40 Once-Popular American Diners That Are No Longer Around

Quality over quantity was a practice the owners of the Imperial Dynasty followed for the 123 years it served customers. The gourmet Hanford, California, restaurant began as a simple noodle house in 1883. Generation after generation (count ‘em, 4 generations) of the Wing family took the helm of the Dynasty at one time.

Expanding the menu but not the number of locations, the Wing family was happy to serve their food their way. They did this until 2006 when the health of the family’s then 85-year-old patriarch, Richard Wing, became more of a priority than the business.