[American Palate 01] • Historic Restaurants of Cape Cod

Thousands of restaurants have come and gone on Cape Cod over the past century. Some, however, made an indelible mark. Bill and Thelma’s was hugely popular with students from the 1950s to the 1970s, often packed with locals after sporting events and dances. Starbuck’s Restaurant in Hyannis featured the Chief Justice Warren Burger Burger and the Larry Bird Burger on its menu and boasted of the soup du jour, “We don’t know what it is, but we have it every day.” Opinions differ on how the Reno Diner actually got its name, whether from a broken sign or a local appliance company. Author Christopher Setterlund details the history of the iconic establishments of the Cape, still fresh in the memories of patrons, complete with famous recipes.