If you want to appreciate a landmark for State College history, hit 'em up, down at the Autoport Motel and Restaurant coffee shop, 1405 S. Atherton St. The coffee shop is plainly down home country and exclusively informal.

Vittles are diner style, so don't be fooled by the swanky pine room and lounge down the hall.

The place screams nostalgia right down to the 1930s pictures lining the walls and swinging kitchen doors.

In addition to relaxing at a table or booth you can also sit up to the counter, indulge yourself in a piece of coconut cream pie, or just relish the miniature Rice Krispies and Lance crackers on display.

If you want bulk food for your buck, then the coffee shop is the place to be, clearly in a category all its own.

Be forewarned that eye contact is key and may be your ticket to ordering food here.

Once the waiter asks, "Are you ready?" nod before he forgets your table.

While a visiting patron may wonder if the food plates are color-coded, the immaculate silverware may impress he or she most. "Look Mom, no spots."

A home-style buffet is served every Tuesday night and pasta is served every Thursday evening. Kids eat free both nights. Brunch is served every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $10.95 with a full salad bar, roasted sirloin and baked ham.

The menu is All-American cuisine: You can order soups from scratch or create your own pasta with your choice of sauces and entrees to go with it. Sandwiches vary from Ruebens to clubs. The bacon burger is especially tasty.

The menu boasts a robust listing of entrée dishes including crab, chicken, steak, Filet Mignon, tuna steak, pork tenderloin, salmon en papillote, London Broil, shrimp and orange roughy.

Basic appetizers range in price from $3 to $8 to include "old stand-bys" like wings, chicken tenders and mozzarella sticks.

If your palate calls for something a little more cultured, try sampling the quesadillas with your choice of Fillet Mignon or grilled chicken.

Most noteworthy are the homemade desserts, which vary in range from about 14 choices each day. Except on Sundays, you can expect to choose from chocolate cake, Italian cream cake, pecan cheese pie, egg custard, cherry cheese pie, cheese cake and pumpkin pie to name a few.

Fine wines and spirits are served after 11 p.m. and every Wednesday night is Margaritaville.

Along with other standard beverages, the diner can also whip you up either a strawberry or tropical smoothie.

If you have discriminating taste buds, steer clear of the potato cakes with caramelized apples. The thick potato cakes are pasty and flavorless and the raspberry dipping sauce tastes like watered-down sorbet.

Regulars tend to get meals quick. So if you want to eat fast then you'd better pull up to the counter or come in often.

As an aside, the ladies room is worth complimenting as a homey place where a gal might pretend to really powder her nose.

If you want a really good meal then come back for the Thanksgiving buffet, but for a cheaper alternative I guess the coffee shop will do.