The Classic Summit Diner | Summit, New Jersey
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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 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 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!
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?
John Baeder does wonderful paintings of diners (click on oil and watercolor links):
Thanks for visiting New Jersey Memories!
26 Comments
Barb
I remember a steel diner from my childhood in PA. More recently, we visited one in UT. The interior looked much like Summit Diner. I live in Summit County, CO – unfortunately, we don't have one!
Lea
A fantastic piece of history!
stevebethere
Wow! brilliant reminds me of old American films 🙂
Jim
That looks fun.
New Jersey Memories
I love steel diners – they are the real deal!
New Jersey Memories
Yes, it sure is!
New Jersey Memories
You can definitely see some diners in old American films. They are iconic.
New Jersey Memories
It is, indeed.
LV
What a fun place to go and enjoy a great meal.
Beth F
I love old-fashioned diners! This is a beauty.
Anonymous
Amazing place! Like the diners in the movies. Feels like you traveled back in time =)
Debbie
ooooooh the memories!! i went to nursing school at overlook hospital, in summit. we hung many a days in this area and i remember being here.
i was in the last graduating class there, they discontinued the program after us!!!!
beautiful representation of the place!!!!
New Jersey Memories
It is fun! Tiny and cute and full of history.
New Jersey Memories
It really is.
New Jersey Memories
It's a real old-fashioned diner.
New Jersey Memories
Haha! I was actually born in Overlook Hospital! Yes, the Summit Diner is a great place to hang out!
Beatrice P. Boyd
Being a NJ native, I can appreciate seeing this post. We have eaten in our share of older and more current diners along Rte 22. But, unfortunately, I have never eaten in the SUmmit Diner.
Vicki
I love diners like this. We just went to one in St. Augustine, Florida a few weeks ago.
NCSue
Nice photos here. I hope you'll come visit some memories of mine at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/06/remembering-dad.html
csuhpat1
That place looks super cool. I bet the food is so good.
http://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-game-as-angels-6-20-15.html
New Jersey Memories
Well, if you ever get the chance you should go!
New Jersey Memories
Diners are cool!
New Jersey Memories
Thank you!
New Jersey Memories
The food we had was great!
stevevhan
One of my dreams is to eat in an American diner, never really experienced a diner plus i want to know what diner is compared to fast foods? Nice to know that this diner guy is a vintage witness! 🙂
New Jersey Memories
A true American diner is a true "American" experience!