Legends Classic Diner: A Blast From the Past

If you are longing for a little (or a lot of) Americana, you will find it at Legends Classic Diner. It is hard to miss this 50’s-styled diner, appropriately located on historic Route 66. The cheerful décor inside and out is straight out of the old TV show “Happy Days.” Decked out in memorabilia from the classic era, the walls are awash with surfer-style murals and covered with vintage record albums, movie stills and celebrity photos. A jukebox completes the nostalgic homage.

The menu is classic American diner fare with a modern twist. Reflecting the cultural diversity found in Southern California, the vast menu includes some unexpected items such as Mexican food and gyros. It also carries several health-conscious choices such as salads, buffalo burgers and garden burgers, alongside the usual artery-clogging suspects like chili-cheese fries, fried mushrooms and fish and chips. I love that breakfast is served all day because you never know when you will feel the need to wash down a breakfast burrito with a chocolate shake or banana split (or both).

My family and I ordered a cheeseburger combo ($5.60), a gyro ($5.95) and kids’ grilled cheese meal ($5.25). The ¼ lb. cheeseburger with onion and melted cheese was juicy and the bun was fresh, but rather generic. The medium-cut fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with just the right amount of seasoned salt.

The hefty gyro consisted of thinly sliced lamb meat, onions and tomatoes nestled on a thick, soft slab of pita bread. It was served with a side of tangy yogurt, cucumber and onion sauce. It was probably not the most authentic Mediterranean food, but it was filling and delicious. The toasted cheese sandwich oozed with the perfect amount of American cheese and a generous side portion of fries.

We finished our meal with a hot fudge ice cream sundae ($4.75). Three scoops of vanilla ice cream, topped with warm, gooey hot fudge, whipped cream, nuts and three cherries. Although the ice cream was not the best quality and had ice crystals throughout, the four of us had no qualms about cleaning out the sundae bowl.

Besides serving up decent food at a more than decent price (nothing on the menu is over $10), Legends dishes up lots of fun. Our kids enjoy dancing in front of the jukebox, but when you have a bigger crowd, there is a sizable space that can be rented out for parties. They also host a classic car show on the first Sunday of every month. This blast from the past is a blast for the whole family.

Legends Classic Diner

Address: 1155 E. Route 66, Glendora, CA           
Business Hours: Sunday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – Midnight
Phone Number: 626-852-2700

Website: http://legendsclassicdiner.com/
Price Range: $2.95 - $9.55
Type of Cuisine: American (with a little bit of everything)
Standout Dish: Chicken Breast Club Sandwich