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The diner was established in 1941 by John O'Rourke, who later brought the 1946 Mountain View diner car that anchored the diner's distinctive appearance into Middletown. John's nephews, John and Brian bought the diner in 1976. In 1986, due to corrupted business practices John sold his half share of the diner to his cousin Brian.
On August 31, 2006, O'Rourke's Diner suffered tremendous damage from a fire that broke out after a hamburger steamer was left on overnight. Because the diner did not have fire insurance, fundraising efforts were launched to cover the estimated $350,000 cost of repairs. By June 2007, $180,000 had been raised and preparations for reconstruction were underway. On February 11, 2008, following successful renovations which included assistance from the local community and Wesleyan University, O'Rourke's was reopened at 5:00 am.
Awards/Distinctions
2005: Best Diner, Best of Connecticut 2005, Connecticut Magazine
Kovner, Josh (2006-09-04). "Architect To Aid Rebuilding Of Diner". Hartford Courant. The 60-year-old diner, damaged in a fire early Thursday, is an anchor in the North End neighborhood. It is part of the Main Street Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Yonan, Joe (2006-05-17). "They brake for burgers". Boston Globe. Brian O'Rourke bought this beautiful diner from his uncle John, who founded it in 1941.
