not exactly fine dining, but...
 

i have fond memories of the old Chicken Pie Shop in San Diego. Used to be in Hillcrest right on 5th, moved to El Cajon Blvd. Not sure if it's still around, but definitely a blast from the past, cheap and delicious chicken pies, whipped mashed potatoes, mixed veggies from a can, super cheap, and waitresses that time forgot. *i mean that in a nice way.*

Canter's Deli in Los Angeles' Fairfax District. This massive restaurant looks exactly like it forty tears ago as a child, with it appears some of the same waitresses. Restaurant has been in the current location about 55 years, and in L.A. since 1931.

What's cool is after the bars close, Canters becomes a hangout for the "rockers", until near dawn. Total contrast to the daytime crowd, which runs the gamut from business people to the elderly.

Above average deli food and take-out counter to boot!

http://www.cantersdeli.com/

----deleted----

This place is long-gone but as a child in the early 70's, I remember my parents taking me to this very traditional Italian establishment in Cherry Hill, NJ. A favorite hangout for the local mafia, I'm sure!

http://www.bellybongo.com/cinellis/4.jpg

Any real "diner"
 

Growing-up fave: Mastori's in Bordentown, NJ (outside Trenton) is a "diner" that "just growed" and wound up huge. It's the only place I find myself wishing I were a snake with a jaw I could un-hinge to be able to take a proper bite of a burger.

Last-few-years fave: Ken's House of Pancakes in Hilo, HI. Imagine a diner with asia-pacific fusion cuisine and locally-raised free-range beef...

Recently-discovered: Castaway in Burbank, CA. Looks like it's gonna cost an arm and a leg. It doesn't. A friend took me there in October... wow. Nice view, too!

Yeah, I grew up in New Jersey as well. A bit farther south than you so my diner visits included: Oaklyn Diner, Ponzio's, Country Club, Diamond, Olga's, Weber's and a few more I'm sure.

Ahhh diner food. $5.95 would get you a basket of homemade bread, soup (snapper soup was a common diner flavor), salad, entree (chicken croquettes, stuffed flounder and turkey dinner were my faves), choice of two side dishes from a list of about twenty items and dessert! Usually chocolate pudding or jell-o but there was also plentiful choices from the electrically-rotating dessert display case. Of course, a spoonful of those sugary mints by the cashier on the way out. :D