2009.01.08
I'm a diner miner
I'm reading a book called "Blue Highways" by an author named William Least Heat-Moon (he has Osage blood) who traveled the country in a pimped-out van and tried to avoid interstates at all costs in favor of the back roads.
The people he met and the places he visited during his travels (which actually happened back in the late 70s or early 80s-- it's an older book) are interesting to be sure, but I became most engrossed when he described his road meals. So far - I'm only about 1/3 of the way in - he seems to have a preference for diners that are off the beaten path. He even has a little rating system for these diners which is based on how many wall calendars they have hanging in the place. I assume he's talking about those calendars put out by the local plumbing company or the local butcher shop -- stuff that shows the locals are a fixture in that particular cafe.
All of this has me thinking again about a story I've been longing to do. I want to provide a guide to some of the best roadside diners in Southwest Virginia. First, though, I have to determine what constitutes a roadside diner worthy of being featured in this story. I doubt if the wall calendar formula still applies.
Merriam-Webster defines "diner" as "a restaurant usually resembling a diner car in shape." If that's the definition we're going with, none of the diners I can think of in these parts would even qualify. It absolutely cannot be a franchise of any kind, I know. I also know that some of the best diners are off the beaten path, but some good ones can be seen right from I-81 or I-64.
We've got the Blue Ridge Diner in Floyd, Hale's on U.S. 460 out toward Shawsville, the Little Chef on Williamson Road... that's just the beginning. What do you guys think defines a good diner, and what's your favorite diner in these parts?
I would have to say The Pancake house on Apperson Dr. in Salem is my favorite. Your picture has one of the qualifications. The old counter with the stools. And they have to have booths too. No table and chairs. They have to have good food at a good price. Forks in Bedford comes to mind also. And I guess I would even vote for Little Chef.
Comment by Mike D — January 8, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
Good lord, is Hale's still open? We used to stop there on the way to Tennessee before I81 was opened up back in the 70s! Jeez!
A good diner should have a good burger, hot off the grill. They should have a good chopped steak and gravy and mashed potato plate, a veggie plate, fountain drinks, breakfast 24 hrs a day, and good coffee.
I've ordered Guy Fieri's book of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives to take with us when we RV after we retire. I hope we can find some good places to chow down!
Comment by Kathy — January 8, 2009 @ 1:35 pm
I don't know if "diner" and "mom and pop" eatery are defined the same way, but that's how I'd see it, and the ABSOLUTE BEST place in ALL of Franklin County to get a GREAT hamburger is the 77 Restaurant in Ferrum. The food is not fancy, but the people are great, the service is excellent and I just love the knotty pine paneling (like your kitchen Lindsey) in the front area where there is a lunch counter. The walls have the menu items from WAY back and their prices (which are absolutely hilarious in this day and age). The prices are affordable and they are always doing a brisk business, whether it's locals or Ferrum college students. They have a daily special which is always great. The decor, especially the flooring, could be spruced up some (there haven't been many changes since 1989 when I started going there) and the bathrooms are COZY (a/k/a small). The hours are a little limited -- early to 2:30 every day but Friday when they stay open until 8:30 p.m. I always enjoy breakfast there on the weekends!! Try it, you'll LIKE it (especially Linda's homemade cream pies!! YUMMMYYYYYY!!!!).
Comment by Susan — January 8, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
The Mayberry Diner and Drive-in just opened near downtown Moneta. Here's the website: http://www.mayberrydrivein.com/Home.html
I know the diner has a history. It was bought off ebay. I've been inside and it seems like the real-deal. And with menu items named after your favorite Mayberry characters, you can't go wrong.
The hub in downtown Rocky Mount sells the best pie in Franklin County. There buttescotch pie is unforgettable and should be ordered WITH your lunch. This way, you have a better chance of getting a slice before they sell out.
Comment by Amy Hanek — January 8, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
I love diners and hole in the wall places. HITW places have one door and 1 row of seats at a bar. Diners enlarged the HITW places with more seating but must have a bar with stools.
Comment by ken — January 8, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
I think a diner should be defined as an establishment that serves traditional dishes, is primarily owned by a family over a number of years, that has consistently served homestyle food, and is not part of a national chain.
I don't know if that hits all the things people think about for diners, but it's what I look for when I am in an area searching for a diner.
