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Retro couple serves classic tastes

The American Dream waitress flies high on a banner directing patrons to the American Dream Ice Cream Classics parlor for a trip back in time. The logo was designed by co-owner Stephen James. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
The American Dream waitress flies high on a banner directing patrons to the American Dream Ice Cream Classics parlor for a trip back in time. The logo was designed by co-owner Stephen James. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz

Valerie Rojas
Co-Editor

After wading through hordes of traffic on a busy freeway, you decide to quench your thirst. A red arrow-shaped sign catches your eye: Funnel Cakes, it reads. You enter the eatery, and a friendly woman wearing cat-eyed glasses asks whether you’d like to try a New York Egg cream or a pink cow. Your feet glide across the black and white checkered floor, and the sounds of rockabilly hit your eardrums. Suddenly, you realize you have stepped back in time—you are no longer in the 21st century.

Sporting a Pink Ladies shirt, co-owner Cynthia James, along with soda jerks Karlee Cavanaugh and Felicitee Hall, serve up a side order of classic 1950s treats. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
Sporting a Pink Ladies shirt, co-owner Cynthia James, along with soda jerks Karlee Cavanaugh and Felicitee Hall, serve up a side order of classic 1950s treats. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz

Welcome to American Dream Ice Cream Classics, a retro diner in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., that serves as a time machine, taking patrons back to the fabulous 1950s.

Owned by husband and wife duo, Cynthia and Stephen James, American Dream, open for six months, specializes in all beef (or vegetarian) hot dogs, homemade funnel cakes and other nostalgic desserts including malts, milkshakes, banana splits, pie a la modes, frozen custards, ice cream cakes and sundaes, orange, pink, brown and black cows (blended ice cream sodas) and New York egg creams (chocolate sodas).

“From the classic desserts and food to the friendly attitudes, everything that the ‘50s were, that’s what this is,” Cynthia James said.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the eatery is the free jukebox that stands under a wall of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. The jukebox is filled to the brim with hundreds of doowop, rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ surf hits that the couple spent two years amassing.

From the checkerboard floor and soda fountain to the mauve bar stools and life-size statue of legendary sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, all of the décor aids in trans-porting patrons to a time when Elvis was king and life moved at a slower pace.

All of the food is also grilled to order, including the New York and Chicago style hot dogs. “It takes a lot longer, but most people are pleased,” Cynthia James said.

Even the funnel cake mixture is homemade, and the cakes are made on the spot with topping choices including whipped cream, powdered sugar or a variety of fruit toppings.

“Everyone loves the funnel cake, especially California people,” Cynthia James said.

Fontana resident Aaron Ronin, 21, peers into the jukebox at American Dream. Customers are handed a “menu” of song choices when they enter the shop and they are able to pick and play their favorites for free as they dine. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
Fontana resident Aaron Ronin, 21, peers into the jukebox at American Dream. Customers are handed a “menu” of song choices when they enter the shop and they are able to pick and play their favorites for free as they dine. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz

The couple also makes all of their ice cream themselves, something they learned to do after attending a three-day class at an ice cream university in North Carolina. Customers can choose one of at least 12 flavors and then pick different toppings to be mixed in by the friendly soda jerks standing behind the counter, ready to serve.

Hosting fabulous ‘50s Fridays from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., American Dream lets customers buy certain menu items at half price. Whenever anyone comes dressed in authentic ‘50s garb, they automatically get half off their order.

“We really want people to come who are into that ‘50s era,” Cynthia James said.

On occasion, the staff will dress up as well, donning poodle skirts or cat-eyed glasses. “I love the music and the ‘50s atmosphere,” said Felicitee Hall, a soda jerk at American Dream.

Her co-worker, Karlee Cavanaugh agreed. “I love the clothes and the style,” she said. “Plus, James Dean and Elvis were hot.”

The diner runs with a staff of seven employees. Stephen James heads the kitchen as the main cook. “It was all his idea,” Cynthia James said. “He loves the ‘50s.”

Stephen James, a retired graphic designer for the Navy, also created the American Dream logo, a 1950s waitress that stands on the cover of the menu.

The couple plans to open three more shops in the near future. They are currently looking at prospective locations in Orange County, Riverside and the High Desert area. “We want to keep that home appeal to it,” Cynthia James said. “We don’t want to get too corporate.”

American Dream is located at 12839 Foothill Blvd. Suite B, Rancho Cucamonga. Hours: Monday—Thursday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday—Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Patrons can purchase authentic candy treats circa 1950 with the change they get after paying their bill. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
Patrons can purchase authentic candy treats circa 1950 with the change they get after paying their bill. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
American Dream Ice Cream Classics specializes in creating funnel cake masterpieces. The mixture is homemade by the American Dream employees, and the cakes are fried to order. Customers can order basic funnel cakes topped with powdered sugar or go big with the deluxe topped with ice cream, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
American Dream Ice Cream Classics specializes in creating funnel cake masterpieces. The mixture is homemade by the American Dream employees, and the cakes are fried to order. Customers can order basic funnel cakes topped with powdered sugar or go big with the deluxe topped with ice cream, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
A statue of Marilyn Monroe greets customers as they walk into the 1950s inspired malt shop, American Dream Ice Cream Classics, owned by Cynthia and Stephen James. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
A statue of Marilyn Monroe greets customers as they walk into the 1950s inspired malt shop, American Dream Ice Cream Classics, owned by Cynthia and Stephen James. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
Valerie Rojas, Editor in Chief
Valerie Rojas
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