HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES - BARS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS & BUILDINGS - GOLDEN AGE MEMORIES BY READERS

I get very nice letters (and on very rare occasions not so nice!) from people who view and read this site.  Some are suggestions for places not yet on the site and others are people reminiscing about the golden era they experienced in Los Angeles and other cities.  Others tell me where I can go in a more forceful manner!  As I approach having the most significant old places on the site already, the correspondence has shifted to mostly nostalgia for places gone by.  Given that my website is a hobby and I have other more mundane pursuits in my life (like earning a living!!!), I can't post every letter I get.  Selection for posting is completely random and arbitrary - it usually is determined by your letter arriving when I seem to have some time on my hands. Other great letters vanish because it was a bad period of time in my life (and my email program deletes them).  I have no way of knowing whether the information below is accurate. I try to edit out anything negative (but may miss on occasion).  In any event, I think you will find the comments interesting.

Sito K suggests the Smoke House in Burbank:

THE SMOKE HOUSE Restaurant- Barham Blvd (Los Angeles) across from Warner Bros. Since 1946 steaks and chops and good martinis to the valley film community. Disney Animator Wolfgang Reitherman the director of Disney's The Jungle Book 1967, had his last lunch there before driving into a tree in 1985. Hanna & Barbera were frequent patrons. [This has now been added].

THE AMERICAN LEGION HOLLYWOOD BRANCH - Highland- Since 1919 it was a meeting place for Great War veterans, but the downstairs bar was an after hours hangout for celebs like Charlie Chaplin and Barrymore. Many would go to the prizefights at Hollywood Legion Stadium down on Alameda, then back to the Hall for a nightcap.

Sienna suggests the Riviera at Fireside in Westminster:

Check out Riviera at the Fireside restaurant in Westminster. It's one of those Musso and Frank-ish places. It's been around a long time and they serve those old school dishes like sweetbreads, steak Diane. They also do tableside flambé dishes and deserts. They have large black vinyl booths. [Webmaster's note - this has now been added]

Steve C recommends Casa Vega Mexican Restaurant and Chez Jay's Restaurant and bar :

Casa Vega Restaurant - on Ventura Blvd. [this has now been added] and Chez Jay's [now added]. 

Dean C. recommends:

The Galley restaurant, 2442 Main St. Santa Monica - original 1940s nautical decor [now added] and in San Diego:  Albie's Beef Inn restaurant , 1201 Hotel Circle So. 1960s steakhouse and piano bar;  The Turf Supper Club, 1116 25th St. and Red Fox Room bar and Steakhouse, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. [now added] - classic 50s steakhouse and great piano bar.

CJ (Darkamor) recounts these places in the OC which may or may not still exist:

KONA LANES BOWLING ALLEY [Harbor Blvd & Adams Ave, Costa Mesa - adjacent to shopping center headlined by Edwards Cinema III and an Ice Skating Rink]  this is where I spent time in preschool as the YWCA sponsored a bowling league which offered FREE DAYCARE for all those swell Moms

THE PARASOL Restaurant [12241 Seal Beach Blvd. SEAL BEACH established 1962] Dome shaped Diner with awesome umbrella shaped light fixtures, cantilevered benches - booths - countertops and kitchen, all within a series of concentric half-circles - an example of pure Googie-ism [now being remodeled]

EDWARDS CINEMA I [Costa Mesa] This single screen cinema featured a real mid-century front facade that was orange & white with futuristic white snow flake bricks along the entrance - another example of pure Googie-ism

Hi-WAY 39 DRIVE-IN Restaurant [Westminister] An extremely special drive-in theatre that was once on Hwy 39 (Beach Blvd.) that sported a fantastic boating mural which really played on the Ocean/Beach theme.

SAMBOS - [located all over O.C. - Los Angeles - L.B. etc] a chain of coffee shops that featured a turban wearing boy with a bengal tiger

Bill M. remembers Snug Harbor:

You might enjoy the following old time places.  In LA on Wilshire, in Santa Monica, near Wilshire and Fourth, is Snug Harbor restaurant , an authentic diner with original furnishings from the 1940's or 1950's.  In San Francisco, the greatest old time place is Original Joe's [tragically now burnt down], a few blocks from John's Grill, on Taylor street.  Opened in 1939 it is like stepping back sixty years in time with excellent food, particularly steaks, which they cut themselves from sides of beef.  Long counter with open kitchen.  A great lunch place.  Also Swan's Oyster depot restaurant, on Polk Street at California Street.  Looks exactly like it did in the 1920's when it opened, including original stools.  A counter only seafood place run by the kids of the original owners.  Open 8am to 5pm.  A locals place with great old time appeal.

Jeff C's ideas:

The original Tommy's on Beverly Bl & Rampart, Pinks on  Melrose (Fairfax Area), Two Guys From Italy Restaurant  , on Hollywood Blvd.
 
Richard F suggests Langer's,  704 S. Alvarado Street. [This has now been added]
 
Gideon tells me to check out the Women's Industrial Exchange,  333 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21201 410-685-4388.
 
Peter McA. remembers these RIP restaurants such as the Bull 'n Bush:
 
The Cove (a block west of The Windsor - 3191 West 7th Street) - a German restaurant; Vince and Paul's steakhouse near downtown on 8th; Edward's Steakhouse restaurant on Alvarado near MacArthur Park. He also remembers the Bull 'n Bush bar and  restaurant being  "a haunt for plaintiff p.i. guys and their insurance defense counterparts, who liked to spend the afternoon having multi-martini lunches".

Larry H. recommends Casa Bianca  Italian Restaurant : 

Casa Bianca Restaurant on Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock for an authentic 1950s pizza parlor. Celebrity photos on the wall? And the Derby Restaurant in Arcadia that's from 1938.  http://www.thederbyarcadia.com/ [These have both been added]

Miguel F.  brought to my attention:

"Encounters" Lounge in the "Theme Building" at LAX [now added]

Gary M remembers  the Reef Restaurant in Long Beach that burned down.

Dianne F recommends,  the Tonga Room Tiki Restaurant at the Fairmont San Francisco, with it's well preserved Tiki ambiance and lagoon which used to be the Hotel pool.

Phil C contributes the following on Tam O' Shanter Restaurant  

One restaurant that I believe truly belongs on your site is the Tam O' Shanter, on Los Feliz in Los Angeles near Atwater Village. It is Los Angeles's oldest restaurant continually operated by the same family in the same location since 1922 [webmaster's note - see my nontimemachine page - fantastic restaurant with a great history but it appears to be completely remodeled - definitely visit it regardless].
 
The Tam has quite a storied history including the night Walt Disney was having dinner and spied Leopold Stokowski the famous conductor. That was the beginning of the music score for the movie.
The Tan also had the world's first drive in and too many other notable events to mention here. You must visit www.lawrysonline.com and then click Tam O Shanter. Then, by all means visit the Tam in person.
 
If you don't want to spring for a full dinner ($22.00-$27.00), they have a carvery in the pub (except Sat night) and I guarantee you will have the finest brisket of beef sandwich, or turkey, or pork, or prime rib you will ever taste carved for your personally for $8.99-$11.99 As I mentioned, the pub carvery is not available Saturday evening but all other days for lunch and dinner. What a meal, what a bargain and great, authentic atmosphere.
 
Enjoyed by the Walt Disney Picture Company and dubbed "The Commissary", it was also home to Tom Mix, Mary Pickford. Today, you can spot anyone from Sandra Oh to Jim Brown the famous football player enjoying the Tam. And why not, wonderful food + atmosphere + service at value pricing.
 
About Gus's BBQ Restaurant  , I believe it was the Whittier Narrows (1983?) earthquake that caused Gus's to close down while seismic updating could be performed. They reopened but the floor plan is quite different and smaller. Originally, the counter was on the left but that area is now occupied by a cigar store. So, it's a little smaller but as you note still a time capsule to be enjoyed. Ditto for Fair Oaks Pharmacy across the street and Monty's Restaurant 2 miles up at the corner of California [now closed].
 
Another restaurant that comes to mind is the Derby Restaurant  , in Arcadia, CA [Not the Brown Derby Restaurant].  Owned by George Wolfe , Seabiscuit's "other jockey" until his untimely death in a racing fall at Santa Anita,  the Derby is known as the restaurant built be Seabiscuit.  The decor is the genuine article replete with racing souvenirs dating to the 1930's and of course, many original George Wolfe and Seabiscuit original memorabilia in the trophy case.
 
Because of the recent compelling Seabiscuit story, some of the original memorabilia was sold but much remains and is worth going to look at. Marvelous photographs, trophies, saddles etc.. Also, the entire restaurant is lined with vintage thoroughbred paintings and pictures that were produced on wood. Quite amazing. www.thederbyarcadia.com
 
The food is outstanding but also expensive. During racing season, the Derby Restaurant can become very crowded as it is a  favorite of the racing set during Santa Anita's racing season (approximately Dec.26 through  April-15) and also a 30 day meeting in November. I can highly recommend this restaurant not only for genuine decor form a bygone era, but the original racing articles including saddles dating from Seabiscuit's era are not to be missed. And, as noted, the cuisine is truly outstanding but on the expensive side.
 
As to vintage restaurants near of South Pasadena :
 
1. North Woods Inn Restaurant in San Gabriel. Hasn't changed since it opened in 1966 when it opened. Fake snow on the roof and good salads, killer cheese bread, steaks and fish. I think you'll like it. www.clearmansrestaurants.com
 
2. A Googie classic coffee shop named Goody's Restaurant  . Been there since at least the 1960's. They most be doing something right, there still  there!
 
Gustavo informs me - Just wanted to let you know that the cask and cleaver in San Dimas is now gone and has been replaced with a new shopping center. There is a nice cask and cleaver right next to the railroad tracks in downtown orange California. Good luck in finding more restaurants!!! 
 
