Peninsula Fountain & Grill

This place has amazing milkshakes. If nothing else, that would be a reason to come here.

But they're really a diner (in that 50's style sense of the word) and they have fairly good burgers, but some of their "home cooking" entrees are also particularly good; I had a friend of mine go on and on for hours about how good her meatloaf dinner was one night.

As someone else pointed out, they are a bit pricey, if you get a drink, and a dinner-like entree, expect to drop about $15 a head, more if you get a side/appetizer (their onion rings are really good if unconventionally prepared). If you're doing a lunch thing and get a basic burger plate, you can easily get by for around $10 a head. Milkshakes will run you upwards of $5, but they're totally worth it, in my book.

There are actually two restaurants I know of in this chain; the other is over by the Stanford Mall. I actually like this one better; maybe it's imagined, but this one seems to have better service and slightly better food...

PROS: Good food, YooHoo's available
CONS: Street parking in Palo Alto is an adventure

Peninsula Creamery (Fountain & Grill) is a great family place. The portions are very large, yummy homemade bread, great milkshakes. Everything is good, large onion rings that are a great treat. I love their Tuna Melts. Go hungry. It isn't cheap, but good!

PROS: Great food & large portions
CONS: Not a lot of seating, a bit expensive for a diner

I love the creamery. Food is super. Kids love sitting at the counter. Milkshakes are the best around. Staff is always friendly and efficient. Good diner food that is a little expensive (but not for Palo Alto)

PROS: Great food. Fast service
CONS:

Peninsula Foutain & Grill would be an awesome diner if it actually had diner prices. The menu is great and the milkshakes are delicious, but it's nearly impossible to get out of there without plunking down at least $10 for a full meal - and $15 if you get a milkshake. The food is pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a diner, maybe a little bit higher quality than usual, but it's totally not worth the price.

Friendly staff, great shakes, groovy music, great pies/desserts and don't leave before you try the tuna melt or bacon, tomato and swiss cheese sandwich! I agree that the prices have gone quite a bit higher in the last couple of years.

This used to be a place my folks would take me for a treat. It has that old-time diner feel. Too bad the prices aren't old-time, too. They sure do make a mean milkshake.

Head to Palo Alto (or the Stanford Shopping Center) for some of the best old-time yet updated diner and grill food around. The fried chicken salad is a personal favorite as is the peanut butter milkshake. The Stanford location is bigger but lacks the authenticity and history of the original downtown location.