The New American Diner Cookbook - Classic and New Favorites from (and Inspired by) Diners across the U.S.A. – 75 Recipes

Experience the heart and soul of America’s beloved diners, with 75 classic recipes reimagined for today’s home kitchen. 

From chrome-clad highway stops to beloved neighborhood gems, diners have always been where comfort meets community—and now you can bring that familiar nostalgia home. The New American Diner Cookbook bridges the gap between the relished fare of the classic greasy spoon and the evolving tastes of today’s culinary scene, breathing fresh life into diner classics while keeping their soul intact. 

In this love letter to the American diner, find all the dishes you long for—old-fashioned sundaes, mashed potatoes, grilled cheese—but with punchy modern twists. Serving up well-loved favorites such as perfectly seasoned home fries, towering cheeseburgers, and diner-style pies, alongside creative reinterpretations that include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and globally inspired options (think: feta-stuffed rolls, loco moco, or chicken souvlaki)—there’s something for everyone in The New American Diner Cookbook.

Set out like a classic diner menu, this giftable cookbook offers recipes from breakfasts and appetizers to soups and sides, entrees, and desserts, including:

• Satisfying Breakfasts – Learn the secrets behind the perfect over-easy eggs and fluffy pancakes that make breakfast the most enjoyable meal of the day.
• Perfect Burgers – Master the art of the perfect burger, from classic diner-style to creative new twists like the Juicy Lucy.
• Beloved Blue Plate Specials – Explore specials like crab cakes and country fried steak, updated with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Soul-Warming Soups – Get behind-the-counter insight on how to craft those impossibly pillowy dumplings for a matzo ball soup that warms both body and spirit.
• Time-Honored Desserts – Discover sweet treats that would make any pie case proud, from strawberry shortcake and coconut cream pie to velvety no-bake cheesecake and a decadent brownie a la mode.

Plus:

• A secret menu of favorite family meals that the diner crew eats before their shift
• Fun facts like how to speak like a short-order cook
• Trivia, such as the fact that New Jersey has more diners than any other state

Whether you’re craving the comforting classics of your favorite hometown diner or seeking to recreate those cross-country road trip discoveries, The New American Diner Cookbook brings the charm, flavor, and warmth of America’s favorite dining institutions right to your kitchen. It’s more than a collection of recipes—it’s a celebration of an enduring piece of Americana, lovingly updated for your home kitchen. This cookbook’s playful design, approachable recipes, and visual appeal make it a must-have for home cooks, foodies, and anyone looking for a gift that celebrates both the past and present of America’s melting-pot cuisine. 

So grab your apron and slide into a booth—your order for today’s special is ready to be served.

List of contents

Introduction
Local Plates
Short Order Cook Speak
ON THE TABLE
Quickles
Papo’s Coleslaw
Beet Salad with Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
3-Bean Salad
Feta-Stuffed Bread
Stuffed Grape Leaves
STARTERS AND SNACKS
Air-Fried Chicken Wings
Mozzarella Slabs with Marinara Sauce
Fried Pickles
French Fries PLUS
Cheesy Crispy Onion Chips
Bite-Size Jalapeño Poppers
Oh, So Fancy Shrimp Cocktail
BREAKFASTS
How Do You Take your Eggs?
Omelet Station
Loco Moco
Fluffy Pancakes, Two Ways
Classic French Toast
Overnight Yeasted Waffles
Apples and Cream Dutch Baby
Mile High Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Quiche a la Grandma’s
Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties
BaconEggAndCheeseSaltPepperKetchup sandwich
Avocado Toast
Buttermilk Biscuits with Gravy
Side Show: Home Fries, Grits, and Corned Beef Hash
BURGERS AND SANDWICHES
8-ounce Burger Deluxe
Juicy Lucy
Ready on the Fly Reuben
Open-Faced Bougie Tuna Melt
French Dip Fake Out
Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
Grilled Cheese
Sloppy Larby Joes
SOUPS AND SALADS
Matzo Ball Soup
Beef and Barley Soup
French Onion Soup
Chili Con Carne
Grilled Chicken Caesar
Choose Your Own Diner Salad Adventure
ENTREES
Seafood
Fish ‘n Chips
Killer Crab Cakes with Cheater’s Aioli
Broiled Cod
Shrimp Scampi
Beef/Pork
Meatloaf
Country Fried Steak
Pork Chops and Apples
Schnitzel with Spaetzle
Chicken
Chicken Parmigiana
Chicken Francaise
Chicken Tenders
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Pot Pie
SIDES
Mashed Potatoes
Roast Sweet Potato Spears
Creamed Corn
Rice Pilaf
Baked Beans
Garlicky Green Beans
DESSERTS
Chocolate Chocolate Cake
Strawberry Shortcake
Coconut Cream Pie
Apple Pie
Rice Pudding
Brownie a la Mode
Carrot Cake
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
Old-Fashioned Sundae
SECRET MENU: Family Meals
Chilequiles con Salsa Roja
Tacos Ticos
Bolognese over Bread
Schmasta
Pudin de Pan (Cuban bread pudding)

About the author

There are few roles in the culinary world that Julissa Hernández Roberts hasn’t mastered. A former chef, she’s led test kitchens for major publications, ghostwritten multiple cookbooks, and, using her engineering background, now designs kitchen appliances. But her true passion lies in creating delicious, approachable food that’s fun to make. A James Beard-nominated recipe developer, Juli’s recipes are all about making complex dishes super approachable so everyone can feel confident in the kitchen, no matter their skill level.
When she’s not in the kitchen or working on new culinary projects, you’ll likely find Juli curled up with a sci-fi or fantasy novel (she’s a huge Star Wars fan) or singing karaoke at the top of her lungs in her car. This Queens, New York native now calls Pennsylvania home, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and her dog and fluffy sidekick, Wookiee.

Product details

• Authors: Julissa Hernández Roberts
• Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 09.04.2026
• EAN: 9780760399705
• ISBN: 978-0-7603-9970-5
• No. of pages: 208
• Weight: 939 g
• Subjects: Guides > Food & drink > International cuisine; USA, TRAVEL / United States / General, COOKING / Comfort Food, Travel writing, National & regional cuisine, United States of America, USA, Travel and holiday, Cookery dishes and courses: main courses, Main courses, COOKING / Regional & Cultural / American / General