Kokomo's 50's Diner

"Everybody knows a little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go to get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo" - Beach Boys 1988

If you've ever searched for the mythical Kokomo from the Beach Boys song, you know that it doesn't exist on a map; however, I know a little place.

I'm not sure how languid beach getaways and a 50's diner come together.  Maybe it's somewhere between "Beach Blanket Bingo" and "Blue Hawaii".  Kokomo's 50's Diner is between the towns of Selmer and Savannah, Tennessee.

Placed in a brightly colored cement block building off of HWY 64 in Adamsville, TN is the coolest, quaint 50's diner I've been to in quite some time.  I'm a big fan of 59 Diner in Houston, TX and I will not compare the two!

Kokomo's is clean.  Pink flamingos are kept to a minimum and between the 50s era regalia are photos of Kokomo patrons having fun, pictures courtesy of the owner I'm told.  It's difficult to be objective when a picture of your 99 year old great aunt, about to dig in to a Strawberry shake, in a traditional fountain glass with whipped cream and sprinkles, is on the wall, next to an almost life size Elvis picture marking the men's restroom.  The restaurant is FUN.  It has a life of its own.  There has been great attention to detail; detail that tells of a labor of love.

Burgers, small but spot on.  Fried green beans, spicy curly fries, sweet potato fries......all good.  The green beans are a new favorite of mine.  Give me a basket and a diet coke and I'm good to go, but don't forget the ranch dressing.

Perhaps it's because the dessert options are nearly double the size of other food options, or because I wanted to feel as giddy as many of the ice cream covered faces of kiddos in pictures on the walls, I knew I wanted dessert!  I asked the owner if the Butterscotch, Caramel or Peanut Butter Shake would have the most flavor.  She answered, hands down, the Peanut Butter Shake.  This confirmed my suspicion and oh heaven!  Fortunately, the shake came out while Dad still had curly fries.   Salty.  Sweet.  Salty. Sweet.  Pure diner goodness.

Future trips to Tennessee will require a visit to Kokomo's 50's DIner.  It's comfort food, it's fun.

Note:  Don't be in a hurry.  If you are, call in and order ahead.

"Ooh I wanna take you down to
Kokomo, we'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go, way down in Kokomo."