Like my opinion matters... Diamond Grill (restaurant review) and Hollywood Blast!

I've never even heard of or noticed the Diamond Grill in Salem before, but in the last 3 days several people have told me that they have great hamburgers.  Since the quest for the perfect burger hit an unexpected snag when Stumpy Burger closed,  I am looking for new competitors.  Five Guys might be the closest thing now, although I would prefer to find a great burger place that wasn't a chain.  The Diamond Grill, located on the main road that runs from Spanish Fork to Payson (and beyond) right next to Salem Hills High School, is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 Monday thru Thursday.  Then on Fridays/Saturdays (for those who want to really live the high life and party)-- it is open until 9:30!  Never say that those Salem-ites don't know how to live large!

The decor is western-ish... kind of standard looking for a small town grill.  Lots of burgers, sandwiches, and shakes on the menu and the prices were good.  I ordered the bacon cheeseburger and upgraded to onion rings (instead of fries which are included with the sandwich).  Extra points for being a Pepsi place, even though I can't drink Pepsi anymore...  Notice that the picture of the burger included the Pepsi logo.  You would think I was getting a kickback from Pepsi-- but no such luck!  Prices are in the under $10 range, including a drink. 

And guess what, the burger was good!  Maybe not quite a Stumpy burger but definitely up there with some of the best of them.  The bun looked like it might have been home-made, not sure about that but it was light and definitely not one you get at Walmart.  Kim thought it had a bit of a sweet taste to it.  The burger itself was cooked well, not over cooked, and it was nice and juicy.  In fact, like most really good burgers, it was a MESS to eat.  Nice big slices of tomato, lots of lettuce, and the right amount of mustard and catsup.  Instead of slices of bacon, the bacon burger had crumbled bacon which is a little unusual but tasted good.  The onion rings were big and made with real onion, not the onion-y flavored rings you sometimes get.  Overall, I'd give Diamond Grill a 4 Star rating-- definitely a competitor for best burger.   

Then on to our after dinner entertainment...  We were greeted like stars and got to walk the red carpet as we arrived at the Hollywood Blast concert at American Leadership Academy.  You just gotta love the energy that kids have.

Talented kids and a wonderful show.  I love the Arts program at ALA.  Great opportunity for the kids to develop talents and participate in fun, positive activities and friendships.  And, when I say talented kids, I really mean it.  Wonderful dancing and singing at every show I've gone to there and outstanding sets and props.  I loved participating in that sort of thing when I was in high school and it's great to see kids doing it now.