Review Visit: October 28th, 2014 If you are a diner aficionado, do not confuse yourself. Yes, there is two diners in Illinois that have nearly the same name. This one is THE 50's Diner located in Peoria, IL and the other is THAT 50's Diner in Dwight, IL. The similarities do not end there. They are both themed from the 1950s. They have a big love of Elvis and other 1950's stuff decorating the diner. That's about where it ends. Matt, Tim, and I rolled up on a sunny autumn afternoon for some nostalgic trip. Not that we were alive in the 50's but it is always fun to visit a place themed after a time period one isn't alive for. I am still waiting for someone to open a Cafe 80's modeled after the one from Back to the Future II. This diner was screaming 50's from the moment we walked in. Black and white color scheme for the seating. 50's decor and memorabilia lining the walls and counters. A menu that screams styling from the time. But none of that matters in the end. It's the food. The menu emhpasizes the Loosey Sammich and that is just what I ordered. While looking over the menu, I did notice they served curly fries, which seems like a rarity outside of Hardee's/Carl Jrs. The diner wasn't busy so our server was timely and our food was delivered after a short while. The food was served in those plastic baskets with wax paper (but sometimes served on plates). To me, I enjoy food being delivered in those things. Why, only foggy childhood memories can explain. The food was dropped in front of us and the Loosey sandwich was... not appealing. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it if you've read enough of these blog posts, you know I save my judgment for how it tastes, not how it looks. Chomp. Chomp. A few bites in and my mouth ran in to dryness without flavor to cover it up. The sandwich was somehow disappointing despite being their signature sandwich. I am going to guess that the meat was sitting in a warmer and dried out. Ah, what a bummer. The fries were good, at least. I've been back a few times with my friend Maria for random breakfasts and lunches and the food from those visits mirrored my first experience here. Bland. Not to say the food is awful or should be avoided, but don't expect anything to make you crave coming back time and time again. But, on the other hand, maybe you'll love the place. Don't let me bland experience deter you from checking it out. Maybe my taste buds are compatible with the 50's. Ah, but this isnt the end of this blog. Nope, one little thing left to talk about. There is a store that takes up the right side of The 50's Diner. Yes, you heard it here. A store. I've browsed the merchandise for sale and I am not sure if this store is a consignment-based or what. The assortment of items is rather eclectic. There's novelty candy, jewelry, random clothes, and other odds and ends. It kind of makes visiting here exciting because you just never know what they will have on sale. read more

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Cute little diner. Good size portions. Large and think pancakes. Ordered the Mega skillet.

the atmosphere of this restaurant is so cool and i love the vintage feel. i loved this restaurant as a kid, so i thought i'd stop by and try it again after some years. to me and my friend's disappointment, the food and service were absolutely terrible. we started out with a relatively nice waitress who gave us our drinks and took our orders. my friend ordered a crispy chicken wrap with mashed potatoes, a side salad, and a corn muffin. i ordered the country fried chicken with a corn muffin, coleslaw, and a baked potato. as time went on, though, our waitress never came back to our table. we sat for an hour wondering where our food and our waitress were. eventually, one of the managers came to out table and gave me the coleslaw i ordered. the presentation was nice, but it was rotten. one bite and i almost threw up. about 10 minutes later, that same manager let us know that our food was almost done, but that they were out if country gravy and that their corn muffins were all expired. she offered chicken gravy instead of the country gravy, as well as a dinner roll instead of the corn muffins. is was a bit peeved because of the late notice. we had been sitting there for and hour and 20 minutes at this point, and we just now learn that they're out of stuff. eventually, our food came out. everything looked great. but the taste was very unpleasant. my friend's chicken wrap was plain, dry, and only tasted like the buffalo sauce that was in it. the mashed potatoes were good. and he never got the side salad he ordered. my baked potato was run of the mill, but good. my chicken was overly salty and not fried correctly, resulting in raw batter. this was the last straw. our waitress from before finally came back and gave us our check. she gave us one after we specifically asked for two. i ate what i could and we paid and left. no tip was given. this is one of the worst experiences i've ever had at a restaurant. my friend ended up with food poisoning, and has been throwing up all morning. tldr: food was rotten, undercooked, and overly salty. service was terrible. read more

The 50's Diner - Country Fried Chicken raw batter, overly salty - Diners Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Oh my this place is a true gem, I have been to some great places ,but trust me this one is at the top ,food is great,staff amazing,and so cozy,just love it all.try a shake yumm read more

Came into this 50's- style flashback for brunch recently. The place was fairly busy, but they seemed to have a good turnover. The interior has some funny signs and posters a d then some classic staples, jukebox, Elvis cutout ect. The food was okay. Not a lot of flavor, but the portions were pretty good. The service however, was almost nonexistent. Our waitress took our order and brought our food, but never checked and it took awhile to get our menus and our bill. Wont be in a hurry to get back, but would try for lunch sometime. read more

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Friendly waitress. Love the "maidrites" sandwiches and could have one every day. Love this restaurant.

