Ellie's 50'S Diner

Ellie's 50's Diner perfectly captures a particular type of diner from a bygone time. While I cannot say that it truly captures what a diner in the 1950's looked like as it was before my time, I can say that Ellie's 50's Diner does capture the vibe of the diners that tried to capture the ambiance of the 1950's that became popular sometime in the late 1980's or early 1990's.

There is something that fascinates us about the 1950's. Maybe it was the innocence of the era or we simply embrace that time as its importance as the generation that brought us rock & roll. Maybe this is why these diners with a 1950's theme became popular and to an extent remain popular today, some seventy years after that generation. As I said, Ellie's 50's Diner does hold all of the trappings that make a 50's recreation style diner both interesting and fun.

It has bright colors and the tributes to the icons from the 1950's such as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. The menu is full of what you woukd expect from a diner, burgers, sandwiches and the like and Ellie's 50's Diner does do them well. Service is friendly and my experience here was an overall positive one. I will give Ellie's 50's Diner five stars.

My friend suggested we meet here for lunch before their closing in mid July and I could not have been happier. She completely gets me and knows what I like. Put me in a vintage diner and I am in heaven. Ellie's 50's Diner has been in business for 30 years. In 1982 Bill and Ellie Smela began their business with Ellie's Deli on George Bush Boulevard supplemented with takeout and lunch trucks.

Eight years later they purchased the Bahama Smokehouse on Federal Hwy and turned it into Ellie's Diner and Flamingo Ballroom for catering events where servers where poodle skirts and look like they just came from the sock hop. Some of their employees have been with them the entire 30 years they have been open! Out in front of the restaurant is a pink 57 Chevy.

The inside of the diner is pink and turquoise blue with black and white checked floors. I love kitsch! There are nostalgic photos on the wall and all kinds of vintage tchotchke. They also have an Elvis and Marilyn statue now for sale along with pictures and a vintage looking stove and refrigerator in the Marilyn room. You can dine inside at a retro booth, table, or the breakfast bar, or outside on the front patio or covered side of the building.

The outside area is ideal if you want to bring your dog. Ellie's serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu is filled with comfort food like omelets, soups, sandwiches, salads, burgers, chicken, patty melts, turkey dinners, hot open faced sandwiches, and meatloaf. All of the menu items have 50's classic song names. I ordered a grilled corned beef Reuben with fries.

It was just the way I like them, piled high with meat and grilled to perfection. For dessert I split a piece of Limoncello cake with my friend. It was the sweet ending I was craving after lunch. There is always an interest in the 50's decade and I can only see that intensifying especially when the new Elvis movie drops this month. I am really sad that Ellie's is closing.

Mom and pop diners are a category of eateries lacking in Ft. Lauderdale. So are restaurants that have lasted this long. Still I am happy for Bob and Ellie to enjoy the next chapter of their lives. They made something great here and deserve the rest of a job well done. So hurry up and rock around the clock before the doors shut for the last time.

My daughter is really into the retro era so we went here for her birthday. The food was "pretty good" but prices insanely high. There was a lot of antique merch on the walls and the tables n stuff were period "feeling" but staff was hardly dressed for the era which was surprising. I guess we were expecting more of a "Disney" experience. I feel like it was "satisfactory" especially for how expensive it was.

I like diner food and 50's style diners. This is a nice place and the staff friendly, but they need a menu makeover. They could change some of the sandwiches and dinners and I don't recommend the meatloaf. Last I had it, it didn't taste good, I didn't like the seasoning. The rubins are a bit soggy, ask for kraut on the side. If you like your burger well done make sure you stress well done. My burger once was pink inside. That's not well done. Desserts are all good. If you eat outside you have to put up with geckosrunning around near your table.

Want a good old greasy spoon diner, then here you go. Had a burger that was delicious. Only reason i gave it 4 stars and not 5 was my french fries were not as hot as they should have been. The person I was with had a malted (like a shake) and she said it took her back to when she was a kid, it was that good. One of the few places that had sugar free apple pie and it was quite good, definitely going back one day.

