The diner was opened in 1959 as Joe's Barnagat Light Diner, and offered free hamburgers and coffee between 2PM and 5PM. It has a 1950s style architectural design.[1] The diner is named after Bill Smith, who began working at the diner as a busboy at age 12. He went on to cook at both Joe's[2] and the Sunset Diner which was owned by his roommate's father. After graduating from high school in 1969,[3] Smith bought the diner in 1972.[1] Smith has been credited with coining the term "waitron", as a gender neutral term for a waiter or waitress.[4]
It serves items such as sandwiches,[5] pancakes, eggs, bacon and potatoes.[3] It has a signature dish called "The Cyclops", which is a blueberry pancake with a fried egg in the center.[6]
The restaurant received a James Beard American Classic Award[7] in 2009.[8] It was the first diner to receive the award.[4] The restaurant was featured in the second season of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.[9]
In 2023, Smith announced that he was retiring and the restaurant was put on sale for $3.65 million.[10] According to Craig Laban of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the restaurant received hundreds of letters and tribute cards after the planned sale was announced.[4]