My boyfriend and I enjoy some roadside kitsch, so when a magic shop we wanted to visit in Champaign was closed, this place was a welcome substitute. While it's not terribly impressive on the outside (it's in a strip mall), the 50's diner is a full-in blast from the past. Even better, it has a gift shop with all of the cheesy handmades (Signs with quotes! Crocheted tablecloths!) you could want. It has an old-fashioned soda fountain/diner counter and a jukebox, interesting cut outs on the walls, and a Batman on the ceiling (Why?) Service was great! There was a sign that said they were understaffed, but it didn't feel like it. To drink, I ordered a Red River (cherry soda). Green River was out, which made me a little sad. My boyfriend ordered the Reuben and I ordered the patty melt, and they were everything they should be: buttered bread, AMERICAN cheese (this place ain't fancy), burger patty that would be overdone by itself (me) but was perfect on the sandwich, buttery grilled onions (me), tangy and creamy homemade 1000 island dressing (my boyfriend). We both got the onion tanglers, which are like thick-cut onion rings, but are coarsely-chopped instead of rings. Salty crispy heaven served with a side of ranch in true Midwestern fashion. With tip, our bill was about $25. No doubt this will be a regular stop on our trips west! read more

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If you're looking for a charming and nostalgic breakfast spot, this 50s diner is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you're transported back in time with its retro décor, and friendly service that makes you feel right at home. The menu offers all the breakfast staples, from fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to perfectly cooked eggs and golden hash browns. The staff was very pleasant and always checking in to see if we needed a refill on our coffee! Definitely recommend !! read more

I have eaten at the 50's Diner and was totally dazzled with both the food and the client care. The nostalgic feeling promptly moves you to a past time, setting the ideal scene for a wonderful eating experience. The menu boasts a fabulous cluster of exemplary coffee shops, and each dish I attempted surpassed my assumptions in taste and presentation. The team of waiters at the 50's Burger joint merits exceptional tribute for their well-disposed and mindful help. They were educated about the menu as well as made a special effort to guarantee that each part of our feasting experience was charming. With the brief support of certifiable grins, the group at the 50's Cafe genuinely knows how to create an inviting and vital climate. I enthusiastically prescribe this cafe to anybody looking for a sample of wistfulness combined with extraordinary food and administration. read more

I have been wanting to come here for a while. We started off with the homemade chicken noodle soup, which was very good. I had the Lucy Sandwich and fries and my guest had the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy with corn. I will definitely be back. read more

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Definitely not the same as the once highly respected Maid Rite. Service and quality has seemingly gone way down recently. However, I'd you're looking for a cheap, greasy, and quick breakfast... this is the place to for you. read more

This place was awesome!! My husband and I were in the area for a quick week trip and I had seen this place on TikTok and had to go in. The gift shop seemed out of place & didn't sell anything "50s". Service was definitely quick order service. But the food the great! We had to come back the morning we left to try something new. We had a long drive back to NY & the server was soo kind to let us take coffees to go! read more

This was a pretty neat place. If you are looking for somewhere to take a trip down memory lane, this is it! With the 50's style decor and an attached gift shop full of 50's era mementos, it's sure to give the family something to talk about over supper! The food was average and the service was average. If you are looking for a place where you can get in and out, this is not it. The music however was GREAT, and the ambiance was what you would expect for a blast through the past! read more

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I love their Maidrite sandwiches! Great 50s atmosphere. A small complaint is the gift shop seems out of place. It sells a lot of unique crafts though no 50s nostalgia gifts. read more

The food is good amazing even, but if your looking for a quiet place to enjoy breakfast or lunch this is not the place for you. Ive been here 3 times and each time there are the loudest rudest most inconsiderate coustmers ever. I wish it was a Karens diner instead so the staff could tell people to STFU! read more

Service was very slowwwwwww. When we asked the waitress about our order, she said it was Sunday & Mother's Day. Seriously? It is not a surprise that it is Mother's Day. Please hire more help or have more people working that day. Food is ok but service is terrible. After inquiring about our order, waitress was not friendly at all. read more

BLT hit the spot! Plenty of bacon, fresh tomatoes on well toasted bread. Service was good. Diner atmosphere is fun!

