The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was birthplace to the burgeoning "night lunch wagon" manufacturing industry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These horse-drawn food carts eventually evolved into classic American diners. For many years, diner builders like the Worcester Lunch Car Company and J.B. Judkins Company operated in the Bay State, while few new diners opened for business after 1960. This left the state with a high concentration of some of the best-preserved diners built during the early to mid-twentieth century, including the Capitol Diner in Lynn, the Route 66 Diner in Springfield and Buddy's Diner in Somerville. Eatery historian Larry Cultrera discusses this appetizing history and the not-be-missed items on unforgettable diner menus.

New Hampshire loves its classic diners. Porcelain-enameled and stainless steel facades dot the highways and collective memories of the state. They are the unofficial town halls where news great and small is discussed over a steaming cup of coffee. New Hampshire has lost many diners over the last five decades, but there are still plenty of vintage or retro-inspired eateries that serve up homey meals and local stories. Visit Roger's Redliner in Portsmouth and dig into a plate of hash browns, or stop in at the Red Arrow in Manchester and reminisce over the loss of the local Rainbow Vet's Diner. Diner historian Larry Cultrera brings more than thirty-three years of research and his own flavor of storytelling to this classic slice of Granite State cuisine.

The Worcester Lunch Car Company monopolized the New England market with its colorful diners. Although Worcester sent a smattering of diners as far as Florida and Michigan, the cars were most popular in their home territory. From 1906 to 1961, the company built six hundred fifty-one diners, with as few as ten or as many as seventy seats. Known for their small size, solid construction, and old-fashioned styling, the cars featured oak and mahogany woodwork, intricate ceramic tile patterns, and a backbar of stainless steel. Their distinctive porcelain enamel exteriors with names emblazoned on them proudly proclaimed their presence along the roadside. Day and night, these diners fed generations of New England's working class; today, fewer than one hundred lunch cars still operate.

Over twenty thousand miles of highways and main streets crisscross the state of Connecticut, inviting hungry travelers and locals into the more than one hundred diners that dot the roadways. Among these eateries are some of the most prized American classic diners manufactured by such legendary builders as DeRaffele, O'Mahony, Tierney and Kullman. Author Garrison Leykam hosts a road trip to Connecticut's diners, celebrating local recipes and diner lingo--order up a #81, frog sticks or a Noah's boy with Murphy carrying a wreath--as well as stories that make each diner unique. Tony's Diner in Seymour still keeps pictures of the 1955 flood to always remember the tragedy the diner overcame. Stories like these--of tragedy, triumph, sanctuary, comfort and community--fill the pages in this celebration of classic and historic diners of the Nutmeg State.

Vermont and New Hampshire are two sides of the same northern New England climate—the high landscapes of the Green Mountains and the White Mountains, glued together by the Connecticut River Valley. The classic flavors of Vermont and New Hampshire—apples, maple syrup, and cheddar cheese—have grown into an artisanal revolution, and each state produces world-class culinary specialties. In Food Lovers’ Guide to Vermont & New Hampshire, seasoned food writers Patricia Harris and David Lyon share the inside scoop on the best places to find, enjoy, and celebrate these culinary treasures. A bounty of mouthwatering delights awaits you in this engagingly written guide. With delectable recipes from the renowned kitchens of the area’s iconic eateries, diners, and elegant dining rooms, Food Lovers’ Guide to Vermont & New Hampshire is the ultimate resource for food lovers to use and savor. Inside you'll find: Favorite restaurants and landmark eateries Food festivals and culinary events Specialty food stores and markets Farmers' markets and farm stands Recipes using local ingredients and traditions Local food lore and kitchen wisdom The states' best brewers, brewpubs, and wineries