.Best Diner: Modesty meets authenticity

Tillie's Diner

This place has been in business since the ’40s, but the good people at Tillie’s don’t feel the need to mention it. Unlike some other retro-obsessed diners with their fancy jukeboxes and their fake nostalgia, you can tell Tillie’s is the real thing at first sight. From its low central counter to its awkwardly narrow aisles and its faded pink-and-turquoise decor, it’s clear you’re in a place that has really experienced the years in a way others only pretend to. But the kicker is the booths. Many of them are on the smaller side — just as people were sixty years ago — a little roomy for two, but not quite big enough for four healthy eaters. The food is hearty and straightforward, with many kinds of meat available (including linguisa). The price-to-portion ratio is favorable, and the coffee is both hot and quickly refilled. You might face a wait at breakfast time, but this one is worth it. Ask some of the many regulars — the contented-looking folks at the counter.

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