Order Peggy Sue's Grandmother's Home-Cooked Meatloaf At This Roadside Stop In Southern California
By Natasha Kayes|Published October 12, 2022
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
With all of the freeways, highways, and interstates in this state, there is no shortage of truck stops, rest stops, and roadside restaurants. However, there are a precious few that are a destination in themselves. Lying almost halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, this roadside diner in Southern California offers guests a fun and unique experience on top of delicious home-style meals. You do not have to be on the road out of California to put this diner on your to-do list.
Peggy Sue and her husband Champ reopened Peggy Sue's original diner - which first opened its doors in 1954 - in 1987, and found it to be the perfect home for all of their television and movie memorabilia.
American classics like bacon cheeseburgers, southern fried chicken, and center-cut pork chops are served in generous portions with a variety of indulgent side dishes. True to the diner's theme, sandwiches and burgers are named after old Hollywood icons, such as Frankie Avalon, Sid Caesar, Buddy Holly, and Audrey Hepburn.
As hard as it may be, you are going to want to save room for dessert. Why not try an I Love Lucy cream pie, Carmen Miranda banana split, or an Elvis Presley Shake in flavors like pineapple and cherry?
If you are passing through before noon, Peggy Sue's makes some amazing breakfasts. Not in the mood for pancakes? Order "The Blob" - biscuits, scrambled eggs, and hash browns smothered in bacon or sausage gravy.
There are surprises at every turn. The original diner was built with just nine bar stools and three booths. Now the diner has several eating areas, each with its own unique decor and vibe.
After reopening, the diner's popularity moved the owners to expand it into a real tourist stop. One addition was an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and soda fountain.
Once you have had your fill of comfort food and a sweet dessert, visit the 50s-style "Five and Dime" store, full of old-fashioned candy, gifts, Peggy Sue's souvenirs, and of course, 1950s Hollywood memorabilia.
