Judy’s Diner is located next to the outdoor tennis courts in Hütschenhausen, Germany. The American-style, 1950s diner moved about a year ago from the basement of the town hall. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
On a quest for an authentic American milkshake, I ended up at Judy’s Diner in Hütschenhausen recently.
I was tipped off by a post on a local foodies’ Facebook group page that asked the U.S. military community in Kaiserslautern if there is such a place in my area of Germany. Nearly a dozen people vouched for Judy’s, making it the clear winner of the informal poll.
I had been there about two years ago, when it was in the windowless basement of the Hütschenhausen town hall, to grab a to-go order for my son after tennis practice. I somehow missed Judy’s lineup of milkshakes.
About a year ago, the diner relocated next to the village’s outdoor tennis courts, taking over the space once occupied by a nondescript German restaurant.
With my son no longer playing tennis, I was checking out the new digs for the first time. I felt like I was walking onto a TV studio for the sitcom “Happy Days” and its iconic diner, minus the Fonz.
Judy Pittman is the owner of and cook at Judy’s Diner in Hütschenhausen, Germany. The restaurant serves burgers, hot dogs, french fries, chicken nuggets, milkshakes and other comfort food in a 1950s-style American diner, complete with retro tables and vintage tin wall decor. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Vintage tin signs adorn the walls inside Judy’s Diner in Hütschenhausen, Germany. The signs, which owner Judy Pittman orders from the Netherlands, help give the American-style diner a 1950s vibe. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Sunshine streaming in from the windows made the turquoise-and-white retro vinyl bench seating and colorful vintage tin signs on the wall pop. It was classic Americana, from the Coca-Cola salt-and-pepper shakers on the shiny chrome tables to Elvis belting out “Hound Dog,” part of a rotation of ‘50s tunes playing in the background.
Opening an American-style diner has long been a dream of owner Judy Pittman. She grew up in Germany with an American father and German mother but has always been fascinated by American ‘50s pop culture.
“The music, the dress, everything,” said Pittman, who ran a food truck at locations in Bavaria and Rheinland-Pfalz before opening the diner about five years ago.
Pittman mostly works behind the scenes in the kitchen, where she’s in charge of cooking. Her dad, Tommy Pittman, the son of an Army master sergeant and war veteran who served at Baumholder, greets and chats with customers.
“I’m the free help,” he joked while recommending the salted caramel milkshake.
The salted caramel milkshake from Judy’s Diner in Hütschenhausen, Germany, is thick and velvety. The diner is one of the few places in the Kaiserslautern area that serve authentic American shakes. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Tommy Pittman talks to customers at Judy’s Diner in Hütschenhausen, Germany. Pittman’s daughter runs the 1950s-style American diner. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
I went with it, unsure of which of the eight selections to try. A few of the flavors needed explaining. The Monster Inc shake tastes like the marshmallows from Lucky Charms cereal, Tommy Pittman said. Minions is banana flavor and Lotus tastes like speculoos, a Belgian cookie.
The salted caramel came with a generous portion of whipped cream topped with a pink marshmallow. Thick and velvety, the shake satisfied my craving.
It had been a while since my last meal at an American-style diner, but the food choices at Judy’s seemed on par. Burgers are king on the menu, with 18 different varieties, each featuring two 100% beef patties with various toppings.
The most popular of the lot, according to the Pittmans, are the cheeseburger special, with bacon, onion rings, barbecue and hot sauce; the pancake burger, in which two pancakes replace the bun; the fried-egg breakfast burger; and the jelly burger.
The jelly burger sounded stomach-churning: peanut butter, raspberry jam, blueberry syrup, cheddar cheese, bacon and raspberries spread and slid inside the beef patties and bun.
The jelly burger at Judy’s Diner in Hütschenhausen, Germany, includes peanut butter, bacon, raspberry jam and raspberries, blueberry syrup and cheddar cheese with two beef patties on a bun. (Jennifer Svan/Stars and Stripes)
But the sweet and savory concoction was inspired by Elvis, who back in the day was known for his love of peanut butter sandwiches with bananas. I ordered it and it exceeded my expectations by a mile. The PB&J-burger combo somehow worked.
Be advised that Judy’s is a cash-only establishment. Reservations are recommended on weekends.
Most customers around me were American, some enjoying the ‘50s tunes so much they were singing along out loud.
While the Chordettes’ “Mr. Sandman” played, a boy eating with his family remarked, “Is this, like, ‘70s or ‘80s music?”
He picked up on the distinct old-timey vibe, even if he was off by a couple of decades.
Judy’s Diner
Address: Schanzerfeld 1, Hütschenhausen, Germany
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, closed.
Prices: Hamburgers range from 13 euros to 20.50 euros, depending on variety and toppings. Small dishes, such as chili con carne, nachos, mozzarella sticks and fried cauliflower are less than 8 euros. Items on the children’s menu, such as chicken nuggets, hot dog, schnitzel and two miniburgers, are all under 10 euros. Milkshakes cost 9 euros.
Information: Phone: +49 6372-5099842; online: facebook.com/p/Judys-Diner-100070706205775
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