For more than 30 years, P&J’s Diner has been more than a place to eat — it’s been a tradition –a gathering spot for many in Asheboro. Many of today’s regulars first came through the doors as children. Now, they bring their own families, proof of the loyalty and love that have shaped the diner since day one.Food is just the avenue by which they’ve been bringing people together all of this time, but it’s really about the people. 

“We’ve got customers that come every day, we’ve got them that come twice a day, and they have been loyal,” said Jane Mullins, who opened the restaurant with her daughter, Penny, back in 1991. Penny and Jane never set out to build a community landmark but it’s turned into one over the years. In 1991, Jane left behind a 20-year career as a chicken farmer,while Penny was still studying at East Carolina University, in Greenville, NC. 

Together, they took a leap of faith on a small diner along North Fayetteville Street.“We never dreamed we’d be here this long,” Jane recalled. Penny added, “We just got our nerve up, and bought the place."Over the years, P&J’s has hosted countless chance encounters, family milestones, and everyday conversations. As one longtime customer put it: “I’ve run into people here that I went to high school with and hadn’t seen in 25, 30 years. It’s pretty cool.”

Favorites like BBQ chicken, hamburger steaks, chicken livers, and the famous chocolate delight dessert keep tables and bellies full. But the real flavor of P&J’s comes from loyal customers and employees, some who have been part of the diner’s story since the beginning. Through it all, Penny and Jane remain grateful. “We’ve been blessed with good customers and good employees,” they said. “We’ve just been blessed.”

A hidden gem in plain sight, P&J’s isn’t just serving food. It’s serving tradition — one plate, and one memory, at a time. At REMC, every member is a part of a bigger story. P&Js restaurant is just one example of how our communities shine when we work together. 

Together, we power more than electricity, we power community.