Riverside Cafe, Wichita

Upon walking into Riverside Café, one online reviewer remarked, “It truly was like one of those diners you see on TV, but never thought you'd find in real life." And while each of the 50s-style eatery's three locations boast touches such as checkerboard floors, vinyl booths, and table-side jukeboxes that call to mind the fictional hangouts––Arnold's, Mel's––that once set up shop in every American living room, it's the welcoming, family-like atmosphere and hearty cuisine that really make patrons feel at home. Fans of chicken-fried steak with biscuits and sausage gravy or thick, Texas-size French toast can relax knowing that breakfast is served all day, assuming they can pass up black angus burgers topped with guacamole and Swiss or served open-faced with chili and cheese. The homemade pies may be the biggest draw, however, baked fresh each day in a rotating selection of flavors, and available whole, by the slice, or folded into a crane.