Chesapeake

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene
This true blue 1950s diner--with coral and cream vinyl banquets, a long central counter, and a chrome exterior-was transported from Long Island to Baltimore in 1981. Shortly thereafter, the location served as the central site for much of Levinson's breakthrough pic "Diner," thereby inspiring other filmmakers (such as Nora Ephron in "Sleepless in Seattle") to make use of its innate charms. An inner-city, roadside attraction, the Hollywood Diner now serves another important dual purpose: helping adolescents with a history of delinquency learn job and life skills under the auspices of the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development.

The Food
While the kitchen is often staffed by an adult manager, the younger staff members do have the option of learning to cook, so your malted waffle, grilled cheese or chicken tenders might show some inexperience, but never a lack of care. Reflecting school day hours by closing daily at 4pm, the menu is likewise a daytime enterprise. Omelets and deli sandwiches dominate over meat loaf and fried shrimp.