Mike Bryant (pictured below) gasped at the sign on the door: “Oh! That’s so sad!” 
After 58 years serving up fried hamburgers and eggs at an intimate location on downtown Elm Street, The Yankee Doodle Coffee Shop has closed.
A sign on the door says as of Tuesday, the Doodle will be closed, “for good.” The sign says the reason for closing is “due to economic times.”
“Thank you for over a half century of great memories,” the sign reads. The Doodle was known for fine greasy food at remarkably cheap prices.
Customers like Bryant were crestfallen by the sudden news — no warning was given to customers ahead of time. Bryant, who works at Yale’s nearby power plant, said he used to pop over to the Doodle for a hamburger during lunch.
“They had a real hamburger,” said Bryant, “fried on the grill.” Bryant had been eating there since the 80’s, when he worked at the Yale Co-op. He regretted he caught a chest cold and missed his last chance for a bite last week.
Before jumping on a city bus, Bryant remarked on the loss of what had become an institution to the Yale and downtown community. “It’s these little small places that make the best food,” he said. “I guess all good things must come to an end.”
Reached last week between shifts at the grill, Doodle owner Rick Beckwith confirmed there was an “ongoing dispute” between the legendary diner and its landlord, John Parker, who reportedly has been jacking up the rent. Neither side could be reached for this story — click here for a Yale Alumni Magazine article exploring that issue.
Rick Beckwith is the grandson of Lewis Beckwith, who founded the eatery in 1950 — click here for a YAM article on its history.
a small but significant piece of my youth has died today. long live buttered hamburger buns!