On the Menu
The Avenue
A piece of the American pie
By Barbara D’Arienzo
Photography by Tara Hope
Good food, good service and good prices—these formed the cornerstone of the diner envisioned by Grover “Doddie” Thompson when he looked at an old vacant house on Steinwehr Avenue some 50 years ago. “I stood at the gas station across the street and saw the old Heagey place, as it was known, and thought it would be a good place for a diner,” he remembers. At the time there was only one other restaurant in the south part of town, and this World War II veteran planned to have a successful business there.
In his mind’s eye, he clearly saw the little diner, driveway and parking lot. He mortgaged his home, but this son of a restaurateur knew it wasn’t enough to convert the interior with a counter, kitchen and rows of cozy booths. Hoping for support, Thompson shared his dream with his father, who had retired from the business. The elder Thompson’s response was no. “It’s too close to the road, and people will pass it before they see it,” he reasoned. But a couple of days later, he pondered, “Maybe you’ve got something there,” and pledged his financial support to get his son started.
The Avenue Diner opened in 1958 and, as its founder proudly says, “went over big.”
Thompson and his wife, Dot, ran the place for 20 years, before selling to Frank and Jean Herring. Jean has been working at The Avenue since she was 18 and still waitresses there today. In 1978, the “diner” part of the name was dropped and replaced with “restaurant.” Longtime locals still call it “the diner,” however. When J. Mark Cropp took the place over in 1995, the commitment to serving reasonably priced, straightforward food in a casual, friendly atmosphere was a hallmark.
To read the full story check out the latest issue available at these locations.