Gary DeVincent didn't advertise the soft opening for Spanky's Express.

Didn't happen. Instead, customers flocked to Spanky's on 674 N. 2000 West in Pleasant Grove on the turn off for the American Fork Hospital.

"It was like the Beatles were here; it was amazing," DeVincent said of the crowds. "You open the doors, wham. I don't know where they're coming from."

DeVincent purchased a Digital Dining system for Spanky's Express from Pinnacle Technologies, a software company for point of sale restaurant management. Other clients include the Brick Oven and Kneaders.

Pinnacle Technologies representatives were at Spanky's for the opening to make sure the Digital Dining system was running smoothly and to train Spanky's employees on it.

They had never seen a such a great response to a soft opening like Spanky's.

"With a soft opening and a little bit off the beaten path, it was amazing," said Scott Lamb of Lehi, Digital Dining director of marketing for the Intermountain West. "One of our fleet techs, Jay (Jay Hoover of Pleasant Grove and business partner) was taking orders. He was a server. He's never done that in 10 years."

Part of Spanky's advertising may have been drive-by motorist exposure to the 1950's look of All Star Auto Plaza and the old-fashioned diner.

"I was just driving by and I noticed how cute the building was," said customer Sharon Bell of American Fork. "A girl I work with told me it was open."

Spanky's Express has been a dream of DeVincent's for 20 years.

He has been collecting authentic antique signs for the restaurant nearly as long. A large Coca-cola sign on the outside of the diner is dated for 1937 and has bullet holes in it made decades ago.

The gleaming silver metal chairs and red, white and black trim, the wide double doors, the booths, everything about the restaurant reflects the 1950's era.

DeVincent also wanted a neighborhood destination and picked the location for its potential neighborhood consumer base.

"This has been a dream forever" DeVincent said. "Nothing would make me happier to see people walk out of their houses and walk over here."

His goal appears to have been met within its initial first week.

"I think it brings people back to happier times," diner Jodie Mattinson of American Fork said. "It's a unique setting."

The response to Spanky's was so good, the restaurant ran out of food by the end of the second day. DeVincent closed for a few days to regroup. He opened Spanky's again on Monday.

Niccole Peeler, Spanky's head chef and newly-appointed manager, previously worked at a Hilton restaurant and a few other high end restaurants in California.

"She really is a trooper, she really is," DeVincent said. "I couldn't have done this without her."

It's the second time the Millers of American Fork have eaten there.

"We've been kind of anxious for them to open," Susan Miller said. "We think the food is great."

With its generous serving sizes and variety, the fare is appealing. Pastrami Reuben's, Philly cheesesteaks, Spanky's Killer Kabobs and mushroom burgers with boneless buffalo wings, fries, salads, there is something for nearly everyone, including their fresh spinach salads, Caesar salads and fish n' chips platters.

"We like the fact that it's not a chain," Dick Miller said. "It's the old mom and pop idea."

Spanky's Express appears to have won instant popularity, but there is a time when business lulls during 3-5 p.m.

Does he plan on having a grand opening celebration anytime soon?

"No, I'm not having one ever, not ever," DeVincent said and laughed.