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Schanaker's Diner
Here we are at 107 State Street in Elmira, NY at Schanaker's Diner. Walter Schanaker actually ran two diners, one in Elmira at this location and one in Wellsboro, PA. The Elmira Schanaker's operated from 1940 to 1958 and was then moved to Fitch's Bridge where it was hoped it could be reopened. But the Flood of 72 (here we go again) claimed another victim. The Wellsboro Diner still survives at its original location. My favorite was liver and onions and if you went inside, you might find my mom's and my dirty plate here. We both liked it and it didn't take us long to polish it off. She'd take me there just about every Monday. NOTE: Photos courtesy of the Chemung County Historical Society. |
emember
the all night diners of the Forties and Fifties? There was nothing
like you and your friends partying into the wee hours of 10 or 11
PM with a coke and 7 or 8 straws. You could still make it home in
time for mom and dad's curfew. The diners had great food, great sounds
and great atmosphere.
Some
were copied from the dining cars on passenger trains. Some were just
little screened-in buildings that surrounded the kitchen from which
emanated that wonderful aroma that pushed the excitement of biting
into your meal-in-a-basket to an extreme.