Ellie’s 50’s Diner
2410 N. Federal Highway, Delray Beach, 561-276-1570, ElliesCatering.com
Owners Ellie and Bob Smela are celebrating the 25th anniversary on their nostalgic diner.
In 1982, they started out with Ellie’s Deli on George Bush Boulevard with takeout and lunch trucks around town. Eight years later, they purchased Bahama Smokehouse and converted it into their pink-and-turquoise diner with neon lights, a pink ’57 Chevy out front and statues of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe.
“In 1990, North Federal Highway was a desolate area,” Ellie says. “We took a chance to venture into that area in hopes to bring business northbound, which it did.”
In fact, they later built out onto surrounding properties and incorporated a banquet room.
“Trends have not affected us. So many people like the ’50s — all ages,” Ellie says. “We get all choked up thinking about the number of people the restaurant has touched over the years.”
The diner serves three meals a day, with breakfast until 2 p.m. Menu items are named after ’50s songs, such as “Only You” meatloaf ($12.97) and “True Love Ways” Thanksgiving-style roasted turkey ($14.97).
