Sometimes, only good old-fashioned comfort food will do – and there are plenty of places across the US that dish up exactly that. From century-old diners offering belly-busting breakfasts, to old-timey Italian joints that have used the same recipes for decades, these are our favorite mom-and-pop restaurants in every part of the country.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the most brilliant mom-and-pop restaurants across America, state by state.

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

While this old-fashioned barbecue joint might look pretty nondescript from the outside, its smoked meat–filled sandwiches and brisket are the stuff of legend. Original owners Lannie and Will Travis began barbecuing way back in the 1940s, and their humble shop is still run by family members today. The community comes out in force for the Sunday dinners, which include ham, fried chicken, or meatloaf, plus fixings like collard greens, cream potatoes, and corn. The joint is currently closed for renovation but should be back up and running soon.

If you're after a fried chicken fix in Alaska, there's no better place than Anchorage's Lucky Wishbone. It first opened back in 1955 and has changed very little over the decades; you'll find a down-home menu and old-school diner digs with a long bar, teal leather booths, and black-and-white photos on the walls. The chicken is smothered in buttermilk before being battered and pan-fried to perfection. Get yours with coleslaw and corn muffins. The jumbo cheeseburger also comes highly recommended.

You'll feel instantly at home at this old-school, cash-only spot, known for its rib-sticking, all-American comfort food. The menu is enormous, with pancakes, skillets, or sandwiches for breakfast, and homestyle entrées such as meatloaf, chicken-fried steak, and grilled barramundi for dinner (pictured is the Cha-Cha burger with tater tots). It's one for the sweet-toothed, too; Randy's is known for its stellar desserts, from ice cream doused in hot fudge to homemade bread and rice puddings.

Steak and tamales are stars of the menu at this down-to-earth restaurant in the Arkansas capital. It's been going strong since the 1980s, and hit the headlines when it became a favored hangout for presidential candidate Bill Clinton and his staff during his 1992 campaign. Fast-forward three decades and Doe's is still a neighborhood stalwart, known for its 'world famous' hot tamales with chili, and its T-bone, porterhouse, and sirloin steaks.

At this gorgeous Ocean-front spot, you can enjoy American diner staples with a side of surf and sunshine. Run by the Dwelley family since 1988, Beach Break Cafe has become an essential part of the Oceanside community, located just off the historic Highway 101 that runs along the coast. Take in the colorful surf-themed decor and feast on breakfast and lunch classics with a California twist. Favorites include the signature cinnamon-laced coffee cake, banana crunch French toast (pictured), and hearty four-egg omelets and scrambles, filled with everything from spicy chorizo to pork machaca.

San Diego heaves with top-rated, mom-and-pop Mexican spots, but this one still stands out above the rest. You can expect a line outside Las Cuatro Milpas, in the city's traditional Mexican-American Barrio Logan neighborhood, but the food is well worth the wait. Feast on shredded chicken tacos, burritos, or delectable pork tamales. The white menudo soup is a hit, too.

Pasadena claims to be the birthplace of the cheeseburger, and this cozy burger bar makes some of California’s finest. Pie ‘n Burger has been a fixture in Pasadena since 1963, and its specialty is straightforward, no-frills burgers made with top-quality freshly ground beef, cooked to perfection, and slathered with homemade thousand island dressing. The laminated countertops and soda fountain give it a timeless charm, and the old-school pies are incredible, too. Current owner Michael Osborn first ate at the restaurant as a nine-year old and began working there in 1972, before eventually taking over.

Describing itself as a 'quaint family-run parlor,' Cora Faye's has won plenty of fans since it opened back in 2006. Owner Priscilla Smith named the restaurant in homage to her mother, Cora, and her sister, whose middle name is Faye. And she'll treat you just like family if you come through the door, too; Southern soul food classics are served up with a smile and include frogs' legs, smothered pork chops, catfish, and po' boys.

This friendly, family-run pizza shop has kept residents of Waterford and nearby New London supplied with the tastiest pizzas for more than 40 years. You won’t get anything fancy at Supreme Pizza, but that’s part of the appeal. Grab a counter stool and take your pick from the dazzling array of overstuffed grinders, fresh-from-the-oven pizza pies, and bubbling baked pasta dishes. The prices are reasonable and the portions are generous, so you’re guaranteed to leave stuffed and satisfied.

Since Bogdan and Margaret Malinowski opened Staropolska 30 years ago, it's become a stalwart of the Connecticut dining scene – without losing any of its homely charm. It serves up authentic Polish cuisine, with many dishes based on family recipes, and rotating specials throughout the week. Don't miss the pierogi – Polish dough pillows with sweet or savory fillings. As of early 2024, the restaurant was temporarily closed due to a fire, but is due to open back up soon.

