Remember when grabbing a tray and sliding it down a steam table was the height of dining sophistication? Classic American cafeterias once dotted the landscape from coast to coast, serving up hearty portions of comfort food that reminded folks of grandma’s cooking. Though many have closed their doors over the decades, a precious few continue to honor this beloved tradition. These eight remarkable establishments prove that sometimes the old ways really are the best ways.
Philippe The Original – Los Angeles, California
Philippe The Original isn’t just a restaurant – it’s practically a time capsule of Los Angeles itself and has been serving food since 1908. However, it wasn’t until 1918 that they struck culinary gold when a clumsy chef dropped a cop’s French roll straight into the fryer. The fryer contained all the delicious juices left behind from the tasty meats – known as ‘au jus’ rather than beef broth. The customer loved his crispy mistake so much he kept coming back asking for that “French dipped sandwich,” and what began as an accident became the house specialty. Now you can get that same golden roll – dunked in rich, natural gravy from daily roasts – stuffed with roast beef, pork, lamb, turkey, pastrami, or ham, plus whatever cheese tickles your fancy.
Walking in feels like stepping back in time. You’ll queue up at one of the old-school carver’s counters where friendly staff slice your sandwich to order alongside classic sides like coleslaw, pickled eggs, and creamy macaroni. You won’t get any disagreement from local diners, who praise the restaurant’s iconic atmosphere as much as the delicious food. “Philippe The Original isn’t just a restaurant – it’s practically a time capsule of Los Angeles itself,” one patron wrote on Yelp.
Harry’s Hofbrau – Redwood City, California
Established in 1954, Harry’s Hofbrau quickly became a northern California institution, with locations springing up from San Jose to San Leandro. Though some locations have since closed, the original in RedWood City is one of two you can still visit to get the classic “carvery” experience, which its website describes as a fusion of cafeteria and buffet dining. Harry’s Hofbrau features a classic menu, with daily specials that can include old school cafeteria foods like chicken a la king. Customers flock to Harry’s for that old school dining experience.
“This type of cafeteria and hofbrau style meal is something very special, traditional and just rarer and rarer as we move inexorably further into the 21st century,” one reviewer wrote on Yelp. “I want to enjoy it as much as possible while I’m walking the Earth.” The sentiment perfectly captures what makes Harry’s special in our increasingly fast-paced world.
Mehlman’s Cafeteria – Saint Clairsville, Ohio
Mary Mehlman Dietrich began her career as a restaurateur selling authentic farm fresh goods and meals from a booth at a local market. By the mid 1960s, though, she had expanded to a brick and mortar joint that has become a local landmark to the residents of St. Clairsville, Ohio. Today, Mary’s grandson Jay Mehlman still runs the family-owned cafeteria. He chalks up the restaurant’s longevity and popularity to using fresh ingredients and down home recipes, made from scratch each day by self-taught chefs…