Kevin G remembers:
 
Martoni's Restuarant (Italian Restaurant)
1538 N. Cahuenga Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90068
 
It was the hang-out for all the 60's and 70's era radio and records people and lasted until the January 1994 earthquake when it never re-opened.  Everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Real Don Steele ate there.  In fact, in the parking lot in the back was an Echo Chamber used by the Wally Heider recording studio across the street.
 
Joe K suggests these places in Chicago: 
 
The Green Mill jazz/blues lounge
 
Twin Anchors bar/restaurant in Old Town
 
The Hala Kahiki tiki bar in River Forest
 
The Pump Room restaurant at the  Ambassador East hotel (famous booth #1)
 
Superdawg hot dog drive in  (restored)
 
John McD states:  I love your site! Tom Bergin Bar and Restaurant  has it's own website at www.tombergins.com. It is one of my favorite haunts. It opened on Wilshire in 1936 and moved to the present location in 1949 [webmaster - my information is different on the date of the move]. Glen and Les Charles frequented the joint and based "Cheers" on the place. They used the horseshoe bar and based the character of "Coach" on the bartender Chris. Look at the website and tell me that Nicholas Colosanto wasn't a dead ringer for Chris. Chris is still there; going on 27 years! The place is filled with the names of regulars' names on shamrocks. 
 
Lynda J points out Nick's:
 
There is an old cafe' in Los Angeles called Nick's. It has been a famous Hollywood spot, for many years (since 1946).  Stars, Producers, Directors, Musicians, still patronize the place.   
 
I understand that it was eventually purchased by a waitress who worked there for many years.  Her family (The Love's), still run the small cafe.  It's hours are approx.  6AM - 10 PM  (Mon - Fri).  It is open 7AM - 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday. 
 
Nick's has great (afford-ably priced) meals, and a large variety of things to eat.  Everything is "umm, umm, gooood".... [now added to the site]
 
Glen points out:  "Johnnie's Broiler" was never known by locals as such. It was "Harvey's Broiler" in it's heyday and when the muscle cars roamed the drive-in. Kids from all over Los Angeles would show their stuff at Harvey's and the two delicacies loved by them were the hamburgers and deep dish pies. "Johnnies" was a later incarnation that lasted a while but was finally replaced by a  car lot. Even though the sign says Johnnies it will always be Harveys to us.
 
Erik provides the following excellent information:
 
I was shocked not to find several other favorites on your list. Here they are:

1.
The Buggy Whip restaurant  , 7420 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, 90045 - (310)
645-7131. Come on, you've heard of the
Buggy Whip restaurant  , haven't you? Get over there, you have no idea what you're missing. Friday and Saturday nights are fantastic thanks to the house singer/pianist. Requesting Neil Diamond puts a smile on his face. [This has been added to the site]

2.
Dinah's restaurant  , 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, 90045 - (310) 645-0456. Best fried chicken in Los Angeles. Fantastic Googie architecture from 1959. Repainted, has some non-original light fixtures, yet not gentrified and not ruined. Even if it looked like Applebee's, however, I'd still go for the fried chicken and the slice of homemade banana bread that comes with every dinner. [site now added]

3.
Pie 'n Burger restaurant , 913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, 91106 - (626)
795-1123, I can't believe you haven't been there. Go. Now. [This has been added to the site]

4.
Mermaid Restaurant, 11 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 - (310) 374-9344. You can be forgiven for not knowing this one- it's very much a "locals" place. Now you know, however. It's right on the beach, too.  Charming and has great food. [This has been added to the site]

5.
Mariposa's Coffee Shop restaurant , 525 N Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo, CA 90245.
THE place for LAX flight crews to get breakfast 24 hours a day. Light fixtures were unfortunately replaced, but the avocado vinyl booths, Formica counters and 50's flooring are original. You have to go.

6.
Ercoles bar, 1101 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, 90266 - (310) 372-1997. Primarily a bar, but usually has some kind of bar food "special" every night. Two for one tacos, that kind of thing. They're usually cheap and good, too. Fantastic, friendly, conversational bartender. It's been a drinking hole under various names since the '20s. It has eclectic updates (though not in the past 30 years or so) and a homey charm. Everyone I take there loves it. [site now added]
 
Maria provides this really great list including Casa Escobar Mexican restaurant  and Chez Jay:
 
Casa Escobar Mexican Restaurant on Wilshire [added], The Galley Restaurant [added], Chez Jay Restaurant and bar [added], and Patrick's Roadhouse Restaurant in Santa Monica [old building but restaurant is post-70], The Brighton Coffee Shop in B.H. [remodeled], Label's Tables on Pico in Beverly Hills,  I'll rack my brain for more. I grew up in the 70's so I also love places like The Palm Restaurant in Beverly Hills and The Moustache Cafe in Westwood. I'm old enough to remember a few places you missed Like Robaire's Restaurant on La Brea, The Windmill Cafeteria near Park La Brea, The Swedish Smorgasbord in Santa Monica, Andre's On Wilshire, Clifton's Cafeteria in Century City, The Pico Drug Fountain, The Chatham in Westwood and The Corner Cafe which is now John O'Groat's Restaurant one of my faves and a future classic.
 
Maria (yet another) suggests Clifton's and the Hat:
 
I love your site, fond memories of Sundays after church. Cliftons Cafeteria was a favorite, but we visited a lot of others on your site as well. Another is The Hat, I believe the original is the Garfield/Valley location in Alhambra. They have the best pastramis east of downtown. It used to say coffee for like a dime, not sure if it still does.
 
Daniel  looks for  a recipe :

I read the biography of Al Levy with the greatest interest. As a boy, my father would walk me to lunch from the I. N. Van Nuys building (owned by the developer of Van Nuys, California) up Spring Street to Levy’s Restaurant and Bar. My father’s associate would order a fifth of hard liquor at the bar and sit there consuming its entirety from a water tumbler before walking back to their law offices. We would dine at one of the commodious booths and I would invariably order an Ancient Mariner’s Salad. It was terrific and I now search the Internet in vain for the recipe. It was elegantly assembled on an oval platter and then ceremoniously poured out, mixed with dressing and placed before me. Any information or contact that might lead me to the recipe? [Viewers - write me to help Daniel out]

David B informs me:

I love your site and since you're into Los Angeles lore...in regards to the Biltmore, did you know this is the last place Elizabeth Short was seen alive?

Mya informs me :  The El Cid is a fantastic bar/cafe, doesn't look like it's been remodeled since the 20s [now added]. Tons of info on this website. I go there a lot because on Monday there is an avant garde/comedy show, it's fun.

http://www.elcidla.com/

 Bill B Suggests:  When you get the inclination a couple more notable buildings you might check out and include sometime in the future: The Villa D'Este Apartments (maybe now condominiums) on North Laurel in Hollywood and The Andalusia Apartments on nearby North Havenhurst, both near Fountain/Sunset area where the Garden of A**** once stood near Crescent Heights. As you are probably aware, The Villa D'Este was built by Cecile B. DeMille for his daughters who resided there. I'm not certain what the history of the Andalusia is, but I almost rented a unit there that was fully furnished with the original furniture and accessories carefully preserved. The elderly eccentric architect who owned the building would not permit anyone to bring in any personal belongings other than their clothes, and I just could not live in such a museum, but I appreciated the thrilling experience of seeing it anyway.

Anthony G suggest the Valley Inn:

Barone's Italian Restaurant on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks should be added [done - it has moved to Oxnard St.]. It has been at that site since 1945. I believe it is the longest running restaurant on Ventura Blvd. They used to also occupy the space to the East. Celebrities went there at night especially teens like Judy Garland. Jane Russell was also a regular. Its original location is where Casa de Cadillac is circa 1942 (a MacAllister creation). The interior is classic. Barone's could be knocked down because a developer has bought the entire block. Fireplace, wood paneling, red booths, and carpeting make trip worth while.
 
The Valley Inn in Sherman Oaks [now added], on Sherman Oaks Avenue, is also very old. I think it too opened in 1945. The interior may be as late as 1969, but that is not exactly new. Main Street, Disneyland style decorations on the wall. A hop skip and jump from Liberace's house on Valley Vista with Piano Pool. Many dated celebrity photos on the wall.
 
Richard M remembers: I never lived in the Los Angeles area but grew up in Arizona and all of the family's early trips were to Los Angeles. A  great uncle was a realtor - Jim of the Valley - in Tarzana.  I also had two aunts (I think that is who they were but, today, I have no idea of their relation) who lived in this magical apartment house (with the stair case that went up the middle and an inquisitive and a bit frightened boy from Arizona could stand at the top and look all the way down - and an elevator with two doors one had to open by hand) which was just down the street (don't know which one) from McArthur Park (which was OK in those days-I think it has improved).  I remember my father and I would walk from the apartment building to McArthur park-I think we passed  hot dog stand in the shape of a hot dog-when we once visited them.  We must have walked because that trip my father and I came to LA by train from Arizona..could have taken a taxi but I don't think so.
 
We went to Knott's Berry Farm when it was just starting up and only had a ghost town, in fact I think we went there when it was still a berry farm.
 
Funny how one place can hold such magical thoughts so many years later.  My step-father owned orange groves in Anaheim before selling them  and moving to Arizona.  He was the one who first took us to the Tick Tock and what a wonderful place that was.  I was looking for the Tick Tock this morning because I happened on the website for Philippes (spelling?) home of the original French Dip...we ate there once also and it seems it is still around.  Sorry about the Tick Tock.
 

