This Iconic Diner Has Been Open for Almost a Century

Nothing says Americana like a diner. They often feature delightful gimmicks, chrome-plated exteriors, and vibrant interiors whilst serving up classic American dishes like hamburgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes. The classic diner look features rail-car-like dimensions with a long thin serving space featuring a seating counter across from dining booths. While diners reached their heyday back in the 1950s, something special about them still holds the public interest. Though many have come and gone, some keep the torch of Americana alive and remain the oldest diners in the US that are still open.

It's hard to ascribe an exact origin to the classic American diner. Experts, however, point to an 1872 horse-pulled food wagon created by Walter Scott in Providence, Rhode Island. After he found success with his quick-to-order, quicker-to-make food services, the notion of the diner was codified in the early 20th century. By the end of the First World War, companies like the Jerry O'Mahoney Diner Company began crafting prefabricated diner railcars and selling them by the thousands across the US. With the advent of car culture in the 1950s, diners spread far and wide. Though they have since fallen out of popularity, some establishments continue to operate as the oldest diners in the US. (For other ancient eateries, discover the oldest restaurants in America.)

To compile a list of the oldest diners in the US that are still open, 24/7 Tempo consulted food, travel, and news publications including Love Food. Next, we selected diners that feature some of the oldest diner elements and still serve as iconic locations around the United States. After that, we relied on sites like Times Square NYC and the Michelin Guide to confirm aspects of each diner's history, food offerings, and other features.

Though Ellen's Stardust Diner opened in 1987, it remains one of the oldest diners in the US. Designed with an explicitly 50s theme, the establishment features walls lined with Americana memorabilia and a lengthy menu chock-full of classic American dishes. The diner's most prominent feature, however, is its singing waitstaff. From sunrise to sundown, these servers sing their heart out.

As the diner sits right in the heart of New York City on Broadway, some of these singers even go on to star in Broadway shows. Food-wise, Ellen's best picks include its cinnamon rolls pancakes, or other specialty breakfast meals like the Holy Moly French Toast. Due to its unique theme, Ellen's has been featured in the media. It appears in the movie "New Year's Eve" starring Sarah Jessica Parker and in an American Idol Episode after one of its singing waitstaff became a contestant on the show.

Bob's Big Boy stands as one of Los Angeles' most famous burger spots and one of the oldest diners in the US. With its large, iconic neon sign and double-decker hamburgers, the diner has seen numerous celebrities grab a bite to eat including The Beatles. Though it operates in more than one location, its Burbank establishment acts as a fixture of the local community. It also features a vintage car show outside its doors every Friday.

As the story goes, Bob's Big Boy started as a twinkle in Bob Wian's eye. However, Wian was determined to fulfill his dream. In 1936, Wian sold his car and bought a ten-stool lunch stand. The rest, they say, is history. Even 90 years later, Bob's Big Boy remains open seven days a week, with a later closing time than many nearby restaurants. It's the perfect place for a late-night burger fix.

Long ago, The Varsity in Atlanta acted as a drive-in restaurant. It became so popular, that its owners took to calling it the "World's biggest drive-in." Though the drive-in days have since passed, The Varsity remains Atlanta's most popular diner spot and one of the oldest diners in the US. Since 1928, The Varsity has been owned and operated by the same family. Menu-wise, the diner serves a tasty selection of classic American dishes like chili dogs, cheeseburgers, and crisp french fries.

Due to its unique look and longevity, The Varsity appeared in the news countless times over the years. Actor Clark Gable famously enjoyed a meal there in 1939. Furthermore, when the Olympics came to town in 1996, city-famous employee Erby Walker carried the Olympic torch. A successful establishment, The Varsity has spread its wings over the years. Nowadays, it operates in six locations across the city. The diner even sends out food trucks for catered events.

Deep in the heart of the south sits Brent's Drugs. Don't be fooled by the name as it's one of the oldest diners in the US and a mainstay of the Jackson, Mississippi community. Pharmacist Alvin Brent founded the restaurant in 1946, keeping the medicinal name while jampacking the place with colorful blue booths, black-and-white checkerboard floors, and a classic neon sign. Menu-wise, Brent's Drugs features classic American staples like grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes, and its world-famous ice cream floats.

Unlike other diners, however, Brent's Drugs features an adjoining bar to serve patrons on the hunt for stronger libations. Named The Apothecary, the sister bar offers imaginative cocktails like the Tutto Pepe, a remix of the Negroni served with black pepper. Over the years, local publications have called The Apothecary one of the best bars in the Jackson area for its fun takes on classic cocktails.

