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Another New Jersey Diner Closes After 50 Years. Nobody Knows Why.

The exterior of the Rustic Mill Diner & Pancake House in Cranford, New Jersey
  • Google Street View

Another New Jersey Diner Closes After 50 Years. Nobody Knows Why.

The exterior of the Rustic Mill Diner & Pancake House in Cranford, New Jersey
  • Google Street View

Peter Candia

Just weeks after the Coach House Diner in Hackensack closed, another beloved New Jersey institution has shut their doors. And no one really knows why. 

The Rustic Mill Diner & Pancake House in Cranford closed abruptly in mid-April, with no notice posted on the doors, no explanation anywhere online, and a phone line that’s no longer in service, according to TAPinto Cranford. Google has since listed the location as permanently closed; however, the property is not yet listed for sale. 

A Local Favorite for 50 Years

Opened in the 1970s, the diner was famous for its homemade buttermilk pancakes. Over 20 varieties—including Nutella, coconut, PB&J, s’mores, and strawberry cheesecake—alongside classic diner fare like disco fries, char-broiled burgers, quesadillas, and gyros.

The diner was purchased in 2018 by Nick Siderias after its former owners retired. He has yet to make a statement regarding the diner’s fate.

For now, the closure remains unexplained. It’s a major hit to a community that’s been eating Rustic Mill pancakes for decades.

Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.

Picture of Peter Candia

Peter Candia

Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.