5 & DinerWhen’s the last time your family has gone out for a meal and had a really fun time together? You know, where the kids and parents alike had plenty of menu choices, the atmosphere was fun, and you left in a better mood than when you arrived?
5 & Diner, with nine locations Valleywide, is just that kind of place. Their motto, “Food, Fun and Fifties,” takes you on a trip back in time. The bright red and grey vinyl booths, the jukebox tunes and the rest of the atmosphere will remind you of your childhood, or at least reruns of “Happy Days.”
We visited the Scottsdale location and started our meal with shakes, malts and floats made up at the counter. 5 & Diner uses premium Breyers Ice Cream. The shakes are thick, rich and enough to keep you in frozen drink bliss for some time. Other authentic tastes include egg creams and sodas.
The menu is enormous. No one can come here and not find at least a few things they’ll love. Breakfast is served all day and the choices are extensive -- omelettes, steak and eggs, and waffles, just to name a few.
While you peruse the menu, order some appetizers for the table. We found that the trio platter was the best for our group – cheese sticks, jalapeno poppers and breaded mushrooms.
All the sandwiches are served with awesome, crispy fries. Choose from deli favorites such as Reubens, hot pastrami and tuna melts, or opt for a burger (every combination imaginable) or a club. Pair it with a cup of the soup of the day (the clam chowder is very creamy and the vegetable is teeming with flavor).
The dinner selections are especially good. We had some chicken fried steak that was as good as any we’ve ever had – crispy meat smothered in peppery, creamy gravy. The other blue plate specials were equally tasty. Other dinners include pot roast, fried chicken and fried fish.
Lighter fare includes great salads, such as a Chinese Chicken Salad, a spicy chicken fajita salad, and a mammoth Cobb salad.
But, no matter how much you’ve eaten, don’t leave without dessert – pies and sundaes are the best. We had a behemoth brownie (fresh-baked) sundae piled with whipped cream and hot fudge.
It’s the extra touches at 5 & Diner that make it a favorite family place. There’s a balloon artist for the kids, the servers are super friendly and efficient, and the management is always there to make sure the place runs perfectly. They even have a “Diner Baby” program where they give the newest 5 & Diner customers cute little sleepers – guaranteeing dedicated customers for life!
good to know: For the health conscious, there are yogurt shakes and a low carbohydrate menu. Great senior menu.
what to wear: you could try wearing your poodle skirt, but any casual attire is fine.
must haves: shakes and malts, diner specialties5 & Diner
9069 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale (480) 949-1957
12802 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix (602) 996-0033
5220 N. 16th St., Phoenix (602) 264-5220
5025 Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe (480) 752-1958
960 N. 54 St., Chandler (480) 753-1114
2252 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa (480) 892-1952
6353 E. Southern Ave., Mesa (480) 641-1958
20216 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix (623) 869-9311
7541 W. Bell Road, Peoria (623) 979-3073
http://www.azeats.com/5anddiner/