Harry Truman once sat down to roast chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and rice pudding for just 70 cents. That was Father’s Day 1953, and the very booth where he and Bess ate is still available at this Maryland diner.
I’d have a hard time concentrating on the menu with that bit of history beside me.
The room hasn’t traded away its old-school personality. Burgundy booths, counter stools, tabletop jukeboxes, and framed photographs make it feel like the kind of place where people linger over coffee.
Even better, the family business began as a handmade candy shop in 1939, and chocolates remain part of the story.
The detail that really gets me? Truman had stopped here before, back when he was a senator.
Only this time, the whole town seemed eager to say hello. Your lunch comes with quite a backstory.
You Can Literally Eat Breakfast Where a President Did
Few diners can claim a former president as a breakfast customer. Princess Restaurant can, and it marks the moment with its very own Truman Booth.
Harry S. Truman and his wife, Bess, stopped here on Father’s Day in 1953.
They were on a road trip from Independence, Missouri, to Washington, D.C.
Truman had recently left office, so this wasn’t a motorcade with sirens. It was a couple traveling by car and getting hungry along the way.
That makes the story feel wonderfully normal.
The booth still features a plaque or picture of the Trumans from that visit. You don’t need a reservation or a special pass to sit there.
Just ask if it’s open and claim your piece of history.
I like that the restaurant treats this story with pride but not fuss. The booth stays part of everyday dining instead of becoming a museum display.
Here’s a tip for history fans. Snap a photo of the plaque before your food arrives, because your attention will shift fast once breakfast lands.
Kids especially might get a kick out of eating where a president once ate. It’s a fun way to make a history lesson stick.
Way better than a textbook, right?
The Old Road Explains Why Truman Ended Up Here
Back in 1953, there was no Interstate 68 slicing through western Maryland. Travelers heading east followed U.S. 40, the main road of its day.
That road ran right past the front door of the diner. So when the Trumans needed breakfast, this spot sat exactly where hungry drivers passed.
Think of it as the original highway rest stop. Only this one had booths, home cooking, and a counter instead of vending machines.
Things have changed since then. The interstate now carries most long-distance traffic around town rather than through it.
Yet the diner stayed put and kept the griddle hot.
That staying power says a lot about the place. A business that loses its built-in traffic needs loyal folks to survive.
This one managed it for decades.
Today, you’ll want to exit the interstate on purpose to find it. Trust me, the short detour pays off in pancakes and stories.
Walking downtown afterward is a nice bonus. You can trace the same old route Truman drove, just at a slower pace.
It’s a fun way to connect the dots between the past and your plate.
Four Generations Have Kept the Lights On Since 1939
George Pappas, Sr. opened Princess Restaurant in 1939. It started as a confectionery and luncheonette, which is a fancy old word for candy shop and lunch counter.
By the 1940s, it had grown into a full restaurant. The Pappas family never let go of the keys after that.
Four generations have owned and operated the business. Lauren Pappas became the fourth-generation owner in 2016.
That’s a family tradition longer than most of us have been alive.
The diner celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2019. Not many restaurants make it past five years, let alone eight decades.
Many menu items from the early days have stayed on the menu. I believe that kind of consistency is rare and worth celebrating.
You’re tasting recipes that have been tested by time.
Family ownership also shapes the feel of the place. Historical images hang throughout the dining room, telling the story without a word.
Take a moment to look around while you wait for your order. Each photo adds a small chapter to the restaurant’s long life.
Together, they make the walls feel like a scrapbook you can eat inside.
The Booths Feel Like a Trip Back to the 1950s
Tabletop jukebox selectors. Small booths lining one wall.
A counter setup that practically begs for a milkshake order.
The interior at Princess Restaurant looks and feels like a diner from the 1950s or 60s. It’s the real thing, not a modern copy dressed in retro costume.
The booths are cozy, to put it kindly. They were built in an era when folks apparently took up less room.
Taller visitors may want to stretch before sliding in.
Some booths still have those old-style jukebox units. Many may not work anymore, but they’re still fun to flip through and admire.
Candy cases greet you near the entrance. It’s a sweet nod to the restaurant’s beginnings as a confectionery.
There’s also a more modern dining room for larger groups. So if your crew needs extra elbow room, you’ve got options.
Vintage menu signage adds to the time-machine effect. I can’t help but smile at a place that kept its character instead of chasing trends.
Grab a booth along the wall for the full experience. You’ll feel like Truman might stroll back in any minute.
Early Birds Get the Best Shot at Breakfast
The doors open at 6 AM, Monday through Saturday. That’s early enough to beat most alarm clocks and plenty of other diners.
