First Look: Eddie Papa's in Livermore—a new place to "Hang out"

Eddie Westmoreland's new Livermore location of the popular eatery packs in fun, food, and facts.

“You got it right,” an elderly Hawaiian man commented to Edward “Eddie” Westmoreland, owner of Eddie Papa’s American Hangout. He was referring to the “Hawaiian Loco Moco” entrée on the weekend brunch menu at Westmoreland’s new Livermore location, a simple dish consisting of Jasmine rice, grilled Spam or hamburger, two eggs and brown gravy.

Created in Hawaii in 1949, the dish was inspired by a group of young men from the Lincoln Wreckers sports club, calling the combo “loco” which means “crazy” in Spanish, after the wild way the Wreckers played football, and “moco” simply because it rhymed. And as one of the original members of the Lincoln Wreckers, this was one diner who knew what he was talking about! 

The compliment was music to the ears of Westmoreland, a self-proclaimed “history, food and beverage geek,” who has jam-packed his menu with historical facts and tidbits about the origin and date of nearly every plate he offers—who knew that Thomas Jefferson introduced macaroni and cheese to America in 1787? The menu at the Livermore restaurant, which opened in Movida’s old space on First Street last month, is the same as the Pleasanton Eddie Papa’s. That means serving up hefty plates of good ol’ American fare that offers something for everyone, from the New York Reuben to the Alaskan Fish and Chips.

Many of the items on the seasonal menu are indigenous to a particular region (Kansas City BBQ Pork Ribs or Louisiana Shrimp Jumbalaya, for example), and in modern tradition, the menu offers a “lighter fare” section and gluten-free rice bread as an alternative to the standard bread used for all of his sandwiches.

Westmoreland has also imported the fun style, atmosphere, and hospitality that made the original Eddie Papa’s a success. The dining room, adjacent to but completely separate from the bar area, resonates the nostalgia of a fifties diner, but with a modern twist.

Red velvet couches line each side of the white walls—on one side, the couch backing extends nearly to the ceiling, while on the other wall, black-and-white photos of families, friends, and kids bring to life a sense of down-home Americana. The bar area, almost equal in size to the dining room, boasts a huge bar, high-top tables, and of course, several T.V.s.

So, does Westmoreland, a Bay Area native raised in Orinda, have further expansion plans? “If I can see Mt. Diablo, I’ll consider it!”

Eddie Papa's American Hangout, 2417 First Street, Livermore, (925) 373-6650, eddiepapas.com.

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Posted at 04:46 PM in Diablo Dish | Permalink