Diners are usually great places to take kids, since they offer exactly the kind of food kids like for decent prices. Most offer kid-friendly menus, too, not to mention coloring pages. Speaking of kids, in some states, diners can't serve alcohol if they're located too near a school.

Don't expect haute cuisine from a diner. Diners are best at providing good, wholesome food at a decent price. While they may vary in quality, you can generally get an acceptable meal for ten dollars or less, including coffee and a slice of pie.

The term "diner" originally derived from "dining car," and that's most original diners look like they belong on the railroad. However, these days the styling doesn't matter so much -- it's the atmosphere, the food, and the prices that make an eatery a diner.