Becky's Diner is a diner on
Commercial Street in
Portland, Maine
Portland is the List of municipalities in Maine, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat, seat of Cumberland County, Maine, Cumberland County. Portland's population was 68,408 at the 2020 census. The Portland metropolit ...
. It is located at the head of
Hobson's Wharf on Portland's waterfront.
History
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
In 2005, Becky's received coverage in ''
Gourmet Magazine
''Gourmet'' magazine was a monthly publication of Condé Nast Publications, Condé Nast and the first U.S. magazine devoted to food and wine. The New York Times noted that "''Gourmet'' was to food what ''Vogue (magazine), Vogue'' is to fashion." ...
'' and a spot on
Rachael Ray
Rachael Domenica Ray (born August 25, 1968) is an American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author. She hosted the syndicated daily talk and lifestyle program '' Rachael Ray''. Other programs to her credit include ''30 Minut ...
's
Food Network
Food Network is an American basic cable channel owned by Television Food Network, G.P., a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery, who manages and operates it as a division of the Warner Bros. Discovery U.S. Networks Group. The channel airs both televi ...
program ''
$40 a Day''. ''
The Portland Phoenix'' named it the ''Best Greasy Spoon'' of 2008.
In 2016, the diner was featured in the
Guy Fieri
Guy Ramsay Fieri (, ; Ferry; born January 22, 1968) is an American restaurateur, author, and an Emmy Award winning television presenter. He co-owned three now-defunct restaurants in California. He licenses his name to restaurants in cities a ...
''
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
''Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'' (often nicknamed ''Triple D'' and stylized as ''Diners, Drive-Ins, Dives'') is an American food reality television series that has aired on the Food Network since April 23, 2007. It is hosted by Guy Fieri, and in ...
'' Thanksgiving episode. Rand made her sausage stuffing.
In 2024, the opening scene of crime writer
John Connolly's book ''The Instruments of Darkness'' was set in Becky's Diner.
Notable patrons include
Taylor Swift
Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic versatility, and Cultural impact of Taylor Swift, cultural impact, Swift is one of the Best selling artists, w ...
and former president
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton (né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician and lawyer who was the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, ...
.
References
External links
* {{official website, http://www.beckysdiner.com
Frommers
Restaurants in Portland, Maine
Restaurants established in 1991
Diners in Maine
1991 establishments in Maine
Old Port of Portland, Maine