December 17 2016 - Blue Moon Diner - Gardner MA

Mo and I were heading out to check the camp in Ashfield and decided to stop for our monthly diner visit at the Blue Moon Diner in Gardner MA.   We had plans to go into Boston for our diner visit on Saturday with JP but the snow on Saturday postponed our plans.  Knowing we were not going to be able to catch up with Jill in December we decided we might as well hit the Blue Moon.  It was worth the stop.

First the History
The history is on the menu so instead of typing it why not post the picture:

As stated in the write up - our visit was an enjoyable trip to an establishment that has done a good job preserving the original diner car feel.  Even with the additional seating in the rear it still feels like a historic diner and seems to operate that way.   Another nice touch to the menu was the diner ten commandments:

Our Experience
Mo and I chose to sit at the counter for our breakfast and we were able to watch Jamie (obvious conclusion) manage the grill, the wait staff and overall activities in the diner.   She spoke and things happened with a smile.  Yes a small, tight knit operation with apparently happy customers and employees.

Ok I don't change much, I ordered a bran muffin, eggs over easy and a sausage patty.   Mo ordered an Omelet, home fries and their corn beef hash.   Both of our meals were exceptional,  muffins were definitely made there and Mo had a choice of their homemade hash or otherwise.  Yes she choose their homemade hash and it was probably one of the best ones we have had since starting our adventures.

Love the cast iron frying pan with constantly boiling water for those who want poached eggs - eggs benedict.   I don't think it was a Lodge - maybe a Wagner or Griswold.

Commandment VII thou shalt sit at the counter.

Okay the biggest distraction - lose the Blue Moon Beer sign and put the Worcester diner clock (to the left) prominently in its place.  Blue Moon is pretty much a foo foo beer and although the name is the same it doesn't belong in a fifties diner.  Just an opinion.  

Contrary to that criticism,  photos like this in the bathroom belong in a late fifties - early sixties diner. Goodbye Norma Jean Though I never knew you at all You had the grace to hold yourself While those around you crawled. 

And always the solo Diner Queen this month.

November 19 2016 - Chet's Diner Northborough MA

Mo, Jill and I made our monthly diner stop on Saturday November 19th.  This month we chose Chet's diner in Northborough MA.  Jills home town.   She shared stories of her father and her going here many times for breakfast and how he used to spend an ample hours at Chets after selectmen meetings.  She warned us of questionable coffee.

History First
Chet’s Diner is #177 from the Worcester Lunch Car Company.  These lunch cars were hand-built at the factory, then transported to their sites with a large truck. Diner #177 was shipped in two pieces and assembled on-site because of its extra length.  The Worcester Lunch Car Company would eventually build 651 diners, approximately 140 of which are still in operation throughout the United States.  The National Register of Historic Places contains many diners; Chet’s Diner deserves consideration for this prestigious designation.

In the late 1920’s, Route 20 through Northborough was straightened; the old road became East Main Street, and this new portion became Route 20 / Main Street. Chet’s Diner opened along the new highway on July 2, 1931. The original owner was Chet Warren. However, by the mid-1930s, the diner was bought by Paul and Bessie Strazero, who ran it until they retired, and their son took it over.  Nancy Pantazis acquired it in 1964 and it is now operated by her granddaughter Jessica Fidrych, daughter of the famous Detroit Tigers pitcher Mark “the Bird” Fidrych.  

Our Experience
This place is definitely a local favorite based on the number of people there on Saturday morning at 8:15 AM. 

There were old timers there, mature adults like us, and young families. Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves - it was quite lively in there.   The diner was staffed appropriately and it was amazing how they managed to keep things going in the limited diner space.   The atmosphere was great and it was nice to see this very functional and well preserved diner in operation.   Somewhat modernized but still very original.

Although Jill warned us about questionable coffee it was actually very good.  Hot and strong enough to wake you up.

I had eggs over easy, marble bread and a side of hash.  Jill had eggs over hard and the marble bread and Mo had one of the omelets.  Jill had to send her eggs to be hardened up and the hash was homemade and tasted alright but had green peppers in it that just overtook the taste.  Not of fan of green peppers in anything.  Otherwise it was very good and the meals were served quickly and our waitress took care of us very nicely even with the crowd that was in there.  

Food was good, atmosphere great and original diner feel made it well worth the stop.  On our recommended list.

