The Walnut Street Diner
207 E. Saltonstall Street
The Walnut Street Diner is definitely a working-man's establishment and most customers are locals from French Hill and Lower Southside. A few adventurous Miskatonic University students have found their way here, drawn in by the better quality of food and coffee compared to the usual collegiate fare. There is a bit of a rush around 7 and again at noon, but most of the day there are more empty seats than occupied ones. Good word-of-mouth has kept the diner open and, slowly, growing its customer base.
The Walnut Street Diner's most notable employee is also it's owner, Louis (pronounced Lou-ee, though he will answer to Lewis or even Lou) Deroche, a fifty-one-year-old native of Louisiana. He's worked as a porter, a teamster, a stevedore, and a cook up and down most of the eastern seaboard.
Lois employs three other assitant chefs - Carl(o) Niglio, Emile Blanchard, and Ernest Robek - but he only trust Robek to work a shift without him. Also, on-hand most times of day there are several counter 'girls' (none are younger than 40), who take orders, handle the cash register, and serve drinks. A busboy/dish washer removes dishes and generally works to keep the resturant tidy.
In addition to Deroche's particular coffee offerings, one of his chefs, Emile Blanchard who is French-Canadian, has convinced his employer to add several specialties particularly beloved by his community, including tourtiere (meat pies; chicken and ham 10c, beef and salmon 15c) and cretons (a spreadable blend of pork and onions; it is listed on the menu as "Toast with Ham spread for 10c).
This 1916 Worchester Lunch Car diner was originally installed in Peabody, Massachusetts, where it first operated as Hamilton's Lunch and later as Wright's, until closing in 1923. Louis Deroche purchased it in 1924, had it refurbished, and relocated it to Arkham where it reopened as the Walnut Street Diner in the same year.
As the only full-service diner south of the river, the Walnut (as it is sometimes called) does a passable business though, as the owner volunteers to anyone who asks, things could be better... perhaps you could bring a friend to join you next time?
One of the few conventions of his birthplace that Deroche has brought from home is his love of chicory coffee, offering it alongside the more standard fare. He mixes it with milk, in the New Orleans style (au lait) unless otherwise requested not to do so. (Huth, Chris, et al. "The Arkham Gazette, Issue 1." Edited by Ian Maclean et al., Sentinel Hill Press, Nov. 2013.)
The Walnut Street Diner's most notable employee is also it's owner, Louis (pronounced Lou-ee, though he will answer to Lewis or even Lou) Deroche, a fifty-one-year-old native of Louisiana. He's worked as a porter, a teamster, a stevedore, and a cook up and down most of the eastern seaboard.
Lois employs three other assitant chefs - Carl(o) Niglio, Emile Blanchard, and Ernest Robek - but he only trust Robek to work a shift without him. Also, on-hand most times of day there are several counter 'girls' (none are younger than 40), who take orders, handle the cash register, and serve drinks. A busboy/dish washer removes dishes and generally works to keep the resturant tidy.
In addition to Deroche's particular coffee offerings, one of his chefs, Emile Blanchard who is French-Canadian, has convinced his employer to add several specialties particularly beloved by his community, including tourtiere (meat pies; chicken and ham 10c, beef and salmon 15c) and cretons (a spreadable blend of pork and onions; it is listed on the menu as "Toast with Ham spread for 10c).
This 1916 Worchester Lunch Car diner was originally installed in Peabody, Massachusetts, where it first operated as Hamilton's Lunch and later as Wright's, until closing in 1923. Louis Deroche purchased it in 1924, had it refurbished, and relocated it to Arkham where it reopened as the Walnut Street Diner in the same year.
As the only full-service diner south of the river, the Walnut (as it is sometimes called) does a passable business though, as the owner volunteers to anyone who asks, things could be better... perhaps you could bring a friend to join you next time?
One of the few conventions of his birthplace that Deroche has brought from home is his love of chicory coffee, offering it alongside the more standard fare. He mixes it with milk, in the New Orleans style (au lait) unless otherwise requested not to do so. (Huth, Chris, et al. "The Arkham Gazette, Issue 1." Edited by Ian Maclean et al., Sentinel Hill Press, Nov. 2013.)
Walnut Street Diner Menu:
| Breakfast | Emile's Specialties | ||
| 2 Eggs, Bacon or Sausage, Toast | 18c | Meat pie; chicken and ham | 10c |
| Cereals, Oatmeal, Milk Toast | 12c | Meat pie; Beef and Salmon | 15c |
| Omlettes, cheese, sausage, ham | 20c | Toast with Ham Spread | 10c |
| Vegtables | Sandwiches | ||
| Spinach, Celery, Green Peas, Stewed Corn | 10c | Hamburger; cheese or plain | 20c |
| Potatoes | Sandwiches; Ham, Chicken | 15c | |
| Mashed, Boiled, French Fried, Lyonaise, Fried Chips | 10c | Pies | |
| Hot off the Grill | Blueberry, Apple, Strawberry-Rhubarb | 10c | |
| Steak | 40c | Drinks | |
| Lamb Chops | 35c | Coffee (Plain), Tea (hot or iced), Potsum, Cocoa, Cola | 5c |
| Fried Sausage | 25c | Chicory Coffee Au Lait | 5c |
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