Cotton Candy Diner

The new owners, as described in the previous April 2013 review, are super nice. Their daughter and son also work at the place. They make the most awesome fish tacos. No kidding. In Chester! Taco Tuesdays, 2.00 a taco, is well worth the visit. Great local ales from Susanville on tap. Lots of appetizers. Very decent burgers. Salad bar was minimal but okay. Big screen TV for sporting events...a PLUS in this town especially during the NBA finals and Giants season! There is a huge room in the back for local school sports teams. I like seeing this kind of thing because it means the owners really care about the community...not just tourists. We went two nights in a row last week...just for the tacos. Pizza was good, too. The place has been renamed but I can't remember what it's called. But it's right next to the Best Western in the middle of town.

The original Cotton Candy Diner went out of business sometime in 2010 or early 2011, and I can't speak for whatever used to occupy the spot/name.  

But it was purchased by a kind couple who opened up shop in November of 2012 and now run it as a diner and pizzeria.  We stopped by on a drive through at around 8:50pm (stated closing time of 9pm) and were ushered in, along with a large party that stumbled in a short while later, which made us feel a bit better about being there (despite repeated assurances that we weren't imposing, etc.).  

Place was busy, lively.  Service (wife/co-owner) was very friendly and good.  Huge projector on one wall showing Giants/A's game was to be put to use for a movie night in the near future; looked like an awesome place for such an event, wish I had a better reason to make the ~6+ hour drive from here.  But, if you're passing through or live in the area, I'd give it a shot.  

Food -
Ordered onion rings, pickle chips, garlic fries, and an extra large veggie pizza.  Onion rings: thick, crispy.  Good.  Pickle chips: different batter, suited them well.  Good.  Garlic fries: think homemade seasoning, and had a good kick.  I'm a sucker for fresh garlic, which these didn't have.  I'd have called them seasoned fries.  Still good, but not what I'd expected.  Pizza: better than any I've had in the Sacramento area.  Crust wasn't the bready rubbish from most even independent shops in the area.  Had a bit more chew to it, which was nice.  Liberal toppings, etc.  

I appreciate good food for what it is, and comfort food for the same.  For a diner where it was, when it was (almost everything else was closed), it was a life-saver.  

Food: probably three to four stars
Service: very good
Price: reasonable
Atmosphere: lively, pleasant

It was a pleasure stopping by -- one of the more enjoyable stops on our week-long road trip around NorCal.  

Of note: as of last week, they were starting to serve breakfast, but I do not know if/when that will be finalized.  At the moment, I know that they serve lunch and dinner, and breakfast *may* now be a permanent option.