Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest, the Corvette Diner offers great food at affordable prices in an atmosphere that takes you back to the rock ‘n’ roll era of the 1950s.

While it may not be the best place for a quiet night out, the diner’s cheerful and fun setting is the perfect place for birthday celebrations, a Friday night dinner with friends, or even a playful family outing.

Walking through the doors, it’s hard not to feel instantly time warped by the array of 50’s memorabilia displayed on the walls and the loud music coming from the DJ booth blasting the likes of Elvis and Buddy Holly.

Decking themselves out in poodle skirts and beehives, even the waitresses are in on the theme. The staff members’ loud and outgoing personalities mirror the restaurant’s busy and bustling atmosphere, but this doesn’t mean they compromise on service. The wait staff and bussers are comparably more attentive than what might be expected from the usual diner, and their welcoming attitude will make you feel like you’ve been coming there for years.

They also have a nightly DJ, balloon blowers that make funky inflatable hats and waitresses trained in creating unique hairdos with drinking straws for willing patrons who want to partake in the diner’s festive attire.

The menu includes a full selection of reasonably priced, All-American favorites like meatloaf, mac and cheese, and chicken fried streak as well as a long list of lighter items such as sandwiches and salads. However, they’re known for their delicious burgers that range from the traditional cheeseburger to more adventurous fare like the surprisingly popular “Rory burger” topped with peanut butter, slab cut bacon, lettuce and mayo. With their satisfaction, money-back guarantee, there’s nothing to lose in straying from the norm and enjoying a new and exciting culinary delight.

Whether before, with, or after a meal, no Corvette Diner experience is complete without one of their famous shakes and malts that are served with the tin, just like the old days.

Almost as extensive as their dinner menu, their soda fountain list provides an array of sweet treats that won’t disappoint. While offering the usual chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavors, they also serve up some more interesting tastes like their refreshing peppermint shake or their peanut butter, banana, marshmallow shake properly named the “Elvis shake”.

If you’re really feeling the 50s vibe, you can also indulge in one of their traditional floats or seltzers that were a trademark of the time.

Overall, the Corvette Diner sparks that sense of doo-wop fun that made the 50’s worth re-creating and serves up some tasty, traditional meals with a twist.

The Corvette Diner is located at 3946 Fifth Ave. and is open Sun.-Thurs. 11a.m.-10p.m. and Fri.-Sat. 11a.m.-11p.m. It’s recommended that you come early because they don’t take reservations and they fill up fast. For more information, you can contact the diner at 619-542-1476.