This 1927 Maine Diner Operates Inside One Of The Only Remaining Pollard Dining Cars - Tasting Table

"Trains dominated the U.S. for nearly half a century since the 1860s, providing intercontinental transport for presidents, tourists, and workers alike. It was a luxury affair for the upper class, allowing them to ride in private cars decked out with plush interiors, ample legroom, and porters at their beck and call."

"Located less than 30 minutes away from Portland in the city of Biddeford, the Palace Diner operates inside of a repurposed dining car that was built by the Pollard Company in 1927. The cash-only restaurant, which has kept its original name, is one of the last two remaining Pollard cars in the country."

"Mitchell and Conley have both cooked in fine dining settings, and they met while working on a farm in Maine. Their farm-to-table ethos is clearly visible at the Palace Diner, but the menu is more about elevating classics than recreating intricate dishes from the past."

The Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine preserves the golden age of American rail travel by operating inside an authentic dining car built by the Pollard Company in 1927. One of only two remaining Pollard cars in the country and among the nation's oldest active diners, it maintains original architectural features including the barrel roof, original tiles, and vintage signage. Current owners Greg Mitchell and Chad Conley, who met while working on a Maine farm, took over in 2014 and have preserved the original design while updating the menu. Rather than recreating historical Gilded Age dishes, they elevate classic diner fare using farm-to-table principles, offering items like eggs, french toast, and corned beef hash alongside elevated versions like tuna melt on challah bread and house-made pickles.

Read at Tasting Table