The hardworking folks at Mrs Robino's know that good Italian cooking is about 'simplicity at its core.' That's why there's little fuss and few frills at this traditional Italian-American restaurant – just a solid menu of well-executed classics such as veal parmigiana, lasagna, and ravioli. It started as a one-room restaurant on North Union Street in 1940 and remains at the original location, though now as a much larger restaurant. To this day, it's still run by members of the Robino family.

Loved for its old-timey charm and homely country cooking, this family-run spot only opened in 2007 but you’d think it’d been around forever. Dixie Belle's Cafe opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the menu is packed with the kind of warming comfort food we all crave, from gigantic pancakes and signature homemade sweet potato biscuits to loaded salad plates and meatloaf smothered with the most delicious brown gravy.

You don't have to look too hard to find great Cuban food in Miami, and Islas Canarias Restaurant is a solid bet. It was founded by the late Raul and Amelia Garcia in the 1970s and now their daughter Nancy is at the helm. It promises the best croquetas in Miami – and customers happily agree – while the menu also doles out Cuban classics such as pollo asado and ropa vieja (shredded steak in a tomato-based sauce). Inside, spot the pressed-tin ceiling and rows of decorative trays and plates on display.

Chef Kevin Clark and his partner Lisa Spooner opened this laid back joint in Reynoldstown in 2010, and it quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Clark has a background in fine dining, but at Home grown it's all about casual Southern fare made from locally sourced ingredients; some even come from the garden outside. A go-to order is the Comfy Chicken, an open-faced biscuit with fried chicken, covered in pork sausage gravy.

Authentic, Hawaiian-style food is what's on offer at this unpretentious restaurant in Hanapepe on Kauai, Hawaii's 'Garden Isle.' Try traditional Hawaiian dishes such as slow-cooked Kalua pork, or plump for a burger made with grass-fed Kauai beef. The owners are Manny 'Unko Manny' and his wife Sharon Cabral, who began their venture in 2010, and promise to run it with 'love and aloha.'

Mr V's is all about food 'like your mother or grandmother used to make.' The dining room is homey – with farmyard paintings on the walls and cozy wooden booths – and the menu matches the setting. Sit down to warming plates of golden-fried shrimp, roasted turkey, or steak, all served with veggies, cornbread, and your choice of potato. The place has been running since 1971, when Morris Vavold Sr and his son opened the doors, and it's now operated by third-generation family members.

This unassuming spot in Chicago's Archer Heights district is a staple for in-the-know foodies. A true family business, it's run by husband-and-wife team John and Norma Zaragoza, while their son works as the executive chef. Birrieria Zaragoza specializes in one thing – goat, namely in the form of birria, a beautifully tender, slow-cooked Mexican stew. It's served in various guises, including in a bowl or in tacos, and customers say it's cooked to perfection.

This charming Greek-American diner has been a family affair since it was founded in the pretty Cook County village of Niles more than 35 years ago. Famous for staying open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, Omega is also known for its home-baked breads, cakes, and pastries, as well as diner classics with a Greek twist. Its dessert case, which is kept constantly stocked with fresh pies, strudels, and cheesecakes, is also legendary, as is the amazing service.

'Comfort food, Italian style' is the order of the day at this friendly restaurant in South Bend, which has been a family affair from the beginning. It was opened in the 1950s – a labor of love by namesake Calabrian Rocco, his wife Julia, and her parents. Over the years, the once-tiny restaurant has expanded and been taken on by a new generation of family members. Swing by for classics like spaghetti and meatballs or alfredo sauce.

Tipped as the oldest bar and restaurant in Iowa, this beloved establishment has been in the Breitbach family since 1862. Sadly, the original tavern was destroyed by a fire in 2007, but the current restaurant stands on the same site. The restaurant is best-known for its popular lunch and dinner buffets; fill up on baked or battered cod, pasta dishes, and fixings like veggies and mashed potatoes. There's usually barbecue ribs on the menu on Saturday nights, too, and gigantic tenderloin sandwich is a Midwestern favorite.

The food doesn't always look pretty at Kelly's Family Diner, but that's OK, because it won't be around for long. You'll soon have gobbled up one of their hearty, cheese-topped chili bowls, country-fried steaks, or giant Reuben sandwiches. The daily specials are inviting, too; a changing menu offers such dishes as beef tips on rice or cockle-warming meatloaf. Diners also praise the super friendly service.

