# Ugly mugs **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 27, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405 "2004-05-27T20:05:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/1 "2004-05-27T20:05:42Z")
You know those heavy, almost lumpy looking mugs that are standard issue in truck stops across this great land of ours? Diner mugs? Smaller capacity than a “modern” coffee mug, with a thick, rounded handle that only allows one finger through it? Thick rounded rim, and a slightly, slightly narrower \*waist \* than the top and bottom edges? Anyone who’s ever drunk a cup of coffee outside of his own kitchen–and before the Era of Starbuck’s–has held one of these. Where can I buy some? The designers at the architecture firm I work for have their collective heart\* set on these–“classic American design”–“simple and utilitarian”-“yadda[sup]3[/sup]”–but I can’t find them for retail. I have Googled and Froogled till I’m blue in the face, and all I can find are, A) a plastic version at the Vermont Country Store; B) one-at-a-time “vintage” mugs at eBay prices; and C) cases of a minimum 36 mugs from importers, restaurant suppliers, and logo-printer-promotional-junk sellers. Please, can anyone help me find these goddamn things? \*_Hi, Equipoise!_ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/2 "2004-05-27T21:29:01Z")
Check out #4, the [diner mug.](http://www.promotemugs.com/ceramics.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/3 "2004-05-27T21:47:13Z")
Man, I have a bunch of these at home. All used of course so you’re probably not interested. I’ve had them for 20 years or more, though I don’t think I’ve actually used one in the last 10 years. I have to confess that I have no idea where they came from originally. They came with the marriage. 😛 For all I know she stole them one at a time from a diner. Now I’m curious. I’m going to have to ask her. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/4 "2004-05-27T21:58:48Z")
Syracuse China makes a lot of these for the restaurant industry. Here’s the [Syracuse China](http://www.libbey.com/libbey/html.nsf/pages/SyracuseChinaSite) page. Oops. Checking further, you have to have buy them a carton at a time, although you have a choice of dozens. For one at a time Syracuse China mugs, I found [this page](http://www.kitchenetc.com/google_2/Detail_brand.cfm?v_id=15440&qs=Syracuse%20China). I’ve heard of Kitchen Etc., but I’ve never dealt with them online. [Another online source](http://www.plaza101.com/plaza/store/shop103793/Online/Syracuse_China/) with the same prices. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/5 "2004-05-27T23:38:22Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Check out #4, the [diner mug.](http://www.promotemugs.com/ceramics.htm) Yes, **si** , that’s the mug; but the source you found requires a minimum purchase of 36 mugs. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/6 "2004-05-27T23:55:47Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > Syracuse China makes a lot of these for the restaurant industry. > > Here’s the [Syracuse China](http://www.libbey.com/libbey/html.nsf/pages/SyracuseChinaSite) page. > > Oops. Checking further, you have to have buy them a carton at a time, although you have a choice of dozens. > > For one at a time Syracuse China mugs, I found [this page](http://www.kitchenetc.com/google_2/Detail_brand.cfm?v_id=15440&qs=Syracuse%20China). I’ve heard of Kitchen Etc., but I’ve never dealt with them online. > > [Another online source](http://www.plaza101.com/plaza/store/shop103793/Online/Syracuse_China/) with the same prices. Thanks, Ex; not quite the right mug. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/7 "2004-05-28T01:03:02Z")
If you don’t mind the logo, [these](http://www.orensdailyroast.com/554.html) can be ordered singly or in other quantities. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/8 "2004-05-28T01:03:34Z")
Is [this mug](http://www.vintagevending.com/products_shop-detail.cfm?PID=1707&CID=302) any closer to what you want? The shape looks ok, but it doesn’t look massive enough, at least in this photo. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/9 "2004-05-28T01:07:22Z")
Or try [these](http://shop.store.yahoo.com/ruralroot-store/dinermugs.html). ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/10 "2004-05-28T01:12:54Z")
Try [Fish’s Eddy](http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,51.html) about 3/4 down the page, $2.50 for a plain one. You can get funkier versions [here](http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,46.html). ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/11 "2004-05-28T01:13:58Z")
> [@Sue Duhnym](#): > > Try [Fish’s Eddy](http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,51.html) about 3/4 down the page, $2.50 for a plain one. > > You can get funkier versions [here](http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,46.html). That’s a slooooooooow site BTW. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/12 "2004-05-28T01:19:42Z")
**Sue** , I think you win. Those look exactly like what **lissener** is looking for (I’m guessing!) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/13 "2004-05-28T01:34:45Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > **Sue** , I think you win. Well, there’s a first for everything. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/14 "2004-05-28T13:48:59Z")
Man, you guys come through again. Thanks **PM** , **si** , and **Sue** : these are all great. Next time you’re in Seattle, stop by for a cuppajoe. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/15 "2004-05-28T14:44:44Z")
Also look for [Buffalo China](http://www.surlatable.com/common/products/product_details.cfm?PRRFNBR=5328) - I have tons of this. Big thick heavy - stands up to any abuse. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugly-mugs/247405/16 "2004-05-28T16:36:36Z")
Thanks, **DeV**. I had started this whole process by Googling/Froogling “buffalo china” but did not find that source.