The Smyrna Diner will always be a special place to me as it was the location of my first date as a teenager. I ordered the cheese steak and my date had breaded veal cutlet with brown gravy and French fries.
I would visit the Smyrna Diner on a regular basis over the next fifty years; in the middle of the night after getting off work at 1 a.m. , with my husband and friends coming home from a dance at the fire hall, breakfast on Sunday mornings and anytime I wanted a home cooked inexpensive meal.
The Smyrna Diner I first visited back in the early 60’s was a smaller stainless steel version that dated back to 1954. That diner was upgraded in 1965 to a larger Paramount Diner that seated 85. I still remember the feeling of nostalgia for the original diner, yet an excitement of the shiny newer version.
The Smyrna Diner remained the same for the next 43 years, until 2006, when the lease on the land where the diner had stood for over 50 years was terminated. Owner Jamie Compton, who had taken over the diner from her mother Sandy Margist when she retired after thirty years was forced to move to a new location.
The well worn 1965 Paramount Diner was sold to Steve Harwin of Diversified Diners and moved to his location in Cleveland , Ohio . Harwin refurbishes old diners and sells them to collectors and to diner entrepreneurs. www.oh-diners.com Check out the move on http://dinerman.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/smyrna-diner-smyrna-de-cleveland-oh
In October of 2008 the New Smyrna Diner opened just south of Smyrna off RT 13 at the Intersection of RT 1 exit 114. Although the location and the building were new , once inside patrons were greeted with many of the same smiling faced waitress’s that had served them for the last thirty years. Framed black and white photographs hand on the walls showing the diner through the years. Look close enough and many of the same patrons, now with hair turned gray, are still sitting at the new counter sipping coffee and telling yarns.
Through the years and the many changes the one thing that has remained consistent has been the food. Smyrna Dinner still serves all the same favorites through the years including grilled sticky buns, made fresh daily. Delawareans love scrapple for breakfast but for patrons from other areas of the country ham, bacon, sausage (patties or links), turkey sausage, corned beef hash, pork roll, smoked kielbasa, country fried steak, rib eye steak, andouille sausage, sausage gravy or dried beef gravy is served.
Old time comfort foods including chicken croquettes, liver and onions and Salisbury Steak are staples along with newer favorites. Sides include regional and seasonal favorites including peas and dumplings and ambrosia. Desserts like everything else is house made.
The Smyrna Diner offers a breakfast buffet on weekends and a dinner buffet on Friday and Saturday nights. Beer and wine have also been added to the menu.
Check out the hours and menu at www.smyrnadiner.net
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