The first we knew about Peggy Sue's 50's Diner was from the large billboards on the highway. Fascinated by the signage, we decided to stop for a quick bite to eat before heading over to Los Angeles to visit friends. We weren't disappointed. It was like visiting a museum filled with 50's and 60's memorabilia: photographs and objects lined the walls, paraphernalia hung from the ceiling, cutouts were propped up against posts...it was almost visual overload. The gift shop was also a museum, overflowing with all sorts of kitschy items from Betty Boop to Marilyn Monroe and James Dean and everything in between.
Peggy Sue's is an original roadside diner, built in 1954, with 9 counter stools and 3 booths. It sits in the shadow of the Calico Mountains, constructed out of railroad ties and mortar from a nearby Union Pacific yard. Today the diner has been enlarged to include a spacious dining area.
It's almost visual overload, but fun!
When we entered the restaurant, we noticed a number of truckers sitting in the booths, talking on cell phones, to the waitresses and to each other. We passed by them and wandered into the dining room where the waitress quickly brought menus to the table.
As our eyes wandered over the graphics, she recommended the deep fried pickles. Our usual adventurous attitude was tempered by knowing how long a drive we still had ahead of us that evening, and we chose what we thought was probably going to be a rather ordinary hamburger in spite of the name (Buddy Holly Bacon Cheeseburger). Were we surprised! The hamburgers (Steven's was without cheese, of course) turned out to be gigantic and juicy.
Too bad we don't live closer to Peggy Sue's. Based on our quick encounter, we'd like to return sometime soon and try those deep fried pickles!
Peggy Sue's 50's Diner
35654 Yermo Road
Yermo, CA 92398
760.254.3370