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It's
Boop-Oop-A-Doop at Busy Framingham Diner
 
From a cookie jar, lunch box and a great assortment of signs Betty's wide-eyes flirt as folks stop in for coffee to go or stay for breakfast or lunch. "She's so cute! and I love her black, white and red colors," says collector Karen Fiore. Karen and her husband Dave own the J & M Diner, named after their girls, Juliana and Mihlan. Karen started collecting Betty Boop items about 3 years ago. Her collection includes a snowball, pillows, metal purses, kitchen items, and a CD with Betty Boop songs. Her collection, which is scattered around the house, found its way to the diner. Customers and her wait staff are now bringing in things to add to the collection. Dave and Karen are rearranging the pictures on the walls to make room for some new signs and a large metal thermometer featuring Betty. Betty appeared in over one hundred cartoon shorts in the 1930's with a variety of jobs from a school teacher to a secretary to a babysitter. Betty even ran for President. Betty was the original multi-career girl, long before the Barbie doll. First and foremost, she was a singer, with a figure modeled on Mae West and a voice and face based on Helen Kane, a singer with black curly hair and large flirty eyes dubbed the "Boop-Oop-A- Doop Queen." Kane had "IT," slang for sex appeal back then. Like Betty, Karen is a singer and very busy. During the week Karen works in the diner. On weekends, she sings with Night Shift, regarded as "one of the Boston's most demanded musical acts" and "one of the busiest bands in America." Karen studied at Berklee College of Music and has been with Night Shift for 11 years singing reggae, pop, jazz, disco, and rock. Dave
Fiore keeps busy in the spotless kitchen of the 55 seat diner. "We
just had the Board of Health Inspector here, said Karen. "He
complimented us saying everything was just fine. What an honor!" 
Dave is a chef by trade with a degree in hotel and restaurant management from FIV in Florida. Originally from Wayland, after working in the Caribbean, he moved back to the area. He always wanted to have a breakfast place and after running a popular eatery in a nearby town, he and Karen bought the popular Saxonville coffee shop, The Tasty Donut, and rechristened it "The J & M Diner." Karen grew up in Framingham and is glad to have a business in her hometown. The
menu features traditional and special house creations all cooked to
order and in large portions. Highlights of the breakfast menu include
sautéed sirloin tips with eggs, home fries, and toast ( $6.99),
wicked sinful French toast -fresh baked cinnamon Danish, cut in half,
batter dipped French toast style, grilled in butter and cinnamon (
$ 4.75), and yogurt pancakes made with non-fat yogurt, egg beaters,
and skim milk. Their three egg omelets are served with home fires
and toast and fillings such as grilled shaved steak, loaded chili,
and grilled Cajun chicken breast, as well as cheese and corned beef
hash. Karen defies people to be able to tell the difference between omelets made with eggs or egg beaters when Dave's cooking them. J & M's large tasty muffins ( $ 1.50) are made with healthy yogurt. Lunch is served Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The lunch menu is crowded with everything from BBQ roast pork, meat loaf or honey mustard chicken breast sandwiches to 8 oz. Black Angus burgers to salads, soups, stews, clam chowder, and chili. Having youngsters themselves, Dave and Karen cater to kids. There are kid's breakfast and lunch menus for the under 12 set. They have coloring mats, sippie cups, and a picture wall of kids who eat there. 
Debi
Whitcomb, owner Karen Fiore, and Ginny Aucoin (and Betty Boop) Karen
describes J & M "like a Cheers place:" unique and where
the waitresses know your face and preferences, if not your name. Between
Tasty Donut and F & M Diner waitress Ginny Aucoin has been working
there for 35 years and knows all the regulars. She likes the job so
much so drives up from Marshfield everyday to work there. Most of
the staff have worked there for three or four years. For fun, starting
around Thanksgiving, the staff wears pajamas on the weekends as they
wait tables . J
& M Diner is set back and down a slope from the road. Most business
is from word of mouth. To find the J & M Diner, look for the Old
Path Village sign by 969 Concord Street (Rt. 126) just before the
YMCA as you are traveling north on Rt. 126. 
Hours
are: Monday - Friday: Breakfast 5:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
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