Little Anthony's...Draft Beer served at 42-degrees

Jacob, a business colleague, invited me to Little Anthony’s Diner for lunch. It was only the second day of summer, but with the predicted high for the day at 108 degrees, I was glad to see that the 50s dinner served cold draft beer. I ordered a Coors light on tap while Jacob ordered a chocolate shake. The beer was served in a heavy glass mug at 42 degrees.

Jacob's chocolate shake came divided between a tall pilsner shaped glass and the stainless steel mixing container. I couldn’t help dropping the thermometer into his metal container of chocolate goo which registered a frosty 28 degrees.

With black and white tiled walls covered with posters of early rock and roll stars and 45 vinyl records, and an assortment of red, white and blue helium filled balloons strung to each booth, Little Anthony’s Dinner is definitely a place for family celebrations. On this particular Friday afternoon we helped celebrate the birthdays of two young strangers and made room for a four table two booth family gathering that included a soon to be bride and her fiance.

Each waiter looked sharp in black slacks, a white button down shirt and bow tie and each waitress wore a long red poodle skirt and tailored white blouse. The wait staff would routinely break from their duties to sing a birthday salute to one of the customers. Our waitress, Gigi (Yes that is her real name and yes she has heard of the movie), was helpful and as wholesome as the 1950’s decor that surrounded us. She was happy to give suggestions from the menu letting us know which entrees were her favorite.

“Our ice cream is the best,” Gigi said, “make sure you save room for dessert.”

Jacob and I each had the blue plate lunch special that included chicken fried steak topped with white gravy, green beans and a dinner roll. Jacob had a side of mashed potatoes with gravy while I had the french fries. Our meals can best be describe as quintessential homemade comfort food. Jacob and I both cleaned our plates which left little room for dessert.

Did I mention dessert? Jacob had the brownie surprise of which he left half uneaten due to its large size and I, in an effort to complete this decidedly American meal in the proper way, sampled the banana split.
“This might be the best banana split I have every tasted,” I told Jacob.

Little Anthony’s Dinner is located at 7010 E Broadway Boulevard next to the Gaslight Theatre. With melodramas performed right next door, lifesize wooden characters, each with a cut out face for photographing, arcade games and regular car shows, there is always something fun going on at Little Anthony’s Diner. In our case it was fun to enjoy a cold beer, comfort food, and a decadent dessert and still call it a business lunch.