Week 325 - Peggy Sue's Diner - 11-04-2012

Peggy Sue's 50's Diner

Last week we left off at Peggy Sue's Diner in Yermo, California. Mandy guarded the Mothership as we took a look inside.

Yermo is just east of Barstow, about half way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

Today the diner is huge. It was first built in 1954 but closed some time later. In 1987 Peggy Sue and Champ Gabler reopened as Peggy Sue's.

Inside you'll find hundreds of 50's memorabilia. Betty Boop greets you at the door where you can turn left into . . .

the store or right into the old dinner. Elvis is always available to read your fortune.

The original diner has nine bar stools and three booths, seating for 27, if you're friendly.

As Peggy Sue and Champ added on, seating was expanded dramatically. The rooms left and right are just beyond the original area.

An ice cream parlor, pizza parlor and beer and wine bar with entertainment by Elvis and the Blues Brothers.

Dinosaurs and other creatures await you out back.

You can eat in the Dinosaur Park or at the original counter.

Hey, look, it's time for lunch. Ellen took a seat in an original booth and waited for her menu.

Peggy Sue worked for many years in the movie industry and Champ worked at Knott's Berry Farm. The diner is full of photos, statues and many more items from music and acting celebrities. The menu include the Buddy Holly Bacon Cheeseburger, the Frankie Avalon Philly Steak Sandwich and dozens of other famous meal titles.

The diner's story is on the back of the menu. And of course you are serenaded during your meal by "Peggy Sue" and other Rock N' Roll hits.

So how is it that Peggy Sue of world fame ended up in Yermo? Well, as much as Peggy Sue and Champ Gabler would like you to think that Buddy Holly's hit song "Peggy Sue" was written about her, it was not. Buddy Holly (Charles Hardin Holley) went to high school in Lubbock, Texas. Peggy Sue was the girlfriend of his friend and fellow musician Jerry Allison. This Peggy Sue Gerron was raised in Lubbock and become world famous because the of song. She traveled with Buddy Holley and the Crickets and eventually married Jerry. That marriage ended and Peggy Sue became a dental assistant in Pasadena. Married again, she had two children and was a devoted mother to them. In 1995 she returned to Lubbock to take care of her aging mother. And she remains there today where she is a celebrity speaker, radio host and columnist. She is active in organizations fighting against drug abuse and domestic violence. [Information here is from http://www.peggysueonline.com/biography.htm]

But don't let knowing that the diner is not owned by "the real Peggy Sue" deter you. It really does not detract from the great experience and history and good food here at Peggy Sue's 50's Diner. Bon appetit.

And we'll be right back next week, love Pete, Ellen and perplexed Mandy.

This special edition travelogue was brought to you as there is nothing new in our travel.

Photos from Nov 2012