Twistee Treat Diner at The Pink Elephant — Restaurant in Staunton

If I were to describe the Twistee Treat Diner in one word, it would be 'extraordinary'. Nestled alongside an antique mall not far from my home, the Twistee Treat is an unforgettable cornucopia of sensations, a timeless nod to nostalgic Americana, and an unexpected delight for ice cream aficionados and foodies alike.

From the moment you approach, the Twistee Treat Diner captures the imagination with its remarkable array of oversized statues. Like a playful garden of whimsy, the diner boasts an eclectic mix of pop culture and randomness - a giant pink elephant, a large dinosaur, and an imposing statue of Donald Trump, to name a few. Particularly striking is the UFO, large enough to invite exploration within its alien hull. The diner's Big Boy mascot also deserves mention, standing like a silent sentinel welcoming guests at the entrance.

Once you step inside, you are immediately charmed by the innovative seating arrangements. They also have outdoor seating where the chairs are designed to resemble ice cream cones. Far from being uncomfortable, they add a delightfully frosty vibe that complements the diner's playful motif and pays homage to its signature dessert. This quirkiness doesn't stop at the decor, but extends to the establishment’s inviting ambiance and welcoming staff, who provide service as unique as their surroundings.

Speaking of dessert, the ice cream here is a marvel. It is, simply put, sublime. Whether it's their velvety vanilla, sinfully sweet strawberry, or rich chocolate delight, each scoop is an experience unto itself, delivering an exceptional creaminess that makes every taste bud dance with joy.

But the Twistee Treat Diner isn't just about the ice cream. The food, unpretentiously described as 'diner food', delivers classic comfort with a side of delectable satisfaction. Their burgers are a hearty indulgence, the fries are a crispy delight, and their hot dogs bring back memories of summer cookouts. The offerings, while conventional, are executed with a focus on quality and flavor, creating an experience that transcends the typical diner fare.

Yet, it is the amalgamation of all these elements that makes the Twistee Treat Diner so special. It's not just a place to grab a quick bite or enjoy a sundae. It's a journey through an intriguing blend of the nostalgic and the quirky, a portal to a time when diners were not just eateries, but a communal hub of stories and shared experiences.

So, if you're yearning for a food experience that's out of the ordinary, the Twistee Treat Diner should be your destination. It's a place where good food meets unique decor, where every visit feels like an adventure, and where you leave with not just a full stomach, but a heart full of joyous memories.

In essence, Twistee Treat Diner serves up a delicious scoop of nostalgia, blended with a unique sprinkling of surprises, all wrapped up in an atmosphere as comforting as your favorite pair of worn-in jeans. It is, in every sense of the word, a classic American diner, with a twist. It’s a place where everyone can find something to enjoy, a place that invites you to relax, indulge, and most importantly, to savor...

I was really looking forward to bringing my kids here. We’ve passed by this place so many times while traveling, and I finally decided to make the hour-long trip to check it out. The diner itself is super cute with tons of charm and fun vibes. Definitely a spot that’s more about the aesthetic and the experience than the food, which was decent but nothing standout.

Unfortunately, the service really missed the mark for us. We sat for quite a while before anyone even came to our table, even though another waitress had already checked in on her tables multiple times. Once we finally ordered, things seemed okay, but after finishing our meals, we wanted to get some ice cream and waited… and waited… and waited. At least 30 minutes passed and no one came back. Our waitress walked past us several times. She seem to stop by the table right next to the counter at least 3 times, but completely ignored her other tables and us even though we had our baskets and napkins stacked up at the edge of the table clearly signaling we were done.

Other customers that were coming in were being told to sit outside, even though they could’ve had our table…we were just waiting on someone to close us out. Eventually, I had to flag the waitress down just to get the check. By that point, we were pretty turned off from ordering anything else and didn’t end up getting any ice cream. A miss for them.

The other waitress seemed to be on top of her tables, so it wasn’t a matter of the place being overwhelmed. It’s a small diner, and it really felt like our waitress just wasn’t paying attention or wasn’t interested in checking on more than one table and hanging out at the counter.

We did enjoy seeing the diner up close and going through the antique mall next door, but sadly, we won’t be back to the diner. It’s a cute stop for the photo op, but I can’t say the service made it...

I’ll get to the food/atmosphere in a minute- SERVICE: Tip these friendly girls as if you are dining in a fine restaurant because they work HARD. It’s been many years since I’ve seen anyone work so efficiently. Their hands never stopped even when customers stopped them with a dozen questions. Reward them based on their work ethic, not the total cost of your order. FOOD: waited for a while to get our order but the food was served piping hot and the flavor was delicious. Meat was from a local butcher and you can taste the quality. Ice cream was great with a gazillion options to choose from. ATMOSPHERE: Decor is fun and very vibrant. Many photo ops. If you’re looking for fancy, this is not it. If you’re looking for a cheerful place that makes you smile- you found it. Bathroom was messy, but, from what I could see, they were simply too busy/under-staffed to go check them. Big downside: there was only one bathroom total… and a non-stop line of people waiting. PRICE: This review is only allowing me to choose $10-$20 or $20-30… this was about $20 per person before tips/taxes- of course, that depends on what you order. Only regret: not wearing pink/aqua to...