| Becky's Diner | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
  Location within Maine | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | March 1991 |
| Owner(s) | Becky Rand |
| Food type | Seafood |
| Street address | 390 Commercial Street |
| City | Portland |
| Coordinates | 43°39′02″N70°15′25″W / 43.65065°N 70.25695°W |
| Other information | Renovated 2007 |
Becky's Diner is a diner on Commercial Street in Portland, Maine. It is located at the head of Hobson's Wharf on Portland's waterfront. [1]
Becky's Diner opened in 1991 with an exception to the city's zoning laws prohibiting non-fishery businesses in the location. Owner Becky Rand, a mother of six, argued that fishermen needed a place to eat before and after work, which was lacking because of their unusual hours. Several years after opening, her success allowed for new hours to be added during the middle of the night on weekends. In 1995, Becky's added a dinner menu, being served from 4.00 AM to closing time (9.00 PM).
In 2005, Becky's received coverage in Gourmet Magazine and a spot on Rachael Ray's Food Network program $40 a Day . [2] The Portland Phoenix named it the Best Greasy Spoon of 2008. [3]
In 2016, the diner was featured in the Guy Fieri Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Thanksgiving episode. [4] Rand made her sausage stuffing. [5]
In 2024, the opening scene of crime writer John Connolly's book The Instruments of Darkness was set in Becky's Diner. [6]
Notable patrons include Taylor Swift [7] and former president Bill Clinton. [8]
Portland is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine and the seat of Cumberland County. Portland's population was 68,408 in April 2020. The Greater Portland metropolitan area has a population of approximately 550,000 people. Historically tied to commercial shipping, the marine economy, and light industry, Portland's economy in the 21st century relies mostly on the service sector. The Port of Portland is the second-largest tonnage seaport in the New England area as of 2019.
The Phoenix was the name of several alternative weekly periodicals published in the United States of America by Phoenix Media/Communications Group of Boston, Massachusetts, including the Portland Phoenix and the now-defunct Boston Phoenix, Providence Phoenix and Worcester Phoenix. These publications emphasized local arts and entertainment coverage as well as lifestyle and political coverage. The Portland Phoenix, which was published until 2023, is now owned by another company, New Portland Publishing.
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