Classic recipes can be enjoyed in any era and even though diner food isn’t regarded as fine cuisine, it always hits the spot when it’s done well. I love that these dishes bring us back to the past since they’ve been part of the diner experience for so many generations.
So in honor of delicious lunch joints, box car diners, and mom and pop restaurants here are 11 wonderful diner recipes you can make at home.
11) Woolworth’s Mac & Cheese
This mac and cheese is extra creamy and extra delicious. Hot dishes that didn’t rely on frying weren’t available at every Woolworth’s location, but if you were lucky enough to have tried this back in the day then you know how wonderful it was. Get the recipe here.
10) Cincinnati Chili
Like bbq, chili recipes can vary wildly from region to region. However, the Midwestern chili style seems to be the most common type found in lots of diners. And, in this version beans and pasta are optional, as are fresh chopped onions. Get the recipe here.
9) Buttermilk Pancakes
Any diner worth its salt has a mean pancake- light and fluffy and ideal for drowning in syrup. These are the perfect buttermilk pancakes and deliver results every time. Get the recipe here.
8) Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches
This is a sandwich that’s regional, but dishes like this were once very popular all over the US. The heyday of the open-faced sandwich is may be over but you can still find this sammie at a lot of restaurants. Get the recipe here.
7) Kmart Sub Sandwiches
The classic sub sandwich as only Kmart or a local cafeteria could do it. Wrapped in plastic (for easy carrying from the case) there was just something about these tasty sandwiches. Get the recipe here.
6) Pimento Cheese
Many a diner has relied on cold sandwiches to keep the plates coming at lunchtime. Serve this pimento cheese spread on white bread, cut on the diagonal, with some nice kettle chips and an iceberg lettuce salad on the side for the real cold plate experience. Get the recipe here.
5) French Silk Pie
This pie isn’t French at all. Instead it was created by Betty Cooper who entered her novel creation into a Pillsbury baking contest in the 1951. She won and the pie became a sensation that we’re still celebrating. The pie only needs to set after the crust has been baked, freeing up space in the oven. Get the recipe here.
4) Lemon Meringue Pie
Speaking of pies, you can’t mention diner desserts without a lemon meringue pie in there. These sky-high slices looked impressive in the pie cases and tasted like pure sunshine. Get the recipe here.
3) Denver Omelet
Among the many egg dishes most breakfast spots specialize in, the Denver omelet has been a favorite for many decades. This easier version has all the great flavors with none of the difficult flipping technique. Get the recipe here.
2) Biscuits and Gravy
There’s no more classic breakfast recipe than biscuits and gravy. But, each establishment has their own style. For best results start with amazing homemade buttermilk biscuits (included in this recipe). Get the recipe here.
1) Woolworth’s Cheesecake
Despite being no-bake their cheesecake was one of the best, evidenced by how it’s still emulated on diner menus to this day. This classic cheesecake is easy to make and goes perfectly with some cherry pie filling on top, too. Get the recipe here.