Junk Love: Diner Love

When the Blackbird girls venture out in search of quality junk and that perfect thrifting buzz, we usually try to eat at local places rather than fast food chains. Some of our best junk memories incorporate the joyous moments of triumphantly nestling new purchases in the car, with the celebratory cheeseburger and fries afterward. As avid fans of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, we know what tasty morsels await us in that cute little diner down the street. Plus, we are suckers for cute diners or hometown restaurants with vintage details and a whole lot of flair. I also grew up hearing stories about the local Dog n' Suds drive-in, where my dad worked as a teenager, and my mouth waters every time I think about that place, despite the fact that it closed before I was born.

Muskegon, Michigan

Probably our favorite diner find is in our home state, not really much of a journey from Blackbird headquarters. We found it on a day of exploring Burlington, NC, and were utterly delighted by the red accordion top shelter and glowing sputnik light.

Burlington NC

Skid's Drive-In, Burlington NC

Not to mention the fact that if you get a cherry coke, they put real cherries in it! Oh, the fruity sweetness! It's a perfect pick-me-up for that next junk shop or antique store. So, while I was thinking about Skid's today, I decided to search for photos of other fantastic burger joints. And now I want to visit every single one, even if it requires a time machine.

Lake Effect Diner, Buffalo NY

Ottawa, Ohio

Taunton, Massachusetts

Superdawg, Chicago

And the Zep Diner makes my heart go pitty-pat, because I want to live there and eat chicken & steak dinners every day....

Hollywood CA, 1929

And for more North Carolina love, here are three other genuine legends from our home state: Gypsy's Shiny Diner, which has fantastic milkshakes, and Johnson's Drive-In, so famous for its hamburgers that people show up early and eat their burgers standing up, because there aren't enough chairs. They usually sell out by 1pm, and then you're out of luck until the next day. And, of course, the Snappy Lunch, a Mt. Airy institution since 1923 with the best pork chop sandwich you'll ever eat.

Gypsy's Shiny Diner, Raleigh NC

Johnson's, Siler City NC

Snappy Lunch, Mt. Airy NC