And yes of course the diner queens picture.

Oct 29 2016 - Miss Mendon Diner

Gabby, Jill P, Mo and I were able to get together in October for our monthly diner breakfast.  It was a little later in the month then usual but we pulled it together.   Our October 2016 visit brought us to the Miss Mendon Diner on halloween weekend.   

The history
Miss Mendon actually started her life as Miss Newport and her car number was #823.  Even though her car number is 823 she was actually the 623 car built by Worcester Lunch Car Company since they began their numbering sequence at 200.   She was delivered on May 16, 1950 to her first owner.  The car layout remains the same as it did in 1950; it has been modernized a little bit, added a new dining area onto the side, and built a professional kitchen onto the back of the car and, re-chromed the seats and cleaned up and restored all of the finishes.

Our Experience

Miss Mendon diner is located in the Imperial Car Dealership parking lot in Mendon MA.   The original diner is well maintained and many amenities have been added to modernize the dining experience.  Sill had plenty nostalgic material however including the tabletop jute box selector.

Our meals were very good although nothing special.   Coffee was  good, hash was bland,  Gabs pancake was okay but not the one she ordered.   I guess we have given the food a B - okay but again nothing special.

As always a picture of the diner queens.

Sept 17 2016 - Night & Day Dinner Palmer Mass

Mo and I headed out without JP on Saturday Sept 17th for our monthly diner visit.  We were heading to Quabbin Reservoir and the diner was pretty much on the way so we gave it a try.

The history
The Day and Night Diner on Route 20 in downtown Palmer MA is Worcester Lunch Car Diner #781. Built in 1944 it is currently open for breakfast and lunch.

Our Experience

This diner is located right on route 20 in the center of Palmer Mass.   This is local joint and it was pretty obvious everyone sitting at the counter knew each other.  Simple menu with the normal eggs, bacon and sausage and the likes.

This place showed it age and could have used some sprucing up but you could definitely tell it was an original Worcester Diner Car.  Not much had changed but like I said it could have used a little brightening up.   It was clean however and after a not so pleasant guess departed we felt much better about the place.

Mo had her breakfast sandwich with a side of hash and I had my normal eggs over easy with sausage patties and a grilled muffin.   New red potato home fries were also included and they were very good.

 

 

My meal was very good and MO's sandwich was good but the hash was greasy and most likely came straight from the can.   So greasy it made her sick to her stomach.   Not a great dining experience for her but like I said my was pretty good.

 

Only one diner queen this month and this diner will probably go on the list of been there done that and I don't see it being a destination visit anytime soon.

 

 

 



Aug 20 2016 - Peg's Diner Whitinsville

After a few months without the third musketeer we reunited again for a trip to the Peg's Diner in Whitinsville.  Summer activities are tough to coordinate and we missed JP on our diner visits this summer.   Hopefully we are back on track now.



First A little history:
This former 1936 Worcester Lunch Car, Serial #723, is still very viable at 87 Church Street. Known previously by most Whitin Machine Works workers during the 1940’s, 1950’s as Pat’s (Duggans) Diner, and in the 1960’s as Sully’s (Sullivans) Diner, and then as Barbara’s Place and the 87 Diner, and finally as Peg Gagner’s (Peg’s) Diner today, it is certainly best described as “a step back in time”. It still has its original floor and tables and booths, although its counter top has been changed. Having 10 stools and 4 booths, twenty four persons can be seated comfortably at any one time.

Our Experience
Yes it is Worcester diner but all the unique qualities of a worcester diner are pretty much gone.    It still has its original floor and tables and booths, although its counter top has been changed to a formica top that is pretty blah.   And why would you cover the outside of a worcester diner with Vinyl siding - so much for historical preservation.

That being said the diner charm was still there - it was definitely a local hangout where everybody knew your name.  Small, friendly and inexpensive.  

Overall counter, food prep area and menu board look the same:

Food was simple and okay but not great.   It was fine but we all felt that not much additional preparation was done there including the hash and baked beans.   Can to grill to plate.   

This month's diner queens in front of Vinyl sided Peg's Diner - boy do they look good.

   

July 30 2016 - BlueBonnet Diner

Mo and I were heading back up to the Ashfield Camp for the weekend and I talked her into breakfast at the BlueBonnet in Northampton.  Another Worcester Diner Car  that has been expanded into a large restaurant and banquet facility.  But its origination is still a Worcester diner car.

