Quote: A short drive from Vail (about 8 miles) is the tiny town of Minturn. If you've rented a car, it's worth the drive to get breakfast one morning at the Turntable Restaurant. Located by a cheap hotel, this is a fifties-style diner. One of those cardboard cut-outs through which you put your face to get your photograph taken is located by the front entrance and transforms guests into Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. The inside is chockfull of personality. Kids will love it.

So what does the interior look like?
Every corner is colorful. There's a giant gum-ball machine in one corner. The vinyl tablecloths are different in different sections. Some have a football motif. Others have large vegetables printed upon them. Christmas lights were everywhere when we visited. Look up and see a train run along the track near the ceiling. This is most certainly in homage to what brought the tiny town of Minturn into existence: a railroad. A certificate for "Best Milkshakes" hangs on the wall. A chalkboard displays daily specials. The older ladies who whip out their pencils to take your order were as part of the decor--the personality of the place--as Flo was in that old sitcom set in Phoenix, Alice. This is a great place for family dining.

How was the food?
There is a definite Tex-Mex influence to the menu, and we enjoyed it. Though the hotcakes looked tempting, we opted for a variety of breakfast burritos. Mine was called "The Christmas", which was stuffed with eggs and hashbrowns and covered with a mild chili sauce. I defy anyone to leave here hungry! These portions are HUGE. Afterwards, feeling especially indulgent, we topped brunch off with an additional treat... fried ice cream. (We were on vacation, I say! Vacation!!!)

How were the prices?
Very reasonable. Think IHOP or Denny's.

Best thing to recommend it?
This is a locally owned place that's unique. I love such finds while I'm traveling.
From journals New Year's in Vail