Diners of the Northeast
by Donald Kaplan and Alan Bellink
copyright 1980 (which equals sweet photos)
This just goes to show the treasures one finds when you're looking for something else. This book would have been perfect to have when I lived in Massachusetts but perhaps it will result in further future exploration.
In perusing this the best part is the counter talk listed on the last page.
A few samples:
-Adam and Even on a raft- poached eggs on toast
-draw one- one coffee
-dress 'em up- an order to go
-eighty-seven- good-looking girl in booth (noted as probably regional to Maine)
-eighty-six- cancel order or throw customer out
-fish eyes in glue- tapioca
-juke box- microwave oven (noted as probably regional to New Jersey)
-two to trot- two coffees to go
-WPA customer- stands for water, piss and air, or a patron who spends no money (noted as probably regional to New York)
