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Published: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 / Updated: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 09:55 AM

York diner is a family affair

YORK -- 

Penny Puckett grew up in the restaurant business, cooking meals, waiting tables and doing other chores. After years of working for other people, she decided to work for herself.

Blending a passion for food and people, the York native recently opened her own restaurant — Jimmy’s Diner at S.C. 49 and 321 south of York, which features home-cooked, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast and lunch.

“It’s something I can make a living at, and I enjoy working with the public,” said Puckett, a 1988 graduate of York Comprehensive High School whose family has lots of experience in the business.

Her parents, Faye Johnson and the late Albert Johnson, owned the Tasty Freeze in York from 1988 to 1997, serving up burgers, ice cream and other fast food treats. For several years before that, she said, the Johnsons owned the Bantam Chef on Saluda Street in Rock Hill.

“That’s all she hass known since she was old enough to work,” said Faye Johnson, who is now retired, but still helps out at Jimmy’s Diner. “I love to do this kind of work. I really like people.”

Jimmy’s Diner features a home-cooked lunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with two meats such as chicken, meatloaf, ham or beef tips and gravy, as well as vegetables and casseroles.

It also serves breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The lunch menu includes burgers, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteak, flounder and other sandwiches, plus salads and meal plats that range from barbecue and hamburger steak to chicken tenders and shrimp.

The menu is chocked with lots of Southern favorites, from fried okra to sweet tea.

“The burgers is one item that everyone tells me are really good,” Puckett said. “We don’t use frozen burgers.” Instead, she said, they make patties for each burger, and the food is cooked to order.

Some other favorites of her customers, Puckett said, include homemade meatloaf and creamed potatoes — “we peel all our potatoes” — as well as homemade mac and cheese.

“I think our prices are one of the most reasonable around,” she said.

A breakfast plate of two eggs with bacon, sausage, livermush or bologna runs $3.89, while omelets with grits and toast run from $4.49 for ham and cheese to $5.99 for a western omelet. Other breakfast menu items include French toast, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes and eggs mixed with ingredients such as bacon, sausage, ham, onions, tomatoes and mushrooms.

For dessert, she said, there are Southern favorites like peach cobbler and banana pudding.

The diner is a family affair. The staff includes not only Puckett’s mother, Faye, but also one of Puckett’s two daughters, Ashley, as well as her boyfriend, Roy Sizemore, and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Johnson.

Jimmy’s Diner also offers call-in and take-out orders. Truckers are welcome. The diner is located at 300 U.S. 321 Bypass south of York. The phone number is 803-818-5900.