A1 Diner, Historic 1946 Worchester Diner Car

A sunbeam design Worchester Diner car opened in Gardiner, Maine in 1946 and today it still does business standing in its original spot. Now it is called A1 Diner. It keeps up the half a century tradition of delicious food served quickly at affordable prices. The success of A1 Diner is attested to by the crowds of locals who swamp it every night and by the summer tourists who go out of their way to find it.

The atmosphere is bright and airy, like any Worchester Diner, because of it has windows on three sides; the fourth side is taken up by the kitchen. And in the kitchen are skilled and talented cooks who prepare the excellent dishes on the menu and tantalizing Specials. They also prepare the foods for the A1 To Go Market & Cafe deli and menu. This diner is so well loved and famous in Maine that now a book has been written to capture its history and the recollections of its foods. The author is Sarah Rolph, and the book is, A1 Diner - Real Food, Recipes & Recollections. An excerpt and a purchase link are available on the A1 Diner Web site www.a1diner.com .$4.95 and the highest at $8.95, but most fall between $5.95 and $7.95.

The menu and the Specials work hand in hand, in fact, the Specials almost double the normal dinner menu because the Specials host an array of dishes that feature a particular ingredient. I'll never forget the day I walk in and was swarmed by the aromatic smell of a ginger Special: Ginger Carrot Soup, Ginger Teriyaki, Ginger Clam Stew and Ginger Apple Crumb Cake. It was a feast to merely stand there. Heavenly. That's one reason why everyone who finds it cherishes A1 Diner, the surprisingly wonderful Specials that complement the dependably delicious menu favorites. And some of the A1 Diner recipes are shared on their Web site, happy you.

The current owners of A1 Diner in Gardiner, Maine, Mike Giberson and Neil Andersen, offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus desserts (yummy). Breakfast can be a simple omelete or a waffle feast. The choices range from eggs priced at under $4 to pancakes and french toast priced up to $4.95 (remember, all prices cited here reflect what is true in May 2007). And for lunch there are sandwiches, like the Portobella Mushroom & Caremelized Onion sandwich, or grilled sandwiches, like Tuna, Tomato and Swiss, or burgers, like my favorite Pepper, Onion & Mushroom Burger. These are reasonably priced with the lowest at

The dinner menu spans every taste from Fried Chicken and Meatloaf to Noodles with Tofu or Asian Broth. Also included are necessary standards like a Roast Beef Sandwich and Pork Chops. The prices range from $7.95 for the Baked Beans to $14.95 for the Angus Sirloin, but most fall between $9.95 and $11.95. And the Specials to spice things up a bit, don't forget those special Specials. And of course there are the sides, all the traditional sides, which are all freshly prepared. The service at A1 Diner is always crisp, quick and courteous, hometown folk serving you happily. Visit A1 Diner in Gardiner, Maine. You will find them at 3 Bridge Street.