Comment by Kathie Northern — January 8, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
A diner has home-style food, typically in a homey environment. Glitz tends to take the shine off a diner. Daily specials are a must. Gravy smothered entrees with two veggies and choice of bread says "diner" to me. That eliminates the lunch counters that focus on sandwiches and grilled items. Wonderful places in their own right, but they are not diners. Friendly, informal yet professional service is a big plus, too. I'm a regular at Hales and it is certainly my favorite, but the Dogwood in Vinton is right up there. I'm not a fan of Little Chef, except for breakfast. But now that the soulful CJ's Chicken and Waffles is right next door, I never go to Little Chef anymore. The Dixie's American Grill at the Ironto Truck Stop is interesting. The big plate of cooked to order chicken livers is a gut buster. Never been to the Pink Cadillac on I-81 near Natural Bridge. But it rated three grease stains on http://www.hollyeats.com, so it must be good. I've sampled many of Holly's suggestions and he's about 95% reliable in my opinion. That's pretty darn reliable.
Comment by Paul — January 8, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
Community Inn, Grandin Road..... Diner, traditional food, family owned and one row of seats (well kind of) But well worth the trip for the food and the fun.
Comment by D — January 8, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
As soon as I started reading, I immediately thought of the Pink Cadillac. I've been there several times and have never been disappointed. I even drink my morning java out of a Pink Cadillac mug now. I love that place!
Comment by Debi — January 8, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
You make some good points Paul. All those things I agree with. I agree with you on Little Chef as I mostly eat there for breakfast. Get lunch once an a while but not that often. Love their breakfast. Fills you up, good most of the time and the price is right.
Got a question for you on CJ's Chicken and Waffles. I noticed their name changed on the health departments sight but is still Thelma's on the building. Why did the name change? Is the food, service and prices the same. I liked them once and the food was good the first time I ate there but a bit disappointing the second time. That on top of paying nearly $9 and leaving not full are the only reasons I haven't returned. I also stopped in shortly after they opened but ended up not eating and leaving because I waited nearly 15 min and had not gotten my food and they were not busy at all. I had very weak tea and the bathroom smelt horrible that day. I have been wanting to go there again but two out of three visits were bad. Like to hear back from you Paul.
Comment by Mike D — January 9, 2009 @ 1:09 am
Definitely need to add to your list: Kenney's in Lexington (more of a drive-in than a diner, but great fried chicken, burgers, shakes), and the Greenwood Resaurant on 11 north of Troutville.
Comment by __Nathan — January 9, 2009 @ 11:02 am
I think my mom, Kathy, needs to survey my father of his favorite Hole-in-the-Wall places, because he is the King of the HITW. When he was working out of town, he always hit up the local restaurant as opposed to many of his co-workers who went to Hardee's or McDonald's. I know he likes Chip & Jo's in Salem, but whether that qualifies as a diner, I'm not sure. If we adopt Paul's definition, I suppose it would qualify.
Comment by Lori — January 9, 2009 @ 11:17 am
The Town Diner in Hillsville actually meets the dictionary definition. Part of it is in an old converted bus or streetcar that was toted up the mountain from Mount Airy.
Ernie's on the Market is a great diner. So is Sheila's. Does Paul's count? They're all kinda holes-in-the-wall.
Comment by Ralph — January 9, 2009 @ 11:54 am
Dave's resturant on 460 across from Hickory Woods Apartments used to be my favorite. I haven't been to the dive in years but it is still open. They are "famous" as written on the sign out front, that they are home to the Phat Daddy. A Phat Daddy is a hamburger the size of a dinner plate. When I was a child my step-father would pay me $5 to finish it, it was so delicious and so huge that I would have to let the last bite literally disolve in my mouth.
Comment by Brandi — January 9, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
Lori, how about Weezie's in Waynesboro? wonder if they are still open? Yeah, your dad definitely knows his diners!
Comment by Kathy — January 10, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Sheila's in downtown Roanoke should definitely be on this list. The restaurant itself isn't that big, but the food that comes out of there is always top-notch....homemade, delicious and reasonably priced. Their soups are fantastic, their burgers are huge, and the slices of cake can serve two with ease. I work downtown and my coworkers and I order from there at least once or twice a week, and we've never been disappointed. And the folks who work there are always super nice and friendly.
Comment by Leisa — January 10, 2009 @ 10:22 am