'Pretty Betty' American Diner. 'Real Russia' ep.88

"Pretty Betty" is a growing chain of fast food restaurants, designed in a best traditions of the style of American diners.

Billboard hits of 50's-60's, jukebox, yellow-red sofas, US license plates, comip strip walls, black and white mosaic, all kinds of burgers, steaks and milkshakes. That what "Pretty Betty" is all about.

Nowadays there are six "Pretty Betty" restaurants in Russia - 4 in Chelyabinsk and 2 in Ufa.

In this video we are making the deepest insight into the "Pretty Betty" American Diner located in Ufa, Russia at Mendeleev street, 137

#russia #fastfood #diner

[hiyosilver]

My experience was the same - Russian people, as a whole, were friendly toward Americans and many American icons were evident in many places. In St. Petersburg, evident were Frank Sinatra playing in the street kiosks, American foods offered in various places (McDonald's, Nestle's, soft drinks and beers) as well as popular American jazz artists in overflowing jazz clubs. Personally, I was always well received and Russian strangers were always eager to help if asked.

It is regrettable that our leaders get us involved in negative politics.
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[ColonelJack]

Sergei ... you are amazing! I just became introduced to your videos and am now hooked! I am 1/4 Russian myself (my grandfather was born in Russia but left as a child in 1914). Seeing the videos you have posted makes me want to visit Russia at least once before I die. Спасибо, мой друг!

[shananagans]

lol They did a great job of creating an old American diner. Here we have a place called Route 66 Diner. It's actually on old Route 66 & the owner has photos of himself managing a diner in the 50s. I love things like that & I am very impressed with how well they did it in Russia. The food even looks authentic. Very cool. 

[shaggybreeks]

I am totally impressed! This kind of "fifties nostalgia" restaurant is popular in the US, and they are almost exactly like yours. The biggest difference is that you use rubles, and a Ural motorcycle instead of a Harley on display. (lol)  A++

I remember the fifties, and these places aren't quite authentic, exactly... but they capture the fun and memory, and a little bit of mythology is OK by me. The burgers looked REAL! Not the fast food junk of today, but the kind they actually served then. BIG burgers, cooked FRESH.

In the fifties, a milk shake typically cost $0.25. A good burger like that one would have been about a dollar or two, but you could get junky crap burgers for a dime or nickle in places. People who made milk shakes and sodas and sundaes were called 'soda jerks', and took a lot of pride in their work, sort of like a 'barrista' at a modern coffee shop might, today.

In the fifties, you would never, ever buy a can of soda. They did not exist! In a place like that, you would buy a 'fountain drink', that would be made on the spot out of flavor syrup and carbonated water 'jerked' from a fountain... something like a beer tap. You could order them mixed any way you could think of. Cherry Coke is an example of a drink that was popular, but not sold in stores. You had to go to a soda fountain (those places were called 'soda fountains', btw) to get one.

[lukemilton]

Awesome episode as usual!!! I love Real Russia! Thanks so much for everything you do Sergey! Keep up the great work! I'm already looking forward to the next episode!

[jaduvalify]

I am hooked on these Real Russia videos. The host has genuine rare talent. He is so open and entertaining. Every video he does is unique and interesting. You don't see anything this fascinating on television.

[gammondog]

Roller skates were a part of the dinner experience in the fifties. Back then they had "drive-ins" not drive throughs. You could pull into one of the parking spots outside and a pretty waitress in roller skates would come out and take your order. She would attach a tray to your car door so that you could eat it without having to get out of the car. When you were done she would Skate back out to collect the tray and dinnerware. Those were the days!

[Snakebloke]

The roller blades are there because of the old diners where waitresses would roller blade in and out of the restaurant to server people in their cars; before drive-thrus.

[hendrikhendrikson]

Thanks again for yet another wonderful episode!!
I really love the work you are doing!

[TM-emij]

You make me laugh. Thank you. I love the way you say Little Richard, 'Hello' ween, and Dr. Paypper lol Don't ever change. That diner feels like home to me. If I lived there, Id be there all the time. Especially for the music, and milk shakes.

[milutinndv]

Sergey, after this episode you should make an episode about real russian dishes and ussr themed cafe. Dishes like борщ and stuff.

[brodavepowell]

Greetings from Americas heartland! Great Video my friend Sergey. We usually always put the cheese on top of the beef to help it melt then the tomato. Melted cheese is different than unmelted. Great to see a new camera man. Looking forward to the next video!!

[KTX_kSAL]

Great video as always! Thanks for sharing and greetings from Austin, Texas USA!

[rachellepisa]

I love your videos. my husband is Russian born in America and have been watching your videos and learning about things that his family still does here in America and teaching him to be happy that there are Russian traits that have been kept going for a very long time. Some of our favorites so far are cutting ice cream with a knife, pickles and "no bullshit".

[tommcdonald]

Ah, memories! I grew up in a small town in western Wisconsin in the 50s and 60s, and there were diners much like this everywhere--though usually not with so many decorations.

The only two things that seem a bit off were the face paint on the waitress (that would have been unthinkable in the 50s) and the way they put the cheese on the burgers after they were off the grill. In my growing up, the cheese was melted onto the burger while it was on the grill. Other than that, it was perfect!

One of my all-time favorite meals is a cheeseburger, french fries and a chocolate shake at a grungy local diner. Ambrosia! I envy you having that diner in Ufa--there isn't one in my home town anymore.

[MrUnbelievableAbs]

Great video Sergey! I really enjoyed it and as a long time watcher I feel like the theme was closer to what the channel was when it started!

Anyway, fantastic job and hello to Albina and Vika and hope you have a wonderful day!

[JimHanemaayer]

When McDonald's first opened in Russia (Moscow), they didn't have drive-thru windows and so Russian teens, some on roller skates, would stand on the street. Cars would pull up and the kids would take the order and run inside. They'd return to the cars with the food and drivers would tip kids as payment.

[Realunitedstates]

Great job I suppose this means I now have to do an episode on a Russian restaurant in the USA? :D I will admit to being a little curious about your new camera operator, but he did a great job! Always enjoy your work. Keep it up!

Paul

[jostd]

Very cool looking diner.  They did quite a good job with the decorating.  

[relaxasmr]

Very nice video production...You getting back on track!