Classic Diners

Classic Diners in Connecticut

I am not a big diner guy and I certainly never thought that those few that remain in Connecticut would warrant their own CTMQ sub-section.

But then I had lunch one day at Collin’s Diner in North Canaan and that all changed. The diner itself is 70 years old and the attempts the owners make there to keep it “authentic” got me thinking… So I took a few pictures and started poking around these InterTubes to learn about old timey diners.

Damian leaving Collin’s Diner in North Canaan

It didn’t surprise me to find so many fans, nor did it surprise me to learn that these places are disappearing. What DID surprise me was the existence of the American Diner Museum – not a museum in the sense that you’re thinking, but rather a nationwide “living museum” wherein all these classic diners are like separate displays. (CTMQ “Visit” here.)

That’s an idea I can get behind… And so begins another journey to complete another list!

Note: I thought about eating the same “classic diner fare” at each and every one, but then came to realize that “classic diner fare” is apparently meat loaf. I don’t eat meatloaf. So I thought about having an egg salad sandwich at each one, assuming they all served it. Of course, this was AFTER I ordered something else at Collin’s… So I don’t think I’ll do that, and just concentrate more on the unique histories of each little restaurant.

Now, this is a hard list to maintain. These places not only close and re-open under different names, but they are also very transient. Yes, they move. Note: Again, I’m only interested in the classic diners, not those large 24-hour restaurants that call themselves diners. Here’s a massive list of every diner in Connecticut – more or less, most of which don’t qualify as part of the Museum, and several of which are closed, moved, different, etc.

My visits to the “American Diner Museum”:

1. Collin’s Diner, North Canaan, 4/3/2010

To Be Visited:

1. Main Street Diner, Plainville
2. Norm’s Diner, Groton
3. Mickey’s Windham Diner, Willimantic
4. Trolley Pub on Main, Willimantic
5. Makris Diner, Wethersfield
6. Olympia Diner, Newington
7. Miss Washington Diner, New Britain
8. O’Rourke’s Diner, Middletow
9. Cassidy’s Diner, Meriden
10. New Star Diner, New Haven
11. Tandoor, New Haven
12. Georgie’s Diner, West Haven
13. White’s Diner, Bridgeport
14. Family Diner, Norwalk
15. Kimberly Diner, Milford
16. Aero Diner, North Windham
17. Zip’s Diner, Dayville
18. Skee’s Diner, Torrington

General classic diner info:

Yankee Magazine Top CT diners
Diner City
Connecticut’s classic diners
American Diner Museum