Aetna Diner, also known as Comet Diner, Hog River Grille, and Dishes, is a historic

diner A diner is a small, inexpensive restaurant found across the United States, as well as in Canada and parts of Western Europe. Diners offer a wide range of foods, mostly American cuisine, a casual atmosphere, and, characteristically, a com ...

located at 267 Farmington Avenue in the Asylum Hill neighborhood of Hartford, Connecticut. Built in 1947 by Paramount Diners and assembled in 1948, the diner was prefabricated from stainless steel. Aetna Diner was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.

Description and history

Manufactured by

Paramount Dining Car Company Paramount Dining Car Company was a manufacturer of stainless steel modular diners that was one of several such manufactures based in New Jersey. The company, founded by Arthur E. Sieber, was originally based in Haledon, New Jersey, and later reloca ...

Haledon, New Jersey Haledon ( ) is a borough in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 9,052, an increase of 734 (+8.8%) from the 2010 census count of 8,318, which in turn reflected an in ...

, the prefabricated diner car was transported by truck to Hartford in three sections, placed on a concrete basement foundation on the corner of Farmington Avenue and Laurel Street, and bolted together. Original owners Gus and Helen Vlecides ran the Aetna Diner for four decades. Built in the "streamliner" deluxe style and more than wide with 32 booths in three rows and a back bar with 25-stool counter, the diner became known for hosting dinners and dances.

Eddie Fisher Edwin Jack Fisher (August 10, 1928 – September 22, 2010) was an American singer and actor. He was one of the most popular artists during the 1950s, selling millions of records and hosting his own TV show, ''The Eddie Fisher Show''. Actress Eli ...

, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Telly Savalas ate there, and the owners catered events for Governor Ella Grasso. Starting in 1984, the diner went through a series of renter and name changes. It had an eight-year run as the Comet followed by eight years as the Oasis and short-lived eras as the Hog River Grille, Mississippi Bar and Grille, and Dishes Restaurant through the early 2000s. The diner has remained vacant since Dishes closed. The building and parking lot are privately owned.

References

{{National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut Modern Movement architecture in the United States Diners on the National Register of Historic Places Diners in Connecticut National Register of Historic Places in Hartford County, Connecticut National Register of Historic Places in Hartford, Connecticut Buildings and structures in Hartford County, Connecticut Restaurants established in 1948 Hartford, Connecticut Commercial buildings completed in 1948

Description and history

See also

References