If you’re traveling up the Taconic Parkway to upstate New York, you might be tempted to stop at the Historic Village Diner in Red Hook, NY. If you’re a diner fanatic, definitely do make a pit stop to see the classic deco diner interior, turquoise trim set off by gleaming stainless steel surfaces. If you’re a food lover, pass this one by. I followed a so-so bran muffin with pale, watery fruit salad. Must have been frozen. Some, like Megnut, say diners are in decline, but they seem alive and well in New York and elsewhere.

Here are some of my favorite diners:

• Key West, 2532 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
  (212) 932-0068. One of the few places you can still get fresh squeezed lemonade. Excellent grilled cheese and tomato, a must for any first-rate diner.
• Ponzio’s, 7 West Rt 70 (formerly Ellisburg Circle)Cherry Hill, NJ 08003856-428-4808, http://www.ponzios.com/home.cfm. Save room for the to-die-for cheese cake. Since this is close to Philly, the cheese steaks are appropriately greasy with just the right smear of cheese. Also try the pancakes and omelets.
• Though some are partial to the Pantry Diner, 525 Merrick Rd. in Rockville Centre, LI, I grew up on the Rockville Diner’s (nee Oasis Diner’s) food. After years away, I stopped by last summer. The classic diner stainless steel interior was still sumptuous and the chef’s salad enormous and satisfying. Here’s a list of Long Island diners.
• Thanks to Jane and Michael Stern for turning me on to the Blue Colony Diner in Newtown, CT. I’m a lover of coconut custard pie, a difficult-to-locate dessert. The Blue Colony’s was ethereal: light and creamy, not too sweet with just enough slivers of coconut to bind the custard. The Blue Colony is located right of I-84 and is a must-stop for anyone traversing this part of Connecticut.

Related posts:

1. Upper West Side: Key West Diner Reopens as Manhattan Diner on Upper Broadway
2. The Best Diner Rice Pudding
3. Sneak Peak: Key West Diner on Upper West Side Dropping Tropical Look; New Name Needed