Do You Agree This Is The Most Charming Retro Diner In Maine?

Our diners are an authentic piece of Americana.  This is true regardless of where they are located - a downtown retail space, a standalone retail space on the edge of a highway, or a converted railroad car.

There is definitely something extra special about our retro (and retro looking) diners, though.

We are pretty sure we have found the best example of a retro diner in the State of Maine.

You'll find the A1 Diner on Bridge Street in Gardiner.  The business has been around for nearly a century.  According to a segment about the diner that aired on WMTW (see it below), the diner got it's start in the 1920s.  Back then, it was a lunch counter attached to a garage.

A few decades later, the garage's lunch counter was replaced by a 1946 Worcester Railroad Car Diner.  The car, which is still in use today, sits on metal stilts that were made by a local steel company.  The owners believe it is one of the only diners that is actually suspended about 15 feet above the ground.

Not only does the diner have a really cool look and vibe, it is also one of the best places in Central Maine for a meal!

Most of us are familiar with typical diner food, right?  Pancakes, french toast, eggs, omelets, bacon, and sausage for breakfast.  Burgers, sandwiches, meatloaf, and fries for lunch and dinner.

Well, one of the really great things about the A1 Diner is that, even though they have those items, they also have elevated diner food, too.  Scrolling through their Facebook page shows us they have some epic specials.  In recent weeks, they have served up Maine crab benedict, Korean street toast, tandoori chicken sandwiches, and some amazing looking tiramisu!

*NOTE - The above interview is from the better part of a decade ago, so some things have changed.

We are happy to have a restaurant like the A1 Diner in Central Maine.

We have so many amazing restaurants in Central Maine.  If you are looking for really great ramen, check out State Lunch.  One of the best Mexican Restaurants in is Waterville and if you are looking for a unique place for a cocktail, try The Gin Mill