Adel's: Go for the Waitresses, Avoid the Food

Adel's Restaurant at 1724 Broadway in Eureka, California is what you would picture Denny's to be if it wasn't a franchise. That's not saying a lot, but the atmosphere helps to make up for the bland food.

Adel's somehow has the knack for hiring some of the politest and most attractive waitresses in town. I do not know how this was managed, but it seems to be the norm there. Every single one of them greets you with a smile and makes you feel welcome, which takes your mind off an overpriced hamburger that has all the flavor of seasoned wood. There is some flavor the restaurant is not lacking in, though, and that is local flavor.

The people you often find in the restaurant are a smattering of Eureka residents and tourists who just stop in for a meal on their way into or out of town. Many of the locals, usually older men who are drinking coffee and eating a sandwich, converge at the counter where they sit side by side and discuss the day's local news the way senior citizens tend to do - with a healthy dose of complaint and cynicism. If it sounds small-town like, it really is. It is actually one of the few places in Eureka where this still goes on. Perhaps these older men perch here because of the wait staff. Maybe they have nowhere else to go. Either way, it adds a nice touch to this family restaurant that strives to be all inclusive. Of course, the reason you will be there is for the food and not what Eureka's AARP members think about the latest pot bust.

As mentioned previously, the meals at Adel's are a little expensive when compared to similar restaurants. The portions are big, however, and what you can expect to find on the menu is standard for the setting. You have hamburgers, steak, chicken, various egg dishes for breakfast, nachos, soup and salad. Nothing is all that fancy, but the cooks do their best to liven up the courses by adding barbecue sauce and pepper jack cheese to various meals. If higher-end diner food is your thing, you will feel right at home. That style of cooking comes with a price, though.

Most of the food served here tastes either too fried or too greasy (even if it isn't fried or greasy), and I've left with a sore stomach almost every time I've visited. It's gotten to the point where if I'm forced to go with friends or family I'll usually only have a milkshake, as anything that looks good inevitably disagrees with my digestive system.

Overall, you could do worse (our local Denny's comes to mind), but you can also do far better. Eureka actually offers many restaurants that are family friendly where you can find fresh local food, hamburgers and unique dishes. If you want somewhere where you can soak in the local flavor and eye candy, however, this is the spot. I'd recommend sticking with a cup of coffee and sitting at the counter, though, lest you find yourself regretting it all the way home.