Nifty Fifty's: A Modern Day 1950s Style Restaurant

Nifty Fifty's, a classic 1950s-style hamburger joint, is all about the quality of their ingredients and the dining experience they provide. They have won the Best Of Philly Award a total of nine times for a variety of reasons, some being Best Cheesesteak, Best Milkshake, Best Family Value and Best 50s Style restaurant. When you enter one of their five locations across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you instantly are transported back through time by the music and the overall ambiance.

Our favorite Nifty Fifty's location is in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. A fairly new store, the Bensalem Nifty Fifty's was built in this decade. Waiting for seating to be available is expected due to high popularity of Nifty Fifty's and the Bensalem location includes a Family Fun Center. Outside, you'll find a small selection of amusement park-type rides, including a carousel, providing the perfect opportunity to entertain the kids while you wait for your table. Inside, the Bensalem Nifty Fifty's houses a large arcade area. Tokens can be won, and exchanged for small prizes. There is a photo booth as well.

The best part of the experience is the food, however. Their menu is simple, but with a kick! Start of with a fountain soda, they offer over 100 varieties, with free refills. Combinations include my favorite Chocolate Cherry Soda, or my husband's Blue Raspberry 7-Up. Other beverages include the famous New York Egg Cream, a creamy concoction somewhere in between a milkshake and a fountain soda; the red raspberry is the best! Their milkshakes are also so delicious, thick and creamy and they come in a huge variety of flavors. Another great beverage choice is Nifty Fifty's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade or Fresh Brewed Iced Tea.

For you meal chose from one of their burgers. Everything is made fresh and each burger is made of 100% real beef. Toppings include cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion or bacon. Try the Leo's Special, which is a burger patty, cheese, onion, lettuce and relish. The Royal Burger is a combination of cheese and a homemade, thick cut, deep fried onion ring. The also offer a wide variety of hot dogs, with choices of toppings such as chili, cheese, relish or sauerkraut. The Texas Tommy Hot Dog is Nifty Fifty's Award Winning Hot Dog wrapped in crispy bacon and topped with cheddar cheese. Other great lunch or dinner picks include their Chicken Nuggets, which are hand prepared with all white meat, a Chicken Sandwich, a BBQ Beef or Filet Mignon Sandwich or a cheesesteak, both beef and chicken varieties.

Nifty Fifties also offers side items and lighter fare. Their French fries are hand cut, super crispy and absolutely mouth-watering. My favorite are the Pistol Pete's Spicy Cheese Fries, they are covered a blend of smoky spices and topped with rich cheese sauce. Their thick cut onion rings are hand prepared from fresh, sweet onions and they are piled high on the plate, and are also available with cheese or spice. Other menu items include soups (varieties change daily) and homemade chili, full of thick cut green peppers and a terrific blend of seasoned beef and beans topped with mountains of cheese sauce. They also offer a variety of salads, include Chicken Caesar or Spicy Chicken Ranch.

All menu items are well priced; the entire family can eat a dinner of burgers, fries and fountain soda for under $20. The wait staff is informed, conscientious and polite. Aside from great food and service, Nifty Fifty's beats them all with their atmosphere! It's fun, action packed, and brightly colored. Overall, it's a great family restaurant, children will be easily entertained and since service is extremely fast, it's the perfect place to take the kids!