Mo was out late Friday night so we didn't get a real early start but even when we arrived around 9:45 the parking lot was full and it was obvious the Bluebonnet was a place to frequent for breakfast on Saturday morning.

Been here many times before for various meals but this was the first time I actually sat in the original diner car.  

First A little history:

Bluebonnet diner is WLC # 825 delivered May 12th, 1950

The Bluebonnet Diner is the first of 3 diners that were built with this interesting configuration. It was built with 5 windows flanked by a door at each end of the front facade. The other 2 that were designed like this were the Miss Beverly Diner (No. 828) and Arthur’s Diner (No. 830). Eventually the owners of the Bluebonnet Diner wanted more room and decided to add onto the diner. They did this rather ingeniously by removing the left end wall and swinging it out to be level with the front facade. Then they made the addition behind this new front section. You can get a feel for what was done by looking closely at the details behind the windows in the wooden entryway as seen in the above photo. The diner not only has the added dining room but also a large function facility behind.

Our Experience:

The Bluebonnet is a pretty large establishment compared to most diners,  thus the original diner although in tact, is probably pretty far from what was delivered in May 1950.   Yes different in appearance but some things were still the same as they are for most diners:

Note the clock and the menu board - not positive if the clock is truly a worcester diner car clock but they are sure trying.

Also the diner had a Cheers atmosphere where many patrons knew each others name and the waitresses, who were excellent,  had obviously put in multiple years at the establishment. 

Mo had a breakfast sandwich and a side of hash -  sandwich was very good and hash was okay.  Could have been done a little more and contrary to normal there was probably too much corned beef in it.   Not bad but could have been better.

I had one of their specials,  the summer omelet which had Zucchini, Summer Squash, Onions,  and mushrooms.  It was spectacular and Mo and I both agreed we needed to try that one at home.

Solo diner queen photo in front of the Bluebonnet:

June 25 2016 - Miss Florence Diner

Missed our normal diner visit weekend on June 18th because I was working - sorry Jill P.  Keeping things going the following weekend 6/25 we went to Miss Florence Diner without  our normal diner queen Jill in attendance.  This is one of my favorite diners that I have been going to do for xxxx years while living in Western Mass or because I was out there for family activities.

First A little history:

The Miss Florence Diner is a historic diner at 99 Main Street in the Florence section of Northampton, Massachusetts. It was manufactured in 1941 by the Worcester Lunch Car Company and is one of four diners in the city. At the time of its listing on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1999, it had been owned by the same family since its construction. The diner was a traditional barrel-roofed shape, but it was modified in the late 1940s to increase capacity, by adding another bay on the left, and four (in a configuration perpendicular to the main diner body) on the right. These modifications gave the diner an L shape.^[2]

Our Experience:

Been here many times before so I ordered my normal entree of over easy eggs, sausage patties and a grilled bran muffin.  One of the reasons I like this place is because they always have bran muffins.

I was very happy with my meal and so was the younger crew.  Gabby ordered a side of hash and pancakes with strawberries and whip cream.  BF Tanner order the works, got it and finished it.  

Inside is very typical Worcester diner car:

And as always the diner queens picture:

    

Sunday June 5th 2016 - Edgemere Diner - Shrewsbury Mass

We missed May because of too many obligations.  Missed an opportunity to visit the Miss Portland Diner which is Worcester lunch car # 818.   Just too hard to coordinate with crew going to Marissa's graduation.

Today was a make up visit and we shook it up a little.   Mo and I woke up and we had lost power. Wanted coffee and we were both hungry so we decided to hit up another local diner for breakfast.

First A little history:
Broke from the Worcester diner cars this month and headed to the Edgemere diner in Shrewsbury Mass.  The diner, with 18 counter seats and five booths, was built in the 1940s by Fodero Dining Car Co. in New Jersey.  This type of diner, common in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, is rarely seen in the Bay State. The diners are known for their stainless steel exteriors and art-deco appearance.

Our Experience:
Much to Maureen's delight (Jill would have liked also) you are waited on by a crew of fine gentlemen who were friendly, efficient and funny.   Menu had ample choices and there were additional specials to choose from.

