Madison Diner: a hangout for islanders, ghosts

An original 40s-era art deco style structure with shining stainless steel exterior, the Madison Diner is hard to miss. One of the “regulars” inside the diner, may be a little more difficult to spot.

An original 40s-era art deco style structure with shining stainless steel exterior, the Madison Diner is hard to miss. One of the “regulars” inside the diner, may be a little more difficult to spot.

“All of the staff have experienced someone calling their name, only to turn around to find no one,” said owner Cyndi Moody. “We like to think it’s Harry, the original owner of the diner playing tricks with us. Whenever something weird happens, we like to blame it on Harry.”

Aside from the possible paranormal guest, the Madison Diner has seen a few names and owners over the past few years.

Though after Brian and Cyndi Moody took it over last May, business has been good.

“The restaurant had suffered something of an identity crisis in recent years,” Brian said.

“We put ourselves in the customer’s seat. We work hard to bring the community a quality product backed with sincere and neighborly service.”

Along with their head cook Martha Yonke, Cyndi has crafted a menu that mimics what she has been serving in her own kitchen.

“Most of the recipes are the same ones I’ve been using at home for years,” Cyndi said.

“We like to ‘play with our food’ at the diner.”

However they put it together, it’s been working.

The diner has attracted its fair share of regulars, giving it a down-to-earth feel that strays from some of the boutique-style restaurants common in the area.

The neighborly ambiance has worked so well the diner recently expanded to serving late-night hours Thursdays through Saturdays. According to Cyndi, they are looking to further expand hours in the near future.

The diner was originally built in 1948 by the Fodero Dining Company — it still bears the style and aesthetics common to 50s diners.

After moving around the East Coast, the building was shipped to the island in 1996.

Over the decades it has collected stories and style — and maybe even a ghost.