‘A lot of memories.’ What to know about Baby’s Diner opening in State College
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- Hiyajneh is opening Baby’s Diner at the former Baby’s Burgers & Shakes site.
- Baby’s Diner aims to open in mid‑June but hopes to open before July 8.
- The diner will have a 1950s vibe, milkshakes and an initially small menu.
Baby’s, a beloved 1950s-style Silk City diner in downtown State College, is making a return of sorts to Happy Valley.
Longtime restaurateur Hitham Hiyajneh, 56, is working to open Baby’s Diner at the former site of Baby’s Burgers & Shakes at 131 S. Garner St. Hiyajneh said he couldn’t obtain the original name, but he’s hoping the vibe and the memories will follow.
“It’s funny. I opened around 13 restaurants, and this is the most excited people have been about a project,” Hiyajneh said Saturday afternoon, about four days after his “Baby’s” sign in the window caused a community stir. “I used to go there when they did this — because there was nothing downtown quite like it. People have a lot of memories there.”
The original Baby’s permanently closed in the summer of 2020 after a more than 30-year run, due to both the owners retiring and complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. Two separate diners tried to take its place — Oeuf Bouef et Bacon and Bubba’s Eggs, Steaks & Shakes — but both closed, with the latter shutting its doors earlier this month.
If Hiyajneh has his way, Baby’s Diner will open in mid-June. But, he said, the ultimate goal is to open before the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts kicks off July 8.
“The beautiful thing about State College is we have a lot of people who care about the community,” Hiyajneh said. “And this community has given me a lot, and I want to give back too.”
Hiyajneh said he and his crew are busy cleaning out the restaurant, and they’ll soon start decorating so it matches the same 1950s vibe that locals and Penn State alumni have come to appreciate. He hasn’t been able to find those small table-top jukeboxes just yet, but Baby’s will have at least one large jukebox.
He envisions a large menu, with moderately priced fare, that will start small at first so his staff isn’t overwhelmed. Think of, maybe, an $8ish burger (without fries or a drink) or a $3 “Whimpy” slider. Hiyajneh said the menu is still coming together, but he’s mulling over lunch/dinner possibilities like fish and chips, Reubens, burgers and quesadillas, and breakfast choices such as pancakes, waffles and omelets.
Eventually, he’s hoping to produce daily specials like meatloaf on Mondays. And, of course, there’ll be milkshakes and floats.
“I want to partner with Meyer Dairy ice cream to make the milkshakes because that promotes local,” he added. “And I want to buy a lot of stuff from (local) farmers.”
Hiyajneh said this has all come together in the last month or so, after the landlord approached him about potentially opening a business there. Hiyajneh said he signed a lease about two weeks ago; Bubba’s officially closed its doors May 3.
If he was approached a decade ago about opening a diner, he said he would’ve likely declined. But the former waiter and Jordan native has learned a lot of lessons from opening a number of restaurants around the area — such as Cluck & Catch, Fatoum Bistro, Fava Kitchen, Underground Burger and Yallah Taco. He wasn’t as familiar with breakfast foods until opening Fatoum at 532 Westerly Parkway. Now, he’s comfortable whipping up eggs Benedict, French toast and other morning specialties.
Baby’s Diner aims to remain open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. when Penn State is in session. When it first opens over the summer, he’s thinking the diner — which will be entirely halal, like all his restaurants — will be open from 7 a.m. until around 9 or 10 p.m.
“Diners should be open early and late,” Hiyajneh added.
The hands-on owner said he’s already been stopped at an antique store by a woman who recognized him and asked, “Are you going to make me some Whimpy’s (sliders)?” And he’s been caught off-guard by all the shared memories, even if he used to bring his two children to Baby’s for fries and milkshakes once upon a time.
He knows how important this is to the nostalgia of the community. It’s important to him, too. That’s why he wanted to share one particular message.
“Be patient with us,” he said. “We’re going to try to do the best we can. We’re always open to criticism and advice, but be patient with us. This is a new experience and, if we’re not doing something right, please correct us.
“But the burgers and shakes, I guarantee — I’m going to make it really good.”
More information on Baby’s Diner can be found at BabysDiner.com. And those interested in working there, especially those interested in becoming servers, can apply via the website.
