Miner's has been a childhood favorite of mine. Growing up, my parents would take us here for ice cream when we got awards at school. In high school, I took a job here as a soda jerk. In the summer of 2017, I left to work on Mountain Made full time. It wasn't long before I agreed to come back. Honestly, I love my job here even more than I did before. Miner's not only holds a special place in my history, but also in our town's history.
In 1886, Levi & Co. finished building Julian's first brick building. Shorty after, it became the town's general merchandising store. The store changed names and owners several times before Judsons Rexall divided the building into a drugstore, cafe, and bakery. In 1929, the old fashion soda fountain was added. Clay Tozer purchased the store in 1933. He kept one half as the store and pharmacy, the other side became Nida's Pine Cafe. The building once again changed hands multiple times before Larry and Joah Arico bought out the Scholnick family when they retired. The Arico's changed the floor plan creating what's now known as Miner's Diner and the Candy Mine.
Today, Fred and Misty Dornon own the diner. Since they purchased it in 2014 ,they have been working hard to make the diner the best it can be. The diner now offers full waitress service, an improved menu, seating on both sides of the building, a train that goes throughout the restaurant, and newly renovated bathrooms. Don't worry the original soda fountain is still here and the Candy Mine is stocked daily.
The list of things to do and see in Miner's Diner is endless. When you first walk in, you will immediately travel back in time. Throughout the diner, you can view the collection of original vintage decor including a Bobs' Big Boy, vintage soda bottles, a U.S. licenses plate collection, old medicine bottles, and so much more. Don't forget to look up at the train as it goes throughout the restaurant. You can take a seat at the 1929 original, old-fashioned soda fountain or at a table with either choice of seating you're sure to have a unique 1930's dining experience. Their gold miner's inspired menu even has gluten free and vegetarian options.
If you happen to be in town Friday through Monday, Miner's is a great choice for breakfast. Come early; they stop serving breakfast at 10:30 a.m. (and sometimes sooner on busy weekends). They offer everything from The Border to The Miner.
If you come in after 10:30 a.m. don't worry, their lunch menu is sure to have something up your ally. They have a variety of pure Angus beef burgers you can choose from, as well as, a list of things you can add on. In addition to burgers, they have a wonderful variety of sandwiches, salads, and other favorites available. Coming from a local and an employee, I have tried everything and it is all amazing. My favorites are the Western Bacon Burger, the Veggie Melt (with bacon), the Ruben, the Grilled Cheese, The Miner's Melt, Chicken Tenders...okay clearly I love too many things to pick a favorite. Oh, and their battered fries are AMAZING! I love them so much I ate then twice a week for over a year and a half before I realized I should take a break or our lose my figure. HA!
Now for the best part of the menu, the old fashion soda fountain. The possibilities are as far as your imagination can go. With a large variety of soda and ice cream flavors you can mix, match, and invent the perfect treat. They serve everything from ice cream sodas, hand mixed phosphates (old fashioned soda), and banana splits. For a more traditional experience, guest like to order an ice cream soda with chocolate soda and vanilla ice cream or a malt (a milkshake with malt power in it). My personal favorites are the milkshakes. They are so good! I can't order a milkshake anywhere besides here because no other milkshake even closely compares. At Miner's they use whole milk, quality ice cream, hand scoop the ice cream, and mix it the old fashion way to the perfect constancy. Trust me, their shakes are AMAZING. I've eaten hundreds of their milkshakes (guilty and totally okay with it).
Before you leave, don't forget to check out the Candy Mine and Miner's Diner t-shirts, hats, cups, and sweatshirts.
Notes:
On holidays, three day weekends, snow days, and Apples Days (the fall) the diner can have over a two hour wait. They call your name twice, and if you're not there they move on. Once your order is placed, it can take up to 25-30 minutes to get your order.
Miner's is one of the larger restaurants in town; however, due to the high demand volume large groups will have to split up and have separate checks.
Miner's does not serve alcohol...they do have pretty good root beer though!
The restroom always has a long line. The building was build in 1886.
The staff at Miner's loves dogs, but due to heath codes restaurants are only allowed to let service dogs in. For more information on service animals please refer to the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Requirements: Service Animals.
**All information provided in this post was correct to the best of my knowledge at the time the post was published. Information provided in this post may change without notice. Please double-check with the individual business for the most up to date information.**
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