Metro 29 Diner

You can’t miss Metro 29 Diner as you drive up Langston Boulevard. The polished stainless steel, retro-inspired building has become a fixture in the community, standing out in its surroundings. Opened in 1995, its smooth lines and Art Deco style harken back to the turn of the last century when the original diners were made by the same companies that made the dining cars for passenger trains; thus, the name “diner.” 

After completing college in New York, co-owner Peter Bota worked for his cousin, who had a big successful diner in Brooklyn. With a degree in broadcasting, he wasn’t initially sure he wanted to go into the restaurant business. A year after getting married, Peter moved to Northern Virginia because there were so few diners in the area and he thought this could be an opportunity. He knew some people in the restaurant business here, who he worked with when he arrived, but wanting to go into business for himself, he began looking for a location to start his own diner. While visiting the Langston Boulevard corridor, he could see that there were no diners in the area and that there was a community feel he was looking for. When an open lot came up for sale on Langston Boulevard in 1991, he and his business partner, John Kanellias saw their opportunity. Over the next couple of years, they built their vision for a traditional diner and opened the doors in 1995.

The response to the diner was overwhelmingly positive; they were a big hit right out of the gates. They were so busy when they first opened that Peter had to turn people away. Peter believes that operating a traditional diner with traditional fare, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with fresh baked goods from an onsite bakery, is what people come for. Through the years, they have attracted politicians and celebrities, including Tony Curtis, one of Peter’s personal favorites. They have also received culinary accolades with the show Diner’s, Drive-Ins & Dives featuring their French toast, and the Washington Post rating their pancakes the best in the area. Despite this, Peter’s fondest memories are of his dedicated employees and loyal customers. To him, Langston Boulevard is a great location, attracting a loyal and supportive customer base. Peter believes that Metro 29 perfectly fit a need in the community.

Peter notes that Metro 29 Diner doesn’t just operate in the Langston Boulevard Community; it gives back. They have supported many church, school, and charity events along the Langston corridor. Customers and neighbors have built ties to the diner because it is part of the community. Peter believes these ties to the community are also why legacy businesses are important. Seeing the same owners, longtime employees (two of whom have been with him since the beginning), and familiar faces over time provides a sense of comfort. Peter says their customers like them, trust them, and feel at home when they come to the diner.