Bob R. suggest checking into these places:

 
Petrelli's Steakhouse  5615 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City..1931
 
Magee's Kitchen 6333 W. 3rd. St...(Farmers Market) Los Angeles 1934
 
Tail of the Pup   San Vicente North of Beverly Blvd.  1938
 
Hotel Bel Air  701 Stone Canyon   Beverly Hills..1942
 
Domminick's  .8715 Beverly Blvd  Los Angeles 1946
 
Dino's Restaurant 2055 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena  1949
 
Snake Pit  7529 Melrose Los Angeles 1956 [added]
 
Jan's Coffee Shop 8424 Beverly Blvd  Los Angeles 1957
 
Andre's Restaurant 6322 W. 3rd. St. (Town and Country)  Los Angeles 1963 (webmaster's note: would someone let me know if this is still around?)
 
Beverly Laurel Coffee Shop  [now Swingers] 8020 Beverly Blvd. L.A. 1964
 
Nibblers Restaurant 8383 Wilshire, Beverly Hills ( just closed this week ..maybe temporarily) 1965
 
Twin Dragon Chinese Restaurant 8597 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles 1966
 
House of Pies Restaurant 1869 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles 1970 [remodeled]
 
There are a few that I am sure  were opened 1970 or earlier but I do not have any clue as to the dates:
 
Key Club  9039 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles
R J's Ribs  252 N. Beverly Drive   Beverly Hills 
Moonshadows 20356 Pacific Coast Highway   Malibu 
 

Hayford P. remembers Chasen's restaurant , Perino's restaurant and La Rue restaurant :

I greatly enjoyed your pages about the old LAX restaurants. I was a teenager there in the '50s and '60s and ate out a lot with my mother, mostly in moderately up-scale places although occasionally in Chasens restaurant , Perinos restaurant , and LaRue restaurant .

Just off the top of my head, here are the names of some others that I remember:

The Duck Press restaurant , way downtown, famous for duck
Bess Eilers restaurant -- family restaurant in Santa Monica on Wilshire Blvd.
The Fox and Houndsrestaurant  , also on Wilshire in Santa Monica.
Chips restaurant , a great little steakhouse and bar, on, I think, Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica.
Stears restaurant  -- a steakhouse on La Cienega that, I think, was briefly run by
Lawry's, practically across the street.
The Intrepid Fox, on, I think, Sepulveda
Robaire's French restaurant on La Brea -- they opened a second one in the Valley at one point
Frascati's restaurant -- there were 3 or 4 of them in the general Beverly Hills area
The Bantam Cock and
Tail o' the Cock, both on La Cienega

The one I miss the most after nearly 50 years is still the late, great
Don the Beachcomber's. By the way, although he was indeed born Earnest Gantt or whatnot, and was then nicknamed Don the Beachcomber, he eventually "legally" changed his name to Donn Beach -- with 2 "n"s....

Jeff P offers these suggestions for Orange County:

“La Cave” Restaurant  , in Costa Mesa is a good candidate for a time machine. It’s in the basement of a three story building and has a good 60’s feel. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there, so it might have changed. It’s the same sort of place as the Fireside/Riviera in Westminster (listed on your site).

As for bars there’s the
Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach, as pretty good tiki bar. Again, it’s been a long time since I’ve been there, but I drive by it regularly and nothing has changed.

Oh, I know a really great old-style tiki restaurant in Sunset Beach; but I Just can’t think of the name right now.

Oh, another restaurant is the Chicken Dinner restaurant at Knott’s Berry Farm [now added] (http://www.knotts.com/camplace/dine_restaurant.shtml). It’s got a great 60’s tropical ambiance. Not tiki or anything, but there’s volcanic stone fountains and it has a really vintage feel. And really good chicken.

The
Original Pancake House Restaurant in Anaheim is a good one to add, too. It’s in an old house. It isn’t doesn’t really epitomize a particular style or anything, but it’s a family run-restaurant that’s been in the same place for a long time. Here’s more http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/index.htm.

I think this would fit into your site (or maybe not), but there’s Old Word, a German-themed village with restaurants and shops and a couple of bars. http://www.oldworldvillage.net/.

Richard L provides the following important info on Yuma and other Arizona towns:

The Mission Inn or something like that in Riverside, CA. It was were President Nixon got married. Mission Inn,

In Yuma there are several places that are famous or were famous and are still, outside at least, largely unchanged.

The El Rancho Motel on 4th Avenue and 22nd Street. We have live in Yuma since 1952 and it was around when we moved there. I was told that Clark Gable always stayed there when he was in Yuma for Dove hunting season. It really hasn't changed much on the outside and I doubt if the rooms are changed much.

Lutes Casino at 221 South Main Street (Old Town). I am not sure if it is in its original place but it has always been on main street. Don't let the casino name fool you, I think they might have some card games, dominos comes to mind as well, but I have never been in it. It is a cafe. But, I understand it is pretty much the same as it has always been and has been in downtown Yuma since the 50's and probably earlier. It is famous for its Lutes Burger (I think that is the name).
Lutes' Gretna Green Wedding Chapel at 500 W. 1st. More than 35 years ago it was moved from its original location and I think, at that time, it was just the Gretna Wedding Chapel, although Lute's may have been apart of the name. It is in the original large two story house and, legend has it, many movie stars were married there. In the golden age of Hollywood California required a blood test before marriage, Arizona didn't. So, many movie stars came to Yuma to get married some, if not a lot, I believe, in this wedding chapel  I am sure that either San Laurel or Oliver Hardy....or both..got married there.

La Casa Gutierrez restaurant 520 South Orange Ave. It almost closed last year. It is an old Mexican restaurant in one of Yuma's oldest houses. It isn't that large-I think the original living room and dining room and one former bedroom make up the entire eating area. It has, beyond a doubt, the best toasted cheese or toasted butter tortillas, folded butter tortillas (you can squeeze the butter out of it) and refried beans and tacos around as far as I am concerned. Of course it could be because that was where I would take my girlfriends in high school and that, plus the atmosphere, and memories, may make the food taste extra good.

 The old Downtown Yuma Post Office, at least from the outside it has not changed. Some company now owns it and I have not been inside so I don't know what they did to the interior.

The Bow and Arrow Motel on 4th Ave. Now more of a dump than anything else but it hasn't changed much since we moved there. I think we once stayed there (when it was still a valid motel, not run down as today) while looking for a home in Yuma as I remember my mother always called it the "buggy motel."

The Coronado Motel and Restaurant 233 S. 4th Ave. It is, or was, the oldest motel in the Best Western Chain and the original part dates way before the 1950's I am sure. Outside it looks pretty much as it has always looked, but can not vouch for the inside.
Hotel Lee 390 S. Main Street recently won some type of reward for preservation or restoration or the like.

Casa Linda Apartments (may have new name) on Orange Ave. Where we first lived when we moved to Yuma in 1952. They have not changed much at all...actually most of Orange Avenue is a walk back into time.

Roxaboxin (spelling) Park on 3rd or some place..not sure of the exact street but near downtown. I am not sure of the date but it is the place the children's book by the same name was written about.

(20th Century Fox )Yuma Theatre downtown Yuma. Has been restored - I understand - to its original decor inside. It now has art shows and film series and such. It was, I believe, originally built by 20th Century Fox Studios to show case their films.

Sad but true, the old KIVA (Channel 11) television studio. It is falling down just outside Yuma near the California Inspection Station. It was one of the first TV stations in Arizona, and, I believe, the first outside of Phoenix and Tucson. Since it served California as well (Imperial Valley) it may have been one of the first in California. All shows were on California time which meant a lot of good shows were on too late for kids (like me) in Yuma to watch. It was also the first and possibly only station allowed to carry shows from all three networks, ABC, NBC, CBS. For some reason it could not carry commercials from the network shows. I believe it started up in 1953 or 1954.

In Flagstaff almost all of downtown Flagstaff is a time machine.

The Hotel Monte Vista is pretty much the same as it was originally. It still has its original sign on top.

The Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff (where Zane Grey wrote Call of the Canyon) has been restored and just recently got its "witches hat" (upside down cone shape on roof) back.

The Museum Club on Hwy 66 is, as I understand it, pretty much the same inside as outside. It has animal heads all over and is rumored to be haunted. Today it is mostly a place for Country Music bands to play.

Winslow has a few, probably more, and all are more famous than our (I also live in Winslow) stupid "standing on the corner" park.

The La Posada Motel and Restaurant is pretty much the same as it was when it was a Harvey House. It has been remodeled inside but that is because for years it was the headquarters for the Santa Fe Railroad and they covered up almost everything. I have not been in it but I understand the inside is being restored, bit by bit, to its original Harvey House glory.

Many buildings in downtown Winslow (those that have not fallen or burnt down) have not changed outside. The famous Store for Men (clothes store) that was advertised all along Rt. 66 has been closed for over 20 years but I think the building it was in is still there.

 Casey's-this is stretching it. When I first moved to Winslow it was like walking into an old time hardware store...a little bit of everything. It still has a little bit of everything (including 1950's type toys-paint by number sets, models, etc.) and is still like walking back in time (especially the toy and hobby section) but I don't know about the outside and they have done some remodeling and put in modern check-out areas and such.

The Winslow theatre downtown-outside the same as it always has been. It has been restored and remodeled by same man who is doing the La Posada and shows movies. However, I have not been on the inside and do not know if it is a "time machine" inside.

Holbrook is a time machine of its own. It is 30 miles east of Winslow.

The downtown still has sections of the original covering over the side walks.
The Bucket of Blood Saloon (so called because legend says so many were shot in it the floor looked like some one had washed it with a "bucket of blood.") may be restored soon.

The hotel where the cowboys from the Hashknife Ranch (same bunch Zane Grey wrote his book The Hashknife Outfit about) would stay when in town is still standing but not being used. In a way this is good as it has not changed much at all but is falling down.