Breakfast is the meal that brought the Trumans here, so it feels right to start your visit the same way. The menu offers plenty of choices to match.
Omelet fans can pick from options like the Cheese Steak Omelette or the Meat Lovers Omelette. Both sound like they mean business.
Home fries get a lot of attention here, and for good reason. They’re one of the most talked-about items on the menu.
Pair them with eggs and toast for a classic plate.
One important tip: breakfast doesn’t run all day. Plan to arrive in the morning if your heart is set on pancakes.
Sunday is a no-go, since the restaurant is closed that day. Mark your calendar so you don’t show up hungry to a locked door.
I like that the early hours fit road-trippers perfectly. You can fuel up before hitting the highway, just like a certain famous couple did.
Bonus points if you score the Truman Booth for your morning coffee.
Burgers With Names That Demand Attention
Any menu with something called The Cure Burger has my attention. Add a Savage Burger and the house Princess Burger, and lunch suddenly gets complicated.
Princess Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner-style plates all within its daytime hours. The menu leans hard into comfort food.
Sandwich lovers can grab a Cheese Steak Sub or a Reuben. Both fit right into the classic diner lineup.
Hungry for something bigger? Full dinners include broiled cod with crab meat, fried chicken, steaks, and homemade meatloaf.
That last one sounds like a hug on a plate.
Chicken imperial also shows up as a favorite. It’s a very Maryland choice, given the state’s deep love of crab.
Seasoned fries make a strong sidekick for any burger. The grilled broccoli is another side that keeps popping up in conversations about this kitchen.
Salads are available too, including a baked potato salad that sounds wonderfully unusual. It’s a fun pick if you want something different.
My advice? Bring a friend and split two dishes.
That way you don’t have to choose between a Savage Burger and meatloaf.
Handmade Chocolates From Molds Nearly a Century Old
Some of the chocolate molds used here date back to the 1920s. That means your Easter candy could come from a mold older than sliced bread’s popularity.
Handmade chocolates are part of the restaurant’s identity. Remember, Princess Restaurant began as a confectionery, so candy runs deep in its roots.
Easter is the big season for these sweets. Chocolate peanut butter eggs and coconut eggs are among the treats people look forward to.
Owner Lauren Pappas has been known to make them using her grandfather’s candy molds. I love that a family tool still shapes treats generations later.
The candy cases near the entrance keep this history visible. You’ll notice them right away.
Planning a spring visit? Consider picking up a box to take home.
It makes a much more interesting gift than anything from a big-box store aisle.
Dessert lovers should also know about the coconut cream pie. The restaurant is famous for it, so it deserves a spot on your must-try list.
Save room, or simply order dessert to go. Nobody has to know you ate it in the car before leaving the parking lot.
Shakes So Good They Landed on an Ice Cream Trail
Hand-dipped milkshakes sound simple. Then you hear about the supershakes, and simple goes right out the window.
Both earned Princess Restaurant a spot on the Allegany County Ice Cream Trail. That’s a regional route built for people who take frozen treats seriously.
A milkshake in an old-school diner just feels correct. It’s like wearing a cowboy hat at a rodeo, everything fits together.
Picking up a shake also makes a fun stop if you’re working through the trail. Collecting ice cream spots is a pretty sweet hobby, if you ask me.
The restaurant has also chosen to support a nearby ice cream shop. Because of that, you might find a smaller variety of scoops than expected.
I find that neighborly choice kind of charming.
Shakes pair nicely with burgers, fries, or nothing at all. There are no rules here.
Kids will likely be thrilled with this part of the visit. Grown-ups will be too, though some may pretend it’s just for the kids.
Order one at the counter for the classic look. Add a straw, sip slowly, and enjoy a taste of the 1950s.
Plan Your Stop Around This Charming Main Street
Finding the diner is easy once you reach downtown. Princess Restaurant sits at 12 W Main St, Frostburg, MD 21532, right in the heart of town.
The building is the narrow, deep style you’d expect on a classic Main Street. It blends right into the historic downtown setting.
Parking won’t be a headache. Free spots are available in the lot and on the street.
Hours run from 6 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Saturday. Sunday is closed, so plan your Maryland road trip with that in mind.
Groups and families are welcome, and the modern dining room helps with larger parties. Carry-out and catering are also available if you’d rather eat elsewhere.
The Great Allegheny Passage trail passes through the area too. Cyclists can make this a tasty stop along their ride.
After your meal, take a stroll downtown and browse the local shops. It’s a relaxed way to walk off those home fries.
Western Maryland rewards travelers who slow down. A breakfast in the Truman Booth followed by a Main Street wander makes for one memorable morning.
Honestly, the president had good taste.
