Diners,  Food,  History

The Classic Summit Diner | Summit, New Jersey

Summit Diner exterior

The Summit Diner – A New Jersey Classic

New Jersey is known as “the diner capital of the world.” 

A truly classic American “diner” is a prefabricated restaurant, with the exterior partly or wholly stainless steel, and brought to the site to be assembled.

There were several classic diner manufacturers, mostly in New Jersey. Possibly the best known of these was the Jerry O’Mahony Company, which produced around 2,000 diners from 1917 to 1952. 

Only about 20 of these are still extant, with Summit Diner being one of them. It was built in 1938.

Summit Diner exterior

Summit Diner in Summit, New Jersey is one of the classic New Jersey diners. 

My husband had a BLT and I had a grilled cheese sandwich (and we’re both on diets, boo!) 

They were both delicious, and the staff was very friendly.

We both thoroughly enjoyed the interior and exterior of this classic little diner!

Summit Diner interior

Summit Diner interior

Summit is a very wealthy town, and there are some rich and famous people living there. 

So I really like that the Summit Diner is deeply involved with the Other Fellow First Foundation

The Foundation website says:

We exist to bring help and comfort to New Jersey families in distress. In life, the true measure of a person is not how high you fly. Instead, we think it’s all about how high you bounce. All of us have good and bad days. Most of us have better good ones than bad. However, every once in a while, the less fortunate need a helping hand. That is why we exist. We fund only organizations that deal with New Jersey families in distress. All of our profits go to organizations like the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the New Jersey Community Foundation, Summit Area Public Foundation or Family Promise.

The website also says that

We have chosen the Summit Diner as our symbol. People come to the Summit Diner for much more than just great food. It deals with many other personal hungers. It is a great place to meet someone and feel like you belong. Its honest simplicity and cozy atmosphere make it a great metaphor for a foundation with our mission, operating in the most densely populated state in the country.

Well, how wonderful can you be? The Summit Diner is the real deal in so many ways!

Summit Diner exterior

Summit Diner exterior

More About New Jersey Diners And Other Great Places To Eat

You can read about another iconic New Jersey Diner:

Bendix Diner| Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

and a famous ice cream parlor:

Holsten’s Ice Cream Parlor (famous from The Sopranos) | Bloomfield, New Jersey

and check out some of my other favorite places to eat in New Jersey:

Bahrs Landing Is Still Standing in 2024 | Highlands, New Jersey

Hot Dog Johnny’s | Buttzville, New Jersey

Delicious Orchards 2023 | Colts Neck, New Jersey

WindMill and Max’s — A Hot Dog Rivalry | Long Branch, New Jersey

There are some great articles about the Summit Diner:

Summit Diner Ranked Best In New Jersey: Report

The Summit Diner – A Landmark with a Hollywood Connection

Diner Round Up – The Summit Diner

This N.J. diner is a blast from the past. See what makes it best in the state.

This diner was voted best of the best in New Jersey

All About Diners

You can also read more about old diners at these great sites:

The diner capital of the world?

Diner Hunter

Retro Roadmap 

Roadside Architecture/Diners

John Baeder does wonderful paintings of diners (click on oil and watercolor links):

John Baeder Fine Art

Thanks for visiting New Jersey Memories!

 

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