Ononotaggen
Now Open Under New Management - 29 Diner, Fairfax, Va.
Here my friends and I spent a significant fraction of our dissolute youth over endless cups of coffee, eggs, bacon, home fries, hamburger steak and cigarettes. At 2 AM the bars would close and the Diner would transform into a loud and smoky after-party. Looking back it seems like another lifetime entirely.
I'd been waiting for a suitably atmospheric misty morning to take a few half-light photos of the newly restored sign. Weekday traffic usually argues against heading in toward DC in the morning but this close to Christmas there is a short window of opportunity. There were no customers yet as I took some shots of the exterior. I was a little surprised they were open that early after having been closed the previous day but happy to find the neon on. I hadn't planned on getting breakfast there but my sense of obligation to support this icon of my youth got the better of me and I decided to be the first customer of the day.
I'd eaten here a couple of times since I had first heard it had reopened so I knew the food was decent, (actually much better than I remember it ever having been!) So I sat myself in the eastern corner booth and ordered the sausage gravy on biscuits. One of the new owners was sitting nearby at the counter doing paperwork so I struck up a conversation with him and got the story of the Diner's resurrection. His history with the Diner was similar to my own - although his preferred seat was the western corner booth. It was great to trade Diner stories and learn some of the details of its history. It is evident his rescue of the Diner is a labor of love.
While we were chatting a woman appeared from the kitchen, stared at me for a second and then said my name. I honestly didn't recognize her but it turned out that she had lived in my old neighborhood and knew my younger brother. She referred to me as the "elusive" older brother - which adjective I heartily enjoyed. It was interesting how much she knew about me and the house I grew up in but it sort of made sense since it turned out she was friends with one of my old neighbors.
Anyway, this place is great. Once they get the old bench seats restored and put 'Rocky Top' back on the jukebox it will be amazing - even if you didn't happen to grow up in Fairfax.
Now Open Under New Management - 29 Diner, Fairfax, Va.
Here my friends and I spent a significant fraction of our dissolute youth over endless cups of coffee, eggs, bacon, home fries, hamburger steak and cigarettes. At 2 AM the bars would close and the Diner would transform into a loud and smoky after-party. Looking back it seems like another lifetime entirely.
I'd been waiting for a suitably atmospheric misty morning to take a few half-light photos of the newly restored sign. Weekday traffic usually argues against heading in toward DC in the morning but this close to Christmas there is a short window of opportunity. There were no customers yet as I took some shots of the exterior. I was a little surprised they were open that early after having been closed the previous day but happy to find the neon on. I hadn't planned on getting breakfast there but my sense of obligation to support this icon of my youth got the better of me and I decided to be the first customer of the day.
I'd eaten here a couple of times since I had first heard it had reopened so I knew the food was decent, (actually much better than I remember it ever having been!) So I sat myself in the eastern corner booth and ordered the sausage gravy on biscuits. One of the new owners was sitting nearby at the counter doing paperwork so I struck up a conversation with him and got the story of the Diner's resurrection. His history with the Diner was similar to my own - although his preferred seat was the western corner booth. It was great to trade Diner stories and learn some of the details of its history. It is evident his rescue of the Diner is a labor of love.
While we were chatting a woman appeared from the kitchen, stared at me for a second and then said my name. I honestly didn't recognize her but it turned out that she had lived in my old neighborhood and knew my younger brother. She referred to me as the "elusive" older brother - which adjective I heartily enjoyed. It was interesting how much she knew about me and the house I grew up in but it sort of made sense since it turned out she was friends with one of my old neighbors.
Anyway, this place is great. Once they get the old bench seats restored and put 'Rocky Top' back on the jukebox it will be amazing - even if you didn't happen to grow up in Fairfax.