A 1950s-themed diner brings nostalgia to Belleville through meals and music
There is nothing like a good diner. Folks from Belleville know what I mean. With a history of places like Wainwright’s, Moore’s Family Restaurant, and the Hy-Ho Café, how can one not know?
That classic diner vibe is back in Belleville, thanks to veteran-owned Rockin’ Robyn’s Diner on Old St. Louis Road.
Owners Robyn Combs, Cliff Kilmer (the chef) and Tim Warren brought the former Wainwright’s and Moore’s site back to life — 1950s style.
Kilmer said they put a lot of work into the building. The renovation included structural upgrades and additions, including the repainted parking area, outdoor seating and barriers in between to help keep patrons safe.
Hearty meals with one historic fave and more to come
Now that the diner is open, things are chugging right along, said Kilmer, a graduate of the California Culinary Institute.
They want to provide “consistent good food, like at home, like in the ‘50s,” so people will “leave full, leave happy,” he said.
The diner serves breakfast and lunch all day, every day, and late-night bites Fridays and Saturdays.
Menu options include appetizers, salads, burgers, wraps and sandwiches, hot dogs, chili, all kinds of breakfast fare, pies, ice cream, shakes and floats.
Specific menu highlights include:
- Rockin’ Ranch Chili Salad: Garden salad topped with chili, cheese and ranch dressing;
- Rockin’ Robyn Burger: A juicy 1/3-pound patty with Rockin’ Crab Dip, served with fries;
- Audrey Hepburn Burger: A juicy 1/3-pound patty coated with hot honey and stacked with pepperjack cheese, jalapeños, and sautéed onions, served with fries;
- The Iron Horse: Two 1/3-pound burger patties on toast smothered in onion, chili, and shredded cheese;
- Breakfast Iron Horse: Two biscuits topped with eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, and white gravy.
Warren said they also have the Hy-Ho Cafe’s biscuits and gravy recipe and are getting ready to bring back the Wainwright’s burger. He is hoping to soon add the mile-high pies from Moore’s as well.
The owners are ‘committed to getting it right’
The diner opened at the beginning of June. A week later, the diner announced that it would temporarily pause weekend hours, Friday and Saturday night hours, and revamp the menu.
“We realized that the best thing we could do for our customers, our staff, and ourselves was to take a brief pause, catch our breath, and make sure we’re building a strong foundation for the future,” stated the announcement. “We want every guest who walks through our doors to receive the service, food, and experience they deserve.
“This decision was made solely because we’re committed to getting it right.”
Weekend daytime hours resumed Fourth of July weekend. The diner is now operating daily at regular hours.
As for the 1950s vibe, that was done right, too.
As customers walk up to the door, they are greeted with music from artists like Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly.
Inside the diner, patrons will find framed posters of Marilyn Monroe, the Rat Pack, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and James Dean hanging on the walls. A mounted flatscreen TV shows classic movies.
Rockin’ Robyn’s is veteran-friendly. All veterans are invited to sign the inside wall of the diner, which is already filling with signatures.
The colors at Rockin’ Robyn’s Diner are significant, representing the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA), of which Combs is a member.
The walls have three stripes painted along the top in colors to represent the organization: red for the blood that was shed on the battlefield, gold for all branches of the military in the U.S., and black for those who gave their lives and those considered missing in action or prisoners of war.
“Everything has a meaning here,” said Kilmer, who is familiar with the site’s history as a restaurant and a staple in Belleville.
A Belleville native himself, he acknowledged that the city provided many memories to lifelong residents, including their location.
Kilmer spoke to some older longtime residents and enjoyed hearing stories about the area and the building, which has a long history with restaurants.
The building was constructed in 1958 as a new location for Wainwright’s, previously located across the street on the 7400 block. Wainwright’s operated until June 1986.
It became a new location for a restaurant owned by the Moore family, which had locations in Mascoutah and Cahokia. Opening in September 1986, the Belleville restaurant was originally named Sir William’s Restaurant, but it was not popular with residents. It was renamed Moore’s Family Restaurant after about six months in business. Moore’s operated until changing ownership in summer 2020.
Multiple other eateries have come and gone since then, and now it’s Rockin’ Robyn’s turn. Combs, Kilmer and Warren want to make Rockin’ Robyn’s Diner a place where older generations can look back on their earlier days and bring their kids or grandkids to make new memories together.
“Belleville matters,” Kilmer said. “We’re trying to give the City of Belleville something it can be proud of.”
About Rockin’ Robyn’s Diner
Rockin’ Robyn’s Diner is located at 7309 Old St. Louis Road in Belleville. Hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily plus 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Military and first responder discounts are available. Motorcycles are welcome.
For updates and information, check out the diner’s Facebook page.
