If you haven't been to Kathy's yet, your time in the valley is as of yet incomplete. Kathy's Diner is in downtown Northampton and occupies a building made to look like an old train car parked on the side of Pearl St. The chocolate chip pancakes are thick and fluffy, and the hash browns there are crispy and horrible for you in the best way, but the food isn't what brings me back - it's the people. They're open for breakfast and lunch every day, and on Thursday and Friday nights, they're open for "Kreg's After Hours" - i.e. Kathy herself is there for all of the day shifts, and her son Kreg runs the 10pm-3am shift on those two nights, which is a great place to go after a concert or when you're hanging out with friends and want to get out of the house without going to a bar, party, etc. Both of them are immeasurably warm and friendly, and the atmosphere is so comfortable. The service is at a dinosaur pace, but this is part of what gives it that relaxing feel; whenever there, I feel like I could sit in my booth for hours, even during their busiest times, and they wouldn't mind at all. Aside from being a wonderful, relaxing, and fun place, Kathy's holds a special place in my heart because I went there when I first visited Smith, and being there with new friends helped solidify my decision to come. Here's a picture:

(photo by this flickr user)

Kathy's Diner

6 Pearl St.

Northampton, MA