So sorry for the bad review How can a ham and cheese be burnt and soggy at the same time? Don't go there

We went to Ellie's for a car show and decided to stay after for a bite to eat. We were pleasantly surprised at how good the food is and the prices were very reasonable too! All the dishes have fun song related names which adds to the character of the place. I had the "Ruby-Will you be mine" reuben sandwich with fries that was a real treat, my son had the "One summer night" chicken finger dinner that he loved and my wife had mozzarella sticks which were also great. We will definitely be back!

This is a fun, 50s themed restaurant. The menu, decor and servers uniforms will make you feel like you are on the set of Happy Days. We started with the $4 bloody marys, which were delicious. I had the club sandwich and my date had the roast beef. Both were yummy and stuffed with very fresh ingredients. The french fries were hot, crispy wedges of potato goodness. I regret being too full for a slice of pie, as the case was full, and each looked better than the next. Looking forward to my next trip here!

Love the ambiance & the food. Even the waitresses are fun! I've gone there numerous times & have NEVER been disappointed!

Elvis sandwich add bacon! my husband got the Philly and it looked amazing. pies and cakes are delicious too!

Beat American Diner in South Florida! Excellent service and food! You can't go wrong!

Met my niece there at noon. Glad for the outside seating, but the area around the table was littered with wrappers and trash. Waitress was unfriendly and made us feel rushed. The prices were high for breakfast and lunch items. I ordered a breakfast combo with eggs, bacon and pancakes. The menu stated at the top that egg dishes are served with home fries or grits and toast.

But when she served my meal. no home fries. When she finally came back to check on us (many minutes later), I asked about the home fries, only to be hurriedly told that it only came with egg meals and that I could order them as a side! I didn't feel like arguing with her, nor paying extra for potatoes. I won't be back.

We have been wanting to try this place for 6 years now and finally decided to give it a go on a late Sunday morning. The wait was 15 minutes. It's like walking back in time. Poodle skirts, black and white linoleum floors, neon lights, tableside jukeboxes, and memorabilia everywhere. The menu is very extensive and it was hard to decide on getting breakfast or lunch.

I started with an egg cream and it brought back such memories of my childhood. I ordered the Million to One Steak Sandwich which was very good except one half was super soggy from the onions. French fries were super flavorful. My boyfriend enjoyed his county fried steak but the eggs were lackluster. We would definitely come back to try the lunch specials and other menu items.

I finally came here for lunch. I am so glad I did! I ordered a grilled ham & Swiss on rye. It was delicious! The ham was finely sliced, & piled high. The sandwich was grilled to perfection. You have a choice of sides, I chose the Cole slaw. I also really enjoyed that! It was a perfect combination of sweet & vinegar. The service was also wonderful. Everyone was super friendly & helpful! I almost posted a picture of my empty plate! Not a bite left!

We have been going to Ellie's for years. I must say that this past Sunday was the worst experience we've had in a diner in a long time. Maybe the owner is just getting too old and needs to retire. We showed up for brunch and his wife the hostess was told that we want two seats outside. We waited patiently as four very loud and obnoxious people walked to the outside seating and the owner immediately sat them disregarding us like dirt.

He then proceeded to tell us that we had to put our name on the list while there were clearly open seats outside. Again totally unacceptable. We were appalled and will never go back to Ellies again. Like I said maybe it's time for retirement for the owner.

We went here for lunch and sat outside. We sat at a table under the tent. I had grilled chicken on a plain salad and a diet coke. we had a nice leisurely lunch but I actually had to go in and get the waitress to get a refill for my friend and I for the diet cokes - it was a very long time. I went in and liked the back room and all of the decor. It's a place I had never been - I've been living in Delray for a number of years my husband always suggested going here - Don't know why I hadn't.

Place was Fun food was not good at all. Fries were frozen burnd. Hamburger was the worst I ever have. Same was a nice place. Owner show sever better food.

I've been a customer of Ellie's 50s Diner for decades now and glad to see that this restaurant has endured the test of time. While I haven't lived in So. Florida now for many years, it was great to make a trip back while I was in the area over the Summer and rekindle the memories for years past. The food is still wonderful and the portion sizes haven't changed either - generous and always freshly prepared. Prices are still reasonable too and the 50s theme is always entertaining and fun!

I enjoyed the French Onion Soup and Tossed Salad for lunch. The soup was piping hot and between them both filled me up quite well. Ron enjoyed the Chicken Noodle Soup and 1/2 Tuna Salad Sandwich combo too and indulged himself with a Strawberry Milkshake too! Our server Deborah was pleasant and efficient too. If your in the Delray Beach area and have never enjoyed Ellie's before I strongly suggest you give it a try.

