Food Network found the top five diner dishes in the country and the Modern Diner in Pawtucket took top honors with its Custard French Toast.
Here’s what Food Network had to say:
Located in Pawtucket, RI, the birthplace of the diner, the Modern Dineris operated inside of an old railcar, just like the first diners were. Nick Demou and his father opened the place 28 years ago.Since then the restaurant’s top dish has become the Custard French Toast, born out of an accident. Fifteen years ago Nick made too much vanilla pudding, so he thinned it down and served it as custard on French toast made from think-cut Texas toast. It also includes a topping of fresh strawberries, blueberries, sliced kiwi, house-candied pecans and raspberry syrup.
The Modern Diner is known for both its diner classics and its variety of ever-changing breakfast specials. The Pawtucket restaurant was chosen to be the first diner in the nation to be accepted on the National Register for Historic Places. Customized and factory-built, it is a Sterling Streamliner, a line of “modernistic” diners manufactured in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.
Diners originated in Providence with horse-drawn canteen created by Walter Scott in 1872 to sell pies, coffee and light food to people who worked at night when restaurants were closed. Diners are an All American invention. They are the precursors of the all-pervasive fast-food outlets today. Simple inexpensive fare and quick service have always been their hallmarks.
Click here to see the rest of the Top 5 Best Diner Dishes in America.
