Beloved Jigger's Diner Gets Some Love from Yankee Magazine

There’s so much to love about Jiggers Hill and Harbour Diner.

It’s a nicely-restored 1950s Worcester Dining Car and a shining example of the quintessential American diners of yore. It’s owned by Stephen and Karie Head, a husband and wife team who some say are local heroes for saving the business when they bought it in 2012. She’s an experienced restauranteur. He’s a former cop.

Together, they’ve “breathed new life into this establishment,” writes Mike Urban for Yankee Magazine as he named Jiggers Hill and Harbour Diner one of the 15 best diners in New England.

It’s a notable honor and highlights the remarkable turnaround for what was once a bank-owned repossessed dining car as recently as 2011.

Urban’s notes about Jiggers will leave you with a grumble in your stomach.

“They’ve come up with a wonderful menu that’s a bit gourmet and completely Rhode Island. The Lemon Ricotta-stuffed French Toast with Blueberry Compote is a good breakfast choice, as is the Corned Beef Eggs Benedict,” he said. “Be sure to try the coffee cabinet—a milkshake-like beverage containing coffee ice cream, coffee syrup, and milk—a Rhode Island original.”

Jigger’s Diner has a long history that dates back to 1917 when Vilgot ”Jigger” Lindberg built a successful hot dog and hamburger eatery in the building next door to the current diner site at a place called “Lindy’s.”

Eventually, he opened a diner next door and business was brisk, according to a history on the Jigger’s Diner website.

The diner was replaced with the Worcester Dining Car in 1950 with much fanfare. The town closed the road as a flatbed truck delivered the diner.

Over the decades, different owners have come and gone, each leaving a personal stamp on the menu and larger community.

It closed in 1983 and became a storage room for a paint store until 1992 when it was bought and restored by Carol Shriner, who sold it eight years later when she moved to Vermont.

Its next owner, Iva Reynhout, went on to run it for the next 11 years until she faced tax problems and an economic downturn. In a sad twist, the diner was repossessed in 2011.

When the Heads bought the place in 2012, there was much rejoicing. Today, people are rejoicing over the menu.

“My new fav place to eat. The Breakfast Burrito is outta this world!!!” said Scott Rock in one of more than 80 positive reviews on Jigger’s Facebook page.

“Just oozes atmosphere,” said Martin Walsh.

For more information, visit: www.jiggersdiner.com