 Dot's Diner is an authentic diner built
by the Valentine Manufacturing Co. in Wichita, Kansas. Valentine had been manufacturing
diners since the 1930's without much change in design, which explains the deco style. This
diner was originally purchased by John Hart in 1957. It was delivered to the corner of
Ventura Blvd. and Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Los Angeles and became "Burger Bar No.
3" (one of three such diners in Hart's first hamburger franchise in the Valley). John Hart's favorite waitress was his wife, Babe. Although he and
Babe owned other diners, this one was their pride and joy, and they ran it for several
years. Hart's philosophy was simple: "Most people are lonesome and the most lonely
time is when you have to eat alone," he said. "The diner was small and real
personal. You couldn't sit at the counter without getting involved in conversation. A guy
might come in for coffee but he came back for the company."
 After Hart's retirement, the diner had to be moved to make way for a
new high rise savings and loan building. It was moved to a remote Los Angeles canyon and
totally neglected for about 13 years. When the current owners found it, it was in need of
almost total restoration. It was transported by flatbed truck to the Shady Dell in
November, 1996, in the middle of a freezing storm. After six months of restoration, it
opened in May, 1997, with Dot Bozeman as chief cook and bottle washer. Since then Dot's
Diner has been the subject of several television travel shows and articles (CBS This
Morning, CNN, USA Today, Sunset, National Geographic Traveler,
Travel & Leisure, and Gourmet).
Dot retired in May, 1999, but her namesake diner is still
going strong feeding all of Arizona 10 stools at a time. The phone number is (520) 432-1112.
Dot's Diner is now open 7 days a week, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
 
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