StarLite Diner & Lounge now open in Boulder

StarLite Diner & Lounge

When Chris Dailey took over the old Ruby's Diner spot in Boulder's Twenty-Ninth Street development, he planned to turn the space into his own diner in just a few short months. StarLite Diner & Lounge, he announced last year, would be ready by March 2012. Close: It opened today.

The team got to work on the build-out, creating a decor scheme that pays homage to the 1950s -- an era Dailey has an affinity for -- through vintage furniture, Coca-Cola-themed kitsch and a classic jukebox, which will pump hits from the decade as a soundtrack. A black-and-white TV will also loop drive-in classics for entertainment, and StarLite will host occasional live music acts, too.

Sara Wells, who does public relations for the restaurant, says the menu at StarLite planned to focus on '50s American classics, with an emphasis on burgers and fries plus desserts from that era. A half dozen burgers -- including one done Hawaiian-style, with pineapple, teriyaki sauce and Canadian bacon -- made the final list, which is now available on the restaurant's website, but that belies the size and breadth of the board: The diner is also offering heart attack-tastic appetizers like powdered sugar-dusted funnel fries and fried mac and cheese bites, thin-crust and Sicilian-style pizza, patty melts and hot dogs, meatloaf and chicken fried steak. Oh, and there's also an all-day breakfast list featuring various combinations of eggs, cheese, bacon and waffles.

After a few construction delays, StarLite opened its doors at 2 p.m. today, and it will now be open for lunch and dinner on weekdays and breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekends.