I enjoy a bit of nostalgia now and then. Here’s a pictorial look back at vintage diners and other eateries from the state of New Jersey, where once upon a time in my career I taught in the English department at Rutgers University.

These vintage photos show how much our country has changed over the past few decades, and how much of American culture has centered around food, fellowship and family in local communities.

What diner or eatery was a favorite for you in years gone by?

— Sharon Emek, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO
Work At Home Vintage Experts (WAHVE)