“Of all commercial establishments, diners have a degree of public-ness that is hard to match. Like the best of public spaces, they are open and welcoming to almost everyone almost all of the time.  And both the consistency of their presence in a neighborhood and the basic human needs they seek to meet create an invaluable ‘third place’ where crucial connections across social, racial and class lines can be forged, or at least considered.” — Project for Public Spaces