Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe

This place has a lot of charm and character. The waitress/owner Shawna, who is daughter-in-law of the founder Emma Jean, told me about Guy Fieri's visits here which tells you a lot about the food and popularity. Just driving by, you wouldn't even think about stopping. However, the many great reviews and the fact that Fieri is a fan of this place are enough to convince people to give it a try. My wife tried the French Dip -- taste was good; but the meat could have been more tender. I had the Brian Burger (which was named after Shawna's late husband) -- it was quite good. It is a smashed burger on Texas toast with cheese and mild Ortega pepper. My daughter ordered the Slap "yo" Mama -- check the attached menu photo for a description. She pronounced it to be excellent and worthy of 5 stars.

We had the Brian burger, biscuits and gravy, and the trucker’s breakfast with coffee. It’s not what I usually get, but the super greasy meal with the strong coffee is what you want at the diner. The diner has been here since the 40’s and has been featured in Kill Bill Volume 2, Sky (2015 film), Train’s Bulletproof Picasso music video, and Season 1 Episode 2 of The Old Man. I even loved that some of the fixtures in the restroom were still original (or at least very old). The biscuits and gravy taste more like grits than gravy, but the salsa were great. I think they make it in house. I hope they continue to survive and keep their vibe.

Great diner spot on old route 66. They make some of my favorite burgers I've had. The Brian burger and Hot Pattie Grilled on Rye being my favorites standard from the menu. I've always had good interactions and service from the staff. They keep my ice tea filled and check in regularly. If I need something, I just ask, and they get it for me. I love the diner experience; eating at the counter and watching the cooks cook the food on the flattop in front of everyone. It's cool to see so such a mix of locals, workers and travelers come in to eat.

They say you only have one opportunity to make a good impression and today your establishment blew that opportunity. We drove up from San Diego to explore Route 66 in the high desert. We've heard wonderful things about this place so we planned our day's main meal to eat here. We pulled up and lot was full about 3 parties ahead of us. We asked them if they were waiting and they said yes. We walked in an were excited to eat as the food looked and smelled delicious. We gave the server our name and she did not even write it down. She seemed overwhelmed as she was taking orders, cleaning tables, answering the phone and acting as the hostess. We noticed a family at the counter wrapping up and assumed they would call the folks waiting before us, so we decided to wait outside. We were tak

Sarah and the crew were such a delight to hang out with while enjoying the best chicken fried steak I’ve ever had. They’re one of the only places here in the High Desert that still makes everything in house, breaded at all. I can’t express how great of a family feeling it is, even for my first time eating alone, it felt like I made some new friends and definitely look forward to visiting again soon.