And, of course, the Wigwam Motel one of only two remaining such motels on Hwy. 66. Talk about a time machine. I have never been in one of the "wigwams" but they are restored as they were and even have 1950's and 1960's classic cars parked around them (it is open to the public).

Before I end this I want to mention a restaurant at 9 South Main Street, Taylor, Arizona (30 miles south of Holbrook). I am sure it is pre 1970 and probably 1950's. It is a small restaurant with the same plastic booths and seats. All food is home made including the bread and pies. By homemade, I mean just that. Even the French fries are home cut and fried. As far as I am concerned it is a step back into time to eat there.

Peter S suggests:

Here's a place... the Revolver and Athletic Club... a cafeteria at the Los Angeles Police Academy. Open to the public. Good breakfasts. Sounds of gunfire from the range.
 

Riley G reminisces:

Have you tried Burger Continental restaurant on S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, not far from Pie 'n 'Burger restaurant ? I hope it's still there. I found it when working at Caltech in the late 1970's, and was back to eat there in the mid 1990's. It's a favorite of people from many walks of life. The owner's are very friendly; coffee and soda refills are free.

It's mostly middle eastern type food. The Sharouma sandwiches are the best I've ever had (Lamb in pita with a special sauce).
It's a stand-in-line-to-order from the counter place (like
Philippe's restaurant  ), but often an owner will come down the line to take your order before you reach the counter. Most of the seats are in a pretty interior courtyard, with occasional belly dancers. Nothing particular about the architecture, but it's a unique place that's one of my Los Angeles favorites, along with Philippe's.

Scott S recounts:

One of my faves for downright dirt cheap and tasty Eye-talian food is Pinocchio's Restaurant/Monte Carlo Deli. This is one business with an Italian deli in one side and a pizzeria type restaurant on the other. You can get a huge roast beef sub, served with two sides of fresh salads for about five bucks. The prices are stuck in the past too! Though they recently put in a new floor and a new front door, the first and second dining rooms retain their 1960's red vinyl booth/red checkered tablecloth/ wicker-covered Chianti bottle decor/feel. Check it out. This is on Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista St. Check out El Paso Barbeque Restaurant on Ventura Blvd. in Tarzana. Awesome steaks, and I think it's been there since the late 1960's.

Yvonne E recalls:  I just found your site tonight and I can't wait to spend more time browsing around in it. It brings back memories of Ships (in Westwood & on La Cienega) and all the old Los Angeles coffee shops I used to drink coffee at in the 80's. Many of the outlying buildings you've photographed have also caught my eye while I spent the past decade commuting from Corona into Los Angeles Now that I'm back in Los Angeles, I'm saddened by the buildings that have been demolished and others that will probably soon come under the wrecking ball.

2 things:
1) The oldest building in Los Angeles may actually be part of an old adobe that's attached to The Consolidated Plaza in Baldwin Hills on Don Felipe Drive. (If you take Crenshaw south from the 10, you'll notice that the original 'Bowl' and 'Pontiac' signs, as well as the original Bowling Alley Coffee Shop facade have all been saved as part of a new shopping center. The original Crenshaw Plaza sign is also still in tact, also on the East side of the street.
2)
Don the Beachcomber's old Hollywood location may now be the King King club http://www.kingkinghollywood.com/

Thanks for taking the time to do all the wonderful research and the great pictures!

Charles C remembers:

You might be interested to know that in its last life, the downtown Standard was built as the California Bank Building, and served as the "Brent Building," Perry Mason's building on the old T.V. Show.

During my 1960's childhood in Hollywood, Young China was an upscale Chinese restaurant at 6615 Hollywood Blvd that owed its origin to the "Young China" movement of the 30s and 40s (branch of the Kuomintang), or so it's said. It has been a cheezier place called "China King"
Restaurant for quite a while. I've been there in decades, but rumor has it that it is now a chain clothing store --- have to find out next time I'm down that way. The Cat and Fiddle on Sunset was Mouling's back in my youth, another well-known Chinese place. Barbata's Restaurant on Ventura Bl. has closed (2002).My brother and I love your site --- so many of our fave places!

 
Joel T comments:

Thanks for putting this site together. I grew up and spent most of my adult life in the Los Angeles area and went to many of the restaurants and bars that you've documented. I also have fond memories of going to a lot of the theaters mentioned such as the Los Angeles Theater, Orpheum Theater, Wiltern and others. In the 70's and early 80's I did not appreciate the "time machine" character of a lot of the places but now I think it is incredibly cool when an older restaurant, building, theater or bar has that old time feel and look. One suggestion for a closed restaurant: Far East Cafe (now reopened). This was a classic 1930's Chinese (Cantonese which is what most were at the time: before Hunan, Sichuan, etc styles) restaurant located in Little Tokyo on 1st Street. Due to the Northridge earthquake it was closed sometime in the late 80's.

Chip A provides the following very important information:

Barones Italian restaurant will be closing it’s doors tomorrow, January 22nd.  They are relocating and taking over the space currently occupied by the Matterhorn Chef restaurant on Oxnard and Woodman in Van Nuys and should be up and running mid to late March of this year.  The block that Barones currently sits on will be turned into luxury condos. Having grown up in Sherman Oaks I have grown up on Barones and my in laws who also grew up in the valley have been going there since 1951.  Our whole family (14 of us) all went to dinner there last night as a final sendoff. Sad to see such an old time place go but at least they aren’t closing doors altogether. A public auction is being held in the middle of February for anyone that wants to own a piece of Barones history so maybe that is worth noting on your website. Thought you would want the update.  Thanks for running such a cool website.

Larry R remembers:

Your Rip list is missing a restaurant that I loved in the 70s on Sunset called Cyranos restaurant . It was on the North side of the street in the Sunset Plaza area and had a great fireplace, maitre de and waiters. They would make the Caesar salad or pasta Alfredo at your table. The maitre de was Gio who opened his own restaurant on sunset later.

Mark L adds these R.I.P's:

Definitely missing some big ones (attached) Hope these help!
The Bagel (ashtray) was 1052 S. Fairfax

STATS had 4 locations :
8300 Wilshire (at san vicente)
9233 Pico
9025 Wilshire
11357 E Valley Blvd. (El Monte)


Mike S shares these memories of
Nickodell's:

Thanks for sharing your finds with all so that maybe we can save some of these places. Not just the history, but the whole dining experience has been degraded by the rush to a fast food mentality. So many great old places have been destroyed by the modern “California” dining mentality. Give me dark wood and an even darker corner to enjoy my libations. Here are some rants and raves of no particular importance.

Nickodell's  restaurant was probably the darkest place in town, and with good reason, so that actors could sneak one in between takes and not be bothered by the public. As for location, everyone knows it was at the east corner of the KHJ-TV 9 studios bedecked in its stunning black terra cotta tile. Henrys European Inn was a little further east, on the east side of a short street that led into the Paramount lot. The small bar on the south side of Melrose has been running since the 50’s (maybe the 30’s) but has gone through many changes. My earliest remembrance was that it was an Italian restaurant.

Little Heart of Europe on Western was a little hole in the wall but with the best crisp duck in town. All of the other European fare was barely edible. We often had to walk out when the owner reported that there was no duck. During the meal, the owner would play the piano and the violin. Another great European spot was “The Paprika” in Hollywood. Anyone whoever ate there remembers their wood plate special.

Guess that’s it for now. Except, can anyone recall the name of the donut factory at the southwest corner of Western and Santa Monica? I remember it as a kid (early 60’s) but not much else. I think it lasted up until the 70’s when all the massage parlors entered the area. And then there were all those great characters such as Mr. Baseball, General Hershey, Julius Caesar, etc., etc., but that would be something for another website
 

Suzanne O recalls these great times at the Brown Derby:

I grew up with the granddaughter of Bob Cobb in Beverly Hills and we would sometimes walk home from school and stop at the Beverly Hills Brown Derby Restaurant. The staff there adored the granddaughter (Mary) and we would sit at the bar and eat their famous spaghetti dinner. Later on when I ate at the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant, one of the staff remembered me from Beverly Hills and stopped at our table to ask about the family.
I always wondered why the family didn't take a stronger interest in preserving the
Brown Derby Restaurant. Does anyone know what happened to all the famous caricature pictures of the stars that used to line the walls there?
 

Mary Jo B.  remembers Kelbo's:

I was surprised to not see the following 3 restaurants on your Extinct List:

2 extinct restaurants I had many meals at while at UCLA in the late
50's early 60's: Ships and the "V.D." Village Delicatessen in Westwood.

Another favorite in the
50's: Kelbo's restaurant - Loved their barbecued ribs and had my first legal drink at age 21 there: a mai tai.
 

Joe V. remembers the "Chili Bowl":

I've been meaning to get around to writing to you about the old Chili Bowl building in Alhambra, but I wasn't sure it was still there, and only found out a couple of days ago that it is. It was one of a couple of dozen Chili Bowls built by Arthur Whizen in the 1930's and 1940's. By the time I first saw the Alhambra building, it had become a Chinese Restaurant called the China Doll (which name allowed a fairly cheap conversion of the "Chili Bowl" signage.) My dad told me it had once been a place called the Chili Bowl, and that that was why the building was shaped... well, like a chili bowl.

Anyway, the building at 501 West Valley Boulevard (only four blocks from
The Hat) is still there, and still an Asian restaurant, though it's now
called Kim Chuy.
And the same page has a picture of another surviving Chili Bowl building,
in Huntington Park, though that one has had its windows sealed up.

It also turns out that a third Chili Bowl survives in West L.A., and is a
restaurant called Mr. Cecil's California Ribs.
I don't know how much the interiors of these buildings have been altered,
but the outside of the Alhambra building at least looks very much as it
did forty years ago. Maybe not exactly a time machine, but worthy of
notice next time you go to The Hat. I hear from friends still in the area
that Valley Boulevard is changing rapidly, and I don't know how much
longer this little building will survive amid the new banks that are
popping up like weeds all along the street.

