Dyne Quik (Gone)
Wichita, KS
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

Here's the Dyne Quik, located in the north-central part of Wichita. A note of interest, it was reportedly one of the few Valentine-manufactured diners still operating as a diner when this photo was taken. Many thanks to Jesse Miller for providing information about the site. Many thanks to Jesse Miller for info.

The Dyne Quik was a familiar Wichita roadside stop for many years. Its small diner setup and vintage sign gave the place the kind of old-school look that once lined busy commercial streets all over town. It was the sort of spot that didn't need much flash beyond a simple building, a roadside sign, and a promise of a quick meal. The restaurant continued operating for several more years after this photo was taken, but eventually closed sometime after 2011.

UPDATE: The former Dyne Quik property is vacant and boarded up today. The original roadside sign has been removed, and the current whereabouts of the sign could not be independently verified. 06-26

Mickey's Diner
St. Paul, MN
Photo courtesy Barry Kazmer

Take a look at the most famous diner in Minnesota. Mickey’s Diner has been a staple of the St. Paul area since it opened in the Capitol 60 years ago. It is still open 24 hours a day and it is very inexpensive to eat there but the parking is limited to 30 minutes during regular daytime business hours. So eat fast, in real diner style!

Mickey's is even on the National Register of Historic Places, and is supposedly one of only two diners to be on the list. Its image has been reproduced many times in post cards and calendars and many other ways. It was built in 1937 in New Jersey and shipped to St. Paul by flatbed truck.

The inside is as authentic as the outside. You can sit on a backless stool at the counter and watch and smell and sometimes feel the burgers sizzling on the grill. But there are some small booths at the right end of the diner. The food is pure diner fare and not noted for its heart healthy food Many thanks to Barry Kazmer for above photo and info. 02-03

UPDATE: After a lengthy closure that began during the COVID era, Mickey's Diner reopened in 2024 and once again serves customers from its historic downtown location. The classic dining car remains standing, the iconic neon signage continues to glow, and the landmark remains one of the most celebrated diners in the Midwest. 06-26

Metro Diner (Demolished)
Tulsa, OK
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Along Route 66 in Tulsa was the Metro Diner, one of the city's best-known modern roadside landmarks. Although it looked like something straight out of the 1950s, the restaurant actually opened in 1984 after an older Skelly service station was transformed into a retro-style diner complete with chrome, neon, glass blocks, and plenty of classic Americana flair.

Located next to the University of Tulsa along 11th Street, the Metro Diner became a popular gathering spot for students, Route 66 travelers, and local car enthusiasts. The restaurant embraced its nostalgic theme from top to bottom, even incorporating automotive elements into the decor. While it wasn't an original 1950s diner, it captured the spirit of the era well enough that many visitors assumed it had been there for decades.

Unfortunately, the Metro Diner closed on November 26, 2006 as part of redevelopment plans associated with a new entrance to the University of Tulsa. Its closure marked the end of one of Tulsa's most recognizable Route 66-era gathering places. 01-07

UPDATE: The Metro Diner has been demolished due to the expansion of the Tulsa University campus. Many thanks to Cathie Miller for update. 04-08

UPDATE: The Metro Diner building was demolished shortly after closing, and the site has since been redeveloped. Fortunately, the restaurant's iconic neon sign was saved and relocated to Tulsa's Stokely Event Center, where it remains preserved today. 06-26

UPDATE: The Metro Diner has been demolished due to the expansion of the Tulsa University campus. Many thanks to Cathie Miller for update. 04-08