In the late 1920’s, Route 20 through Northborough was straightened; the old road became East Main Street, and this new portion became Route 20 / Main Street. Chet’s Diner opened along the new highway on July 2, 1931. The original owner was Chet Warren. However, by the mid-1930s, the diner was bought by Paul and Bessie Strazero, who ran it until they retired, and their son took it over. Nancy Pantazis acquired it in 1964 and it is now operated by her granddaughter Jessica Fidrych, daughter of the famous Detroit Tigers pitcher Mark “the Bird” Fidrych. Jessica has been investing in upgrades to the Diner including new signs and new paint. I highly recommend dropping in for some hash and eggs with a good helping of town gossip.
As described by the American Diner Museum, a true "diner" is a prefabricated structure built at an assembly site and transported to a permanent location for installation to serve prepared food. Chet’s Diner is #177 from the Worcester Lunch Car Company. These lunch cars were hand-built at the factory, then transported to their sites with a large truck. Diner #177 was shipped in two pieces and assembled on-site because of its extra length. The Worcester Lunch Car Company would eventually build 651 diners, approximately 140 of which are still in operation throughout the United States. The National Register of Historic Places contains many diners; Chet’s Diner deserves consideration for this prestigious designation.
Gary Kelly at Chet’s Diner:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7DqRURbEUk
Find out what's happening in Northboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Old Chet’s Photographs: http://framingham.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/chets-diner/
Diners in the Historic Register: http://www.roadsideonline.com/diner-finder/national-register-listed-diners