Looks like your typical 50s genre dinner. They breakfast was good and they have better choices than many places. I ordered the bacon, sausage patties, hashbrowns and eggs. All of it very good. I really enjoyed the meats, the patties were not your average Jimmy Deans style. Much better! Service was good and check out quick. I'll definitely go back. read more

If you love a pork tenderloin sandwich, go elsewere to eat. The crust of mine was oily, the pork seemed to be pressed ground meat, and it was topped with unripe beefsteak tomoto slice, white, green, and only a hint of pink at the edges. Even though I was at the counter, none of the wait staff stopped to ask about the food, and the best the cashier could do was to say she was sorry. Definitely WILL NOT be back read more

We enjoyed our latest trip to Peoria. This diner & attached store has a great early morning breakfast. There was a crowd. The staff were friendly, attentive & running. Like many places, they now close on Tuesdays due to staffing. Loved the store adjacent since I got to replace some of my kitchen towels, too. Don't miss them on your next trip down University. read more

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Just left the place....hostess asked me if I wanted the counter since I was eating alone....I said "sure" went and sat and sat and sat and sat.....I went for breakfast but by this point it was gonna be lunchtime so I went ahead and changed it to lunch....I got up left and went somewhere else!!!! Terrible attention to costumers and not much interest in serving anyone. I think if you're a regular they'll treat you fair, that's pretty much the only customers they would talk to.....won't come back to this disaster..... read more

A very neat vibe going on here at the 50's diner! Complete with 50's decor and oldies music, you'll find you've been swept away to another era! There's even a little gift shop attached to the waiting area. The portion sizes are huge. So come hungry! The prices are crazy reasonable. We all ate to our hearts content and for 5 people our bill only came to $42. Whoa. I personally had the BYO quesadilla. It was huge. They have plenty of toppings to chose from and he eggs inside were cooked perfectly! Came with salsa and sour cream on the side. My husband got the hearty breakfast which was just about everything you could dream of wanting in a breakfast meal. The man can eat and even he had a hard time finishing the generous portion! The servers were very sweet and the food came out in a timely manner. read more

The 50's Diner - Very neat interior! - Diners Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Very good breakfast and good service. Tasteful and delicious, but a bit of a wait. Nice shop on the side where you can buy souvenirs (but we didn't). read more

Looking for an early breakfast option that wasn't a chain, we decided to go to the 50s Diner. On the breakfast menu they offer breakfast combos, omelets, skillets, pancakes, waffles and a la carte items. I ordered the #1 with my two eggs over medium, three slices of bacon as my meat, rye toast and added a side of grits. One of my eggs ended up being over hard rather than over medium, but the bacon, while not thick cut had good flavor and the grits were thick and had BIG corn flavor. I also tried a bite of a sausage link and it was tasty too. Service was good, water and coffee refills were plentiful but not overwhelming and the combo prices started at $4.99. A side of grits added $2.39. We arrived around 8:15 on a Sunday, and by the time we were leaving an hour later, there was a wait for tables. read more

I love this place been coming here since i was a kid and it had a different name. Wait staff is always friendly and attentive even during super busy times. Food is amazing and great portions for the price. read more

We have been coming here for years for breakfast on the weekend. I sneak in for lunch every so often too. The food is great diner food...eggs come out perfect and hot! The menu is big with a lot of options. And, the staff is beyond compare....friendly, efficient and helpful. I highly recommend The 50's Diner. read more

The service was nice and fast despite it being busy. I had the beef vegetable soup and the chicken noodle soup. Great amount of vegetables in the beef one. The chicken noodle soup was filled with chicken and noodles. Both were delicious and piping hot. My coworker had breakfast eggs and bacon and enjoyed it. I finished off with a small black cow shake which resembled a root beer float. It was so-so. Prices were reasonable. I wouldn't mind returning here for breakfast again and would recommend it if you're in the area. read more

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Walleye on Friday nights. So good. Fun place. Service is a little slow but the food is worth the wait.