You don't get much more of an idyllic setting than this one. Local favorite Wallace Station is enveloped in Kentucky's Horse Country, surrounded by rolling green hills and white fences. It's not just about location, though; the menu will satisfy all your down-home country food cravings with giant pimento cheese sandwiches, hot browns, and bourbon-spiked chili soup.

Glenn Murphree and his family have been slinging exceptional quality po' boys from a rustic former grocery store since 1982. These days, it has a following among locals and tourist alike for its creative, overstuffed sandwiches, packed with everything from gumbo to crispy soft-shell crab. Of course, classic po' boy fillings like shrimp, oysters, and roast beef are also done to perfection here, too.

In the Big Easy, you'll find everything from fancy, French-inspired boltholes to unassuming spots doling out gumbo and jambalaya. Mother's Restaurant falls into the second camp. It started life in the 1930s, serving po' boys to local workers. Now the menu has been expanded but the cozy, down-home vibe remains the same. Choose between grits with crawfish étouffée (a staple Louisiana stew), fried seafood combos, and a roster of hearty breakfasts.

There are few frills at this down-to-earth New England café, but it comes through with a solid menu of comforting American classics. Queen of the menu is the homemade donut – get yours generously glazed with chocolate or dusted with sugar – while other big-hitters include the lobster grilled cheese (this is Maine, after all). Owned by a husband-and-wife duo, the spot has only been running since 2019, but it's already earned a loyal local following.

For three decades, the Papermoon Diner has been drawing in customers with its bright, whimsical decor (think blue ceilings studded with stars and curious artworks made from dolls' heads) and a menu of updated American favorites. There's plenty of choice, but we love the grilled cheese with caramelized onions and mango chutney, and the bread pudding with caramel sauce for dessert.

This tiny spot in Boston's North End started off life as just Cozy Corner, and current owner Theo Cristo started working there as a dishwasher in 1989. He eventually ended up buying the restaurant and added his name to the joint, which is a super-popular breakfast and lunch destination for locals. It serves up Italian and American classics, including pasta and sandwiches, while the house special is muqueca: a seafood stew from Theo's native Brazil. 

Detroit was once (perhaps unfairly) dubbed a 'food desert', but it's far from that now, with swish spots selling small plates joining long-standing (or new) mom-and-pop stops. Among them is The Jamaican Pot, opened by a husband-and-wife team Rose Forrest – aka Mama Rose – and Bruce Cunningham in 2014. They're loved for their boneless jerk chicken, curry goat, and red snapper dishes, and they've now got a second location.

Mancini’s has been a pillar of the Saint Paul restaurant scene for more than 75 years. Diners know that they're in the market for a top-quality steak and great service when they come through the doors, which first swung open in 1948; back then, Mancini's was a simple, snug tavern. The steak is aged 30 days, hand cut, and then charbroiled. If you fancy something different, there's also a lobster tail dinner, or a couscous dish for vegetarians.

This restaurant is new by name, but definitely not by nature. There's been a New's Restaurant in town since 1942, when 'Uncle Hermon' New first opened a gas station that served food. Fast-forward to today and the community restaurant still has a stellar reputation. Daily specials are scribbled on blackboards and include everything from smothered hamburger steak and baked chicken to fried fish.

Located on the historic courthouse square in beautiful Fayette, Emmet's Kitchen & Tap is beloved for its hearty American food with a Cajun twist. Here you'll find everything from po' boys and platters of Bayou shrimp to tasty pasta dishes, pork, and steaks, all served up by some of the friendliest and most attentive staff around. Customers can't get enough of the spicy Angry Shrimp appetizer, and the ribeye is said to be fantastic.

This breakfast and lunch stop is exactly what it sounds like: an old, red-brick, one-room schoolhouse that's been transformed into a cozy, family-run eating spot. Expect omelets, home-baked sweet pies, hot-beef sandwiches, and burgers on the menu. There's a neat little gift shop selling handmade quilts, jewelry, and mugs, too. It's temporarily closed for personal reasons, so keep an eye out on the Facebook page for updates on its reopening. 

You can't go wrong with a classic diner and this Lincoln offering is a winner. It's got everything you go to a diner looking for: cozy leather booths, neon signs, flowing coffee, and service with a smile. Breakfast is guaranteed to fill you up for the day; choose between eggs Benedict, bacon, hash browns and eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy, or an omelet burrito. 

You might not associate Las Vegas with cutesy, mom-and-pop spots – after all, it's better known for giant hotels serving steak and seafood buffets. So Lou's Diner is a real treasure. Still family-owned and operated, it's been holding its own since 1969, and its popularity is cemented by the charming interiors, with shelves filled with porcelain trinkets and doilies, and the walls hung with patterned plates. The breakfast and lunch menus are tempting, too, with a classic mix of hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, egg plates, French toast, and waffles.