Joseph provides these valuable observations:

Restaurants

I'm browsing through your pages, and noticed your objection to the remodeled glass dividers at Canter's DELI. this was done for a filming there, though you'd have to call them to find out what movie or TV show it was. the same filming also painted "Delicatessen" on the front windows. Canter's DELI liked these (free) improvements enough that they kept them. I also notice you don't have The Brite Spot
restaurant (on Sunset in Silver Lake) listed. totally worth checking out.

TOTALLY worth the drive, the 24-hour Saugus Cafe, a truckstop diner
made out of a trailer, open (gently remodeled) since the 1890s.
http://tinyurl.com/grvdr

across from Canter's DELI, you might include Damiano's
restaurant as a trip back in
time, and Nova Express as a trip into the future, albeit a future
straight out of a 1950s B-movie. lava lamps and glowing tables.
beware the loud music of the live DJs, though.

also your review of Taix French Restaurant says it's run by decedents (dead people). :)

(extinct:) there was also a Kelbo's
restaurant on W Pico Blvd in WLA. miss that place.

Bars:

in the Horseshoe Tavern, you mention the tv show Cheers. I believe
the MTM team was based in New York, and according to the bull & finch
pub in boston, they were the inspiration: http://tinyurl.com/zcvj2

Theaters

The Rialto Movie Palace in Pasadena is a Landmark theater and is in regular
operation. the Vista is also in regular operation. the Wiltern is,
of course, not used for movies anymore (except for special bookings).
I wasn't sure from reading the page whether you knew this, and it
might be cool to add :)
the Aero is run by the Cinematheque now.

I believe The Palace is a rental theater now and is owned by
well-intentioned preservationists who are looking for people who want
to use it. they plan to use the income to keep improving the place.
putting in a good word about that with a phone number on your site
might do them some good. *shrug*

the old town music hall in el segundo has a wurlitzer, and it is used
for every show (according to the website): http://www.otmh.org/

Shelley K. provides this information: I just cataloged a recipe by the tea room at 644 So. Flower called: Assembly Secrets, dated 1926.

Recipes include:

Sailor duff pudding, butter scotch pie, blackberry jam cake, date and nut cake, ice box cookies, clover leaf rolls, orange rolls, poultry dressing, escalloped lamb, New England corn chowder, panned oysters, lobster a la Newburg, ginger ale salad, and pickled spiced fruits.

They must have sold it at the restaurant.

Jim E. recounts these memories:

I want to complement you on your website. I enjoyed the descriptions of the various locations and the many different links. With regard to many of the extinct restaurants you listed, the walk down memory lane has been bittersweet - fun and a little sad at the same time. Great job! Having grown up in the west San Gabriel Valley there were a few restaurants that I frequented with my family when I was a kid that were pretty special (at least to us) that have been gone for some time. I thought I might pass a few of them along to you with the hope that they are worthy of a mention in the extinct restaurant pages. If a somehow missed them, I apologize in advance for wasting your time.

1. Van de Kamps Restaurant and Bakery
Multiple locations but the one we went to most often was off of Fletcher Drive in Los Angeles by the Glendale (2) freeway. (I think some were later converted to Tiny Naylor restaurants). Each coffee shop style restaurant had a distinctive type of architecture that usually featured a lighted windmill that actually turned. Served many of the dishes that later became part of their frozen food line sold in supermarkets - chicken pot pies, enchiladas, etc.

2. El Poche Cafe
restaurant
Located on Mission Dr. in San Gabriel (just down the street from the Mission). The restaurant was in an old adobe type building with water fountains and colored lights featured throughout the interior - for a kid it was enchanting. Good, authentic Mexican food that was far better than its rival Panchitos (located just down the street and I believe it is also extinct). The restaurant burned to the ground in the late 70's or early 80's.


3. The Tikis
Located on Potrero Grande Dr. in Monterey Park. A Polynesian restaurant that was an amazing place to dine as a kid. I was so bummed when it closed! The following is the text from their matchbook:

12 Acres of Tropical Enchantment
50 feet of underground lava tubes
80 foot erupting volcano
Waterfalls, lagoons, jungle trails
3 to 7 bands
POLYNESIAN EXTRAVAGANZA featuring the finest of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand.
Accommodates to 5000 persons, 18 acres of parking
Complete year round banquet facilities
Private facilities for birthday parties
We specialize in holiday parties
Sundays bring the kids
12 exciting rides, petting zoo
Polynesian cultural center of the islands
Train ride through ½ mile of Polynesian settings and monster caves

According to Book of Tiki author Sven Kirsten, The Tikis was finally shut down in the 1970s by neighbors who didn't like the jungle drums in their backyards and the entertainment license was revoked. "Danny Balsz was a driven man. He packed up his Tikis and built them a new home in Lake Elsinore, further south of L.A. There he labored for years, re-erecting a complete new lava land. Patiently his Tikis stood guard over it, waiting the grand re-opening. But the times had changed, and the great day never came."
Currently part of the remains of the Lake Elsinore property are used as a paintball facility. You can still wander about the site just off N.Potrero Grande Drive in Monterey Park.


Joe V. provides more important information:

I just saw your photo of Shaker's restaurant in Pasadena. I believe I recognize it as a branch of a short-lived chain from the 1960's called Preble's. For ages, the Preble family operated a grocery store on Dayton Street west of Fair Oaks in Pasadena. Located in a couple of old are houses in the midst of a run down neighborhood, it was nevertheless very popular with the well-to-do residents of the south Orange Grove Boulevard area of town. Its presence gave rise to a few other shops and a couple of art galleries that operated along the street for a few years- sort of an early, spontaneous flowering of what became Old Town. Anyway, about 1960, the Prebles decided to open a chain of restaurants. I think they managed to open four or so, all in the San Gabriel Valley. I'm not sure when they gave up on the restaurants, or when they closed the market. However, in case you haven't seen it, another one of the old Preble's restaurants is located on the northwest corner of 2nd and Main in downtown Alhambra.

It is currently open as a trendy cafe called The Diner on Main. I haven't been there (I only found out about it still being in existence when I was looking at the city of Alhambra's web site the other day), and I don't know how much of the original interior remains, if any, but I don't recall any major changes having been done to the place as of 1986, the last time I was in Alhambra. It might be worth checking out. In 1964, I lived in the next block east on Main Street, in a flat above a photo studio in the small building now occupied by a cigar bar. I spent quite a bit of time in Preble's, and it was a nice bit of classic Googie design. I hope that at least some of its ambiance remains today.

Jennifer C comments:

Great site! You've put a lot of work into it. Here are some suggestions:

1. Original BBQ (extinct restaurant)
It was on the southwest corner of 8th St and Vermont, and had the best bbqed chicken and the best cole slaw I've ever tasted. We lived nearby in the 1950's, and I know it still was in business in the early 80's.

2.
Blarney Castle (extinct restaurant)
It was on the west side of Western Ave, just north of Wilshire. My parents used to take me there when I was a kid in the
50's. It was basically a steak house, and also served delicious lobster. I remember decades later trying to find it, only to discover the restaurant closed and empty, but with all the tables set. Weird. I believe the building it was in is gone now.  [For more information see the Richard O'Neill hyperlink on the great Restaurateur page].

John Michael W discusses these old joints:

"Har-Omar Restaurant 1608 N. Cosmo and later 1605 No. Ivar, Hollywood. Armenian food."

I ate at the Ivar address pre-'57, and sometime between '60 and '63, at their new (last?) location on the Sunset Strip, near Crescent Heights I think, in a north-side second-floor room with a picture window looking south -- great view on a clear night. I moved away then, and never found them again.

A regular performer there was Ara Sevanian, who played the Egyptian Harp, or Kanon,a 72-string instrument like a zither. I bought a mono 12" LP of his music there, "Egyptian Harp, "Kanon" Volume Two. I've heard the music nowhere else. Magnificent food, music, setting.

You don't mention that there was a Don the Beachcomber Bar/Restaurant in the International Marketplace, on Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki, that had wonderful tropical-jazz entertainment, from at least 4/'57 (before Hawaii was a state) to mid-'60.

I visited this great place often from mid-'60 to late '62.  It was run by the Shelby Brothers, Lebanese or Syrians; one cooked .  The other entertained, a strolling violinist, both in the downstairs restaurant.

I spent more time in the upstairs nightclub (a firetrap - one tiny stairway that my shoulders nearly filled), with only one unisex toilet.  Often, newcomers would have too much too drink, fail to lock the door, immediately off the main floor.  Suddenly the door would open, and the brightly lit toilet and occupant were the comic relief.

They had great oud and dumbek (small drum) music, and mostly amateur belly dancers -- BEAUTIFUL co-eds, mainly from UCLA.  Little English was spoken.  One sat on cushions on the floor, and I think could order snacks--  hummus,etc.

About 6 years later, after the assassination of RFK by Sirhan Sirhan, I read that he had currently, or for a time, played oud at the Fez.


Mark G adds this info on the Bun 'n Burger among others:

Ozzie's restaurant , 7780 E. Slauson in Commerce – Classic coffee shop.  My mom was a hostess and waitress there and my grandmother kept the books, back in the ‘60s and early ‘70s.

 Chateau Briand, Rosemead and Telegraph, Pico Rivera – Never been inside, but it’s been there forever and has changed very little on the outside.

 Bun N Burger restaurant – Main and Valencia, Alhambra – Authentic diner in a cool streamline building with an awesome moving neon sign.

 The Barkley, Huntington and Fremont, South Pasadena – Formerly owned by the late radio personality Roger Barkley, this steak and chop place definitely has a retro feel to it as you step inside.

