| The Palo Alto History Project |
| The Palo Alto Creamery 566 Emerson Street |
| 2006 |
| The Palo Alto Creamery: Milkshakes & Memorabilia Fifties-style diners seem to be everywhere --- the concoction of jukeboxes, vinyl booths, milkshakes and hamburgers has even been franchised by the mall-ratting Johnny Rockets chain. But if you’re going to go to a fifties diner, why not go to one that was actually around in the fifties --- such as Palo Alto Creamery which has been residing on Emerson Street in Palo Alto since 1923, long before the hula hoop or tail fins were ever invented. But first an attempt at name clarification. The Palo Alto Creamery was once owned by the Peninsula Creamery Ice Cream Company which actually had a plant right in town at 800 High Street. The plant closed in 1994 when the city asked it to start using environmentally-friendly, and drastically more expensive, Freon. An apartment complex now stands in this location. In any case, their Peninsula Creamery diner was leased out to Robert Fischer under the name “Peninsula Fountain & Grill.” Later when Fischer set up a second restaurant under the same name at Stanford Shopping Center, the original Creamery sued over naming rights. They said the name was only for the original Emerson Street location. So Fischer changed the name of both locations. Hence, the current “Palo Alto Creamery.” Confused yet? Well, if not, it gets more complicated still. Palo Alto Creamery still keeps the “Peninsula Fountain & Grill” sign over their door on Emerson, plus the old Peninsula Creamery plant still has their own milkshake-winning sandwich and ice cream shop that has survived just a few blocks away on High Street. It’s called The Peninsula Creamery. Half the city seems to mistakenly think the two “Creameries” are the same operation and local newspapers issue retractions from time to time when they mix-up the names. Pretty crazy. Anyhow, despite all the name perplexity, the diner at Emerson and Hamilton (whatever you want call it, regulars have always just called it “The Creamery”) has become a legend in Palo Alto. It is probably known best for its 18 flavors of milkshakes and bigger-than-your-hand hamburgers, but the mid-century ambience is what vaults it ahead of other local greasy spoons. The walls feature posters for old-style cookies and drinks like Yoo-hoo (which is still around) and Green River? (maybe not so much). There is also a collection of items such as old style speakers, a working jukebox, early televisions and standing hat racks that recall another time. And the fifties style incorporates more than just the atmosphere. An authentic Woolworth’s-style soda-jerk behind the lunch counter will make you a Chocolate Coke, an Egg Float or one their famous milkshakes served in one of those stainless steel cups. Their menus may need a more modern spelling check though --- it references its location at the “Standford Shopping Center.” But wherever it is and whatever its name is, The Creamery has become a Palo Alto institution and as such, a historical landmark --- or at least a good place to get a milkshake while you’re on your tour. -Matt Bowling |
| Palo Alto: Then & Now |
| Your milkshake comes in an old tin cup |
| The "Eat and Get Out" clock. They're not serious (I don't think) |
| The 50s style counter |
| Hatracks and coatracks |
| An old-style TV hangs from the wall |
| 2007 |
| circa 1940 |
| The map below shows the University Avenue West area |
| The same great menu |
| The old Peninsula Creamery building circa 1940. Note the lack of trees in the scene, something common throughout old photographs of Palo Alto. There is also a lack of street paraphernalia such as newspaper racks, street lines, turn lanes, garbage cans, traffic lights and parking signs. (PAHA) |
| By 2007 all of those are present as well as the old sign for "Peninsula Fountain & Grill," despite the recent name change. Cars now park diagonally along Emerson, but not along Hamilton. |
| Sources: Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Historical Association |
| I get a chuckle reading one of the signs lettered at the bottom of the windows that says, "BREAKFUST". I hope they never fix it. -Carol |
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