On the way to a bus tour which met outside, I happened upon Ellen's StarDust Diner. I was truly excited by my unexpected find.I arrived at the diner around 8:00am for breakfast, totally expecting just a standard diner. What I found instead was a 1950s themed diner complete with poodle skirts. The diner is furnished with old posters of 1950s beauty contestants for contests like Miss Subway. The seating is cushy red booths with silver subway poles sprinkled throughout the restaurant.
In addition to the costumes and interior design, all of the waitstaff took turns singing and performing throughout breakfast. Upon talking to our server, he reported that as an added bonus to his job the owner helped pay for singing and dancing lessons. Most of the staff is trying to make it big on the Great White Way and the owner supports their dreams while utilizing their undiscovered talent.
The atmosphere was full on fun with singers dancing between booths and crooning songs like Runaround Sue. Every so often the singers would pass a tip basket and you could donate to their singing/dancing fund.
In addition to the show, the food was good and reasonably priced. I had scrambled eggs and bacon which cost about $6. Another added benefit was there wasn't a wait and the server was quite attentive. I think both children and adults would really get a kick out of this place. All in all it was a great little place to happen upon by chance and a really unique way to spend breakfast.