Looking for Old-Style Diner Plates
December 10, 2015 10:48 AM Subscribe
Does anyone know of a source for the old-style heavy diner plates? (That's diner, not dinner.) I'd prefer matching sets not singles and new/old stock if such a thing still exists. Thanks in advance.
Where are you located? In my (large) city this stuff is readily available at restaurant supply places.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:59 AM on December 10, 2015
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:59 AM on December 10, 2015
Response by poster: @Blah -- I'm remote from the city, but from what I've seen of restaurant supplies, the modern dishes are lighter weight than the old styles. I contacted a manufacturer in upstate New York and he told me that the heavy style such as was common in the '50s and '60s is no longer made.
posted by partner at 11:05 AM on December 10, 2015
posted by partner at 11:05 AM on December 10, 2015
Williams-Sonoma Buffalo China Dinnerware collection.
From their site: "These plates, bowls and mugs are inspired by authentic diner pieces. They were originally made by the Buffalo China Co., which was founded in New York in 1901 to produce the plates offered as premiums by a soap manufacturer. That sturdy dinnerware went on to become popular at roadside diners along the new U.S. highways and today it's a classic. Replicating a style from the 1940s, our dinnerware is creamy white – the natural color of the clay – with a durable, clear glaze."
posted by cecic at 11:10 AM on December 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
From their site: "These plates, bowls and mugs are inspired by authentic diner pieces. They were originally made by the Buffalo China Co., which was founded in New York in 1901 to produce the plates offered as premiums by a soap manufacturer. That sturdy dinnerware went on to become popular at roadside diners along the new U.S. highways and today it's a classic. Replicating a style from the 1940s, our dinnerware is creamy white – the natural color of the clay – with a durable, clear glaze."
posted by cecic at 11:10 AM on December 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Homer Laughlin (not the Fiesta stuff) is one of my favorites. (I collect this stuff, but buy it a piece at a time at thrift stores.) You can find it at restaurant supply stores, often -- I'd call around, because I know what you mean about modern stuff being lighter.
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:41 AM on December 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:41 AM on December 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
2nding Fishs Eddy - they definitely have this, I've seen it in the store. But call to make sure you're buying the right thing.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:42 AM on December 10, 2015
posted by melissasaurus at 11:42 AM on December 10, 2015
Came in to say Fish's Eddy as well. Not sure if they sell the real stuff in their online shop, but they definitely do in store, and they ship.
posted by Mchelly at 11:50 AM on December 10, 2015
posted by Mchelly at 11:50 AM on December 10, 2015
If you find anything you like, a great place to get more of the same is Replacements, Ltd.
posted by Wilbefort at 12:10 PM on December 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Wilbefort at 12:10 PM on December 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I own the crate and barrel cafeware II dishes. Heavy as fuck.
posted by atomicstone at 12:17 PM on December 10, 2015
posted by atomicstone at 12:17 PM on December 10, 2015
Buffalo China is the one you want, but I would check eBay because I don't think you should pay Williams-Sonoma prices for it. It's pretty common, but the original factory in Buffalo shut down a few years ago. If you are in Western New York, this stuff turns up at garage sales and estate sales regularly. I grew up there and we had it in the school cafeteria. Wears like iron and surprisingly hard to break!
posted by Otter_Handler at 12:27 PM on December 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Otter_Handler at 12:27 PM on December 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Some useful search terms: vitrified; restaurant china; restaurantware; Buffalo China; Syracuse China; Shenango China
Restaurantware that has the business/railroad/military branch name on it is referred to as "topmarked" and usually costs more. Vintage plates are usually about 9" diameter - substantially smaller than modern plates; if you're looking for something closer to modern size, you want a "chop plate". Vintage plates are very nice for portion control, they look luxuriously full with smaller amounts of food on them.
posted by Mary Ellen Carter at 12:37 PM on December 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Restaurantware that has the business/railroad/military branch name on it is referred to as "topmarked" and usually costs more. Vintage plates are usually about 9" diameter - substantially smaller than modern plates; if you're looking for something closer to modern size, you want a "chop plate". Vintage plates are very nice for portion control, they look luxuriously full with smaller amounts of food on them.
posted by Mary Ellen Carter at 12:37 PM on December 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Not long ago I decided to get heavy china that reminded me of diner ware. Bought it from www.webstaurantstore.com. I got these dishes (Tuxton ALA-104 Alaska 10 1/2" Wide Rim Rolled Edge Bright White China Plate - 12 / Case (303ALA104)) and lots of other salad plates and bowls and such, and gave about half of it away immediately (because the small pieces are sold in case lots). It was still a deal. They're nice.
posted by BillMcMurdo at 1:28 PM on December 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by BillMcMurdo at 1:28 PM on December 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Seconding @BillMcMurdo. I have the Tuxton plates, and I think I got them from the same store. These things are very durable. I have had them for years and they aren't chipped, despite occasional slams against the edge of a granite counter. I like the small size and the simple but glossy finish.
posted by massysett at 3:57 PM on December 10, 2015
posted by massysett at 3:57 PM on December 10, 2015
I wanted the same thing and went to a restaurant supply store, picked up each plate, and ended up ordering Homer Laughlin. Great quality, massive plates, nice and heavy, still look brand new after 15 years.
posted by rachelpapers at 6:51 AM on December 11, 2015
posted by rachelpapers at 6:51 AM on December 11, 2015
Response by poster: We happened into a so-called antiques mall that hosts stalls for people selling all kinds of vintage items and came across Tepco USA China and bought 3 sizes of plates and two sizes of bowls -- sets of 4. Would have preferred Buffalo brand, but otherwise these fit the bill perfectly. It makes sense that we would find these here since Tepco was a West Coast manufacturer.
posted by partner at 12:27 PM on January 10, 2016
posted by partner at 12:27 PM on January 10, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rdnnyc at 10:52 AM on December 10, 2015 [9 favorites]