Max's Diner - San Ramon, CA

Max's Diner
2015 Crow Canyon Place
San Ramon, CA 94583
(925) 277-9300
maxsworld.com

Since this was our first visit to Max's Diner in San Ramon, we asked our server for her menu recommendation. She suggested an entree that wasn't on the menu, which she called "shrimp over sweet potato" and since we like shrimp and sweet potato, we decided to order it.

Unfortunately, we should have asked how this meal was prepared, as we were expecting shrimp over a bed of mashed sweet potatoes and it turned out to be fried shrimp on top of sweet potato fries! Oh well...at least the shrimp was lightly breaded and really very delicious. The sweet potato fries were hard and tasteless, but not eating them left room for dessert. :)

Max's Fantasy Torte was 2/3 very, very sweet...too sweet, in fact. It was even too sweet for him, and he's a chocoholic! The torte is comprised of a layer of cheesecake (which was the 1/3 that I DID like), a layer of chocolate mousse and a layer of chocolate cake...all encapsulated with bittersweet chocolate. Sweet, sweet, sweet...sickly, sickly sweet.

A side note to Max's: Would you please have someone maintain your ladies' restroom? It's about time someone cleans it and having more than one roll of toilet paper between the 3 stalls would be great.







Shrimp & Sweet Potato Fries $14.99


Max's Fantasy Torte $6.99

The Riata Diner & Tavern - Livermore, CA

The Riata Diner & Tavern
190 S J St
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 294-9170
riatadinerandtavern.com

Knock on wood, we've had some outstanding servers lately during our dining experiences...and tonight Rita was simply wonderful, full of smiles and happy to be working at Riata! The entrees we ordered were delicious...the New York Steak with a veggie medley and garlic mashed potatoes (they weren't too garlicky, but the gravy on the side was awesome!) and the Hawaiian Burger with freshly sliced pineapple (mmm!) and a side of teriyaki sauce and steak fries. I no longer see the need to visit Red Robin for my once-in-a-while craving for their Banzai Burgers, when I can come here for a Hawaiian Burger with REAL pineapple!

Note to Riata: the teriyaki sauce is so delicious with the Hawaiian Burger, I'd recommend making it standard instead of an option.

BONUS POINTS FOR RIATA - They're dog friendly! Not only do they have outdoor seating, but they also leave out a water bowl and doggie biscuits for our four-legged family members. :)









Riata's new menu!


House Salad add-on $2.99


Corn Chowder add-on $2.99


New York Steak 12 oz. $18.99


Hawaiian Burger w/teriyaki sauce $8.99

The Riata Diner & Tavern - Livermore, CA

The Riata Diner & Tavern
190 S J St
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 294-9170
riatadinerandtavern.com

Located in downtown Livermore on the corner of J and Second Streets, the Riata Diner & Tavern's decor is a tribute to the Livermore Rodeo...and don't be alarmed by the animal skins on the wall and the ceiling!

Their California Chicken Sandwich was a chicken breast with grilled portobello mushrooms, pepper jack cheese and a spicy artichoke spread...it was sooooo good and perfect if you like sandwiches with a little kick! Riata's burger with cheddar cheese, bacon and grilled onions was better than I expected...and their steak fries are worthy of comparison to Red Robin's. Of course, they don't offer bottomless steak fries here...but seriously, who needs more than what they give you the first time, anyway?





California Chicken Sandwich $9.95


Riata Burger $8.95 + Cheese $1.00 + Grilled Onions $1.00


Lunch for two including tax and tip: $15.64
(courtesy of a $10 Restaurant.com gift certificate)

Mels the Original - Roseville, CA

Mels the Original
1804 Douglas Blvd
Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 783-6357

For Roseville all-nighters, you have two options: Denny's or Mel's Diner...you decide!

This Mel's seems to have better service than the one in Rocklin, but the food is worse here.

Burgers...they're okay if you compare them to Denny's, but compared to non-24-hour-joints, they're pretty mediocre at best.

Shakes...YUM! Chocolate is my middle name.

Chicken Quesadilla...it's usually pretty good (I get it on a wheat tortilla) but the salsa leaves a lot to be desired (think Pace with less flavor).

Tuna Melt...yuk. Dry bread, warmed tuna, room-temperature cheese. Do they not understand the meaning of M-E-L-T???!!!

Corned Beef Hash...very different than your typical corned beef hash, you either like it or you don't. I don't like it. It's chunks of meat, not "hash" and it's not as flavorful. Eggs are good, though.

1 star for being 24-hours, 1 star for chocolate shakes and 1 star for 50's diner ambiance.

Mel's Diner - Rocklin, CA

Mel's Diner
6708 Lone Tree Blvd
Rocklin, CA 95677
(916) 783-6357

For Rocklin all-nighters, you have two options: Denny's or Mel's Diner...take your pick! Denny's is more visible and located right off I-80 and Rocklin Road and Mel's is off Hwy 65 and Blue Oaks (near Chevys and Carls Jr.)

This Mel's is pretty new, the food seems to be better than the Roseville Mel's on Douglas, but the service is worse here (unless the manager happens to wait on you, he's friendly and very accommodating).

Burgers...they're okay if you compare them to Denny's, but compared to non-24-hour-joints, they're pretty mediocre at best.

Shakes...YUM! Chocolate is my middle name.

Chicken Quesadilla...it's usually pretty good (I get it on a wheat tortilla) but the salsa leaves a lot to be desired (think Pace with less flavor).

Tuna Melt...yuk. Dry bread, warmed tuna, room-temperature cheese. Do they not understand the meaning of M-E-L-T???!!!

Corned Beef Hash...very different than your typical corned beef hash, you either like it or you don't. I don't like it. It's chunks of meat, not "hash" and it's not as flavorful. Eggs are good, though.

1 star for being 24-hours, 1 star for chocolate shakes and 1 star for 50's diner ambiance. Oh, and bring your jacket...they keep it freeeeeezing in there!