Sparky's Connection to Skokie Feels Electric

The nostalgia for the 1950s began almost as soon as the decade ended.

It's in our pop culture in such TV shows as "Happy Days" and "Mad Men." It's in our food courts in the form of Johnny Rockets. It's in our restaurants with throwback names such as That 50's Place, That 50's Diner and 50's Cafe.

It should come as no surprise that a diner that manages to evoke the '50s in nearly every way has stuck around - Sparky's in Skokie.  Though there aren't any waitresses on roller skates, the small restaurant with the oddly angular architecture would perfectly lend itself to carhops.

Inside is where the real feeling of a bygone era starts to make itself known, and the absolute best thing is that the restaurant isn't even trying.

The old school coffee warmers, the skinny cook "Gus" working the flat-top grill just on the other side of the counter and the waitress who looks like she has just stepped off the set of "Hairspray."  They're all genuine.

The sincerity doesn't stop there.  Utterly lacking in pretense, the menu doesn't offer feta cheese, and there's no fuss about making sure anything is organic or local or gluten free.  There are, however, some of the best hash browns you'll ever have.

Serving breakfast and lunch, sandwiches are king at Sparky's, which stays open until 4 p.m. at 3624 Oakton St.  The breakfast sandwiches shine. You should try the giant egg sandwich on white, wheat or French bread and served with sausage, egg or bacon.  Add cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo, as well as a side of potatoes, and the whole thing will set you back less than $5.  

If you're ready for lunch, the restaurant will accommodate your order even if it's still breakfast time. Sparky's cook doesn't mind making a cheeseburger at 9:45 a.m.  The quarter-pound patty with fries comes in at $5. The same goes for meatloaf ($7), and pretty much anything else on the menu.

A quick scan around the room revealed some diners were enjoying pork chops ($8), steaks ($10) and hot dogs ($4) while they sat next to customers who were eating eggs and sipping coffee.

 Need a shake for breakfast?  Sparky's staff won't judge your taste.

And that friendly acceptance has served the restaurant well over the decades.  In several parts of the dining area, giant collages of photos display regulars and their families.  In some spots, one can see photos of children as they grow from toddlers to teenagers in the same booth.  

The staff can't help but gush about the place either.

 The waitress, who identifies herself as Gina, has worked at Sparky's since 2001 and calls the place her "family or best friend."  The career waitress said she met her husband at the eatery.

Looking around at the history and warmth of the place, one has to guess that Sparky's has helped more than one love connection bloom.

At the very least, this down-to-earth diner -- with an American flag in the window, a Norman Rockwell poster on the wall and photos of its regulars everywhere -- has found a place in the heart of Skokie.