SIERRA DINING

Mel & Faye’s—Legends Are Made Of This

By Antoinette May Herndon

Yes, there really is a Mel and Faye. They are alive and well and living in Jackson. Some time you might even catch them snacking in their historic diner. Talk about being a legend in one’s time!

The Gilmans opened their restaurant in1956 because they wanted to be independent—a team that would have no bosses. It was a winning idea. Not only has the family business endured but it has succeeded in keeping the original mid century charm. Dinner at the diner continues to be a kind of time trip, a bit like rerunning an old James Dean movie.

First off, expect a blast of rock and roll music to hit you with more than nostalgia as you drive into the parking lot. Happily (for me, at least) this fades out upon entering the restaurant. Inside, the walls are covered with posters from movie hits of bygone days: Annette Funciello in “Hot Rod Rumble,” Lana Turner in “The Bad and the Beautiful.”

The Gilmans’ son Bart and his wife Maura now manage the diner. Their daughter, Typhonie, is part of the engaging wait staff. Three generations carrying on a tradition.

The diner is

getting to be a tradition in our family as well—we go there so often. One day we actually ate at Mel & Faye’s twice, breakfast and dinner. (Don’t ask why. It was one of those crazy days, you know the kind.)

Suffice it to say that Charles and I appreciate the fast, easy service, the consistent food and reasonable prices. Though I miss the diner’s original deck that overlooked a woodsy ravine and creek, the new glassed-in room is sunny and bright with leafy tree-house views.

Mel & Faye’s is the home of burgers and shakes, but it’s also a launching pad for pancakes and waffles. On that double header day Charles ordered the Quarterback Sneak ($6.25) for breakfast. It consists of two eggs, two pancakes, two strips of bacon and a sausage patty. He was a happy camper.

My choice was chicken fried steak ($8.75.) It came with eggs, hash browns, an English muffin and about a trillion calories. It was an “I’ll cry tomorrow” decision but worth it at the time.

Back that evening with our daughter, Marion, we were greeted by an old friend—the sumptuous salad bar. I really can’t say enough good things about it. Often salad and soup are enough for me, but that

night I went all the way to jumbo and ordered the Blue New York ($13.95)

The Blue New York is a favourite of mine. It’s topped with grilled onions and crumbled blue cheese and comes with a baked potato and Texas toast. On this night I was surprised by a new innovation. The tender and flavourful steak was heavily dusted with tarragon. If you don’t want this invasive herb obscuring your steak —say so in advance.

Marion was delighted with her French Dip ($7.95) paired with a liberal side of fries. Charles was enthusiastic about his Hamburger Steak Dinner ($8.99) which arrived with fries and veggies. All dinners included a trip to that jungle of greens and exotic toppings otherwise known as the salad bar.

We left that night feeling glad that Mel and Faye had had an independent streak, that they were in fact rebels with a cause.

VITALS: Mel & Faye’s Diner. 31 State Hwy. 49/88, Jackson. Phone: 223- 0853. Open seven days a week, 6 a.m. till 11 p.m. Closed Wednesday. Credit cards accepted.

amherndon@sierralodestar.com

Pictures:

Mel and Faye’s dining room.

The salad bar at Mel & Faye’s.