America Graffiti is a 1950s-style diner that opened in Pordenone, Italy, in late September. The diner was the franchise's 44th restaurant in the country. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
America Graffiti is a 1950s-style diner that opened in Pordenone, Italy, in late September. The diner was the franchise's 44th restaurant in the country. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A cutout of a hostess displays part of a 35-page menu outside the entrance to America Graffiti, a 1950s-style diner in Pordenone, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
With checkered floors, Route 66 markers on the walls and a bar perfect for milk shakes, America Graffiti in Pordenone, Italy, does the '50s right. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
America Graffiti, a diner in Pordenone, Italy, brings back the 1950s with memorabilia, checkered floors and classic American music. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Order a sweet delight from behind the counter or enjoy a handmade milk shake at the bar of America Graffiti, a diner in Pordenone, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
America Graffiti in Pordenone, Italy, brings back the 1950s with its food, decor and music. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
The BBQ Supercheese Burger at America Graffiti consists of a single eight-ounce patty, smothered in cheddar and fontina cheeses, topped with barbeque sauce, radicchio, tomatoes and onions. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Elvis' Chocolate Milk Shake at America Graffiti in Pordenone, Italy, is a milk-based, vanilla ice cream shake, made with fresh bananas, peanut butter and chocolate, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
It’s very unlikely you’ll find yourself at a restaurant in northern Italy staring at a quadruple cheeseburger, but it’s even more unlikely the average person will eat it in less than 25 minutes.
America Graffiti, a 1950s-style franchise diner that opened in Pordenone in late September, has one such burger and challenge.
The Big Boss Burger — four 12-ounce patties topped with three layers of bacon, grilled ham, triple cheddar cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and onions — costs 29.50 euros (about $32.50).
But if you can eat the whole thing in 25 minutes, you’ll get the meal for free and your photo on one of the diner’s walls.
So far no one has met that challenge, though many have tried.
The 3-pound burger isn’t the only big thing in the diner. It might take you 25 minutes just to get through the 35-page menu.
Since the Big Boss was out of my league, I settled on the BBQ Supercheese Burger, one of about two dozen burgers on the menu. A mere 9 euros gets you a single 8-ounce patty smothered in cheddar and fontina cheeses, topped with barbecue sauce, radicchio, tomatoes and onions. The burger was a needed change from the pasta and pizza routine.
As befits a diner, the menu runs the gamut: finger foods, Tex Mex, hot dogs, pancakes, eggs, pastas and, of course, the burgers. There’s something for everyone, from carnivores to vegans. Even the king of rock ’n’ roll finds a place on the menu, with Elvis’ Chocolate Milk Shake.
The eatery succeeds admirably in re-creating the vibe of the movie with which it (almost) shares the name: “American Graffiti.” The front end of a 1950s-era Chevy serves as the hostess counter, and the walls are covered with stateside license plates, Route 66 signs and movie posters from various decades.
Stop in, fill up on food and feel the ’50s at America Graffiti.
American Graffiti
Address: via Prasecco 17, Pordenone, Italy.Times: Cooking hours: noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays; noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Open noon to 1 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays; noon to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.Costs: Meals average less than 10 euros ($11) with desserts capped at about 10 euros.Attire: Casual.Menu: In Italian only. A menu in English can be found on the restaurant’s website.Information: Website: www.americagraffiti.it (in English and Italian). Facebook: facebook.com/americagraffiti. Make a reservation for afternoons and weekends by calling (+39) 0 434 24 7027.
