(Every diner has a story to tell, and it’s often served with a side of bacon and eggs. Whether it’s a beloved recipe, a family legacy spanning generations, or the camaraderie of regulars at the counter, these places are more than just eateries — they’re community gathering places. I’m visiting 25 or so diners over the course of 2025, eating their signature dishes and uncovering the stories that make each one special. Come along with me.)
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Syracuse, N.Y. — The Gem Diner has been around so long, almost everyone in Syracuse has a story about it. In the 1980s, this was where we landed after a Friday night getting banged up at the bars, soaking up the damage with eggs, biscuits and bottomless coffee. Today, it’s where families gather after church and friends meet for lunch. The walls are lined with black-and-white photos from the 1950s and ’60s — reminders that this diner has been part of Central New York weekends for generations…