Manager Charlie Bracken at the Fabulous 50’s Diner. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comBop on over to the Fabulous 50’s Diner for great home-style cooking, reasonable prices, fun family friendly atmosphere and blast from the past 50s décor.
Under new management since August 2012, the restaurant has been garnering good reviews from the locals.
The restaurant is owned by Peter and Loretta Olivas and managed by their long-time friend Charlie Bracken. The restaurant, at 1325 Trinity Dr. in Los Alamos, shares a building with American Legion Post 90. The restaurant is off the road, behind another building (the former Hill Diner) so be sure not to miss it. They have a brand new sign, pointing the way to the restaurant, featuring a ’55 Chevy.
You may have already sampled the Diner’s cuisine without knowing it, via the Kaleidowagon bus. The bus visits special events like the Los Alamos Summer Concert Series to dispense a basic burger and fries menu and Blue Bell ice cream.
“We serve the kind of food we enjoy eating ourselves,” Bracken said. Especially proud of the Diner’s slow-cooked brisket and its fish and chips, he added, “Our cod is something really special.”
The Diner also serves pizza, burgers, Mexican dishes, barbeque, steaks, sandwiches and more. Desserts and soups are made fresh onsite at the Diner. There is a different special each week. They also serve breakfast all day, including steak and eggs.
The Diner’s Ice Cream Bar features 32 flavors of Blue Bell ice cream (three non-sugar) and what Bracken says are the best shakes, sundaes and floats in Los Alamos.
Bracken has been in the restaurant business since he got his first job at a fish fry joint in Connecticut at age 15. He moved to Los Alamos in 2000 to be near his mother and other family members, but his Los Alamos roots go much further back. His mom attended high school in Los Alamos and his grandfather helped build the Omega Bridge.
When not at the restaurant, Bracken can be found hitting the books for his classes at Northern New Mexico College. He’ll receive his AA degree next year, then plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
“My goal is to be a drug and alcohol counselor,” Bracken said. “I appreciate the support I’ve gotten in my life and I want to give that kind of support to others.”
Fabulous 50’s Diner is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The dinner menu starts at 4 p.m. and don’t forget to ask about senior and veteran’s discounts. Contact the Diner at 663-1113.
