Familiar Faces And Familial Food: The Diner Experience

Of the two family-owned restaurants, Roy Ann and the A&N Diner, Roy Ann is the clear and away favorite. Though both of the diners are comparable, Roy Ann edges it with aspects like food quality, hours open, and speed. A&N does have more value with combos like Nick’s breakfast special, which is $8.50 for two eggs, homefries, choice of breakfast meat, and two pancakes. Although A&N has more value, because Roy Ann is open earlier, offers quicker service, and serves higher-quality food, Roy Ann is the better diner.

Roy Ann Diner has a rich history, established in 1953, the diner has been completely family owned with four generations of the Smith family in the business. What started as a hotdog and burger stand was then formed into a kitchen, then upgraded with a dining room, which then got a facelift in 1995 and has been like that until today. Matthew, the fourth generation of Smiths, handles daily operations at the diner today.

Comparably, the A&N doesn’t have as much history on its website as Roy Ann. Interestingly, the reason we chose these two diners is that the A&N diner was founded by the same family that made the Roy Ann diner. So the history of the two is relative to one another, as the A&N is essentially another branch of the Roy Ann diner; it is a separate diner but founded by the same family. A&N may be referring to Annie Smith, the wife of Leroy Smith, who founded the Roy Ann diner.

To really understand which one is better, we ate at both and learned very valuable information. We attended the Roy Ann diner first. The waitress was quick to have us seated and immediately brought out our drinks. She was very patient and attentive with us when ordering, and the food came out exactly how we wanted. I ordered the Monte Cristo, an eye-catching breakfast sandwich where the two pieces of bread are French toast. Parker got the breakfast combo platter (two eggs, two pieces of toast, homefries, and a choice of breakfast meat), and Luke got a stack of three buttermilk pancakes. The food came out within five minutes, and the waitress regularly checked up on us to make sure we were doing okay. The food was warm, very high quality, and with generous portions. The price of mine and Parker’s was below $10, and Luke’s was around $6.

The next day, we had breakfast at the A&N diner. The hostess invited us in and made an effort to get us seated immediately. Our waitress came soon after and was extremely gracious with us. The drinks came out quickly, and she took our orders soon after. The three of us all got Nick’s Breakfast Special (two eggs, Homefries, two pancakes, choice of breakfast meat) for an astounding $8.50. Our waitress was very patient with the extensive process of all of us ordering the special. While waiting, she refilled my coffee and brought over butter and syrup for us. The food came out relatively quickly. The food was good, but a step behind the Roy Ann. It’s hard to describe the difference between the two, but if I had to say, I think it comes down to the Roy Ann tasting like it was made with higher-quality ingredients.

Though I believe the Roy Ann is better, both of them are great. Diners, as a whole, look to be a slowly dwindling industry as wallets tighten and fewer people eat out, but the love for diners is still there, nonetheless. Local food enthusiast and Pennridge High School student Tucker Motz, when asked what his favorite part about going to diners is, said, “The feel that you’re getting a home-cooked meal.” A feeling achieved not only by the food but also by the hospitality that comes with the dining experience. Former Dublin Diner cook and local Matt Marsee said his favorite part of diners is, “I always like eating better at a diner; a diner has a community energy and atmosphere.” Diners are a place you can always be sure will provide you with a comfortable and kind experience, wherever you are.

Although the A&N was able to provide more food for the same price regarding breakfast specials, because the Roy Ann had just slightly better service and speed, in addition to higher quality food and environment, the Roy Ann beats out A&N as the best local diner.