 Any of your readers who grew up or lived in Southeast L.A. County may remember or have more information on these now extinct restaurants:

Stax in Huntington Park – Famous for their great cherry pies.

 The Carousel, in Downey, I believe on Florence Avenue – Good waffles and a gaudy pink and white décor.

 The Silver Saddle restaurant  , also in Downey – A cool cowboy and Indian themed place I really liked as a kid.

 And finally……The Zamboanga South Seas Nite Club, 3828 West Slauson, L.A. (Baldwin Hills area) – My dad worked here awhile back in the ‘40s.  It was owned by Joe Chastik, who also ran Vagabond’s House on Wilshire (already on your list).  Grandma also kept the books for Mr. Chastik at Vagabond’s.

 Thanks again and keep up the great work,

Dean "The Jab" C. provides this sad news and a tip: 

I hate to bring bad news to your attention but I have some. Sam's Seafood is due to close on June 4th. Get there while you can. I am going this Monday night. Tiki Central is throwing a big party there on Saturday, but I don't know what there is to celebrate. Also, the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach has been sold .

I heard of a place called 21 Oceanfront in Newport Beach at 21 W. Oceanfront Street. Their web site doesn't reveal how great it looks inside,


Cindy W
comments:

The original name of Johnnie's Broiler was Harvey's Broiler. The name changed sometime in the late sixties, I believe. Most of the best times were when it was Harvey's, I am told that anyone who was anyone as a teenager in the fifties and sixties cruised Harvey's. Its a damn shame what has happened to this glorious structure.  Thanks for the terrific web site.
 

Ron D. shares these memories:

I discovered your site yesterday while surfing the net. I am trying to remember how I navigated to it, but that's not important. I just want you to know how much I am enjoying it.

Restaurants have always been a part of my life. One of my earliest remembrances is my dad taking me to Marsals. My mom worked there in the
40's and 50's. As of about 20 years ago, the building, on Firestone Blvd. west of Long Beach Blvd. in Southgate, was still in use as a service club. Elks Club, or V.F.W. ? Can't quite remember. I didn't go in but wondered the were still using the original bar.

I began working in restaurants along Ventura Blvd. in the late
50's at age 13 as a busboy or dishwasher. I was lucky to feel so "grown up" hanging out at coffee shops with restaurant workers after closing time. I remember one character who came to these 2am breakfasts was a waiter or maybe even maitre d' at Romanoff's restaurant. Very continental, spoke several languages.

My adult working years were spent as a Los Angeles deputy sheriff. Worked patrol in East L.A., West Hollywood, Lennox (near LAX and Hawthorne), and Marina Del Rey. Ate a lot of burgers over the hood of a radio car. Looked for cop hang outs on your website but maybe they are no longer around. Hill's Code 7 in downtown L.A. and
El Tepeyac Mexican restaurant in East L.A. (home of the "Hollenbeck burrito" and mentioned in Joseph Wambaugh's first book The New Centurions) come to mind.

You feature Monty's
restaurant . My mom hostessed at the old location on Ventura Blvd. near White Oak in the 80's. It burned to the ground 15 or so years ago. Sad enough, but even more so because the bar was full of Dodger baseball memorabilia. The new location on Topanga Canyon just didn't cut it for me the one time I visited.

Well, I am starting to ramble too much. One suggestion: if you have never been, next time your travels take you to Palm Springs, try my favorite place, The Ingleside Inn. The great restaurant and bar there is called Melvyn's. Off the main drag and VERY much "old" Palm Springs.

Garry P. recounts the "jazz" life:

I truly enjoyed your website, as I lived in Los Angeles in the late fifties and sixties. One of my favorite places to hang out (and sometimes sit-in with the jazz band) was Paul Cummins' Roaring Twenties on La Cienega Blvd. I remember that one of the magazines (Look, Life, or one similar) did an article on that club. I have never been able to find it, or anything else on the place. And who could forget Dick Webster's incomparable lemon pies, a little farther down the boulevard! L.A. was truly a great place to be in those days..........I would not mind re-living that experience all over again.

Thanks for the memories, as they say.

Leon R provides these important memories of Clifton's Meals for Millions:

I worked at the Meals For Millions office at Clifton's in about 1952 as a part timer while going to USC. They still had the "Pay what you wish" policy then. Your write up seemed to think this was a '30s thing. We mailed out packets of the MFM food free to the starving areas of the world.

I've looked through your whole list and had many happy memories of
places such as the Tam (welsh rarebit, toad in the hole), Micelis
restaurant, etc.
I'm trying to remember the name of a place in Leimert Park where we
ate a lot. They served a frozen parfait with every meal.
They closed down and started or bought the Silver Saddle
restaurant in Downey.
What was the name of the original place? The owner was German I believe.

The Hollywood Tick Tock restaurant was a favorite with their multiple courses
all served at breakneck speed. You soon learned to eat with one hand
holding on to your dish or it would be whisked away and replaced with
the next course. Lots of fun. I went to the one in Toluca Lake once.
It also had rapid service. We entered, ordered, ate and left and
thought perhaps the swinging doors were still moving from our entrance.
Two beer places I remember from the USC days were Tobacco Rhodas
which showed silent comedies continuously, and Bibos
restaurant, which was a German beer hall. Can't remember the locations. Thanks for the site.
 

Dale B provides these memories of Harvey's Broiler:

 The JOHNNY'S BROILER in Downey was originally HARVEY'S BROILER when we cruised there in the sixties. Some of the fastest street rods in LA cruised there and at BOB'S in Whittier.

BTW, there was a restaurant in North Long Beach called
THE PRINCE OF WALES . I had shrimp or Halibut (fresh water) as least once a month. I have not had good shrimp or Halibut since the place closed. (The area went down hill and patrons were harassed or their cars were broken into so they stopped coming to the restaurant.) They had been in the same location since 1929. I just wish I could find some shrimp or Halibut with the same quality and flavor.

Pat C brings the Warner Grand to our attention:

I found your fabulous site by accident looking for info on Billingsleys restaurant. Anyway, browsed around and bookmarked for future reference. Great stuff!!
Didn't see our fabulous local restored theater the Warner Grand in the theater section. It's one of the few Art Deco treasures still around. You would love it! Actually closing soon for a few months for more refurbishing (new seat thank goodness.)
www.warnergrand.org will get you all the info.
Thanks for all the great info on many places I've forgotten and others I've yet to visit.

Here's a really nice email from John G:

I just wanted to drop you a note to say "Thank you!" Thanks for taking the time to put together such a great web site. I LOVE it. I absolutely love visiting these places and getting just a taste of what a wonderful place Los Angeles must have been way back. I have been to quite a few of the restaurants mentioned on your site, both before but mostly after a friend turned me on to your site: The Smoke House Restaurant, Pig 'n' Whistle restaurant  , Miceli'srestaurant  , Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, The Apple Pan restaurant  , Cassell's restaurant , Canter's Deli, as well as Fillippi's Pizza Grotto in San Diego, and many others.

Just today, I dropped my wife off at LAX and decided to take my daughter by Hawthorne to visit the Beach Boys landmark that was recently installed to mark the location of the Wilson's home (torn down to make way for the 105). Along the way, we grabbed a couple of malts at the Foster's Freeze where the Wilson boys used to eat and decided to cruise Hawthorne Blvd. to check out what's left of the historical buildings. We passed Chips Restaurant as well as a place you might want to investigate:
Pizza Show restaurant on Hawthorne Blvd. (east side of street south from Chips). We didn't eat there but the exterior certainly looks interesting. All of these places are mentioned on a cool web site. Check it out: http://cougartown.com/hangouts.html. Incidentally, my fairly new love of the Beach Boys has only fed my nostalgia. A lot of Beach Boys fans really seem to love the old Southern California that spawned the group. If you have time, you should check out the following blog: http://dumbangelmag.blogspot.com/. They've had some great writeups on 60's-era So Cal. Really good stuff. They put out a great print magazine called Dumb Angel that really focuses on that period of history. I highly recommend it.

To continue with my little story (sorry about the length of this "note"!), we drove up to Inglewood and past the old Wich Stand at Slauson and Overhill (great Googie architecture, though I can't imagine the bright green paint is true to history!). We decided to get a bite to eat and I thought, "Why not hit a time machine?" We ended up in Eagle Rock at the
Casa Bianca Pizza Pie shop. Terrific place! Very good thin crust pizza and a great environment inside. Definitely eat there when you get a chance. After dinner, we continued down Colorado toward our home in Orange County. Along the way we passed so many wonderful buildings and restaurants: The Derby, Rod's Diner (sure looked open to me!), the old Van de Kamp's, etc. What a great day.

I'll continue to visit as many of these places as I can. It's strange as I'm 32 years old and really have no "connection" to these places but I get so nostalgic about them. It really bums me out when one of these places closes or worse, gets demolished. Please keep up the TERRIFIC work so that I can keep visiting these places and keep that link to our past alive and well. There's so much more I could say but I've taken too much of your time already! I will scout Orange County locations for you to check out. Jeez, what a rambling e-mail! Okay, that's all!


Ben K points out:

The La Frite restaurant sign was from the previous restaurant (Pappy Jacks). It was basically flap jacks, etc, that's why the sign has aguy flipping pancakes. I used to work 50 feet from it in the mid-60s at A&W Root Beer (which became a used car lot, vetc).

Otto's Pink Pig on Van Nuys Blvd was a staple in the 60s. Owned by Otto Nasser. Long gone. $7.45 for a full prime rib dinner. Tail O' the Cock on Ventura Blvd long gone, too. Used to be next to Tail O' the Pup hot dog joint shaped like a hot dog. As is Robaire's, Love's BBQ, Diamond Jim's, Chuck's Steak House, Hody's
restaurant, Choo Choo's restaurant (where model train brought you your food) and others...


