Factory Diner in Farmington, MO

​Lunch in a Factory
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​Don and I have eaten meals in train cars and boats, old churches and schools. 

But we've never eaten in an old factory.

Rice-Stir Factory
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​This is how the old shirt factory once looked.  

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We know, because we stopped by the museum, also inside the building.
We were traveling through Missouri last fall, when we needed to stop for lunch.  Factory Diner popped up on an internet search, so we pulled up to the big brick building.  

Picket Fence
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​We stepped into the warehouse-like interior and spotted the white fence and archway. 

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We seemed to be the only visitors, which is not always a good sign. But how could we resist a picket fence inside a factory?

​A Stage Set?
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​The set up was a little odd.  We entered the tiny "patio" and walked through the back door. 

A few diner tables were lined up against the partition-type walls.  I felt like I was on a movie set.

Lunch is Served
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​Our waitress came in from the main room and yawned as she handed us our menus. "I got up at 5:00." She needed us to know. She seemed a little concerned when I ordered a garden salad.  "That's our lamest salad."  She warned.  I told her I was fine with the lamest.

Maybe she was concerned I wouldn't get enough food, because the garden salad looked extra generous. Don's hamburger and fries were surprisingly good.  Too bad the atmosphere was a little negative, because the food was decent.
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The Museum
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​After lunch we wandered through the mall-like setting of the old shirt factory. 

There were a few mostly closed shops and a free museum.  It was actually interesting peeking at the old photos and news clips that gave us a glimpse of the once lively building.

History
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​Don and I are always eager to pick up a little town history when we're just passing through.  Our waitress couldn't tell us a thing about the old factory, but I'm guessing there are some old timers in town who have some stories to tell.  

I'm not sure if the diner has what it takes, to make it in a small town. But at least I can add factory to my list of unusual dining experiences.
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