That's cool! Thanks for posting it.

This was such a GREAT PLACE, not only to eat but the atmosphere was irreplaceable..Too bad that this was not saved as an historical place....John Kennedy even frequented this abode and when they tore the place down, they sold the piece of beam that he had inscribed his name on... This building used to be situated WAY back off of El Camino quite a ways and as progress continued, the building was up to the roadway! Also, some of the original black metal boys statues still remain today..only the NAACP had them painted over years ago so they are white now...still located in the parking lot area. Bit of history for ya...

There never was better fried chicken and biscuits. Didn't they have a harpist there sometimes, like on Sundays?

Phyllis Schlomovitz played the harp and it was a magical transformation to cozy comfort with the fried chicken dinners. I remember as a child in the early 60's feasting on Diana's fried chicken to go with honey and biscuits. Diana's Poolside Restaurant is my absolutely favorite breakfast atmosphere in Palo Alto.

Dinah's was a great restaurant. I remember the harpist, who sat on a little platform at one corner of the buffet. The buffet was huge, with various types of salads, cheese, shrimp, always jello, and the hot entrees, which were usually beef burgandy with noodles. The only problem was that you couldn't have the buffet if you wanted the fried chicken, which was served as an entree! And the biscuits were incredible. There was an elderly waitress named Sally who was an institution; she was clearly too old to be there but families (including mine) always asked for her, and she usually had another waiter to help her with the orders and dishes. I think they had an auction of the contents before the demolition, which included the autographs on the wood posts but also all the artwork that was scattered through the place. And the owners of the restaurant and the hotel did not get along, and the restaurant owner bought a small strip of property adjoining the parking lot and built Tamarack Courts apartments, right smack in the middle of the hotel property. The hotel later bought the Tamarack Courts and remained it as Dinah's Court.

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and recently bought what I think is a 1940's cotton square table cloth. It has "Dinah's Shack" in each corner and Dinah's picture.

Does any one know if this is a reproduction, or an original? There are no tags attached , such as a "made in China" or washing instructions. It seems to be in mint condition, except for a yellow stain that runs along a fold, where it could have been exposed to cigarette smoke.
At first I thought it was a made-up place, and was amazed to google
the name and find all this history! God bless google! Please e-mail me at [email protected] , if you have more info.

Hi Diane,

I took the picture on the spur of the moment not knowing that it would be torn down. It was an institution to many here in Palo Alto. The Dinah’s Coffee Shop by the Pool and Hotel still operate (set back farther from where Dinah’s was).

There are a couple possibilities - maybe there's was another Dinah's or maybe it was this one in Palo Alto. Can you describe it more, e.g., was it red and white checker? There are folks reading this who may also recall Dinah's table cloths.

Dinah's, the hotel and Coffee Shop by the Pool, are still there. I wonder if there are any old timers working that would know about the table cloth.

I'll give them a call later on today and find out.

I responding by both your email online.

Andy
Andrew L. Freedman
[email protected]

Hi, I used to work at Dinah's poolside around 1977. The owners name is Bruce and waitress, Elvira, and I think the cook is still there too.
Ken Cesena

Can you send it to the Palo Alto history project?
They can post on Web Link

Good morning PA History Buff,

I will post it now. Glad you liked it. Over the years, I've taken many pictures of places in Palo Alto, not knowing that they might become history.

Talk with you later,

Andy

Does anybody know the history of the tower in front of Dinah's? I am a long time resident and I had heard at one time it was a radio transmission tower / antenna

My Grandmother was a waitress for years at Dinahs. Her son Leo Nomellini (49ers) used to frequent there quite a bit.

My neighbor worked at Dinah's for years. I will ask her about the history of the tower in front.

The Dinah's "tower" in 1960 had neon letters vertical spelling "DINAHS". I think Palo Alto passed a sign ordinance in the 60s (something about size and/or height) and they had to change the signage... but I guess they kept the tower. I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't stuck a cel site in there today, but I haven't been there to look at it recently.

Gosh, Dinah's Shack brings back so many childhood memories. I sed to go there with my parents and my grandma on special occasions. I loved the biscuits and honey, I still love biscuits and honey but none compare to the ones at Dinah's.

My grandma always used to take me up to the smorgasbord with her. I remember the cold meats, and when I was a little older, I got to try the hot food on the smorgasbord too. And I, too, remember the harpist.

My grandmother and parents are now gone, so I cherish those good times at Dinah's.