Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Palo Alto Creamery - Palo Alto, CA


The Palo Alto Creamery in Palo Alto, California is one of my favorite places for lunch or breakfast. They also make one of the best burgers in the San Francisco Bay Area. We have been going to the "Creamery" for years. It used to be called the Peninsula Creamery but they split a few years back from the original Peninsula Creamery and changed the name. The sign out front says Peninsula Fountain and Grill. Everyone I know just calls it the Creamery.

Inside are vinyl booths remodeled a few years ago. The wood paneling on the walls and the old jukebox hark back to the pre-remodel days. I like to sit at the counter when I am there by myself and read the NY Times that one can pick up at nearby Mac's Smoke Shop. Recently, I ordered up the California Burger ($10.95). It is made from 1/3 pound of fresh hormone free, natural certified angus. The sesame bun is baked on premises in their excellent bakery. Also on the burger were avocado, Hobb's Bacon, Jack Cheese and grilled onions. No condiments were needed as the flavors all worked together perfectly with the medium cooked and flavorful beef. I don't think a burger can taste much better.
The burger comes with very thick cut fries that are cut on site. This day they were dark brown and looked overcooked, but they tasted great. I also ordered the onion rings ($7.50). Also cut fresh at the restaurant, a thick ring of sweet onion is breaded and cooked crisp. They are piled high on a plate that should be shared among 4 or 5 diners. Dunk them in the ranch dressing for full effect.

The chocolate shake was dynamite. It is made and served in a big metal cup combining hand scooped ice cream and milk. It was creamy and thick and cold. There are many flavors of ice cream one can try. People stop in to the Creamery just for the shakes.

Other favorites for me are the albacore tuna melt in sourdough ($9.95) with cole slaw. On weekends they have an eggs benedict ($12.50) that no one can beat. Get the hash browns with that one. I can also recommend the Fountain Burger that I reviewed previously at the Stanford store. But if you are only in town once, go to the downtown Palo Alto location. It is cozier and has more tradition. The service is friendly, the place is lively and welcoming and the food is fresh and tasty.

Burger 5 spatulas out of 5
Fries 4 spatulas
Onion Rings 5 spatulas
Shake 5 spatulas

Palo Alto Creamery
566 Emerson St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-323-3131
www.paloaltocreamery.com

12 comments:

Mary said...

I stumbled upon your burger-centric blog today after eating at Northgate Soda Shop in Greenville, SC. Had a great pimento cheese burger and onion rings there, but you're right about the Creamery's burger being #1! I lived in Palo Alto for a few years before moving to South Carolina. I loved the mushroom swiss burger there. And the milkshakes...and their breakfast...I do miss it so. Living in downtown Palo Alto was a fantastic experience!

Scott R. Kline said...

Mary: I am glad you agree. I eat lot's of things at the Creamery and they are all good. I especially like their Tuna Melt and Eggs Benedict. Northgate Soda Shop is a special place. Let me know if their are any other good ones in SOuth Carolina and I will check them out next time I am there. SRK

Unknown said...

Me too all I can say is this is an idela place to take out the daily frustration of a overworked mom like me who runs a home and minds 3 kinds under 10.

I really love it and thanks for featuring it on your blog.

I think moms in my Palo-alto community would love this too.

Unknown said...

My girlfriend and I are also former Boilermakers transplanted to the Bay Area. Loved the creamery burgers almost as much as the Duane Purvis at Triple XXX back home. We were inspired by your site to check out the creamery.

Hail Purdue!

Beth said...

One of my favorite local places!

PRICING SWISS COMPANY INCORPORATION WITH SWISS BANK ACCOUNT said...

These looks delicious. I'll have to give them a try.

Anonymous said...

Hail Purdue? You must be joking. Go Hoosiers

Anonymous said...

And I have lived in vacaville for 5 years now, I'm gonna try a couple of these spots.

unknown said...

Burger, Fries and pizzas are my favorite junk foods, Whenever I have gone to McDonald's, KFC and Other food restaurant I have made an order. I am a student of PhD. in Social Science now I need the best thesis writing services hiring process because I will be run an academic writer agency there I will recruit some of the best academic people.

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The sesame bun is baked on premises in their excellent bakery. Also on the burger were avocado, Hobb's Bacon, Jack Cheese and grilled onions.

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Palo Alto Creamery in Palo Alto, California is one of my favorite places for lunch or breakfast. They also make one of the best burgers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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