There used to be a diner in Nashville right behind the downtown Post Office. In the late ’80s, this was kind of a dodgy place to hang out at any time of the day, but when a buddy and I would sneak out at 2am to go eat beef stew with the hobos who frequented the establishment, we were very likely putting our heath, if not our lives, in danger. There was an old timer who hung out in there and would play Merle Haggard songs. The place was called the U.S. Diner. Every time I hear “Friend of the Devil” it reminds me of driving back to my friends house as the first light of day seeped into the Harpeth River valley.
The first time I went into Caffiend in Altamont, I was taken back to those days in the sense that I felt like I knew the kids who would sneak out at 2am to come to this 24 hour coffee house. It also seemed like a much better idea to sneak out and go there than to the U.S. Diner. The place appeared to have been furnished from the Habitat Home Store. One day I passed by and saw all the furniture, and all the patrons, outside in the parking lot. It was a nice day and that looked like a good idea. If they were ever skeptical of the dude with the tie coming in to fill up his travel mug, they never let on.
You can still get a meal behind the downtown Post Office in Nashville, although now you can eat in the very respectable cafe of the Frist Museum of Art. The site of the U.S. Diner is now a parking lot. To tell the truth, I’d probably be more comfortable in the Frist Cafe these days. I was also sorry when Caffiend looked to have succumbed to the recession. Apparently those kids were too, since they have pitched in to help get it going in a new location. Well done, black trench coat wearers. Maybe I’ll see you one of these nights. We can sing some Haggard.