Once ubiquitous throughout the country, diners were named after restaurant cars on trains. Offering American cuisine in a casual atmosphere, diners typically consisted of booths, tables and sit-down counters. Many diners were found along highways and were open 24 hours.
Today, diners are less common but can be found within a community in smaller strip malls, or along well traveled suburban highways. Shorty’s Diner is one such restaurant. Launched in October 2011 by Gil Short and his son Tony, the first Shorty’s was — and still is — located on Merrimac Trail in Williamsburg. Initially questioned about his choice of location, Gil pointed out that not many locations wanted his particular vision of a silver façade and unique, vintage signpost. Since the establishment of Shorty’s in Williamsburg, the area has grown — in part due to Gil’s choice of location — encouraging economic development and growth, new store fronts and refurbishment of old, unused buildings.
Gil has since retired and Tony has carried on his father’s legacy, opening a new Shorty’s in York County. Celebrating its one-year anniversary in April, Shorty’s has been more successful than Tony could have imagined. Immediately embraced by locals searching for a place to meet and have a home-cooked, hot, classic breakfast, Shorty’s has been a welcome addition, particularly after the loss of the popular Pop’s Drive-In in Grafton.
Initially considering purchasing the former Pop’s location to open his York County restaurant, Tony eventually settled on the former Bay Haven Grille, directly across Highway 17 from Pop’s. While technically considered a small business, Shorty’s has attracted a wide spectrum of the local population and has planted a significant footprint within the community.
With last spring’s opening of the newest Shorty’s — bringing the total to three restaurants with locations in Richmond, Williamsburg and York County — residents can look forward to specialized breakfasts and lunches including soups, desserts and meals prepared each day from scratch. All three locations have a 1950s décor with a unique twist on each restaurant. Customers at the York County location are not only greeted by warm, friendly servers, but also a life-sized Elvis beckons, pointing the way to old-fashioned comfort food. “It’s not fancy, it’s not fat-free, it’s just the way it used to be,” says Tony of his family motto, printed on the wall above the counter area.
Tony’s team, including his daughter Rylee, is branching out into catering, hoping to bring his mother Barbara’s recipes to large and small functions and further expand the restaurant’s reach within the community. In addition, a new Shorty’s is taking shape in St. Louis, Missouri, with the help of a family friend.
Shorty’s is open in Williamsburg, Richmond and York County, 6 a.m.
to 2 p.m. seven days a week with burgers, fried pork tenderloin sandwiches, Cuban subs, classic Reubens and a full breakfast menu. With three convenient locations, Hampton Roads can enjoy traditional, classic, 1950s fare in a casual atmosphere with friendly service.
TO THE POINT:
Shorty’s Diner
Locations: 5625 W Broad St., Richmond, VA 23230; 627 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185;
6500 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Ste. A, Yorktown, VA 23690
Contact: Tony Short, owner/CEO
Phone: Richmond, 804-525-5627; Williamsburg, 757-603-6674; Yorktown, 757-527-2538
Email: letseat@shortysdinerva.com
Website: shortysdinerva.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ShortysDiner