Perhaps even more so than Bob's Big Boy, The Original Pantry Cafe serves as a staple of the Los Angeles community. Though it originated as a quaint, 15-stool establishment in 1924, it has since grown into a well-known diner in demand with local patrons and one of the oldest diners in the US. Better yet, The Original Pantry Cafe operates 24 hours a day, offering its classic fare to even the most ardent night owls.

Though the diner passed through many hands over the years, it's currently owned by the former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan. What's more, some of the biggest names in American history have sampled its well-cooked wears. At different points, people like Marilyn Monroe and even Martin Luther King Jr. visited The Original Pantry Cafe. In 2019, Google listed the diner as a local favorite.

Some diners stick with a cohesive theme. Others, however, like the 59er Diner in Leavenworth, Washington go all out on ephemera to keep your eyes wandering as you eat. The 59er Diner, one of the oldest diners in the US, features different cabin themes depending on where you sit. Be it the tropically themed Paradise Bungalow, the 50s Americana-themed Big Bopper Bungalow, or the linoleum-infused '70s Haus, the 59er Diner provides countless décor options.

Though it appears off the beaten path full of wacky ephemera like the best of tourist traps, it offers more than just imaginative decorations. The 59er Diner serves eggs dropped by its own chickens and seasonal produce from local farmers. Besides the working 50's Jukebox, the diner features regular Elvis sightings, an outdoor sitting area, and even charging stations for your electric car.

In the 1980s, a Southern California couple named Champ and Peggy Sue Gardner moved to the Mojave Desert, bought an old 50s diner, and renovated it. Thus, Peggy Sue's 50's Diner was born. Like other establishments on this list of the oldest diners in the US, Peggy Sue's leans in heavily to the Americana theme. Jammed packed with nostalgia and memorabilia, the diner has become a favorite for locals, long-haul truckers, and tourists passing through.

The diner crafts its menu around co-founder Peggy Sue's grandmother's home-spun recipes. These take on an extra verve with names like Mickey Mouse Club Sandwich and the Tina Turner Tuna Sandwich. Beyond the great American dishes, however, Peggy Sue's offers other attractions. Beyond the vibrant diner, the space features a pizza parlor, a wacky gift shop, and even a dinosaur statue behind the restaurant.

Built in 1949, Lou Mitchell's diner in Chicago, Illinois remains one of the oldest operating diners in the US. Situated on the world-famous Route 66, this charming diner became the first restaurant in Chicago to serve breakfast dishes 24 hours a day. As it sits right at the mouth of the auto river that is Route 66, patrons took to calling Lou Mitchell's "the first stop on the Mother Road." Menu-wise, the diner features crisp, toasty sandwiches, hearty egg dishes, and fresh salads.

This isn't your usual repackaged frozen dinner fare, however, as Lou Mitchell's makes its orange juice and fresh bread in-house, as well as sourcing egg and meat ingredients from local farmers and suppliers. Due to its standing among visitors, the National Register of Historic Places added it to its rankings in 2006. It's also recognized by the esteemed Michelin Guide for its tasty omelets and famous crowds. Furthermore, the now-deceased owner Heleen Thanasouras appeared on the fourth season of "Top Chef," showcasing work at the restaurant's egg station.

Proprietors Mel Weiss and Harold Dobbs pioneered the concept of a drive-in restaurant when they opened the first Mel's Drive-in in 1947. With its original location situated on 140 South Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, it became a local staple and gained further popularity after being featured in the movie "American Graffiti." Its popularity grew to such heights by the 1950s that Mel's purportedly made up to 20,000 burgers a day.

Though diners fell out of favor by the mid-1970s, and its owners sold Mel's, it has since made a delightful comeback. Now it features locations across California in cities like Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, and Santa Monica. Menu-wise, Mel's Drive-in features chili fries, crispy chicken tenders, and its signature classic, the Melburger. For the more health-conscious consumer, the diner also features vegetarian meals, as well as a smoothie and juice bar.

It's not often you can eat in a classic dining car. Enter the 11th Street Diner in tropical Miami, Florida. Open for several decades seven days a week, remains one of the oldest diners in the US and a fixture of Miami. The Paramount Dining Car Company originally built the diner's chrome-bespoke exterior for a diner in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Later, the car was dismantled, shipped, and rebuilt on 11th Street in Miami.

