As I noted in my previous post – yes, this is a blog, not a
column, in spite of what our menu says – I considered the demise of the
American diner in my column to be published on September 10.
Springfield might have lost most of its diners and coffee
shops, but they are still to be found – if you look hard. I can recommend to
travelers a few that I have happily spent time in.
Out west, in the San Francisco Bay area, is the Pine Cone
Café in Point Reyes Station, in San Rafael, Lundy’s and in San Francisco’s
Lands End, Louie’s (no toast, only muffins). In Winnemucca, Wyoming, try The
Griddle; everyone else does. In Portland, Oregon, The Roxy and Fuller’s are
worth a stop.
Hereabouts, I am happy to report that Elly’s Pancake House
at North and Clark is still in business. In Evanston it’s the Golden Olympic
(in spite of the music – turn it down). In Oak Park I like the Cozy Corner; the
Formica and baby blue Naugahyde are gone, but so are the smokers, and the
waitresses and the food’s the same. In Hinsdale go to Page’s by the train
station; the booth upholstery is mostly duct tape but the food’s and there’s an
open box of donuts by the door.
I must honor posthumously Granny’s in Oak Park, which burned
down in the early 1900s, even though it offered seating only at tables. Like
any place, from restaurants to the General Assembly, you can tell a lot by who
hangs out there. If a bomb was dropped on Granny’s, no mail would’ve been
delivered, no cable TV installed, no traffic ticket issued in the near west
suburbs for weeks.
This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2015.
