In our Famous Eats series, we look at celebrity-owned restaurants we’d like to visit, but there are lots of fictional TV restaurants we wish we could check out, too.
Here’s a look at five fictional diners we want to make our real-life hangouts.
Arnold’s/Al’s Drive-In
Arnold’s Drive-In, aka Al’s Drive-in, was a staple on Happy Days. The diner was originally owned by Arnold, but after he got married and “moved away” the diner was sold to Al Delvecchio who changed the name to Al’s. This Milwaukee drive-in was also where The Fonz controlled the jukebox with a simple pound of his fist.
The diner only existed in a studio, but legend has it the set was based on The Milky Way diner at 5373 N. Port Washington Rd in Glendale, WI which is now Kopp’s Frozen Custard.
Luke’s
Luke’s Diner was a favorite breakfast spot for the residents of Stars Hollows, especially regulars Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, who just couldn’t start their day without a cup of Luke’s joe. Gilmore Girls fans will be disappointed to know the diner doesn’t exist in real life, but you can see where the set once stood on a VIP tour of Warner Brothers studio in Los Angeles.
Monk’s
Monk’s might be the most famous coffee shop in TV history. This was the spot where Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer discussed their gripes, their dates, and the “nothings” of everyday life on Seinfeld. Monk’s is based on Tom’s Restaurant, located at 2880 Broadway, NYC.
The Peach Pit
The Peach Pit was the main hangout for the kids of West Bev on Beverly Hills 90210. It was also where Nat dished up some supportive words with a burger on the side. The Peach Pit’s interior was located on a soundstage in Van Nuys, CA, but the exterior establishing shots were of a building located at 45 S. Fair Oaks Ave in Pasadena.
Mel’s Diner
Some of you are probably too young to remember Alice, but most kids of the 80s grew up with reruns of this sitcom. Alice was a single mom who, on her way to Los Angeles for a new job, is forced to take a job at Mel’s Diner in Phoenix when her car breaks down. According to Wikipedia, the show was shot in an L.A. studio but the sign in the opening credits is from a restaurant at 1747 NW Grand Avenue, Phoenix, AZ.
[…] Five fictional TV diners we wish we could make our real-life hangouts – It was also where Nat dished up some supportive words with a burger on the side. The Peach Pit’s interior was located on a soundstage in Van Nuys, CA, but the exterior establishing shots were of a building located at 45 S. Fair Oaks Ave in Pasadena. […]