A week or so ago we took a ride up U.S. Route 44 to the Connecticut border town of Canaan. This is an area I know a little about for I have fished a few streams in the area. But today this was a day to focus on some old family doings. The diner you see is the Collin's Diner. It has been in operation since 1940 and is still in the same location. As a kid I can remember going to the Great Barrington Fair every fall with my parents and the Collin's Diner was on the way. We would stop for breakfast on the way up, and when we left the fair around 8 or 9 PM we would stop for coffee on the way home. My friends that was back in the 50's. Well we stopped in the Collin's Diner this day in May of 2015 and the place is as I remembered it in those early years.
The interior of the diner is original 1940. Of course the stool covers and booth covers have been replaced as well as a few other things but it's pretty much the same. The waitress was friendly and the owner/cook also is quite friendly. He told me the diner has been in his family since 1970. The menu was typical diner fare and the prices were seemingly from the 70's.
As you can see the diner is not large, everything has a purpose and it's functional. Local patrons still enjoy coffee and the daily news, in the form of an actual printed paper. The cook still does is stuff on a heavy steel grill.
The diner is very clean. The stainless steel shines as does the glass.
The breakfast we were served is just as we ordered. The only surprise was the prices.
All of the above, which included the bottomless cup of coffee, which was very good. The total for us both is $7.29.
Leaving the diner we headed up U.S. route 7 to the Massachusetts town of Stockbridge. A typical New England town with lots of history.
It's in a little alley, and just a half a mile from the railroad track.
Nice to see those sorts of places still around!
ReplyDeleteMark,
DeleteThanks.
There are a few, and they still hang in.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI am so into this kind of stuff dating back when I was a boy. Every time my brother and I get together we talk about growing up as boys near the little towns of Ackerman and Eupora. Both towns had a couple of diners and hamburgers joints, which is what they were called in our neck of woods back then that were outstanding.
Collins Diners and Stockbridge Café are treasures that I wish I could still see in Ackerman and Eupora. Times change and so does the towns especially in the South. I am glad to see these places still exist where you live. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
DeleteThanks.
Bill it seems the old diners are a rare breed. We still have several here in CT, and with the dining fare they offer they are doing just fine.
the 2nd place is a neat piece of history. but i really want to go to the first place! how awesome!
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
DeleteThanks.
Theresa the 2nd one was closed when we visited, I would love to see the inside.
You can't beat a trip down memory lane. My one time in New England was a living history lesson. Thanks Alan.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett,
DeleteThanks.
Sweet memories Howard for sure.
We had a diner in Middletown that was featured on Diners, Drive in's and Dives.
I myself like "old school". The diner sounds and looks like just my kind of place. I'd fit right in reading my "printed" newspaper, which everyone at work and even my wife give me a hard time about continuing to read.
ReplyDeleteAlices Restaurant...now theres an old classic that I could stand to hear a little more frequently. Never fails that I hear it played around Thanksgiving on a local classic rock station...always a good listen and brings a smile to my face. Just knowing the song and it's lyrics would make visiting the second diner a joy.
HighPlainsFlyFisher,
DeleteThanks.
Jeff me too. A Thanksgiving classic.
I'm a big fan of old school diners myself. I've never been a fan of the chain establishments. That breakfast looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteJustin Carfagnini,
DeleteThanks.
Justin chair restaurants are all the same, and their food all tastes the same.
The only thing missing was the jukebox on the table. Love the old diners.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
DeleteThanks.
Mark your right. I never saw those table juke boxes.
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