Becky's Diner is a diner on Commercial Street in Portland, Maine. It is located at the head of Hobson's Wharf on Portland's waterfront.[1]

Becky's Diner
Map
Becky's Diner is located in Maine
Becky's Diner
Location within Maine
Restaurant information
EstablishedMarch 1991 (1991-03)
Owner(s)Becky Rand
Food typeSeafood
Street address390 Commercial Street
CityPortland
Coordinates43°39′02″N 70°15′25″W / 43.65065°N 70.25695°W / 43.65065; -70.25695
Other informationRenovated 2007 (2007)

History

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Becky's Diner opened in 1991 with an exception to the city's zoning laws prohibiting non-fishery businesses in the location. Owner Becky Rand, a mother of six, argued that fishermen needed a place to eat before and after work, which was lacking because of their unusual hours. Several years after opening, her success allowed for new hours to be added during the middle of the night on weekends. In 1995, Becky's added a dinner menu, being served from 4.00 AM to closing time (9.00 PM).

Accolades

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In 2005, Becky's received coverage in Gourmet Magazine and a spot on Rachael Ray's Food Network program $40 a Day.[2] The Portland Phoenix named it the Best Greasy Spoon of 2008.[3]

In 2016, the diner was featured in the Guy Fieri Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Thanksgiving episode.[4] Rand made her sausage stuffing.[5]

In 2024, the opening scene of crime writer John Connolly's book The Instruments of Darkness was set in Becky's Diner.[6]

Notable patrons include Taylor Swift[7] and former president Bill Clinton.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Eat and Run: Becky's Diner, Portland". Portland Press Herald. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  2. ^ Brouillette, Kirah (November 14, 2005). "The Gourmet effect: National press coverage has a big payoff for Maine restaurants". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  3. ^ "The Phoenix Best 2008". The Portland Phoenix. 2008. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  4. ^ A Triple D Thanksgiving Archived April 7, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Becky's Diner Sausage Stuffing Archived May 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "This best-selling Irish writer is completely at home in Maine". newscentermaine.com. 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  7. ^ Hey, wasn’t that ... yeah, it’s Taylor Swift Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Becky's Diner: Feeding Portland's waterfront for 25 years". The Forecaster. March 22, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
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