Home cooking food, hot beef and shake were good, service was ok, bathroom could use some cleaning..

Yes, I am a fan ... the Rte 66 is the bomb ... 2 eggs how I want them ... 2 bacon ... 2 link sausage ... 2 pancakes ... coffee flowing till I pop ... Every once in a while it gets so busy that our server lets our coffee get warm or below half full ... sometimes they're so on top of it that I hardly get a sip before they're trying to top it off. It's good for solo trips or with groups ... enjoy read more

AMAZING DINER AND ATMOSPHERE! I took a weekend trip to Peoria from st Louis to Christmas shop and take in a hockey game. I looked up the diner on line and decided to stop by Saturday for lunch. I had the homemade tenderloin and biscuits on the side! It was absolutely to die for! Service was amazing, both the owners came out and spent about 20 minutes talking to me about hockey and St. Louis! They know all the regulars by name. If you are in or will be close to Peoria STOP BY! read more

Came in here for breakfast, it was fairly decent. Eggs were okay, but I think the sausages were pretty tasty. Potatoes were okay. This place is nothing super special. Love the 50s atmosphere though. Service was a bit slow. read more

Love going to 50's Diner for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The employees are a joy to talk to, the food is always fantastic, the menu has all of my favorites and the decor is adorable. Well done. read more

I would expect a 50s diner to be 50s themed not just a few elvis pictures and girls in tshirts n jeans.. But okay whatever i ordered 1/2 fried chicken mashed potatos chicken gravy and Wisconsin chedder soup... Asked for all white meat... Soup came out was okay nothing great but not horrible.. Then came the food mixed chicken not a huge deal i guess but it was so salty it was uneatable so i had to pick off all breading on the breast... The meat was overcooked and rubbery. I got a box took the rest home and just noticed the leg was undercooked and so was the thigh... On top of all this the service was just okay there was 5 girls working husband waited in line to pay and lady walks away.. The check was wrong i got charged for soda and just had water.. The entire experience was bad enough i will never return!! read more

If I could leave a zero star I would. The service is terrible. One of the waiters came and took our silver and gave it to another guest and never brought us a new one. It took them over 45 minutes to bring us our food and the restaurant was not even busy. People who can in after us got their food before us and they had r4 people but it was just me and a friend. The food was mediocre. I ordered hash browns and they were under cooked and my scrambled eggs were not cooked all the way. We ordered just the basics and they still managed to mess the food up. read more

Food quality was average. I had the walleye which had a nice light and somewhat flaky batter but the walleye itself was very average. My fiance had the chicken strips. They definitely give you your money's worth with a huge portion of large strips. Fries are good. Honey mustard was relatively tasteless. I'll be back but not frequently. Atmosphere is fun and kid friendly. read more

The 50's Diner - All you can eat walleye - Diners Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Formerly going under the business name "MaidRite," most of the menu is the same as it was before the name change. What was previously known as a MaidRite sandwich is now called the "Loosey" loose meat sandwich. Great diner atmosphere, oldies playing all the time, great diner food, and delightfully sassy and playful attitude from the waitresses. Breakfast served all the time, of course. I recommend any milkshake, but my favorites are the Dr. Pepper and the Green River. read more

I've been coming here since it was Maidrite . Gŕeat loose ground beef sandwiches are the specialty, but there are many other great choices. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all good. Try the milkshakes for a treat. read more

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Home cooked meals. Comfortable atmosphere. Very good food! Friendly people Awesome biscuits and gravy!

We always stop here when we visit family in Peoria. It used to be a made-rites but changed a few years back... Still boasts the loose meat sandwich but we come here for the breakfast! We can't with three kids in tow on a very early morning. I'm sure I heard groans from the patrons when they realized their quiet meal was about to be ruined. Much to alllll our surprise, the kids were great and I attribute that to the prompt services and hugeeee meals. I told the kids they could get whatever they wanted but be warned, it was going to be alot of food. Humongous plate of French toasts. Order of sausage links included 4 pieces, pancakes were large and soooooo good. Seriously, get the pancakes. Everything was good and as expected for a diner. We're also love exploring the shop after eating- think Cracker Barrel except not overly crowded. After food was done we were kinda left alone without refills. And when we finally did get someone's attention for a refill of milk, there was no warning that it wasnt free-we were just presented with a full glass and an updated bill. Otherwise, it was a great experience. read more