Between the ritzy stores and modern restaurants in Preston Center lies a tiny, hidden restaurant. If you didn’t known that Metro Diner was there, you would probably pass right by it.

Lauren Hayden, an SMU senior and eight-year Metro Diner patron grew up in Highland Park. She found out about the diner from friends and would otherwise never have known about it.

“I love it because it’s a little hole in the wall,” Hayden, a theater major, said.

As soon as you step into the diner, it feels like a time warp back into the 1950s. With a checkered floor, the cramped space can hold only seven petite, red vinyl booths and a few bar stools. Rustic coat hangers are on the wall next to every single booth. Classic songs like Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” play in the background.

Established in 1963, Metro Diner looks a little run down and old, but no one seems to mind. The food makes up for the aesthetics. The busy restaurant at 6144 Luther Ln. constantly has people coming and going. Patrons fill most of the seats, and when a newcomer walks into the diner, they all look up and scope out the first timer who has somehow found out their secret.

David Jae, a Metro Diner first timer, notes that the regulars seem to be very protective of their diner.

“I don’t think they like people finding out about this place,” he says. “It seems like they have strong ties to it.”

Most people say they love the place for its homestyle cooking and cheap prices. Open from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Metro Diner is known for its famous flapjacks for breakfast (which is served all day) and its classic hamburger and tater tots when lunch time rolls around.

“I love their grilled cheese,” says Hayden. “I get it with bacon inside and I get the tater tots on the side. They also have the best sweet tea. I always get it.”

Customers and employees are on a first name-basis at Metro Diner. Behind the counter, a sweet middle-aged woman named April smiles widely as she works hard making sure all of her customers are happy. She greets everyone who enters with a big Southern “hello!” She is the only waitress who works there all day, every day. However, April has been working at the diner for only four years. She took the place of the previous waitress, Renee, who worked there for 15 years.

“You’ll wait a long time to get served, but it’s worth it, and the people that work there are great,” Hayden said.

The only other person working in the diner is the short blond-haired cook, Deb. For over 30 years, Deb has been behind the counter cooking her greasy but delicious homemade traditions. Restaurant goers can watch Deb up close as she cooks up her concoctions.

“My best friend in high school and I went every week,” says Hayden. “We had a tab there and so we paid our tab at the end of the week to Deb. It’s kind of funny we went so much.”

Deb tends to know almost everyone who walks into the diner. Many people come as much for the friendly service as they do for the food. Hayden says that many Highland Park residents have been going to the diner for years because of the location. Children who went with their families when they were young are now adults who bring families of their own.

“There are some people that I recognize every time,” Hayden says.

Still, sometimes new people find this hidden hot spot. Employees at the store across the street like to suggest to their customers to try out the place if they want some old-fashioned cooking. Even out-of-towners sometimes accidentally stumble upon the place.

The owner, James W. Adams, has another, better known location of Metro Diner on Gaston downtown next to Baylor Hospital. Open 24 hours a day, it is easier to spot when driving by. This location is known for its famous chicken-fried steak and catfish. Many SMU students are found there after a night on the town.

Patrons of the Preston Center diner who have eaten at the downtown diner say it doesn’t compare. It’s the service at the Preston diner that makes the food that much better.

If you’re looking for a good mom-and-pop diner where the service is great and the food is homemade, Metro Diner seems to be the place to go.

“It’s the best hidden restaurant in Dallas,” says Jae.