I love diners, especially classic diners that make you feel like you’ve stepped back into time. The coolest diner I’ve ever been to is House of Flavors in Ludington, MI. It gets the title of “coolest” for a few reasons:

1. It really was around in the 50′s, it’s not just made to look that way!
2. The history is all over the walls – literally.
3. It has a vintage juke box.
4. My grandpa was around back then and everytime we go in I get to hear stories about his teenage antics.

Did I have you sold on House of Flavors with the vintage Jukebox? Incase not… In addition to atmosphere it has some of the best down home cooking I’ve ever had. I don’t know whether to start with the onion rings the size of my hand or the ice cream..I better go with food first.

On our last visit I decided to try something new: the Fresh Roasted Turkey Bacon Melt. I’m going to apologize ahead of time for not giving you a picture..I was so excited that I was half way through before I thought “hmm I bet readers would love this place.” I’ll describe it to you though.
The Melt starts with 2 buns the size of both of my hands put together. Then it’s piled with fresh roasted turkey (seriously fresh, not the lunch meat but the turkey you make sandwiches with after thanksgiving), crisp bacon, a mess of gooey cheddar cheese, a big slice of tomato, lettuce and mayo. I was feeling mighty so I added onion rings. Are you drooling yet?

I don’t know why I think I can polish my plate like a champion competitive eater, but I cant. Not even close. That’s okay because who doesn’t love left overs? Despite being brimming full I still found room for House of Flavors FAMOUS ice cream.

I don’t even know where to start. First, they have over 49 options – I could spend a short decade deciding but I want to tell you about these 3 insane choice:

This Little Piggy – You choose your two favorite flavors, two favorite toppings, we’ll add a banana and serve it in a mini trough! Plus, you get a pin to go wee, wee,
wee all the way home! $6.99

The Original Pig’s Dinner – Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and orange pineapple ice creams served on a banana in a pig’s trough, with pineapple, wild cherry, strawberry and chocolate toppings. Plus, get this year’s collector pig pin $7.99

The Original Super Pig’s Dinner – The original Pig’s Dinner with three more scoops! Plus, get this year’s collector pig pin $9.99.

You know it’s something serious when they’re offering up a prize for finishing. But alas, my family is not brave enough so we always go with a 2 scoop, home made waffle cone. You heard me, they make the waffle cones. (That’s also my second reason for their fame.)

Third, when you ask where they get the ice cream, they point to the back of the building! House of Flavors produces over 1 million gallons of ice cream per month.