Brandon Muncy

For 25 years now Cheryl's Diner has been a popular restaurant for Kern Valley residents. The restaurant, which features good old-fashioned home cookin', opened up for business on Jan. 27, 1985 and has been a truly family restaurant ever since. The slogan on their coffee mug reads, “Cheryl's Diner. Just for you. Super food & friendly too!”, a true statement from a business owner who is obviously dedicated to her craft.

“I've always wanted people to feel like their coming into my house when they come in here,” says owner Cheryl Borthick, as she welcomes guests, most by name, to her Kernville business. Cheryl and husband Lanny moved to the Kern Valley in 1972, and after 9 years of working at her mother Nelda's restaurant, decided to begin construction of her own diner. Lanny began construction of the diner in August of 1984. According to Cheryl, the deal with her husband was, “I wouldn't tell him how to build it and he wouldn't tell me how to run it.”

Cheryl's is truly a family restaurant, when few are hard to come by. “Since I've lived in the valley I've only worked with family,” says Cheryl. Daughters and granddaughters Sandi, Suzie, Patty, Mandy, Jessica, Allyson, and Rebekah can often be seen serving patrons at Cheryl's Diner. “I don't know, maybe there’s a gene in us,” joked Cheryl as she recalled all the family members who have been employed by herself.

The menu at Cheryl's Diner features an array of different dishes. Whether in the mood for breakfast, which is served all day, or a classy dinner, Cheryl's has it covered. The menu features homemade chili, a custard recipe straight from valley long-timer Grace Kissack, and the infamous pumpkin pancakes.

We all know many cook's keep their best recipes close to vest, but Cheryl did give me a few hints on how to make the mouthwatering pancakes at home.

CHERYL'S DINER

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

Prepare basic pancake batter. Add basic pumpkin pie mixture to batter to taste.

Customers appear to have many positive things to say about Cheryl and her staff. “It's always a nice feeling to finally get to Kernville around lunchtime, and stop into Cheryl's for a sandwich and some of their amazing fries! Definitely gets the weekend started off right.,” says Foster K. of Pasadena on the website www.yelp.com. Harleyone8, of Ramona, on www.tripadvisor.com echoed the statement, “We had a great time at Cheryl's. The wait staff were more than pleasant, most attentive, the food was very good. The outside dining was wonderful in early Oct. It is also right next door to the wonderful Kernville Inn. Good choice”.

Perhaps the covers of the Cheryl's Diner menu describes the restaurant best. “Take 1 builder, add four generations of food servers, fold in people who love good home cooked food, and presto, you have the main ingredients of Cheryl's Diner. At Cheryl's, we laugh and joke a lot, but don't be fooled. We're very serious about the food. We are proud of what comes from the kitchen. We're talking good old-fashioned home cookin'. It's not the cheapest, easiest or fastest way, but it's Cheryl's way. So sit back and enjoy the fun-filled dining experience. In the mood, try real food!”

Give Cheryl's Diner the next time your driving through Kernville. Stop in and say “hello” to Cheryl or one of the many staff members and enjoy some great food. Don't forget to stop by the diner, which is located at 11030 Kernville Road, between Jan. 25 and 29 to help Cheryl and her crew celebrate 25 successful years.

If your restaurant would like to be featured in the Kern Valley Sun Cook's Corner, simply email Brandon at brandonm@kvsun.com or give him a call at 760-379-3667 ext 20.