Over the last few years I have noticed something that really makes me sad–the decline of the roadside diner. These establishments are part of our history and culture, and they are disappearing before our eyes.
History Is Disappearing
The roadside diner is a part of our American history and culture, and has been since the Post-War era. The small restaurant that was found on the highways that crisscrossed the country has been a fixture in the scenery ever since then. These are places you could stop and get a meal, some coffee or use the restroom while you were driving across the wide expanses.
The trouble is, these establishments have been going out of business for many years. I find this all very saddening–they are a part of our history, and part of the travel experience. This doesn’t even include the personal effects on the local economy and the owners & employees themselves. When you add in those effects, it really becomes heartbreaking.
Just seeing the boarded up or empty buildings gives me a lonely feeling in my heart. I have done a lot of driving across the country over the last 30 years, and loved stopping in for coffee or a quick bite. Seeing these places closed up reminds me of the good times I had in the past, and that we will just miss out on them in the future.
Business Drives All
Now, there are a lot of reasons for this decline. Honestly, I think there is just as big a need for these diners now as there was in the past. Today, though, more people seem to drive on the Interstates–and go to the fast food chains, not the mom and pop, family-run diners.
And even though highways like Route 66 kinda dried up when the Interstate system was put in, we can’t blame their decline on the Interstates. Those have been in place since the 50s, too. Even COVID can’t be blamed for their death.
No, I think the decline of these diners has more to do with the changing habits of people over the last 20 years. More and more people are loving to the cities, moving away from rural areas and small towns–and staying there. I also think it has to do with Americans eating more at chain restaurants, and not at the roadside ones.
But we all knew that: money is king, and business needs drive everything. If people are not spending the money at the roadside diners, they will just not make it. It seems pretty obvious, but it is a hard pill to swallow when you love what these places represent.
Where To Find the Remaining Diners
So what can we do? There are a few of these places that still survive. We have to hunt them out, and make sure we give them business when we can. It may take a little effort to find them, but I still think it is worth it.
The survivors will be found in the small towns, in town, and maybe not on the main highways. They are the places that support the local crowds and the people that live there–not the travelers criss-crossing the country.
As Traci and I look for cabooses, part of what we do is survey the small towns where we find them, check for signs of life in the towns–and look for great places to eat. I will be letting everyone know which ones we find on this site. I will ask everyone to try to visit these diners and restaurants, to help keep them in business.
After all, that’s what Americans do–we help each other out. And that’s a good thing to do.
Marc
