Back to the 50s

We like diners — inside & outside. 

They serve what lots of people call comfort food and often a LOT of it.

And, it could also be because we grew up seeing and eating in a lot too many in our home state of NJ. It's a known fact that the small state of NJ (# 46 out of 50) has more diners than any other state — so many that it's nickname is the "Diner Capital." 

When we saw the chrome exterior of Joey's Diner in Amherst, NH recently, we had to stop in for a look and a meal. It was fun to go back in time for an hour or so as we had lunch on a cold and chilly day. The decor is styled after similar 1950 era eateries. 

Stepping inside Joey's Diner is vintage retro from the checkerboard floor design, counter service and stool seating, chrome and vinyl chairs, and formica table tops. It's a trip down Memory Lane when life was simpler. Back then, going to a diner after a late night date, bowling or a movie, folks came to share good times over a burger while they talked and listened to tunes on the jukebox. You'll still hear those familiar tunes at Joey's.

After entering, the first thing we saw was a telephone booth with a coin-operated phone. Then came a large jukebox right inside the front door complete with rock &amp tunes. There's a Coke® machine and several gas pumps, as well as vintage toys and other items. 

Comfort food is the norm here like on most diner menus including some special breakfast items like the "Elvis Presley" and "General MacArthur."  We sampled some "standard" diner fare: onion rings and really thick clam chowder (New England of course). While the soup was good, we suspected that the onion rings were reheated frozen ones.

Other timeless diner meal choices include: meat loaf, hot dogs with grilled and buttered buns, burgers named after 50s entertainers — "Big Bopper" burger and "Buddy Holly" cheeseburger, also chicken pot pie, club sandwiches. fries, and even "tater tots." Standard desserts include apple crisp, blueberry and coconut creme pies and ice cream, which we bypassed this visit.

The labels on a selection of bottled sodas, including the diner's signature root beer, feature a 1956 Chevy, which can be seen inside the diner. The rear of this car is also there and being used as a bench seat; it was occupied the day we stopped in, so no photos were taken.

Unlike diners of years ago, Joey's Diner is not a 24-hour operation but like most diners, serves all-day breakfast. It's located on Amherst Street (Route 101A) in Amherst, NH. 

Go for the ambiance, which is terrific. But, as natives of the "Diner Capital," we've had better diner meals. Also, the prices are definitely not back to the 50s.