Valentine Diners Along the Mother Road and Beyond

Before the sprawling networks of fast-food giants like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell came to dominate the American landscape, a different kind of eatery held sway: the Mom and Pop Diner. These establishments, each with its unique character and local charm, offered a personalized dining experience that’s often nostalgic. Among these classic diners, one name stands out for its distinctive design and widespread appeal: the Valentine Diner.

The term "diner," as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, is "a restaurant in the shape of a railroad car." This definition captures the essence of the Valentine Diner and many of its contemporaries. The architectural design consciously echoed the sleek, efficient style of railroad dining cars, evoking a sense of travel and modernity. These weren’t just places to grab a quick bite; they were symbols of a changing America, embracing industrial innovation and the growing mobility of its population.

The origins of the diner can be traced back to 1872, when Walter Scott, a resourceful entrepreneur, invented the lunch wagon. Scott’s innovation quickly gained popularity, leading him to become a commercial manufacturer of lunch wagons by 1887. The lunch wagon concept proved so successful that towns soon began enacting ordinances to regulate their operation, often restricting their hours. In response, many operators sought more permanent solutions, converting old railroad cars and obsolete horse-drawn streetcars into stationary dining establishments. This era also saw a surge in new manufacturers specializing in these "dining cars." These innovative structures featured indoor bathrooms, tables, and repositioned counters, allowing for a more extensive menu and comfortable dining experience.

During these early years, the majority of dining car manufacturers were concentrated on the East Coast, producing gleaming stainless-steel structures that became iconic symbols of American roadside culture. However, due to their geographical distance, these diners didn’t initially gain traction in the West. This all changed with the arrival of Arthur Valentine in Kansas in 1914. A born salesman, Valentine initially sold cars in Great Bend, Kansas. Sometime around 1930, he and his wife, Ella, ventured into the restaurant business, opening a diner in the small south-central town of Hazelton, Kansas.

Their Hazelton diner proved successful, prompting them to expand their operation to include two additional restaurants in Wichita and Hutchinson, Kansas. These establishments served as the prototype for what would later become known as the Valentine Lunch System. Initially, these small diners operated within buildings that Valentine either purchased or leased. Simultaneously, a company called Ablah Hotel Supply was producing prefabricated lunchroom buildings. Around 1932, they constructed one for Arthur Valentine. Impressed by the quality and efficiency of the prefabricated structure, Valentine joined Ablah as a salesman, promoting their buildings.

Eventually, Valentine owned and operated as many as 50 of these lunchrooms. However, by the end of the decade, Ablah discontinued the manufacture of pre-fab buildings, granting Valentine the opportunity to take over that aspect of the business. This marked a turning point for Valentine, allowing him to focus on his vision for a unique dining experience.

In 1938, Valentine partnered with the Hayes Equipment Manufacturing Company to build his sandwich shops. However, this collaboration was short-lived due to material shortages brought about by World War II, which forced the operation to shut down. Undeterred, Valentine took a position as a Boeing inspector during the war. Shortly after the war’s end, he revived his business, renaming it Valentine Industries. He constantly sought new ideas and strategies to achieve business success. Besides selling fully equipped diners, Valentine also offered gutted versions with minimal shelving, catering to businesses like liquor stores and barbershops.

But his true success lay in the Valentine Lunch System. These compact, self-contained diners could be operated by just one or two people and typically accommodated eight to ten patrons. The small, square-sided structures were designed for easy transport on a flatbed railroad car. Inside, stools were arranged around a counter, creating an intimate and efficient dining space. Some designs even included pick-up windows, catering to customers on the go. Catalogs emphasized the potential for substantial income, encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in these diners and expand their operations with additional units. For just $5,000, with monthly installments of $40.00, aspiring business owners could order these boxy little diners through a catalog. Arriving complete with grill, counter, and stools, the diner could be unloaded, placed on a concrete slab, and ready for business within hours.

In an industry largely dominated by East Coast manufacturers, Valentine’s diners quickly gained popularity and were shipped across the country, particularly to small towns where they often represented the only available restaurant. These Valentine Diners provided a vital service to communities, offering a familiar and affordable dining option.

Sadly, Arthur’s health began to decline in 1951, coinciding with the growing success of Valentine Diners. His involvement in the company gradually diminished until his death in 1954. In 1957, the business was sold to the Radcliff family, who continued its operation until August 1968. While the Valentine Diners are no longer in production, their legacy lives on.

Fortunately, the American diner has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years. For those who prefer a friendly smile and a well-grilled burger to the manufactured experience of many fast-food chains, this revival is a welcome change. Many of these small diners, including some Valentine Diners, continue to exist today across the country, serving as reminders of a simpler time. The enduring appeal of these establishments speaks to the enduring human desire for connection, community, and good, honest food.

Here is a list of some of the Valentine Diners that have been found along Route 66:

• Twin Arrows, Arizona – Located between Winslow and Flagstaff, Arizona, on I-40, the old Twin Arrows Trading Post and Cafe was a long-standing Route 66 icon. Sadly, it is now closed and vandalized.

• Winslow, Arizona – This old Valentine Diner, located at 320 East Second Street, has been called the Highway Diner, Monday’s Cafe, and Irene’s in the past. The 9-stool diner probably opened around 1946 after Mayor J. Lester Allen ordered it. It has also been called Monday’s Cafe and Irene’s. The building received a grant for its restoration in 2008. However, today, it has been repainted and appears to be used as a business building.

• Winslow, Arizona – This 9-stool Valentine Diner was once located at 114 East Third Street in Winslow, Arizona. It was originally owned by Cecil McCormick and opened as the Birthplace Diner around 1950. Over the years, it was called the Pit Diner, One Spot Grill, the Stork Cafe, and the Santa Fe Diner. Reports suggest that it was sold and moved to Oregon.

• Chandler, Oklahoma – Located at Seventh and Manvel Streets, this diner was originally located in Leedy, Oklahoma. Patina Properties purchased it in 2003 and moved it to Chandler. The company had plans to restore the 1958 “Little Chef” model 10-stool diner, but that never happened. In 2018, it was sold again and moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma, where plans are once again being made to restore it.

• Clinton, Oklahoma – The Route 66 Diner is part of the Route 66 Museum complex located at 2229 West Gary Boulevard. Originally opened in 1956 in Shamrock, Texas, the owners, M.L. and Alta Porter, ran the cafe until 1964. The museum acquired it in 2002, restored it, and placed it on the museum grounds at Clinton.

• Edgewood, New Mexico – This old Valentine Diner once stood in Magdalena, New Mexico, before it was purchased by Jerry Ueckert and moved to Edgewood. The diner had extensive damage, and Jerry is currently in the process of restoring it. It is located on Route 66.

• Albuquerque, New Mexico – This old Valentine Diner, now located at Girard and Central (US66), is used by the Albuquerque Police Department. It once served Route 66 customers at 8th and Central as the “Albuquerque Diner.” Later, it was donated to the Albuquerque Museum, which allows the Albuquerque Police Department to utilize it as a substation.

These remaining Valentine Diners serve as tangible links to the past, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of roadside Americana. Their survival is a testament to the enduring appeal of the classic diner experience.