Naples Diners: Heaping Helpings of Nostalgia

There’s comfort in the word “diner” and all the Americana it connotes. “It’s good home-cooking in a relaxed atmosphere with traditional diner fare like meatloaf, pot roast, and everything breakfast,” says Brian Smith, managing partner of the Metro Diner at Naples Walk. “And always a hot cup of coffee and a friendly face.”

TV star Guy Fieri (right) at the original Metro Diner in Jacksonville

Diner popularity has surged in the past decade, thanks in part to Guy Fieri and the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives show. After being featured on the show, Metro Diner has grown from an obscure Jacksonville, Florida outpost to the 22-restaurant franchise it is today. The Naples location opened in January, following in the footsteps of a strong Naples diner tradition.

Comfort food at Metro Diner, from meatloaf to huevos rancheros.

One of the oldest, Joe’s Diner in North Naples abides by other unwritten diner rules: counter seating, memorabilia-laden walls, and being on a first-name basis with guests. Susie’s Diner on Marco Island, Teri’s Diner in Bonita Springs, and Bernie’s City Diner in Naples, also abide by the counter and first-name-basis traditions. At the former two, you will sip from coffee mugs imprinted with local business ads—yet another throwback diner convention.

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