Gilmore Girls: 10 Things That Make No Sense About Luke’s Diner

Luke’s Diner is a necessary stop on any fictional visit to Stars Hollow. It’s the joint where Luke Danes pours coffee and whips up pancakes, burgers, and bunch of other food he doesn’t eat. It’s Lorelai’s one-stop shop for java and Luke time, Taylor Doose’s favorite spot for regular complaints, and Lane’s place of employment for a while.

Fans have rewatched Gilmore Girls enough times to know that not everything about Luke’s Diner makes sense. What’s really brewing behind those counters, and what things do viewers still scratch their heads over?

10 People Go There To Gossip About Others Out In The Open

Stars Hollow residents aren’t the best at keeping secrets. Their chosen place for gossiping is often Luke’s. Patty and Babette are nice ladies, and they don’t seem to enjoy upsetting people, so why do they sit at Luke’s and openly talk about other townspeople?

One would think Luke would serve up a “No Gossip” policy to keep the rumors at bay since some of them concern him.

9 Luke Is Almost Always At The Diner

It’s normal for restaurant owners to spend large amounts of time at their establishments, but Luke is almost always at the diner. One would think he might want a manager to take over once in a while.

After all, the diner has pretty long hours. Luke has other hobbies, like building things for Lorelai’s house and taking care of Jess. And yet, he’s always at that diner.

8 The Coffee Can’t Possibly Be That Good

People rave over Luke’s coffee more than any real coffee brand fans have ever seen. If the stuff is that good, then it makes sense to get excited about it. True coffee-drinkers know what they like.

But really, what’s in that stuff that makes Lorelai need to drink it around the clock and talk obsessively about it? It seems kind of suspicious in hindsight.

7 Lorelai Grabs Doughnuts Whenever She Feels Like It

Speaking of Lorelai, she is always grabbing a doughnut out of the case willy-nilly. Luke sometimes gets the doughnut out for her, but Lorelai is known to break the rules and procure her sugary treat alone.

She’s a paying customer, but she gets a lot of favors at Luke’s. It’s surprising that he lets her off so easily, but lucky for Lorelai, Luke is smitten. Still, it seems like a bad business practice.

6 There Are A Lot Of Distractions And Disturbances

Luke likes order, but a lot of disorder swarms around his business. From Taylor Doose’s unwanted tirades to random visitors causing a ruckus, Luke lets his impatience be known.

One of the worst offenders is Kirk, who takes forever to order and distracts Luke regularly with nonsensical questions or musings. These people don’t seem to understand that they’re in a public place, but they continue their behavior throughout the series.

5 Luke Lets Taylor Get Away With Opening A Competing Shop

Where Taylor is concerned, Luke is continually irritated, and rightly so. The guy takes his position as town selectman (a very real New England thing) way too seriously, and Luke tries to take him down a few pegs. Even so, Taylor never fails to introduce a new problem that Luke has to deal with, whether it be construction outside or a soda shop next door.

This old-timey shop offers various confections and ice cream treats, so it’s technically a direct competitor for the sweeter treasures of diner food. Luke tries to stop the madness, but he can’t get past Taylor Doose.

4 There Aren’t Many Employees To Keep The Place Running

With a quick glance around Luke’s, viewers can see that there aren’t too many people walking around taking orders or delivering food. Caesar is usually in the back cooking, and even Jess, Lane, and Zack don’t work there forever.

It all goes back to Luke hardly ever taking a day off. No wonder he’s stuck running everything all the time! With Luke’s perfectionism, perhaps he’s too afraid to branch out and hire people he’s not sure he can trust.

3 Luke Tolerates Customers Who Don’t Pay

This isn’t a gigantic issue since most meals ordered at Luke’s are paid for honestly. Still, there are definitely some free meals consumed from the diner, whether in-house or as takeout. As with the doughnuts, Lorelai benefits from Luke’s generosity more than anyone, but it’s not clear if an arrangement was ever made with Luke.

She and Rory are gifted with coffee and treats from Luke’s on bad days or just because. It does make sense because Luke cares about them a great deal, but still, this is his livelihood.

2 The Cell Phone Policy Is Inconsistent

There are coffee shops out there that have a no phone or no computer policy, but Luke was ahead of his time in implementing this at the diner. It’s a nice idea in theory–keep customers quiet, keep them engaged in the food and the company they might be with–but it’s also slightly unrealistic.

By the 2000s, small flip phones were commonplace. People usually had the respect not to have them out the whole time they dined, but emergencies do happen. The diner policy isn’t that considerate of people’s personal problems.

1 Luke Hates The Food On His Menu

There are so many instances where Luke decries the very foods he serves. When he is cooking privately for himself or others, Luke’s gourmet concoctions can rival Sookie’s. They’re usually healthy, too.

So, why does he make a living cooking cozy dishes that he doesn’t even believe in consuming? That question will always be one of the great mysteries of Gilmore Girls and Luke’s Diner.

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