» 59 Diner

This retro Elvis-shrine-chic diner comes complete with real live uniformed "soda jerks" and a chrome interior. The menu harks back to a time when Americans worried more about the looming communist threat than their ever-expanding waistlines. Try the chicken-fried steak and cream gravy, the chicken-fried chicken and cream gravy, and the french fries with ketchup...or cream gravy!

The authentic soda fountain, one of the Diner's main attractions, features sundaes swimming in lush chocolate syrup and real root beer floats. The rich, thick malts and banana splits are so good they have their own unofficial fan clubs.

The Diner's decked out to resemble a 1950s malt shop, with vinyl booths making for comfortable seating and walls lined with authentic memorabilia adding to the kitschy ambience. Hungry office types fill the lunch counters during the day, but the dinner and late night crowds are pretty varied with couples snuggling in the back booths and loud, happy groups sitting at the tables.