Favorite Diners
Ruby's
Ruby's Diner was established in 1982 on the Newport Beach Balboa Pier. Now scattered all throughout California, Ruby's brings a touch of nostalgia with each location offering a unique trait. For example, the Balboa location offers you 360 views of the ocean while eating on the pier. The Laguna Beach location offers a rooftop experience overlooking the ocean, with classic cars parked in the front. The Whittier location offers a Friday night classic car show. I could go on! It's hard to resist the adorable red and while matching uniforms that the staff wear. And while I personally believe Ruby's makes the best milkshakes (I'm obsessed with the cookies and cream!), I also am a sucker for their French toast and their Ruby's Melt sandwich (thanks to my friend forcing me to try something other than the milk-shake!). Ruby's will forever hold a special place in my heart and if you look closely in my videos and pictures, you might just see me wearing my custom Ruby's Air Jordan 1 High sneakers!
Bob's Big Boy
The oldest standing Bob's Big Boy restaurant, built in 1949, is located in Burbank, California right down the street from the Warner's Brother Studio lot. The family began carefully restoring this location in the 1990's to it's original glory, and the TLC shows! If you're looking for a good burger after finishing up a tour at the WB lots, then this is as good as it gets while also experiencing a piece of American 40's history. If you're lucky, you'll catch a classic car show happening outside where the drive in spaces are!
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
One of my all time favorite places to eat after landing or before taking off at LAX is Uncle Bill's Pancake House located about 15 minutes from the airport on Manhattan beach. While I know Uncle Bill's is known for the pancakes, I personally cannot get enough of their golden crisp waffle. If you're flying solo, you can snag a walk in seat at the breakfast bar. I cannot emphasize enough how yummy their breakfast food is!
Black Bear Diner
After learning that a local friend and her husband frequent this place with their kids, I knew I had to check Black Bear Diner out for myself. Where do I even begin? This diner began in 1995 and now has over 160 locations! And do I ever love a solid chain diner. Between the carved bears out front, the cabin feel, the wall to wall bear decor, the cute little bear hot sauces...the hype did not disappoint. And I haven't even mentioned the delicious food yet! I ordered the Albacore tuna melt sandwich on toasted sour dough bread and I think it might be my new favorite toasted sandwich. This particular Black Bear Diner was located right beside my local airport which means I will definitely introduce every friend and family member when I pick them up for CA visits.
Frisco's Carhops
This legendary SoCal diner began in 1981, opened and run by Takis Stathoulis and his wife Joanne Frisco Stathouli. Between his influence in the vocalist industry, and her passion as an artist, the two grew this diner into a 1950's environment that brought back "the good ol' days". Celebrities like Micheal Jackson and so many more, enjoyed the original location. Now there are 7 locations, each offering their own unique flare. I visited the Whittier location and between the delicious Friso Melt sand-which (with bread battered in cheese!!) and the waitresses delivering our shakes on roller skates, I am hooked! A must experience if every in Southern California.
Know of a good SoCal diner that I should visit?
I am always on the hunt for yummy and nostalgic diner vibes. If you have any recommendations, please let me know and I'll make sure to check it out and highlight it on the blog!