Richie's Diner Reports Strong Opening

Richie's Real American Diner opened its fourth Southern California location in Palm Desert Monday, and has been bustling.

"We've had several people come back that were with us on the first day," said Sally Myers, who is a partner in the restaurant with her husband Gary.

The diner took the place of the former Marie Calendar's, which closed in December 2010, according to Jenna LeMaster, director of marketing for Westfield.

The entire space -- located on the southeast corner of -- has been renovated to reflect the nostalgia of the 30s and 40s, including vintage signs, glass soda bottles and murals of classic cars. Myers said that people who are fans of Richie's in Temecula, Murrieta and Rancho Cucamonga have been coming in as well.

"We've been in construction for so long, a lot of people have really been anxiously waiting for us to open," Myers said, adding that word of mouth has already reached quite a few customers in the Coachella Valley.

Myers said the location has “an authentic wood-smoked barbecue out front,” preparing items like slow-smoked angus tri-tip, St. Louis ribs, baby back ribs and half and whole chickens.

"It's smoking all day long," Myers said.

The entire staff is friendly and reflects the happy demeanor of another era.

"People like to know that you're a family owned business that you're not a chain and they like to know that you have family recipes," Myers said. "All of my mom's recipes are from her southern roots and all my dad's recipes are from his Texas roots."

The restaurant, which is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the weekends (outside of mall hours), has its own bakery and desserts are made fresh everyday, she said.