The American Diner

The rise of the American diner is the most savory of phenomenons, where classic architecture, a friendly face behind the counter, and some mean pie all combined to make these little roadside stops a treasured part of history. From the early days when Walter Scott brought his horse-drawn lunch wagons through the streets to the heyday of mass-produced chrome and neon diners in the 1950s, The American Diner offers a full blue-plate special of nostalgia for all those who loved the counter culture of these great eateries. More than 250 historical and bright colorful photographs help remind us of life before fast food, and generous helpings of classic advertisements, cool collectibles, and architectural highlights also highlight the era. Diners from coast to coast are featured, giving readers a trip to some of the best stainless-steel and neon diners that still dot the American roadways.

From breakfast through brunch, lunch and dinner (with some sweet treats for dessert), the book is packed full of recipes and cooking techniques designed to help readers create their own unique American diner experience. Through several visits to America, Kenny McGovern spent time observing the traditions and treats offered by American diner outlets to customers around the clock. As well as experiencing the delicious dishes on offer, Kenny immediately became captivated by the atmosphere and community connection offered by local eateries. The value placed on the local diner cannot be overstated and their ethos is to be admired - honest cooking, delicious food and reasonable prices, accompanied by service with a smile!

This edition includes a state-by-state directory, "Where the Diners Are,listing locations for currently operating diners.

450 recipes offering up delicious foods that can still be found on diner menus nationwide. Along with the recipes are profiles of interesting diners and their owners. --back cover.

Now a New York Times Bestseller Paris was practically perfect... Craig Carlson was the last person anyone would expect to open an American diner in Paris. He came from humble beginnings in a working-class town in Connecticut, had never worked in a restaurant, and didn't know anything about starting a brand-new business. But from his first visit to Paris, Craig knew he had found the city of his dreams, although one thing was still missing-the good ol' American breakfast he loved so much. Pancakes in Paris is the story of Craig tackling the impossible-from raising the money to fund his dream to tracking down international suppliers for "exotic" American ingredients... and even finding love along the way. His diner, Breakfast In America, is now a renowned tourist destination, and the story of how it came to be is just as delicious and satisfying as the classic breakfast that tops its menu.

In the nineteenth century, restaurants served French food to upper-class Americans with aristocratic pretensions, but by the turn of the century, even the best restaurants cooked ethnic and American foods for middle-class urbanites. In Turning the Tables, Andrew P. Haley examines how the transformation of public dining that established the middle class as the arbiter of American culture was forged through battles over French-language menus, scientific eating, cosmopolitan cuisines, unescorted women, un-American tips, and servantless restaurants.