They are a great place to also go for breakfast and they have a large party room available for booking which is always good to know too! I look forward to returning the next time I am in So. Florida!

Absolutely delicious So much love for the details. we gonna come back. Best regards from germany

This place is really a 50's museum. Food is good but not great. Waiters adorable.

Everything that we had here tonight was absolutely disgusting. I have only been here once before and that was for a funeral service in the back banquet room. I can guarantee that I won't go back again.

Classic 50s style diner. First time here. Tried breakfast (waffles & french toast) and lunch (steak and cheese). The fries were good too.

Fabulous 50's diner. Excellent comfort food, great atmosphere and amazing staff. The malts are wonderful. We will be back.

Cheeseburger and potato pancakes. Serve to us in the Marilyn Monroe room. There was also access to a main dining room as well as the ballroom. Service was excellent. Rest rooms were clean. Out front is a pink 57 Chevy. Waitresses were dressed in cool uniforms bring you back in time. This would be a great place to go by yourself or with a hundred friend.

The taste of the burger was absolutely excellent. Next time I'm passing through we will try the prime rib, we'll prepare for the meal by not eating so well have enough room to have it. What I'm trying to say is the portions are large Great fun.

Vacationed nearby here in June 2021, from Maryland. Really fun place to eat. It's got fun pictures on the wall ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Elvis. Also has two statues to take pics with. The place was busy and had a car show going on out back, but they handled it very well and seated us quickly. Wish I could buy their poodle skirts, so cute!

I got the grilled banana and peanut butter sandwich (the Hawaiian, I think? It said it was Elvis's favorite) and it was absolutely delicious. Would order again. The milkshakes were not that great, but they did give us a lot. Just was too liquid-y. That's the only reason I'm giving four stars, otherwise it was fabulous. :)

Had a decent meal here! I had the meatloaf with mashed potatoes, and it was pretty good! The ambiance is key! Really feel like you've been transported back to the 1950's! Lots of cool memorabilia, pictures and statues strewn around the place. Cool place

It's been a while since we've been here but it did not disappoint! Super cute 50's decor, staff is very friendly and dressed in poodle skirts. Very Covid safe with plexiglass separating the booths and sanitizing often. The menu options are amazing! Everything you could possibly want and more. The onion rings are delicious. I got the special of the day- spinach pie with feta salad. It was amazing. Will definitely be back to try more and get a milkshake!

Delray Beach, Florida - "Ellie's" is a super-riffic "Run-A-Way Bill" Favorite eatery. a super staff team with lots professionalism, smile-riffic characters and non-stop energy. a busy place with a lot of FOP's - sadly, some which are pretty cranky complainers (as I witnessed). the atmosphere is pure 50's, complete with full-sized leg lamp. counter seating was so enjoyable. it was like an unrehearsed entertaining reality show.

I got to witness non-stop coffee bean grinding & coffee brewing. the really busy ladies in their poodle skirts & pink kept smilin'. my server "Meaghan" really hustled working the counter & tables. the owner "Bob" was a hands on guy "Run-A-Way Bill" was here!. and will return 03.14.21

Fabulous 50s theme diner with lots of outdoor terrace seating and an extensive menu. Friendly and attentive wait staff. Enjoyed walking through the restaurant and seeing all of the 50s memorabilia. Called in advance and the table was put aside for us and our lobster specials were reserved. The pound and a quarter lobster was $34 and came with a baked potato and corn on the cob.

I requested a salad instead of all the carbohydrates, the salad was good. We had to ask for a basket with a bib, wipe, lobster fork and a cracker. Disappointed that all of the food came out at the same time and the table was flooded with entrees soups and salads. The lobster was sweet tasty and cooked to perfection. Our friends enjoyed their meatloaf and baked potato with gravy and chicken pot pie with chowder.

The two lobsters, 2 side salads and 2 glasses of wine with tax and tip were $93. It was a treat it seems like a long time since I've had a real Maine lobster. However Alice is a burger and sandwich kind of a place with a view of the parking lot. Next time we have a yen for lobsters I think a real seafood restaurant would be a better choice.