I'm a proud Retro Roadaunt when Retro Roadboy sees me and immediately shouts "we're going to a diner for pancakes!" Not to disappoint the little tyke, we had pancakes of every variety at the Bluebonnet Diner in Northampton, MA. Best part about it? REAL Massachusetts Maple syrup served, without an extra charge!
"I'm ready for my pancakes Mr. DeMille!"
Built in 1950, The Bluebonnet diner is conveniently located just off Interstate 91. Originally known as Worcester Lunch Car #825 Larry Cultrera's Diner Hotline's informative review of the Worcester Diners explains how the original diner was modified in 1960 with the addition of the dining room, where were seated (happily noticing that the diner itself was full of lunch time munchers). There is also a lounge and a function room behind that.
(Chicken is Broasted by order, and has a 15 minute wait. We were there for pancakes, but good to know for next time!)
The actual diner itself is wonderfully preserved inside, and I was thrilled to see their Worcester Diner clock, in tact and still running, adjacent to the menu boards. You don't see these gems much anymore, and it's always a good thing to see them in their natural habitat.
Retro Roadboy also has a penchant for swiveling the counter stools, and was spinning each one in order to make sure they were working. I think he, I, and the gentleman at the end of the counter all realized around the same time that the swiveling of THAT particular stool might prove problematic!
But back to the food! In my mind nothing compares to the sweet taste of real maple syrup, and better yet Massachusetts maple syrup. I love the fact that no combination of chemicals and fake ingredients can capture the elusive taste derived so simply from nature, and that it's something that is still made here in the US.
The Bluebonnet also sells bottles of maple syrup, so I picked up some to go home to Pennsylvania with me, and as a gift to the Retro Roadkids, who are learning first hand about real diners and real maple syrup. And it makes me real proud that I'm the one teaching them!
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