Ed Debevics!! Phoenix, Arizona and a few others in the west. It is a GREAT, FUN restaurant. It has a 50's motif, the waiters are incredibly rude (purposely, of course) and they do spontaneous dances, hula hooping, etc. It is a blast!

I have been to the Hungry Farmer Restaurant in Colorado Springs. They pour coffee from above their head to a mug on their foot.

I have heard about a restaurant in S. Carolina that makes you barter for your meal.

How about the obvious? Prime Time Cafe in the Disney MGM Studios! You are seated in the waiting area until your name is called which looks like a 50's living room and you watch 50's shows on the tv. When your table is ready, you're called and you have to set your own table and your waiter/waitress will spiel off what blue plate special Grandpa killed with dynamite that day. Your waiter/waiter is known as "cousin ....". Cousin Chris was the best! He had the Jerry Lewis personality down perfect, even the dorky glasses! Be careful not to put your elbows on the table though.

Pizza Luce in Minneapolis is staffed by punks (stylistically, at least) whose snarling sass is sublime. They hate you before you even walk in the door and, if your manner is anything other than anti-establishment, they'll show their utter contempt for you in original, creative ways.

As theme restaurants go, it's the tops.

The restaurant in DC was called
SAN SOUCI - and is no longer in business. I had a blind date there once. VERY FUN!

We went to San Souci several times and I never remember waiters on skates. Did it change at sometime? I remember it being kind of upscale.

I have been to Dick's Last Resort and I loved the experience. It was the best meal and I will remember it forever.

Who could forget the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., the theme restaurants based on Forrest Gump. Food was awful and the waiters would try to make you answer trivia questions about the movie all through the meal.

There used to be a restaurant in Ottawa where they would cut off your tie if you were wearing one. I am not sure how long ago that it closed down.

Jim and Paul: I do live in Zurich and we hear a lot of good things about the Blind Cow (Blinde Kuh in German). I never managed to get in, it's booked for weeks. So, it must definitely be an experience to eat there. I'll try it some time later. Now it's nicer to sit in a garden and enjoy the sunshine.

Thanks Ursula for your message! Very nice to hear from the other side of the pond. Just curious, are there any other restaurants that do something strange, similar to the above in your neck of the world?

Jim hi! I think the "Blinde Kuh" is quite unique in Switzerland an maybe even in Europe! They also have a website (only in German though): www.blindekuh.ch

Lambert's Cafe in MO is known for throwing rolls at you.

Intermezzo on Weybossett Street in Providence RI.
Sunday brunch only.

Though not gimmicky but truly unique without being tacky is "Out on Main" in Columbus, Ohio. It is a great restaurant, similar to a hard rock/planet hollywood concept, only that this one celebrates gay culture. With memorbilia from Elton John (an oufit, of course), Melissa Etheridge (guitar), Martina Navritalova (sp.)(tennis racket), Greg Louganis (speedos), Ellen DeGeneres (copy of the "puppy episode" coming-out show), old pulp-fiction gay/lesbian books,political buttons,photos, a wall of local leaders etc......... it is not to be missed. Open for dinner only, the food is constantly rated as one of the best places to eat in Columbus.

At MGM Studios at WAlt Disney World- The Sci Fi Cafe. You sit in car like table and watch old cheesy Sci Fi movis like you are in a drive in movie. The food isn't great but the atmosphere is one of a kind.

The Jekyl and Hyde Cafe in NY City is wild. There is a horror show theme with live, unique, avant garde shows being transmitted over the televisions. I remember having to wait forever to get in, but it was quite a show. I wonder if it is still there.

It's been almost a month since the last reply and I wanted to revive the topic. Again, I am looking for restaurants that have a service gimmick but theme restaurants are also appreciated.

Anyone else have information that may be usefull to me?

Jim

Look at www.travelfile.com for information.