While City State doesn't have the neon and rough edges that I prefer in a diner, it's doing its best to create a classic diner feel, with a touch of chrome, a lunch counter, and some deep vinyl booths. One afternoon while sitting in one of those booths, I started thinking about how American movies have traditionally used the diner as a public place for private discussions; a brief stop on the long highway of character development; the scene of the crime; a symbol of poverty and despair; a place where lives change forever over a tuna melt, a cup of coffee and a slice of pie.
Below, I submit for your approval some of the best diner scenes Hollywood has ever given us. Some are funny, most have NSFW language, and at least one features a man being graphically shot in the face. Hit the jump for the celluloid diner extravaganza, and as always, your picks are always welcome in the comments.