Belting south on the A30 in Cornwall in mid-August, our eyes were drawn to a red double-decker bus parked on the other side of the dual-carriageway.
We decided that ‘Charlie Browns Diner’ looked a little out of the ordinary and that we’d call in on the way home (otherwise it’s a tortuous-looking detour via Jamaica Inn to cross the road). Duly inspired, on our return trip we kept an eye out for the bus once we’d reached passed Bolventor, and it proved to be a stop well worth taking.
Inside, the bus was immaculate and a homage to the 1950s, with café tables decorated with pages from classic car magazines, plenty of sparkling chrome, and Coca-Cola bottle top stools. Best of all was the warm welcome from Christine, the lady in charge, who couldn’t have been friendlier.
The menu’s pretty basic – burgers, bacon baps, breakfast wraps, hot dogs and sandwiches – but our Charlie Browns Breakfast and hot dog were freshly cooked, hot and tasty, and very good value at £5.50 and £3.50 respectively. As we were the only customers mid-afternoon the food took a little while to arrive, but Christine gave us complementary coffees to say thanks for our patience, and added an extra sausage to my hot dog as she thought just one wasn’t enough: it’s such personal touches that raise this well above the ordinary.
We loved sitting on the top deck and watching the traffic pass by, unaware of the goodies we were sampling inside. It’s not high cuisine but if you want good food and service at a very reasonable price then look out for the big red bus and call in. Access is restricted to those travelling north on the A30, but look for the Cornwall Motorhome Centre and it’s right next door. You won’t regret it.
