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

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

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

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.