a little cozy with the locals. Its homemade chili recipe harkens back to 1906, and its hamburger meat is ground fresh every day. Hayes’ burgers are seared on top of onions on a flattop grill until the onions meld into the meat. If you’re there at breakfast, order the biscuits and gravy.
Take a walk down memory lane
Ride the St. Charles Trolley to the end of the line and hop out for a meal you won’t forget at the Camellia Grill. This New Orleans, Louisiana, landmark tucked in the Carrollton section opened in 1946 and is famous for its grilled pecan pie and double-scoop chocolate cherry freeze. One of its best-sellers is the hangover special or Chef’s Omelet of turkey, ham, cheese and onions, topped with chili. Servers wear vintage crisp white shirts complete with black bow ties.
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