Leon R provides this important information on Wurlitzer's:

I just finished reading your review of the LA movie palaces. I am a
theatre organ buff and am familiar with many of them. There are active
Wurlitzer organs in Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton (one of the last
installations and fully restored) and the Bay Theatre I believe in
Venice or a close by beach city. Both are huge 4 manual models. The
Rialto in Pasadena was the site of many George Wright organ concerts.
He was the very best theatre organist of the 50's and 60's. Allen Organ
company named several of their electronic theatre organs after him and
there was a recent concert at
the RialtoTheater by Lyn Larsen, one of the
handful of top professional theatre organists today. This was on a
Allen electronic and is available on CD.
The Wiltern Theater had a 4 manual
Kimball organ which was used for many concerts. The theatre in Santa
Barbara has a 4 manual "Wonder" Morton organ. Mortons were built
locally and were the big competition to
Wurlitzer which was built in
Tondawanda , NY.

John S. writes about San Diego:

Hi, just got turned on to your amazing site by a friend. As a lifelong San Diegan (until moving to Maine recently) I was pleased to discover your excellent coverage of what my brother and I call "Duckburg". My mother and I moved near Texas and University after my Dad passed in the early 70's. One night she was meeting some friends in the Red Fox Room and invited me along. I could not believe what I was seeing - very grateful to you for researching the history of the interior. In my Mom's later years, she insisted that my wife and I escort her to the Fireside in Escondido for Christmas dinner. Sorry to hear of its' demise.
On another note, I remember the sandwich shop downtown and think the location you list is correct. I worked at the Union-Tribune at the time and would often go there for the pastrami on rye - best ever. I do not recall the name as being Manny's, but I believe the gentleman's name was Bill. One thing I am sure of was his response after taking your request......"Sold American!"
Finally, the chicken place you refer to was, I am relatively sure, a bit further out ECB, before 70th St, right where Montezuma fed onto the Boulevard (near Pep Boys). It was called the "
College Inn" restaurant, and had excellent food. Owned by a Wes Shirts, or Shirtz and was in business into the mid-nineties, I believe the location now houses the "Daily Grinds Cafe". (619) 697-0750
Keep up the GREAT work!!......and thanks - John S
.

Denise M
remembers:

Although I now live in NYC, I'm a second generation native Californian (Los Angeles). Watching the Food Channel today (Alton Brown on the road), there was a mention of old fashioned tea rooms and I remembered one of my favorites in downtown LA - Blairs. In doing a search, I came across your website.

Thank you for documenting some of these classic restaurants. I see some that I remember as a kid, some I see regularly when I'm visiting family and the list of gone but not forgotten is a wonderful trip down memory lane! I've managed to get my husband to a number of classics, -
Dupars Coffee Shop in the Farmer's Market (a favorite of mine for years - I have their 50th anniversary coffee mug - remodeled and now reopened), El Chavo Mexican Restaurant, Philippes restaurant (my son is addicted to the mustard which my brother sent him for Christmas last year along with a treasured Tshirt. we have enough mustard to last a few years...). Taylor's is a family tradition - we always end our visits with a big dinner there.

Anyway, I don't mean to ramble, but your site is fab. Keep up the great work, we'll be referring to it for our next visit out West!

Caroline B. provides this very valuable information:

There were a several restaurants not listed on the extinct page that I think are worth including:

Hong Kong Low restaurant – 425 Gin Ling Way, Chinatown plaza, 213-628-6217: Classic Cantonese cuisine, hosted punk bands upstairs. Had the most beautiful blue and green enamel ceiling I’ve ever seen. My mom used to take me there every year on the last day of school in June. The place was partly owned by infamous Chinatown murder victim Yee Wo Tai.

The Islander restaurant – 385 N. La Cienega Blvd at Westmount Dr. , 213-655-7570: Polynesian and Chinese fare, Hawaiian salad bar and breakfast buffet, awesome tiki décor including a tropical bird aviary and a gift shop. You had to taking a winding ramp and cross a bamboo suspension bridge to the entrance. Popular rainstorm effect show several times a day. Closed in 1983. Owner Bernard Tohl also owned the CaptainR17;s Table (301 S. La Cienega) and the Blue Boar. http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/location.cgi?loc_id=95, LA Times 8/11/60 p. A3, 8/9/59 p. F6

Hawaiian Kitchen restaurant– 222 N. Western Ave. near Beverly Blvd., 213-466-5783: Chinese/Polynesian cuisine, also with great tiki décor. Low key place, food was so-so, but I had my first fried rice there. Master chef was from Trader Vic’s.

El Gato restaurant– 7324 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys: Mexican restaurant with a popular mariachi and puppet show for kids.

Thistle Inn restaurant – 2395 Glendale Blvd., Silverlake, across the street from the Red Lion Tavern, 213-663-8243 – Continental cuisine with swanky style. Richard Neutra and his pals used to hang out there, as his studio was just down the street. That place was there For-EVER!

Our Contribution – 13230 Burbank Blvd., Van Nuys, next door to Valley Cities JCC, 213-988-2332: great hippie vegetarian and natural food joint. Braless waitresses in Birkenstocks, carob and tofu in everything, and plenty of sprouts on the salads. Co-owned by Mike Farrell of MASH fame. I had my first smoothie there! L.A. Times 8/25/81 p. I1, 6/8/80 p. Q103

Magic Pan restaurant– Beverly Hills, Arcadia, Woodland Hills, Costa Mesa, Glendale and many other locations: Creperie – wonderful entrée and dessert crepes. Spinach salad with mandarin orange sections and hot bacon dressing. YUM! Reaching its peak of popularity in 1979, Quaker Oats sold off the chain in 1982, leaving the individual locations to sink or swim. They all finally sank. L.A. Times 10/4/79 p. V12

Lawrys California Center – 570 W. Ave .26 at San Fernando Road: Best nachos on the planet, and the jasmine bloomed all year round. L.A. Times 10/3/82 p. Y36

So good to know there is one Bear Pit BBQ left. Must try it for lunch!

Larry T corrects a previous comment:

Don't know where to go on your site to add comments on the "new page" section, but a comment on the Yuma AZ entry: Lutes' Gretna Green Wedding Chapel was and is indeed a classic, but it's not true that in the old days, when movie stars went there to get married, California required blood tests and Arizona didn't. The reason people went there (it's just over the border from California) was that it was the closest place which didn't have a waiting period between license and wedding. The story is great -- the "chapel" is a big old colonial style building and Rev. Lutes' (the "Rev" was honorary, he was a justice of the peace) routine was: you drove up the driveway which passed by the side of the house, got your license and gave blood at a window which opened on the driveway, and went in back to park for the chapel. While you were parking the technician tested your blood and by the time you were in the chapel the results were in and you got married. And they're still in business, though Las Vegas has pretty much taken over.

Now a question, I can't think of the name of the Polynesian restaurant which is now an Acapulco, at 385 North La Cienega in
Los Angeles (between Beverly and Melrose). Was it the Islander? [Answer: Yes - see comment above by Caroline B.]

RJ provides these comments:

Hey, thanks for this site.

I live like 2 blocks from
Colombo's in Eagle Rock.

Casa Bianca restaurant annually gets a mention as "Best Pizza in LA" and I
like
Two Guys From Italy Italian Restaurant (in Glendale) .

We took a friend from New York to Colombo's. As soon as we walked
in, he said "Oh, this is a New Jersey Red Bar."

He said New Jersey is dotted with places like this.
They're called Red Bars because of
- Red wine
- Red meat
- Red sauces
- Red leather booths

Keep up the good work! Oh yeah, my Dad moved here (actually, Culver City) in 1940.
One of his first jobs was at
Cliftons Cafeteria downtown. He told
me he learned to eat kidney pie there. Yecch.

Some great memories from Shelly K:

Petrillos restaurant was forced to remodel after a fire in the 1990s. Other than that, the pizza is still the same as is the pasta. Nothing beats this Sicilian style, pile it on type of pizza. The bread is still excellent, but the crust has changed a bit. They also put soft provolone instead of hard aged in the antipasto, but it is still full of cherry peppers, mortadella and salami.
I have been going here my whole life. My parents went here on dates in the 1950s.

Other notes:

I met my Husband at
Pie n Burger restaurant . We go to Daemon's for prime rib to celebrate anything.  We got engaged at Cole's P.E. Buffet. The Building was indeed remodeled, but Cole's has not been touched. Hell, it hasn't even been dusted since 1930.

I haven't been to Taix since the 70s. I have a memory of a huge plate of French fries cooked in coconut oil. It has to be Taix or Mme. Portier's.

You are also the only site I have seen that mentions Quan Brother's. If this is the one in China Town, my parents used to take us there all the time. I knew them for their appetizers like fried wonton and mai tais. Okay, so I stole a few sips when I could.

I never really liked Little Joes, but it is sad to see it standing there all forlorn.

You might want to dig into
Marcel and Jean's, a French restaurant in Montebello. The restaurant and sign were still there a few years ago, but the owner went to France and never returned. Also, Butterfield's off Sunset Blvd. was a popular place. I was a kid so I knew them for sarsaparilla and fried parsley. I think they served omelets and health food. Saw Vincent Price there one day in 1975.

Twoheys is still in Alhambra and worth a mention. [See the remodeled page]

Thanks for the memories!

Jordon Y. provides these updates and suggestions:

Hello,

I really like your website. I regret to tell you the HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT has recently been remodeled, and the
Cinegrill is gone; they gutted the space and redid
it.

You indicate that Bellflower is in Orange County; it is not.

A few places you missed:

BARRAGAN'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 1538 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park (opened circa 1961).

BROOKLYN BAGEL BAKERY, 2217 W. Beverly Blvd. (opened circa 1953).

