The History of Diners in New Jersey

by Michael C. Gabriele

Although the industry is all but gone today, New Jersey was once the hub of diner manufacturing, making mobile eateries that fed hungry Americans all over.
The silver Airstreams and neon signs of the classic American diner brighten New Jersey's highways and Main Streets but the intrinsic role they have played in the state's culture and industry for more than one hundred years is much more than eggs-over-easy and coffee. Diners are the state's ultimate gathering places--at any moment, high school students, CEOs, construction workers and tourists might be found at a counter chatting with the waitresses and line cooks. Locals yearn for lost favorites like the Excellent Diner and Prout's Diner and still gather at beloved haunts like the Bendix and Tick Tock Diners. Author Michael C. Gabriele offers this delicious history--collected from interviews with owners, patrons and experts--and indulges in many fond memories of classic New Jersey eateries.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

168 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 2013

Reviews

[Christopher Dalla Riva · Rating 2 out of 5]

You will seldom find a bigger lover of New Jersey and diners. So I am probably the ideal audience for a book called “The History of Diners in New Jersey”. Despite that, I wasn’t that into this book. It was clearly well researched, but there was no overarching structure tying the anecdotes and micro-histories together. Furthermore, one of the best parts about diners is the culture surrounding them, the feelings the evoke when you walk in. I wish Gabriele spent a bit more time capturing that aura.

[Melissa P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. I met the author & he signed a copy for me. Very nice guy! Definitely worth a read!

[Mark NP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and fun to boot. Full of interviews with owners and their families, and descriptive accounts of diners past and present. I most enjoyed the section on the companies that built the diners, and learning about the early history of the diner as a portable restaurant.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok...I'm biased...I'm from New Jersey and a New Jersey diner is as American as apple pie and baseball. Michael Gabriele's book is a really good history of the men who came up with the concept of a diner starting with a wagon on wheels (precursor to today's rage known as a food truck) to those gorgeous stainless steel diners, which are such landmarks to different diners throughout the state. The book is replete with photos in both black and white and color showing quite a few, mostly in the northern part of the state, diners and some of the people involved in building them or owning / working in a diner.
Truth be told I wish Ocean County had been better represented. There were and still are some great ones left there. Of course there's also the Route 70 corridor from the top of Ocean County down to the Lakehurst area and then picking back up in the Red Lion / Medford area. Either way when we picked up the last of parents belongings when they sold their house my brother and I stopped at the Red Lion Diner for breakfast on our way out of NJ. Someday we'll visit those diners again!
Enjoy the journey thru Mr. Gabriele's book and take the time when you spot a diner to indulge in a meal. And yes the Greek diners are the best and it's always breakfast for me!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Mike when we both worked for the Nutley Sun/Belleville Times and remember when he went to cover the demolition of the diner in Nutley. Finally found and enjoyed his book!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having lived in NJ for most of my life I found this book interesting although any diner built after a certain time period was ignored.

[Lisa Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read!