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The Vanishing America Project has typically been focusing on those American Icons that have disappeared from our landscape... but I think it's high time to show a couple of icons that are thriving.
A couple of weeks ago, I drove into downtown Atlanta with my friend Shannon to find some interesting diners and photograph them at night. We chose the area along Ponce de Leon -- a sometimes sketchy part of town where trendy bistros mingle with shady dive bars and the eclectic mix of people include hipsters, winos and everything in between.
Our first stop was Zesto, an Atlanta tradition for decades. I'm not sure when this one opened up, but it still has that old neon diner feel and all the polished steel and neon make for some great images.
The second, and, incidentally, the last stop for the night, was the famous Majestic diner. My first, and only, experience with the Majestic was a memorable one... revolving around alcohol, girls, and the munchies. If memory serves me correctly, I was attending GA Tech at the time, and several of us went out to the Majestic for a late night bite. The food was exactly what you would think a late night diner would serve -- waffles, pancakes, greasy burgers, chili cheese fries, chocolate shakes -- we got it all. But the best part was the waitresses...
Back then the late shift showcased a collection of fantastic women who looked like they just walked out of grandma's knitting group, but who treated customers like they were prisoners of war! But, the funny thing is that these women really were sweet. The heavy-handed attitude of flying insults was just part of the charm. They meant no harm, and if you actually talked to one of them away from the hustle and bustle of the diner, they treated you like one of their own grandkids. But when working late shift at the diner, they had to put on a show. That's what people expected. That's why they went there. And, it was fun.
"Hurry up and order you spoiled brat. I got 10 people waitin' on me and if you don't make up your mind in the next 5 seconds I'll take you out back and lock you in the dumpster."
I don't know if the Majestic still flaunts such a flamboyant staff, but the place is still busy every night of the week, so they must be doing something right.
It's great to see Atlanta icons like Zesto and the Majestic still going strong. It shows that people do care about their culture and their history and are willing to support places like these to ensure that they endure.
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