The bucolic New England town of Twin Mountain has an inviting crop of restaurants from petite pizzerias to New American spots with top-notch views. For a solid dose of home cooking that'll satisfy the whole clan, head to Munroe's Family Restaurant, which does exactly what it says on the tin. Come in for breakfast and graze on egg plates or skillets loaded with meat and/or vegetables, or eat giant sandwiches or seafood specials for lunch.

You can barely move in New Jersey for traditional restaurants dealing in good, old-fashioned, Italian-American cooking – and Boniello's is one of the best. As the sign on the door says, it's all about food, friends, and family here. There's a generously sized menu packed out with all the classics, from angel hair primavera to linguine with claims, while fans say you shouldn't miss the chicken vodka sliders: breaded chicken doused in the house-made vodka sauce and tucked into garlic-knot buns.

Steak lovers should make a beeline for this long-standing restaurant in New Mexico's biggest city. It's an Albuquerque veteran, having opened in 1974 and been owned and operated by the Villa family since the very beginning. Go for classic steak and fries or try New Mexico specialties such as blue-corn enchiladas, chile relleno, or the kicking, green-chile cheeseburger. Legend has it you might be joined by some spectral dinner guests, too; the building dates back to 1785, and is said to be haunted.

In a city where restaurants are constantly opening (and closing down), there's still a healthy number of homely mom-and-pop joints going strong. Harlem institution Sylvia's has been dishing out exceptional quality soul food for decades, from expertly made chicken and waffles to shrimp and grits with all the trimmings. It was founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, a local legend who died in 2012, and has a reputation as somewhere everyone is welcome, particularly because of its history as an important meeting place during the Civil Rights Movement.

Upstate New York isn't short on super-cute, mom-and-pop style joints, and The Country Corner Cafe is one of the most popular. It changed hands in early 2023, with original owner Roseann Hotaling selling it to couple Julee and Mark O'Callaghan, who promise to keep everything customers love about the place. It's open until lunchtime each day, but breakfast is the real draw here. Try the Southern Benedict, with spicy turkey sausage and fried green tomatoes.

There's a lot of competition when it comes to barbecue in North Carolina, but this family-owned spot earns plaudits for its delectable meaty mains, super friendly vibe, and wallet-friendly prices. There's most praise for the classic barbecue plates, which are piled high with meats like slow-cooked pulled pork and trimmings including collard greens and mac 'n' cheese.

It might look pretty nondescript from the outside, but The Shack on Broadway's homestyle cooking and warm atmosphere has won it heaps of awards and a super-loyal clientele. So much so, there was panic when its longtime owners recently announced their retirement. Thankfully, the place was sold to a veteran Shack employee, who plans to keep everything customers love about the place – including the famous caramel rolls. 

Another historic schoolhouse turned restaurant, the building here dates to the 1800s and there's still plenty that belongs to the 19th century, including the oak flooring and the blackboards. Now, though, there are menus instead of homework scribbled on those blackboards and diners can expect tasty dishes such as meatloaf and gravy and smoked ham. It's been a restaurant since the 1960s and is run by the local Miller family. Be sure to stop in the cute General Store, too.

If you're looking for good quality Tex-Mex grub, then this family-owned cantina is just the thing. It claims to serve the best tacos in Norman and, indeed, diners wax lyrical about the carne asada option in particular. You can also find tamales, fajitas, and crispy taquitos, as well as a range of Mexican beers.

This convivial spot claims to serve 'the best home cooking on the Oregon coast.' Decide for yourself with a visit to the cute, down-to-earth restaurant with its small bar and diner vibe. The homemade hash browns win plenty of praise from diners, as do the clam chowder and the chicken-fried steak. If you've left room for something sweet (not likely given the mammoth portions), try a cinnamon roll.

Established in 1994, Lancaster's Neptune Diner is a much-loved family-owned and run spot that regularly scoops the prize for the state's best diner. Open for breakfast and lunch, it offers homestyle cooking, with an extensive menu of breakfast favorites, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Try their famous meatloaf stack – meatloaf topped with beef gravy, mushrooms, and Cheddar cheese, served on a mound of homemade mashed potatoes.

When a restaurant has 'family' in the name, you know it deals in good old-fashioned, comforting cooking. That's true of Providence's Louis Family Restaurant, which has been a local favorite (particularly with college students) for more than 75 years. It's still family-owned and run, and you can indulge in plenty of rib-sticking classics from pancakes and steak and eggs for breakfast, to hot subs and gnocchi and meatballs for lunch.

