Valentine Diners

Here's a unique and vanishing slice of roadside Americana. These tiny buildings with a distinctive boxy shape and red & white paint job are called Valentine Diners. Typically seating only 8 to 10 patrons, these pre-fabricated cafes were manufactured for several decades beginning in the 1940's by a company started by entrepreneur Arthur Valentine, and were eventually located across the country. Relatively few still exist; those that are still open for business are rarer still. Shown here are three of the seven surviving Valentine diners in Arizona.




Welcome Diner

Phoenix, Arizona

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At the time of my visit, this diner was closed and appeared to be undergoing an extensive renovation.
Directions: 924 E. Roosevelt Street (at 10th Street).
Last Visited: January 2010.


Highway Diner

Winslow, Arizona

[bizarre_66winslow_7421.jpg]

This diner (aka Monday's Cafe, aka Irene's) is on Old Route 66. At the time of my visit, the diner was closed; it is reportedly for sale.
Directions: 300 Block of East Second Street (across from the La Posada Hotel).
Last Visited: July 2008.


Twin Arrows Cafe

Twin Arrows, Arizona

[bizarre_valentine2.jpg]

[bizarre_valentine3.jpg]

This diner on Old Route 66 and the adjacent trading post have been closed for years.
Directions: East of Flagstaff on the south side of Interstate 40 at exit 219, at the abandoned Twin Arrows truck stop.
Last Visited: July 2008.


Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.


Revised: January 30, 2010
Copyright © 2010 Joe Orman
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