In a time when LGBTQ spaces are starting to dwindle in number, MeMe's Diner is offering up a space for amazing food and queer hospitality. The Brooklyn based eatery specializes in comfort foods such as meatloaf, patty melts and Velveeta mac and cheese. The entire feel is quite homey, as expensive plates are no where in sight and the kitchen has no shame in using Heinz and Hellmann’s. The food and may not be high-brow, but it's what people want to eat and what brings them together.
LGBTQ culture is infused into every element of MeMe's Diner. The diner is incredibly inclusive and even goes as far to include gender-neutral greetings, not questioning gender identity on ID or credit cards and even having a zero tolerance policy for deprecating language in the kitchen. The queer hospitality of MeMe's Diner is not meant to resemble a traditional gay bar, instead it opts to create a welcoming and easy space for everyone, where everyone is comfortable being themselves.
LGBTQ-Focused Dining Spaces
MeMe's Diner is Offering Up Queer Hospitality and Comfort Food
Trend Themes
1. Inclusive Hospitality - MeMe's Diner exemplifies the trend of creating inclusive spaces where people of all genders and sexual orientations feel welcome and comfortable.
2. Comfort Food Resurgence - The success of MeMe's Diner highlights the trend of renewed interest in comfort foods, showcasing potential opportunities for restaurants to offer comforting, nostalgic dishes with a modern twist.
3. Casual Dining Experience - MeMe's Diner embraces a casual and relaxed dining atmosphere, reflecting a trend towards unpretentious and laid-back restaurant environments that prioritize genuine hospitality over expensive presentation.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - The inclusive hospitality trend presents opportunities for hotels, restaurants, and cafes to create safe and welcoming spaces that cater to diverse communities and foster a sense of belonging.
2. Food and Beverage - The comfort food resurgence observed at MeMe's Diner suggests potential for food and beverage establishments to capitalize on nostalgic flavors and dishes that evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort in patrons.
3. Culinary Tourism - MeMe's Diner's success in providing a unique dining experience centered around queer hospitality opens up opportunities within the culinary tourism industry, as individuals seek out inclusive and culturally relevant dining destinations.