If you’re a fan of a classic 50’s-style diner with friendly service that makes you feel like you’ve just taken a step back in time, Punky’s in Medford is the place for you! This cute cafe is owned by Connie Ronda who earned her nickname “Punky” from her late husband who used to run the restaurant with her.
You can still see Punky there most days greeting customers and making pies! The diner is clean, bright with an always welcoming atmosphere. Plus, it was the gold medal winner for best breakfast and best diner based on a reader poll from The Best of Southern Oregon.
The cafe is located in The Village at Medford Center so it’s a great place to spend the day shopping or seeing a movie, then grabbing lunch at the ever popular Punky’s. As you dine, you’ll also hear classic tunes from the 50’s and 60’s that adds to the retro vibe.
The menu here has all the standard items you’d expect, but nearly everything is made in-house from the sausage patties to corned beef hash to English muffin bread. They even make their own dressings, sauerkraut, apple butters and jams! Everything is as fresh as it comes with many of their seasonal fruits and vegetables coming from Punky’s own garden like tomatoes, cucumbers and cantaloupe.
Punky’s is open every day but Sunday from 7:00 to 2:00 and breakfast is served all day long. Some of the standout menu items are their Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, Memphis Grits, Chicken Fried Steak, and some of the best (and largest) omelets you’ve ever had. They also make awesome gluten-free buckwheat pancakes, so if you’re on a gluten-free diet and tired of sub-par pancakes, you’ve got to try Punky’s. Most all the sides are house made too like the old-fashioned mashed potato cakes, sausage patties, coleslaw, and potato chips.
For lunch, try one of their burgers made with fresh meat, never frozen, their daily specials like fish and chips on Fridays, or their daily soups like split pea, beef barley, or tomato bisque—even Punky’s chicken noodle soup is made with homemade noodles! Who makes their own noodles these days??
Last but definitely not least are Punky’s famous pies. These are 9 1⁄2 inch, deep dish homemade pies so you know every slice will be big and satisfying. Plus, all the pies are made by Punky herself or her granddaughter Anna. All the pies are fantastic, but fan favorites are marionberry, strawberry rhubarb, and key lime, and the fruit pies contain two pounds of fruit each! They’ll usually have three or four “pies of the day” rotating though and it feels like no matter how often you go, there’s something new to try. You can order by the slice when you’re dining at the restaurant, but you can also order whole pies with 48 hours notice. And, as if the pies weren't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, they also have homemade apple cake, bread pudding, and “Nannie’s Gingerbread.”
The motto at this adorable mom and pop cafe is, “Come home to Punky’s,” and you’ll definitely feel like you’re part of the family when you step through the doors. Stop in for breakfast or lunch, but don't forget to leave room for pie!
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 7:00am - 2:00pm
Address: 953 Medford Center, Medford
Phone: (541) 494-1957