Barbecue is a way of life in South Carolina, but there's something extra-special about this sweet spot in Holly Hill that's been serving hungry diners since 1959. The original 1950s location eventually closed, but this cute farmhouse venue opened in 1977 and there's been a storm cooked up here ever since. Faithful punters come in for the oak, hickory, and pecan-smoked pork, which is doused in a secret recipe, mustard-based sauce.

When Sioux Fall natives Jon Oppold and his wife Katy saw a former laundromat standing vacant while walking their French bulldog, Sunny, they decided to turn it into a pizzeria – and named it after said dog. The result is a welcoming neighborhood spot that serves up, in their words, 'jowl droppin' thin-crust pizza.' Expect inventive creations like Leggo My Pizza, featuring chicken, bacon, Belgium waffles, hot honey, and maple syrup.

In Memphis, the ghost of Elvis Presley lurks around every corner, and he loved to park up in a booth at this long-standing diner-style restaurant – the oldest in Memphis – and order the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. That's still on the menu, alongside pizzas, salads, towering milkshakes, and desserts including beignets and banana split. The retro interiors, with their popping blue booths, are worth the visit alone.

This Texas spot has really earned its stripes having been running for more than 90 years, with many employees having worked there for a quarter-century. It's been in its current location since 1946, and it's no stranger to 'best of' lists covering top breakfasts in Texas and beyond. That talked-about breakfast menu is served all day, and includes items such as biscuits with gravy, omelets, cinnamon rolls, and donuts. It's well-known and loved for delicious pies, too.

At old-fashioned cafeteria chain Luby’s, Thanksgiving never ends. On any day of the year, you can pile a plate high with turkey breast, sweet potatoes, mac 'n' cheese, and roasted vegetables, followed with a slice of pecan pie (if you have room). First opened by Bob Luby in San Antonio, Texas in 1947, Luby’s promise has always been to serve good, fresh food in a setting that people will want to come back to time and time again. And, if you ask the generations of diners who’ve been visiting for decades, it’s kept true to its word; entire families have grown up loving its hearty, comforting retro classics, from chopped steak to liver and onions.

The delightful trolley car location is just one reason to come along to Ruth's Diner in Salt Lake City. Another is the big menu featuring breakfasts, sandwiches, and mains like pot roast, carbonara, and pork chops. It's named for the late Ruth Evans – a spirited cabaret singer turned diner owner, who first opened Ruth’s Hamburgers Downtown in 1930.

Described as 'a great place to eat since 1945,' quaint Handy's has been in its namesake family since the very beginning. Locals drop in for hearty portions at reasonable prices, with menu mainstays including patty melts, burgers, and hot dogs, and a long list of breakfasts. You're pretty much guaranteed service with a smile, too.

For some of the finest barbecue in Virginia, dished up in a simple yet super-friendly setting, head on over to Pierce's Pitt BBQ, which has been serving the folks of Williamsburg since 1971. The passage of time hasn't dimmed its popularity, and punters still pour in for a taste of the restaurant's slow-cooked barbecue pulled pork or chicken covered in signature sauce, alongside giant sandwiches stuffed with brisket that's been smoked for 14 hours.

Come by this pocket-sized joint in Seattle, owned by a mother and daughter, for classic soul food dished up by friendly staff. You can't go wrong with the chicken wing dinner – six pieces of golden-fried chicken, served with sides such as mac 'n' cheese – or the traditional oxtail in hearty gravy served over rice. Bold, colorful artworks brighten an otherwise slick and minimalist space.

A tried-and-tested neighborhood Italian is always a good bet, and Leonoro's Spaghetti House is a Charleston staple. The family-owned and run restaurant has had plenty of time to perfect its classic dishes; it's been operating since 1915, and the menu heaves with traditional favorites from spaghetti and meatballs to veal parmiagano, and cannelloni and tiramisu for dessert.

Swing by Frank's for a lesson in what a diner should be. It's been serving Kenosha locals since 1926 and it offers a fail-safe menu of breakfast favorites – the Garbage Plate, with eggs, hash browns, veggies, and your choice of meat and cheeses, is a real crowd pleaser. The burgers and homemade chili come with high praise, too. And, if you really loved it, you can pick up some classic merch to remember your visit.

Another first-rate diner, this cheerful restaurant – recently taken over by a brother-and-sister duo – is best-known for its comforting breakfasts. Start your day with chicken-fried steak with sausage gravy, or omelets packed with meat and veggies. Their giant cinnamon buns have earned them plenty of fans, too, and enthused visitors say the service is spectacular. 

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