Maureen had an omelet with hash and I had eggs over easy, sausage links, homefries and a grilled corn muffin and of course coffee.  Coffee, omelet, hash, eggs and corn muffin were very good.  Sausage links and home fires were just okay.  Which means not that good.

Food was decent and the diner atmosphere was right on.   A key to any good diner is not having a single matching coffee cup and lots of old shit behind counter.  

Good breakfast - definitely worth additional stops.   Like always here is the solo diner queen for this visit.   With no power going out prep time was limited.

Saturday April 9th - Boulevard Diner - Worcester MA

Third month of our diner adventures and we selected Boulevard Diner on Shrewsbury Street  in Worcester.

Just the three Diner Musketeers this month - Mo, Jill and Mat.

First a little history:

The Boulevard Diner is a historic diner at 155 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was built by Worcester Lunch Car Company in 1936 as #730. It is a well preserved instance of a barrel-roof diner that the company made in significant numbers in the years before the Second World War, and the city's best-preserved 1930s diner. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Our Experience
No menus, you order off the boards as shown in the picture below.   Everyday options are listed on semi permanent displays while specials and new additions are taped up pieces of paper. Works for me.

Jill and and I ordered mushroom and spinach omelets and Mo ordered a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with a side of corn beef hash.   Hash is a requirement for every stop. 

 Sitting at the counter we could watch our breakfasts being prepared.

Based on various comments from the diner trio - I think we are probably in the B, B+ range for this diner.

• Coffee was really good.
• Home Fries were  good.
• Omelets were very tasty but the canned mushrooms in them were definitely a drawback.
• Mo's egg sandwich was good but the side order of hash didn't come close to a passing grade.
• The real diner feel was an A plus - the look and feel at this diner is "same as it ever was"

As always we had a good time and we left feeling full.   Keeping the tradition here is picture of the diner queens in front of the Boulevard.

Saturday March 19th 2016 - Dinkys Blue Belle Diner - Shrewsbury Mass

Second month of our diner adventures and we selected Dinky Blue Belle Diner as our second stop.

First a little history:

The birth of the diner tradition itself is due in part to T.H. Buckley’s chain of Worcester-manufactured lunch carts, which began in 1890, according to the Worcester Historical Museum. The Worcester Lunch Car Co. produced a series of carts each labeled with a unique serial number and each possessing a unique history to match. Many of these carts still survive scattered across the eastern seaboard. The Blue Belle is number 814. And she’s finally getting her return to the spotlight.

Manufactured in 1948, the Blue Belle first opened on Chandler Street. In 1972, it was relocated to Prescott Street, then to an auto dealership parking lot on Route 9 in Shrewsbury to sit unused for several years. After that, the diner changed hands twice again but was used for display purposes only. Trotto, who opened Dinky’s just over the line in Shrewsbury in 1992, jokes that for many years the only person making any money off the Belle was the guy who moved the diner from location to location with his crane.

Trotto purchased the Blue Belle Diner in 2006 and opened it for business attaching it to his existing restaurant. Now called Dinky’s Blue Belle Diner, the Belle once again seats hungry customers ready for what Trotto calls “good, old American food.

Although we weren't able to eat in the actual diner here is a couple of pictures from the diner car part of the restaurant. 

Today we were lucky to add others to our diner adventures - Jackie, Rob and Shelley Sheridan joined us for breakfast.  Lot to choose from the menu as can be seen from this picture.

All our breakfast selections were pretty darn good except Jill's whose oatmeal was not up to her standards or probably anybody else's.  Service was slow also but we were in no hurry. 

Trying to keep up or start at tradition,  took a picture of the diner queens after our breakfast.   They are special.

First Visit - Miss Worcester Diner - WC 812

Made our first diner stop in our now official diner tour.   Miss Worcester Diner  car number 812 as can be seen in the picture.  It is a historic diner at 302 Southbridge Street in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was built in 1948 by Worcester Lunch Car Company and is located across the street from the company's (now defunct) Worcester factory. While independently owned and operated, it was used by the Lunch Car Company as a "showroom" diner, and a testbed for new features.

Inside it looks like your typical Worcester diner car.  Food and service was good but the corn beef was a little too well done for our liking.   Overall a good dining experience and we were lucky we got there early on a Saturday morning because by the time we left there was a line waiting at the door.  The single order monkey pancake as shown below was huge and mighty fine.

Outside the two diner queens pose for a picture.