Are you in San Diego with your kids and looking for an unforgettable family dining experience? Chances are, if you’ve spent the day exploring Balboa Park or playing at the beach, you are in the mood for something where you don’t have to entertain the kids… that your dinner will be both entertainment and a meal.

That’s exactly the type of day our family had when we decided to go to Corvette Diner. Among the promenade of the Hillcrest neighborhood, Corvette Diner has established itself as a fun, family-friendly hang out in a neighborhood filled with eateries of every variety. Mom and dad were tired from a day of sun and surf at Coronado Beach but our kids were fired up. We wanted a quiet evening and they wanted to be entertained. Our trip to Corvette Diner was really an ode to parenthood. We did it for the kids.

The Decor

Boy were we wrong! Corvette Diner really was fun for the whole family. As we approached the building we could tell that this was going to be a blast. The swooping 1950′s curved sign let’s you know that your evening will be representing the bygone days of Dwight Eisenhower, the twist, Skinny Elvis, and all things pre-Sputnik in America. Once you finally get a table the fun continues with turquoise, black and white checkerboard patterns, rounded corners and the centerpiece… a smoking red and white Corvette. Not to devalue the staff who works here, but they are actually part of the decor as well. Waitstaff who plays the part definitely entertains the kids. The entire time we were seated my 5 year old kept his eyes on them and gave me updates. “They are crazy, they are dancing and asking other people to dance with them!” It was a much-needed distraction. As much as mom and dad were happy that the waitstaff threw straws at customers or told someone to hurry up with their order we were much more pleased that we had a chance to talk while the kids were entertained.

The Food

True to form the Corvette Diner delivers in the greasy spoon category. I should clarify, while they have tons of items covered in cheese and knee deep in calories, they also have responsible menu items for those inclined. I even spotted a few vegetarian dishes! For the sake of the children we cast our diet aside and ordered as much artery clogging goodness as we could. Monster cheeseburgers, a mountain of fries, vanilla malts, and washed it all down with a Cherry Coke that had as much cherry as Coke.

Kids entertained, stomachs full of delicious fod, we didn’t think it could get much better. Shortly after the bill arrived it did. As I was paying the tab our table was showered with bubble gum. Nothing like taking happy, jacked up on sugar kids, and making them blow bubbles with glee to warm a parents heart for the ride home. Corvette Diner may be a little too touristy for mom and dad. But it’s a great unique place in San Diego well worth checking out.