The Thousands

Note: Deno’s Diner was replaced by Harry’s Cafe de Wheels in 2010

The typical United States stereotype is something the Yanks are probably not too proud of. West-Coastal types are all plastic surgery and celebs whilst the East-Coasters, just a little farther south in Florida, are all SATC meets retiree town. But what of the Mid West? That largely vacant lot of land that joins coast to coast and spans more religions than Madonna.

Well if you haven’t yet seen AMERICAN TEEN, the closest you’ll get to a Mid-Western metaphor is Deno’s Diner in downtown Tempe.

It’s that iconic trucker style pitt stop where the diner sits sparsely on the block, adorned with a lonely tree and where you can drive your chevy practically all the way to the window. The menu is basic and greasy, and in true 90s style there’s a pinball room with STREETFIGHTER. Don’t even try to make off with the chicken salt because it’s chained down! The only let down on authenticity is not being served by trailer-trash in a pink uniform and paper hat.