The last diner on Route 66 is a trip —literally, figuratively, and gastronomically. Just a few miles from the terminus at the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, Café 50’s is the last diner on the quintessential American highway. And the owners, staff, ambiance, and menu...live and breathe a bygone era when (at least for us in "flyover" country) California was thought of as a State of Mind. To their credit, management requires proof of vaccination to eat inside, and the wait staff all wear masks in addition to classic '50s ice cream parlor dresses and shirts. And it's obvious they love working there; they don't just take your order but chat you up about your day and food choices. They're delightful. The food is what you expect from a diner: comfort food, well-made and reasonably priced, with breakfast served all day. Growing up in the '50s, I expected the usual malts and shakes. But there's the "Sputnik Turkey & Swiss Melt" sandwich, the "Leave it to Beaver omelette," "California Burger," and blueberry pancakes. In addition, there is what we think of as "typical" of California: Avocado and spinach omelette, the "Healthy Fresh Sandwich," and "Deviled Eggs." We settled on a typical diner breakfast that included two eggs, breakfast potatoes, turkey sausages, and whole-wheat toast; all washed down with freshly made coffee. Excellent! While waiting for our food to arrive, I scanned the small jukebox mounted on the wall in our booth (filled with '50s rock 'n' roll classics that also blared from speakers throughout) and then got up and walk around the dining room trying to absorb the overwhelming collection of '50s memorabilia displayed floor to ceiling and the ceiling. Words can't describe the array of items, including many consumer brands that no longer exist and Saturday afternoon B movie posters. It's a trip for the stomach and the mind. I love this place!More
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