It's been a long time since I've visited this place. In fact, it's closed down (which was a sad day for me) and reopened by some one else (who I love for doing that). It's had a spruce and bought back to the gorgeous glory that it was/is.
So, I have always say I have an American soul and that I was born in the wrong country. If I was given a one way ticket, I'd be gone. But if I was told I could live in any era... the 50's would be it.
So can you imagine my delight at having this place... in the same county I live. Granted it's approx. an hours drive, but it's 👏 well 👏 worth 👏 it 👏
As a belated birthday treat to my cousin we took the mini road trip, listening to some good ol' country music and ventured back in time.
Now, I know that in theory anyone could take a British building and make it look like the stereotypical American Diner. The UK has a bunch of them, but knowing the history of this place... it's AN AMERICAN DINER 🦅.
Although it currently stands in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, known as The 50's American Diner - which it has been since 2004, it has been on quite a journey.
Before then, and before it went in to storage, it was purchased by Pendragon UK, a British Automobile Dealership in 1995 where it was shipped over and used on their site. Back then it was known as The Motown Diner. Fitting in perfectly as they specialized in selling classic 50's cars.
Before its move it sat in storage for 2 years after being purchased and moved to Peabody, Massachusetts by Charles Gutzos who had the intention of bringing it back to life, but unfortunately he passed before doing this.
Before that it lived in Haverhill, Massachusetts however it had basically been closed from 1968-1993.
Then we get to it's Beginnings. Where the diner stood at 2525 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge Massachusetts Known then as Murphy's Diner in 1952. A favourite hang out for the students of Matignon High School.
Some of those students flew over to the UK and had a reunion in their diner years later and to be honest I find that so bloody heartwarming.
The architecture of the diner is one that to me symbolizes and American diner, looking like a railroad dining car and it's perfect because it's not a 'rip-off' of what we assume one looks like. It was one. It was American. It was thriving in the 50's and was loved by it's local high school students.
(If you check out the diners HISTORY page you can get the full story - which is where I gained this info, or the original Bloggers Post Here because they have the full & fuller history, and pictures to go with)
Nothing in the diner feels like 'fake diner'. You can see the love and dedication the new owners put into renovating the diner from April 2023-August 2023 when it reopened. It's a weird feeling being in a small space but yet feeling like there is tons of space. I will admit me and the cousin had some questionable conversations and I wondered at times if this was the time and place, but then again, I couldn't hear anyone else's conversations, but then again I wasn't interested.
Our booking was placed for 18:30 and although we had a little wait on one the stools it wasn't long before our booth was available and our order was being taken.
We decided to share a starter of Corn Dogs. We both had a BBQ Blue Dirty Dog and a selection of drinks, (obviously I had a latte) The food was amazing and tasty, at this point I could eat it again, but then... I was struggling.... so we had to take a piece of Key Lime Pie to go. HAD TO!
My cousin even kindly took a photo of me... thinking I looked okay when in fact I don't, but this isn't about me, it's about the diner. All i'm going to say is I only got a few hours after a night shift, which was last minute overtime. She ought to be just thankful I showered and put on human clothes and not PJ's or Scruffs.
At the end of our food we were given our bill. Our server, who I failed to get the name of, was amazing all night and apologetic about longer waits (in her eyes) for food and drinks but to me, she was doing a bunch of stuff (as were all their staff) and serving customers with such an amazing and polite attitude. Especially with the younger kids. I mentioned to my cousin that she was cute. I'll get her to check the receipt and if it has her name on it, and if it does I will add it. We were in no rush. I think both of us just happy to be out on day release from our normal reality.
I genuinely think this is the start of a Diner Series. Something I used to do on my old blog where I try and visit American Themed Diners in the U.K.
Check out the links below to visit their website & social media. From there, you can book your table. You will love it!
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