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A Tribute to a Place Where Coffee Flows Freely and Kids Get What They Want
By Mia Chen
Updated: February 20, 2024
Originally Published: August 15, 2022
Back to School
There’s a special spot in Cleveland that captures my heart: Joe’s Diner, the quintessential diner. Nestled at the intersection of two bustling streets, it features a wall of windows that face the sunrise, filling the space with warm light, especially during those chilly winter months. The seating is limited, just like the decor, with cozy red booths on checkered tiles and a row of ceiling fans that keep the air fresh. “Service can be hit or miss and the seating arrangement is a gamble, but you quickly forget that once the food arrives,” a Google reviewer notes. The food is undeniably good, but for me, diner culture has always transcended just the menu.
While my hometown may have lacked various amenities, it was rich in classic diners. Dim lighting, sticky vinyl seats, and endless cups of coffee served in ceramic mugs were the norm. In my town, a chain called Daisy’s served up towering hash browns and waffles piled high with candied fruit and nuts. I once took my daughter there, and when a plate of waffles passed by, she scrunched her face in doubt. In high school, my friends and I once dodged morning classes to hit a beachside diner, where every dish tasted like it was pulled from a can or freezer bag. But none of that mattered when stepping outside, inhaling the salty ocean air.
Diners have a unique ability to transport you. They are steeped in nostalgia and exist in a space where anything is possible. With many open early—or even all day—you might find students buried in their notebooks, seniors deep in debate about the news, or shy couples enjoying a $10 breakfast feast while lost in conversation. Diners are as much about the atmosphere and imagination as they are about the food.
They became sanctuaries during my toughest times, like in college when I struggled to make rent, and a $4.50 special was my lifeline. Later, in my first “real” job, when I felt trapped, Joe’s Diner became our saving grace. My partner—who wasn’t as downcast as I was but still searching for joy—and I would head to the diner at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, just after it opened. We always shared corned beef hash and a muffin, along with endless coffee. I don’t recall our waitress’s name, but she was always the same, with her hair pulled back and her well-worn t-shirts. She’d take our orders without a hint of recognition but always returned with a fresh pot of coffee the moment we emptied our mugs. I’d leave for work smelling of fried food and coffee but feeling uplifted by that stolen time with my partner. After moving from Cleveland to Austin, we struggled to find our diner rhythm again.
Now back in the Midwest, my daughter has become an unpredictable early riser. Some mornings, she sleeps in like a teen, while on others, she rises with the sun. I used to dread those early mornings, sending her back with an audiobook, but I’ve come to realize that there’s nothing quite like a diner for those sleepy dawns. Fortunately, several diners are just minutes from our home. We throw on our clothes, warm up the car, and head out, looking forward to hot meals in a cozy, dimly lit space where expectations don’t exist.
At the diner, I let my daughter order whatever she desires. It might not be the best parenting strategy, but it suits the 6 a.m. hour perfectly. If the cooks are up for it, she can have French fries. If she wants toast piled high with jelly, why not? Her favorite is a giant Buckeye pancake (peanut butter and chocolate chips, named after our state’s symbol). As for me, I’ve moved on to oatmeal, though my partner sometimes orders corned beef hash for nostalgia’s sake, lamenting, “It’s not like Joe’s.”
Still, the allure of the diner remains strong. We’re usually the only family there at such an early hour—often the only non-retirees—but the tranquility of a diner in the morning is part of its charm. My daughter often opens her sketchbook while my partner and I chat quietly about our upcoming day and weekend plans, sipping cup after cup of coffee. The sleepy servers sometimes bring over extra crayons, a complimentary muffin, or a taste of a new special they’re experimenting with (chorizo is a popular choice). We relish the feeling that there’s nowhere we need to rush off to, as if life can be as slow and contemplative as a Tom Waits song.
Eventually, we check the time and realize our responsibilities await. We gather our things, slide the thin receipt back across the counter, and leave a generous tip for our table rental. As the sun breaks over the horizon, my daughter asks, “Can we come back soon?” That’s the magic of a diner. It’s a place you visit, like a lovely dream, and like all fleeting joys, you can’t linger forever. But thankfully, the diner will welcome us back the next time sleep eludes us, and the pink sky calls us forth.
Mia Chen is a writer and editor based in Ohio, living with her husband and daughter. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, and she is excited to share her debut novel, Willow’s Journey, coming in 2023.
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Summary:
The article reflects on the unique charm of diners, particularly the author’s experiences at Joe’s Diner in Cleveland. It explores how diners serve as nostalgic havens, offering comfort and connection during difficult times. The author shares moments spent with family at the diner, highlighting the joy of allowing her daughter to order whatever she desires as they enjoy warm meals and cozy conversations. The piece conveys the lasting allure of diners and the cherished memories they create.