This place has it all.
Start with atmosphere as there is absolutely no way to ignore it. In a mad jumble of antiquities ranging from the 20's to the 70's every item is either a conversation piece, memory or a must have. I bought a mod 60's chappeau my baby brother picked out as being "me" and I am eyeing a full bonnet hair dryer the size of a rice cooker :p
Onto the soda fountain. There are egg creams, hot fudge and a toe curling number of flavor possibilities. I always want to cook up something outrageous to try but seem to drift toward their amazing executions of classic favorites.
The regular menu is exactly as it should be. I have yet to be bold enough to try their Hawiian cole slaw (so 50's) but all of their soups, sides, etc. taste home made with reasonable prices. I was reading through the reviews here and saw a couple mentions of split pea soup ... how is it I've never been when they've had it?!?! I am now on a mission to go when it is being served.
On a side note, MacAlpine's serves stuffed tomotoes! Your choice of tune or chicken salad, I imagine they'd do egg if you asked over greens and surrounded by lots of veggies, etc. It's the kind of dish to inhale after killing yourself at the gym and you won't feel all that bad about it.
P.S. Sometimes the service can seem a bit oddly timed but when you take into account the division of labor and the nature of the place it does make sense. Also, I once brought a friend in here who needed to sober up a bit and our server didn't turn a hair despite some truly outlandish observations on my friend's part.