Woolworth Diner

An informal dining space with tables beyond the counter was added at some point, and so a passageway was cut through the middle to allow servers to walk easily out from behind it. Originally, the counter had been one continuous surface with all customers in front and all servers and cooks behind. Thanks to that little modification, it’s a more convivial atmosphere these days, with large groups of customers eating together at tables and mostly solo diners and couples at the counter. Server Telea Shaw, who whips up and delivers dozens of picture-perfect milkshakes over the course of my visit, says, “You really learn how to run in this small space. I never drop anything!”