Vignettes of Poughkeepsie: Palace Diner on Sunday, September 17th at 10:00 a.m.

Palace Diner’s early morning rush slowly filters through the shiny metallic doors, and enters the restaurant’s open-arm hospitality. Pictures hang of local little league teams while the aromatic embrace of butter, malt and burgers mixes with the balmy outside air. As customers are led to their tables, they are guided past lines of tantalizing, half-eaten cakes and pastries encased in glass and positioned conveniently by the register so temptation can strike before the bill is paid.

Light conversation mingles with soft jazz that peters out of ceiling speakers. Occasionally, the 1950s style jukeboxes that line each booth will unexpectedly blare out a Mariah Carey or Miley Cyrus tune that generates embarrassed eye rolls and laughter throughout the dining room.

Known to many simply as “The Diner”, Palace’s hospitality, comfort and promise of “good food, with attitude” draws in a cast of characters on Sunday mornings. While regulars have almost become fixtures of the restaurant’s decor, lending their personalities to the diner’s ambiance, The Diner makes every hungry customer feel like family. There’s the elderly couple sitting across from each other in the comfort of silence and clanking silverware. Sitting at a nearby booth is a new couple from Marist sharing breakfast after a night out. They nervously discuss the lengthy laminated menu and avoid making eye contact with each other. Two grey-haired men in paint-stained sweats sip coffee and split a $0.50 newspaper. Waitresses exchange looks of exhaustion tempered with patience across the diamond-tiled floor before cheerfully greeting a new table.

Eating at the restaurant has become a tradition for many families, often convening for Sunday brunch after church or to celebrate a good report card. “My kids love coming here,” said Poughkeepsie native and mother of three, Kate Kearn. She pulls a wet-wipe out of her purse to wipe the sticky fingers of her young daughter. “The people here, and the food are great, so I guess this has sort of become our own little spot after we get through mass.”

Servers bob and weave around swaying canes and falling sippy cups on their way to deliver plates heaping with fruit and pancakes to table after table. Some customers await excitedly, hoping each tray that exits the kitchen’s swinging doors belongs to them, while others filter out the front doors, bellies full and smiles wide.