The History of Diners in New Jersey

by Michael C. Gabriele

Overview

Although the industry is all but gone today, New Jersey was once the hub of diner manufacturing, making mobile eateries that fed hungry Americans all over.

The silver Airstreams and neon signs of the classic American diner brighten New Jersey's highways and Main Streets but the intrinsic role they have played in the state's culture and industry for more than one hundred years is much more than eggs-over-easy and coffee. Diners are the state's ultimate gathering places--at any moment, high school students, CEOs, construction workers and tourists might be found at a counter chatting with the waitresses and line cooks. Locals yearn for lost favorites like the Excellent Diner and Prout's Diner and still gather at beloved haunts like the Bendix and Tick Tock Diners. Author Michael C. Gabriele offers this delicious history--collected from interviews with owners, patrons and experts--and indulges in many fond memories of classic New Jersey eateries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781609498221
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	09/24/2013
Series:	American Palate
Pages:	168
Sales rank:	441,668
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Michael C. Gabriele is a lifelong New Jersey resident and a graduate of Montclair State University. He is the author of The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey, and has worked as a journalist for over 35 years. He is a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society and is on the advisory board of the Clifton Arts Center.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 9

Introduction: The Isosceles Trapezoid 11

Part I In Our Line, We Lead the World 15

Part II Every Picture Tells a Story 35

Part III Jersey Makes, the World Takes 67

Part IV Time Made Visible 115

Part V The Corridor State 131

Epilogue 141

Bibliography 143

Index 151

About the Author 157