Penny’s Diner in Yermo, California

When I was writing up the post about Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner, I came across mentions and comparison’s between them and Penny’s Diner (which was just across the street). As we were driving to Carlsbad last Saturday to visit Max the Maximum Dog, I saw a small sign for Penny’s Diner and yelped! T reacted quickly and turned off to exit from the highway so that we could have lunch.

Unlike Peggy Sue’s where advertising billboards (yes, with an “s” cos there were several) can be seen more than a hour’s drive away from their actual location, I don’t recall seeing anything for Penny’s. Penny’s Diner is apparently part of the Oak Tree Inn that’s right next to it. So I guess people who are staying at the hotel would go to Penny’s for their meals and maybe that’s why they don’t need much advertising.

According to T, most roadside diners look like Penny’s – I’m taking this to mean the chrome Airstream exterior and Art Deco interior. There were some booth tables and some seats at the bar counter. We sat near the back in a booth seat, not far from the toilet – which was actually more updated and cleaner than Peggy Sue’s. T got to write and decorate the wall of the diner with some dry erase markers while we waited for our food.

When it came to taking our orders, we had a very friendly waitress attend to us. We explained that we were vegetarians and she recommended some options, then offered to swop some of the meat ingredients out to customise our meal. I ordered the Hopped Up Hashbrowns, nachos, onion rings and a sweet tea. T had french toast, a side of hashbrowns and a cola. And for desert, we shared a homemade bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Our total came up to about USD35 inclusive of taxes and a 20% cash tip – price wise, similar to Peggy Sue’s. What’s different was, we were asked repeatedly if we wanted refills for our drinks – something that T enjoyed because he does love his soda. I didn’t because the sweet tea was too sweet and I instead had a glass of ice cold plain water to wash everything down. I think the hopped up hashbrowns and regular hashbrown were both good. I particularly enjoyed the nachos which were actually deep fried corn tortillas. I highly recommend it!

With both Peggy Sue’s and Penny’s, I don’t think I’ll travel all the way just to eat their food. I do think that Penny’s food tasted less “store-bought” and their service is much better but Peggy Sue’s decor is so much fun. With them both just side by side, I guess if I come this way again, I’ll go to Peggy Sue’s for pictures and to check out their gift shop, then head to Penny’s for my meal.

Penny’s Diner

35450 Yermo Rd

Yermo, CA 92398