Classic Diners of Connecticut

by Larry Cultrera (Foreword), Christopher Ian Dobbs (Foreword), Garrison Leykam

Over twenty thousand miles of highways and main streets crisscross the state of Connecticut, inviting hungry travelers and locals into the more than one hundred diners that dot the roadways. Among these eateries are some of the most prized American classic diners manufactured by such legendary builders as DeRaffele, O'Mahony, Tierney and Kullman. Author Garrison Leykam hosts a road trip to Connecticut's diners, celebrating local recipes and diner lingo--order up a #81, frog sticks or a Noah's boy with Murphy carrying a wreath--as well as stories that make each diner unique. Tony's Diner in Seymour still keeps pictures of the 1955 flood to always remember the tragedy the diner overcame. Stories like these--of tragedy, triumph, sanctuary, comfort and community--fill the pages in this celebration of classic and historic diners of the Nutmeg State.

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2013

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up while at the CVS drug store and read it in one sitting once I got home. Loved it! Probably a quick read since I'm familiar with many of these Connecticut diners and communities. I was particularly interested in the socio-economic, cultural and class context which accompanied the descriptions of the diners and their communities. As a former city planner, I related with the comparisons of the shrinkage of diners with the homoginization of our culture and the overtaking of small businesses and "mom & pops" with the big chains. I did not share the authors description of hospitality and that "home away from home" experience that he experienced. Depending on my mood on any given day, sometimes I like the annonymity of the fast food chain and I'm not up for being chatty in a diner. Sometimes I have even found the diner atmosphere a bit sad. Within the context of the gradual extinction of diners as described so aptly in this book, I better understand that sense of mailaise that I feel and diner staff exhibit. In this increasingly polarized and politically charged society, I frankly sometimes shy away from diners and opt for the neutrality (and sterility) of a chain experience. That said, I give this book 5 stars and made a resolution to patronize more diners. This resolution to not "give up" on diners was one of the missions of this book so in that sense "Mission Accomplished". Last, but not least, I enjoyed the back stories concerning these diner owners and I marvel at their fortitude in the face of challenges both overseas and here in USA. Sounds corney but they represent the grit and ingenuity of our immigrants and that's a story that needs to be told in light of broad brush condemnation and steryotyping. I liked the way the book included recipies, even though I'm more of a dishwasher than a cook. As a fellow author, I appreciate the importance of adding this "foodie" component since it enriches the book and you are broadening the base of readers. Case in point, my wife who is an avid cook will connect with this aspect of the book since she is not a city-planning, history channel geek like me. In sum, the book was both entertaining and informative. Great read!

[Daniel McTaggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my own sweet time reading this book. I wanted picking it up to feel like visiting a diner I love, eating from the pages like my favorite dish. I started reading this book right before a trip to Connecticut. I went to the Beat Poetry Festival in Torrington and New Hartford to be named Beat Poet Laureate of West Virginia. While there, I ate in several diners. Including two from the book: The Winsted Diner and Collins Diner. When I wasn't swimming in poetry, I was hip deep in crepes for breakfast and bacon cheeseburgers for lunch. There's a particular thrill in stepping into diners one first sees on the printed page. I almost feel like I'm part of the book now. I love reading about diners. And having been to Connecticut, I feel a personal connection with the state. Just like a diner I love to revisit, I know I'm going to read this book again.