Diners are magical places. They’re the kind of place where the world comes together, where anything can happen, and where everything is made better by a hot cup of coffee and slice of pie. Step inside a diner anywhere in America and you’ll find folks from all walks of life—a parent treating their kid to breakfast out, a first responder unwinding after an overnight shift, a group of teens giggling over pancakes. Some of our favorite scenes in cinematic history unfolded against the familiar backdrop of a 1950s-era diner, and some of our favorite memories from growing up were made in those same red vinyl booths. In the South, we love a good diner. We love that diners are built on tradition, on tall tales, and on simple, but always delicious food. Here are 14 diners across the South where we’d love to sit a spell.
The Diner
Norman, Oklahoma
Nostalgia fills every corner of this Sooner State treasure, where vintage photos of chili cook-offs and other small-town mementos cover the walls. Owner Bonnie Amspacher’s father opened The Diner in 1989, but the building itself has housed restaurants for over a century. It carries on Oklahoma’s long-standing tradition of chili parlors, and it’s even been featured on American Diner Revival and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. You can enjoy Frito chili pie, their famous Eggarito breakfast burrito, and other tempting offerings seven days a week.
213 E Main Street, Norman, OK; (405) 329-6642
Howley’s Restaurant
West Palm Beach, Florida…