New Jersey Couple Has Documented 300 State Diners
Karri and Jon Ricklin have spent years photographing menus at diners across the state to support local tradition.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in American Cuisine
Live Poll
Do you believe local diners are important enough to preserve in your community?
Karri and Jon Ricklin have visited more than 300 diners across New Jersey since beginning their project in 2015. Their mission aims to support small businesses and preserve the state's historic diner culture.
Why it matters
The project sheds light on the dwindling presence of traditional roadside eateries in New Jersey. By highlighting these establishments, the couple hopes to keep local diner traditions alive amidst changing dining habits.
The couple has documented 331 menu photos and maintains an Instagram account with over 6,000 followers. There are currently fewer than two dozen 24-hour diners remaining in the entire state.
The players
Karri and Jon Ricklin
They are a married couple currently residing in Bergen County who document diner culture across New Jersey.
Phil Murphy
He is the current Governor of New Jersey who met with the couple for lunch in 2024.
The details
The couple identifies diners along specific routes, determining which to visit based on menu offerings and the overall experience. Their efforts have even reached the state's highest office, including a 2024 lunch meeting with Governor Phil Murphy.
Timeline
The couple started their diner project in 2015.
The couple had lunch with Governor Phil Murphy in 2024.
The couple visited The Falcon Diner in Brooklawn on a recent Wednesday afternoon.
Culture Shift
This project highlights the broader decline of 24-hour diners in New Jersey, a staple of American roadside culture that is increasingly disappearing. The couple's work underscores a societal shift toward documenting fading local landmarks before they vanish.
Residents can follow the couple's documentation of diners to discover local establishments that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. The couple's potential move from Bergen County to Red Bank or Hamilton Township may soon bring their diner scouting efforts to those areas.
The takeaway
Supporting local diners helps maintain the unique culinary identity of the state. Readers can preserve these traditions by prioritizing visits to independent, family-owned diners in their own neighborhoods.
Further reading
Learn more about local food heritage by exploring the American Cuisine section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Live Poll
Do you believe local diners are important enough to preserve in your community?
