400 E. Saratoga St., 410/962-5379
HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 7 a.m.–2 p.m.
COST: Most entrées less than $10
North of City Hall, where cars on I-83 rumble overhead on viaducts, there’s a gleaming chrome rail car diner (a 1954 Mountain View) surrounded by parking lots and warehouses. This is the Hollywood Diner, so dubbed because of its starring roles in Diner, Sleepless in Seattle, and other hits of the silver screen. Inside, it’s just what you’d expect: chrome, stools, an old-fashioned counter, and booths.
The menu features all your diner favorites, from bacon and egg breakfasts to turkey and mashed potato dinners. The weekday-only diner is operated by the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development, so eating here not only does your stomach good, it helps city kids learning work and life skills (so be patient if there are any service hiccups).