Maine’s Oldest Restaurant Only Takes Cash and No Reservations

Maine's oldest restaurant is nearly 100 years old in Biddeford. Any guesses?

When Biddeford's Palace Diner opened in 1927, Biddeford was a textile mill town. The diner is made of an old Pollard dining car. According to Only In Your State, there are only two in the world, and the Palace Diner is one.

Back in the day, this was a diner that was open 24 hours a day. These days in Maine, it's hard to find a restaurant open past 9 pm.

Who owned Palace Diner when it first opened almost 100 years ago?

Ironically, it was owned by a train engineer, Louis Lachance, who ran it into the early '60s. Since then, there have been about six changes of ownership, but it's Greg Mitchell and Chad Conley who have put the Palace Diner on the global food map. They take simple concepts and do them very well. They bought the diner and reopened with their vision in 2014, ten years ago! Happy anniversary to one of the best diners in the world!

Does the Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine, grill grapefruit?

Yes! This caramelized grapefruit will make you do a couple of things:

• Go to an ATM
• Get there early

Does the Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine, only take cash?

Yes! Hence, you should stop at an ATM before you head there. They don't take reservations and are on a first come, first serve basis. You can put your name on a waiting list. They are open 7 am - 3 pm, and only seat 15 at the counter. They also only do to-go orders online! It's because they are SO busy, they just can't do it. They also don't answer their phones, so don't bother calling. They aren't anti-social, they are wicked busy! Get everything you need online. Get some cash, a good night's sleep, and enjoy your meal!