Corvette Diner   

The pop-culture icons that define America have been brought to bear in a single restaurant: the Corvette Diner. Muscle cars, hamburgers, Coca-Cola, Formica countertops, poodle skirts, rock 'n' roll, Elvis -- it's all here. No one has heard of "fusion cuisine" in this joint, and pretension of any kind is not allowed. Styled as the ultimate '50s diner with memorabilia-smothered walls, a DJ booth and wisecracking, gum-popping servers who cheerfully chuck straws at the patrons, the Corvette is considered the be-all and end-all of San Diego family restaurants. The burger-heavy menu is a true kid pleaser, with a few departures such as fish tacos and Chinese chicken salads. The soda fountain produces epic-sized malts (the Elvis, a blend of chocolate ice-cream, peanut butter and bananas, is a favorite) and sundaes -- perfect for bribing wee ones into finishing their entrees. Live DJs and balloon artists help pass the time until food arrives, so you may want to bring some singles for tipping. The restaurant is smack in the middle of Hillcrest, so parking is understandably heinous; consider the valet lot next door. If you really want to show up in style, call and hook up one of the diner's "Limo" parties. The Corvette sends a limo to collect you and seven of your favorite friends for a gut-busting burger-basket dinner, then delivers you safely back home -- perfect for kids' parties. No reservations are taken, so drop-in diners may want to factor waiting time into their plans.