Second time I've visited, so a relative authority now. Second visits are never as good as the…read morefirst, however, which is a shame. The novelty wears off and the subject leaves itself open to criticism. Smaller, smellier and more tacky than I remembered, the burgers tasted worse and the portions felt smaller (although this is not necessarily a bad thing). Poor quality patties rendered what was an enjoyable experience worse than it should have been and a thin lining of grease over everything made the whole charade feel dirty. My 1/2lb beef and bacon was mediocre and my companion's pepperoni, tomato and cheese tasted like a cheap pizza; my sister's blue cheese was nice, however this was in no doubt due to the sauce managing to disguise the flavour of their value frozen burgers. What saved the meal were the fantastic milkshakes (Oreo, peanut butter and Irish cream, the latter turning out to be the favourite) and the ridiculous peanut butter crunch sundae, the toffee apple pie leaving us disappointed.
£20 per head, which is what you expect to pay for a novelty such as this, and which is why this restaurant will manage to survive despite the food failing to live up to the kitsch glamour and the enterprising theme. Restaurants like this should never be harshly judged on their food, and if they are you're missing the point. It's about the experience, the novelty and the ride. It's a nostalgia trip for people who never experienced it first time round; an exalted view through red, white and blue tinted sunglasses at a specific period of Americana that is itself viewed through misty eyes. How many Americans revere and laud the humble pub, jellied eels and Beefeaters?
Cliched, over the top and in poor taste, replete with a decaying Mystery Machine and muscle car in the car park (genuinely!), I'll nevertheless come back time and time again. It's enjoyable, and offers us Brits something different, and perhaps more importantly, fun.
