Diners of Pennsylvania [Paperback]

Brian Butko (Author), Kevin Patrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

300 classic diners identified

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Anthracite Region and the Poconos, Central Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania

"It's a book to keep in the car, to refer to before and during all Pennsylvania road trips, and great fun to travel through anytime. It makes me yearn for new trips, new encounters, and new daily specials." --Rick Seback, WQED-TV.

Built of stainless steel in a factory and transported to its site of operation, the diner is a unique American form that remains especially visible in Pennsylvania. Diners are known for their home-style cooking and nostalgic appeal, but according to roadside historian Brian Butko and geographer Kevin Patrick there's more to the story. Having visited some of the most famous establishments, they explain that diners have become an integral part of the landscape and the communities where they continue to thrive.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Diners of Pennsylvania has become an essential part of any back roads exploration through the Keystone State, simply because you'll find no better place to eat than in one of its many, many diners. And thanks to the authors passion for and knowledge of the subject matter, you can't ask for a better guide for the trip. --Randy Garbin, RoadsideOnline.com

Pennsylvania is especially rich in diners, which, as this book so ably points out, are much more than places to get cheap eats quickly. They are architectural and design marvels, mirrors of social mores, and citadels of culinary tradition. Their multiple personalities, as well as their history and prominent place in Pennsylvania's foodways, are beautifully described and illustrated in this essential ode to a uniquely American style of dining. --Jane & Michael Stern, Roadfood.com

The original edition of Diners of Pennsylvania, the first in a series, combined historical research, photos, and maps, assuring it would instantly become the benchmark for all that followed it. This revised edition, now in full color with updated text, new photos, and additional information, makes a great book even that much better! --Larry Cultrera, Diner Hotline Weblog --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Kevin Patrick is a cartographer and professor of geography at Indiana University.

Brian Butko is editor of Western Pennsylvania History magazine, he was the associate producer of the award-winning documentary Pennsylvania Diners and Other Roadside Restaurants, and he is considered a leading authority on the Lincoln Highway.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811728781
• ISBN-13: 978-0811728782
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,162,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a writer and editor -- and always dreaming of being on the road. I write books about traveling the old highways and the cool places you'll find along them.

In addition to the books I've written, I was also project manager or editor of:

* The Civil War in Pennsylvania: A Photographic History (2012)
* Maz, You're Up!
* Soul Soldiers: African Americans and the Vietnam Era
* Clash of Empires: The British French & Indian War, 1754-1763
* Pittsburgh's Strip District: Around the World in a Neighborhood
* Industry and Infantry: The Civil War in Western Pennsylvania (with Nicholas Ciotola)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, well researched, well indexed; good maps., October 16, 1999

By 

Bill Jameson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diners of Pennsylvania (Paperback)

Eagerly awaited this book, but expected it to be another 'photo' book, but it is a well-researched, nicely mapped handbook to the surviving diners of Pennsylvania. Very useful if you live in or expect to pass through Pennsylvania and love diners. Very highly recommended.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, October 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Diners of Pennsylvania (Paperback)

A great gift for someone or for yourself. Lots of information on Pennsylvania dinners present and past. Has wonderful photos and history. I bought the book as a gift and plan to buy one for myself to visit these rare jems of PA!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for presentation and research--but badly needs updating!, March 2, 2008

By 

P. Anderson "P. Anderson" (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Diners of Pennsylvania (Paperback)

Just got this book--I've been a fan of diners forever. Realizing this book was published 9 years ago, I found in my first jaunt to discover new diners that much of the information of this book is out-of-date--which is to be expected after almost 10 years.

I went to the Fazer to Coatesville stretch of the ol' Lincoln Highway. Of those, the Ingleside Diner in Thorndale (a featured diner in the book) is gone--apparently since 2002 (according to further research on the web), the Crescent II is now the Double D (interesting name--but that is where I went--and really enjoyed it--has a real diner feel). What was the Downingtown/Cadillac Diner is there--looked kind of seedy--and was marketing on its outside its connection to "The Blob"--even though that original diner has been gone since the sixties...

Anyway, I realize (as well portrayed in the book) the frequent changes in the diner scene--and I also realize that keeping up with new information would be a gruelling task. That said, though, I think a revised addition is now needed--its been almost 10 years.