Like all great diners, the 11th Street Diner features classic diner accouterments like red leather booths, checkerboard tile floors, and chrome accents both inside and out. Menu-wise, the diner serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with notable options in the form of hot wings, cheesesteaks, and its signature Cobb Salad. Unlike other diners, the 11th Street Diner takes advantage of its ocean location and serves up classic seafood twists on American comfort food. Come for the true diner experience, but stay for the Shrimp and Grits.

The Clinton Station Diner sits tucked away in Clinton, New Jersey. Though it only opened 20 or so years ago, it remains one of the oldest diners in the US because it operates out of a Blue Comet train car built in 1927. Perhaps more than any other diner on this list, the Clinton Station Diner's menu runs so long it might make your head spin. It features everything from hummus nachos to fried calamari. What's more, the establishment has a hefty dessert case that features over 50 house-baked choices.

This isn't just pre-made pre-packaged meals, either. Clinton Station Diner makes its bread in-house twice a day. For the more adventurous patron, the diner offers multiple burger challenges that award cash to the unlikely winners. Good luck though, as their incredible 105-pound 8th Wonder burger might be one of the biggest burgers in existence.

Though it started as a small café with an adjoining gas station in the 1950s, Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner has grown into a famous stop on Route 66 and one of the oldest diners in the US. When driving down the famous highway, it's hard to miss this diner thanks to its eye-popping exterior color scheme and large, fantastically drawn signs. A well-known spot in Kingman, Arizona, the diner has served its fair share of patrons over the years including Oprah Winfrey.

It's not just a tourist-trap hotspot on Route 66 either, as Mr. D'z's Route 66 Diner has earned a reputation for quality ingredients and fantastic-tasting meals. Indeed, AZ Family Magazine named it one of the best restaurants in Arizona. That's because this diner makes its own root beer and pizza. Furthermore, some call its homemade root beer soda one of the best concoctions on earth. Not too shabby for a desert highway pitstop. (For the best diner offerings around the country, discover the most iconic diner in each state.)

For nearly a century, Clanton's Cafe has served tasty American comfort food dishes to local restaurants and become an iconic diner in the process. Its roots formed in 1927 when farmer Grant Clanton started The Busy Bee Cafe and would come out at noon to bang a pot, letting residents know lunch was ready. Due to its popularity, Clanton reformed it in 1930 as Clanton's Cafe along Oklahoma's section of the famous Route 66. Nowadays, it stands as one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in the state.

Menu-wise, Clanton's Cafe features a delightful mix of classic American comfort food. These include Belgian waffles, chicken fried sandwiches, cobbler pies, and stuffed baked potatoes. Due to its lengthy operating history and good standing among area residents, Clanton's Cafe was once featured on the popular Food Network Show, "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives."

While many diners claim a long-standing history, none of them can compete in terms of operating years like Frank's Diner in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In many ways, this diner which is the oldest operating diner in the US started on a whim. It was founded by Anthony Franks after he read a magazine article about starting a diner. Quick on the draw, Franks put down $7,500 and a few hundred more in shipping costs to order a diner railcar. The Jerry O'Mahony company built the diner, shipped it by railroad flatcar to Kenosha, and Franks opened up shop. A few years later, Franks tied the space together after building a larger kitchen and dining room.

Frank's Diner has been around so long, that the list of names that have passed through would make your head spin. Besides multiple teams worth of Green Bay Packers players, famous names like The Three Stooges, Liberace, Duke Ellington, and even Mark Ruffalo have eaten there. A favorite among both knowns and unknowns, Frank's Diner features a classic American menu with items like chili and cheddar omelets, silver dollar pancakes, and homemade French toast. It's best known, however, for what it calls its "garbage plates." These are large slop-like platters awash in various meats, cheese, and vegetables.

While the aforementioned Frank's Diner can claim its longevity as the oldest railcar diner, the actual oldest diner in the US is The Original Haven Brothers Diner in Providence, Rhode Island. Anne Philomena Haven opened this diner on wheels in 1893 with her brothers using money from her husband's life insurance policy. Though it started on a horse and buggy, The Original Haven Brother's Diner later became a chrome metal lunch mobile complete with inside seating.

As for its menu, The Original Haven Brothers Diner features both classic American comfort food fare and fun twists on old standards. These include items like the Murder Burger, made with fried egg and bacon, as well as BBQ sauce and onion-laden Rodeo Burger. Recently, The Original Haven Brothers Diner opened its own ice cream truck which features everything from ice cream floats to delicious ice cream sundaes and milkshakes. (For liquid libations, discover the oldest bar in every state in America.)