The country's first "diner" opened in Providence in 1872, when Walter Scott began serving sandwiches, coffee and pies to factory and newspaper workers from a horse-drawn wagon. He left a job as a pressman at The Providence Journal for the venture.
If this is news to you, join the club. Even America's leading diner expert, "Dinerman" Richard J.S. Gutman , said Scott's name was not widely connected with diners for decades.

The Providence Journal

WCVB-TV Boston
Associated Press US and World News Video
KTRE Sports
The Daily Beast
Mediaite
NBC Chicago Entertainment
OK Magazine
AlterNet
Elle