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World's Smallest Diner: world record in Watkins Glen, New York

Dec 02, 2022
World's Smallest Diner: world record in Watkins Glen, New York

Watkins Glen, New York, United States--The 34 square foot diner opened by Gerry Collins, 76, in Watkins Glen, New York, only holds four people and has a limited menu: the Coney Island hot dog, made with meat sauce, raw onions, mustard, and a few secret ingredients, but it sets the world record for being the World's Smallest Diner, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.


"It causes a lot of smiles, and people stopping to see what it is all about," the My Twintiers reports.


"Gerry Collins, 76, is behind the idea and says most people call it crazy. “Basically when you get older you get crazy, so you do nutty things,” Gerry said. “I’ve always thought small was beautiful.”


Photos: (1) FredipusRex/Twitter| (2) The Pewter Palace|(3) Peter S. Cook Page|

World's Smallest Diner: world record in Watkins Glen, New York

"Built in 2017 by Gerry Collins -- 34 square feet and serves mostly hot dogs. It has a functioning kitchen and three stools. "World's Smallest Diner" is above its front door," the Roadside America reports.


"The World's Smallest Diner is right in the middle of Watkins Glen. It's open for service, but was closed when I visited.


"The "diner" was built in 2017 by Gerry Collins. It's 34 square feet and serves mostly hot dogs. It has a functioning kitchen, three stools, but no heat, so it's usually closed in the cold weather months."

World's Smallest Diner: world record in Watkins Glen, New York

"The 34 square foot diner only holds four people. The space is less expensive than a bigger restaurant, but Gerry says that is not what it is all about," the My Twintiers reports.


“It’s not about the money, it’s about meeting people,” Gerry said. “I like to meet people from all over,doing different things, and Watkins is a place you get people from all over world. They all have a story to tell.”


"Gerry has been in the food service business his whole life, but the world’s smallest diner specializes in a small menu.

The menu favorite is the Coney Island hot dog, made with meat sauce, raw onions, mustard, and a few secret ingredients."

Testimonials from Yelp

"Great service! And a unique concept to boot! Food was classic diner fare, but cooked just right."


"They use Hofmann red hots, and the Coney is the typical mustard, chili, chopped onion. They grill them, on a nice soft steamed bun. Nice snap to the dog, the chili flavorful and spicy without being too hot, crunchy onions-what more can you ask? And I love how he prices things so the total is easy to deal with. $2.36 means your Coney will cost $2.50. I love that!"


"I have drove past that diner a thousand times. I finally made the stop, and I couldn't believe how great the hotdogs are. It was the best hotdog, I ever had."

" Have a Coney Island Dog and just chat with the owner. My husband and I enjoyed our dogs inside one of the four benches and enjoyed the chat almost as much. The menu is small, like the diner, but the food is good & the owner is friendly."

World's Smallest Diner


Address:  473 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, United States

Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Directions: Downtown, on the west side of NY-14/N. Franklin St., just south of its intersection with 5th St. Impossible to see driving south
Hours: Seasonal. Closed in cold weather. Local health policies may affect hours and access

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