Lindy’s Diner History

Lindy’s Diner is a Paramount Diner manufactured in Haledon, New Jersey, and transported to Keene, by the Chacklos Family in 1961. Many of our customers can tell you that they personally watched the diner transported into town on a flatbed truck and lifted onto the foundation.

In 1973 the Diner was sold to George and Arietta Rigopoulos, who are relatives of the Chacklos family, and with whom a tradition began. During their ownership, they encouraged political candidates to visit and campaign in the diner. One thing you must know about the people. here in New Hampshire, is we expect to meet our candidates face to face. It is rumored that if you do not visit Lindy’s Diner as a presidential candidate, you will not win the New Hampshire primary. George and Arietta owned the diner for 30 years.

In 2003 Nancy Petrillo and Charles Criss bought the diner from George and Arietta Rigopoulos. They have kept the tradition of inviting political candidates to the Diner. They also restored the orgininal juke boxes in the dining room and added a patio and gardens for outdoor dining.

Many presidents have been to the diner including Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Various politicians have stopped into Lindy’s including John Lynch, Molly Kelly, Jean Sheehan, Ron Paul & Rand Paul, Michael Dukakis, Dick Cheney, Malcolm Forbes, Paul Tsongas, Paul Hoades, Tom Eaton, Charlie Bass, Maggie Hassan, Chris Sununi, John Kasich, Lindsey Graham, Kelly Ayotte, Jay Kahn, Walt Havenstein, Ann McLean Kuster and many more.

Not much has changed at Lindy’s since 1961 besides the owners.