LA GOLONDRINA CAFE, W-17 Olvera Street (opened 1924). Very good food,
nice ambience.

LAS BRISAS Restuarant, 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach (opened 1938).

Also in Orange County, there are several vintage Mexican restaurants in
the old town section of Placentia, near Fullerton, aka "Placita Sante
Fe."

Henry K remembers:

I just happened upon your website last night while doing a search on Billingsley’s on Pico and Sawtelle.

FYI: I was born in Los Angeles in 1951 and lived here until 1981 when I moved to Anchorage, Alaska. When I was very, very young we lived in the Venice / Fairfax area. Later, we lived closer to the
Miracle Mile (between the Miracle Mile and Hancock Park).

From Jr. High on until I left SoCal we lived in Beverly Hills.

Anyways, like I said a great site…I just had some additional info. Re: a couple of your extinct restaurant listings…

I used to go to Ollie Hammonds a lot in the early – mid 70’s and it was on La Cienaga not La Brea. It was on the west side of La Cienaga just north of where the original Lawry’s was located. It was open 24 hours as I recall and they had a special trencherman’s breakfast that consisted of a half dozen eggs, a rasher of bacon, home fries and great sourdough toast.

Also, there was a
Tiny Naylor’s restaurant on Westwood Blvd. just south of Wilshire (east side of the street). I think that was the one used in the Graduate…

And one of the oddities about the
Ships coffee shops was the fact that toasters were installed at the booths and at the counter so patrons could make their own toast…

Again, thanks for the site, I hope you are able to keep it up…

Michael L provides this great list of old restaurants:

Here' a couple more you might have missed....

The Cove
restaurant , across the street from the Windsor...great food featuring the ever popular Shoney Braun on the violin.

Julie's Trojan Barrel .....On Fig. across from the Coliseum

Alberto's at the end of Melrose Blvd. great piano bar and Italian restaurant. Rat Pack hangout...branch in Palm Springs

Ollie Hamonds restaurant on LaCienga....with the wine cellar. the one you mentioned was in the "Town and Country Market" across from the Farmers Market it was more like a diner. The restaurant on La Cienga was a class A dinner house.

Ted' Rancho Restaurant On pylons across from what is now the Getty Villa.....Pylons are still there.

The La Brea Inn..great steaks across from the Carolina Pines...just south of Edna Earls, Fog Cutter and north of Tiny Naylors

The Swiss Cafe restaurant... In Beverly Hills Beverly or Canon (pronounced Canyon by old timers)

Kondatori restaurant In Beverly Hills famous for poached Salmon, you can still buy the Kondatori dill sauce in some markets.

The Beverly Gourmet became The Beverly Frascotti's (they had 4 or five locations)and then became the (?) Now a real estate office.

Eckberg's Steak House in Woodland Hills where they answered the phone "Good Morning" no matter what time it was

Jake's at the Shore Great bar and steak house at the end of Jefferson Blvd. North of MDR Fireplace in the middle of the room.

Harry's Pit Bar BQ on Crescent Heights just south of Sunset. at the time Best in LA With an antique bath tub to wash your hands.

Don Pepi's
restaurant on Sunset near Spaulding, home of the "Flaming Margarita"

L'Auberge
restaurant on Sunset near Gardner. for a while the best french restaurant in LA. Owned and operated by Daniel Forge who sold it and opened the Bou Ravage in Malibu ( my spelling stinks)

Cafe Figaro at the western end of Melrose near Alberto's and Carls Market...good food, reportedly owned by Bill Cosby and partners.

Kelly's for Steak on Santa Monica just west of Fairfax. Family style place you stood in a line and they served sliced tri-tip with all the trimings.


David C provides this important info:

I just discovered your excellent website. It's a real treasure-trove of nostalgia for me! You've included many places where I've dined, but nearly forgotten.

Here are a couple of places you might want to make note of:

Edward's Steak House restaurant was on Vermont (I believe) near Wilshire. Excellent steaks. Their trademark was a jar of apple butter on every table. Edward's Steak House in El Monte may be owned by the same people, but I've never been there.

Most or all of the
Chili Bowl restaurants were converted to Punch 'N' Judy ice cream shops in the late 1940s. One of their specials was an ice cream sundae containing over a quart of ice cream, a banana, many toppings, nuts, whipped cream, etc. If you could eat the entire sundae by yourself, they would give you another. I don't think anyone ever took them up on that offer.

One of my favorite family-run Mexican restaurants is
El Jarrito, on Olympic Boulevard. One night I had dinner there with a business associate. The next morning he called and told me to look in the newspaper. A car had gone out of control and crashed through the wall of the restaurant, right where we had been sitting--just a short time after we had dined! According to the Internet, El Jarrito is still in business.

The best ice cream sundaes in the
1960s came from Wil Wright's. Their ice cream was so rich it coated the inside of one's mouth with butter! Every sundae was accompanied by a single, small coconut macaroon, in a glassine envelope. (Yes, I've been to C.C. Browns, many times ... the first time over 65 years ago!)

Thanks ... keep up the good work!

Victor provides this info about his family's restaurant history:

Joe's Little Italy
restaurant , 1523 No. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, between Sunset and Selma. Late 40's up until after the mid-50's. "Joe loves people who love good music - good food - good wine." This motto appeared on pencils, ashtrays, menus, and even his Crosley automobile. The "place", which was what my mother and father called it, was later sold and the name changed to Martoni's. Joe A., my father, later bought a restaurant on little Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills called Llords, an English restaurant, refurbished it Italian and called it La Scala. It was later sold to Jean L. Joe's nephew, Emilio N., later joined Jean L. as co-owner and head chef. Joe later opened a restaurant in Culver City called Mama Joe's. When the lease ran out on La Scala Beverly Hills, Emilio opened Emilio's Presto in Sherman Oaks.
For several years as a little boy I lived in an apartment above Joe's Little Italy and one of my fondest memories was when my mother would shout up the stairs that Superman was there. George Reeves was kind enough to tolerate the admiration of this little boy and would allow me to sit by him. I remember he had a particular booth where he sat, right near the entrance.

 

Small correction to what I sent you regarding Joe's Little Italy, La Scala and Mama Joe's and Emilio's Presto...

La Scala decided to spin off a series of more casual eateries (Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Burbank, Encino, etc.). When Emilio N. decided to break off from La Scala, he took over ownership of the Encino location and re-named it Emilio's Presto.


 

Gary H. writes:

Well I'm going to have to tell you to add a couple of places to your list. I'm not sure I have a very good handle on what constitutes a Time Machine. I've eaten at, or have wanted to eat at so many of the restaurants on your list. For me it is difficult to say 'Time Machine' or just a 'Good Place' to eat. I would ask you to consider the Saddle Peak Lodge (not cheap!) off of Malibu Canyon. I would also suggest Bobby's Coffee Shop (inexpensive) in Woodland Hills.

The Saddle Peak Lodge has changed chefs frequently, but remains unique in terms of their setting, decor, and the game on their menu. Their history goes way back. Bobby's is now two owners past the original, but their food remains good and inexpensive. Unfortunately, they gave up serving dinner once the original owner sold the diner. Their breakfast and lunches remain excellent, however, and the restaurant has changed very little from its early days.

Saddle Peak Lodge 419 Cold Canyon Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302-2204
Phone: (818) 222-3888 http://www.saddlepeaklodge.com/ Take the virtual tour

Bobby's Coffee Shop 22821 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364-1202 (Doh! already on your yet to explore list)
Phone: (818) 225-1324 http://aprilbaby.typepad.com/a_california_life/2006/01/bobbys_coffee_s.html Good info and pictures

I could come up with a lot more places, but I will stop here for now. Keep up the good work. It is much appreciated.

Andy N. notes:

As a LA native I feel there are two restaurants left off the list that
should be included:

The Tikis - a huge one-of-a-kind Polynesian restaurant that featured floor
shows. It was a major hub for the LA Asian community and big draw for
Angelenos back in the day. An absolute tragedy that places like this are
extinct.

Ichiban
restaurant  – I don’t know if this is related to the current Ichiban in Japanese
Village but the old Ichiban around the corner on San Pedro was a Little
Tokyo version of The Pantry serving simple but well prepared meals to a busy
crowd until the wee hours of the morning. It was popular with Mayor
Bradley, LAPD and a variety of downtowners.

Great work on the list (very impressive!)

Pat provides these great memories of Ken Hansen and Scandia Restaurant:

You asked for tidbits so:
I have never done this before but I want to tell you about my memory of
Ken Hansen in the 1952-1954 era.
I was in my Twenties -dating -and one date in particular, a prominent businessman who enjoyed good food. During that two year period we dined at all of the prominent restaurants. . I was executive secretary for the President of an Import Company and my friend was his business associate. He especially liked the
Bit Of Sweden He knew the Hansen's and we were always treated well- no matter how busy - and it always was.
I remember the bar had an exclusive club called "Vikings." My friend was a member.
All of the food was superb but I was usually too full for desert. Ken always came to our table as we were finishing dinner. One night he came bearing a tray with a single dessert - for me. He insisted that I "just try one bite." I did not want to offend him so I did. . It was Lingonberry Pudding and from that time on it was my favorite treat. The Lingonberry Sauce was great but the Vanilla Pudding was so light it was like having a bite of heaven. When he opened Scandia, we were some of his first - and regular - patrons.
I have tried over and over to find a recipe for Lingonberry Pudding. I have never been able to. Alas. But even at the age of 80 I have not given up. Now I have a computer and continue my search. That is how I found your web site.
If you can help me with the recipe for Ken's Pudding and Sauce I would deeply appreciate it.

Garth C. remembers these historic places:

Did you know there was a "Henry's Restaurant" which was a drive-in (and walk in) back in the 1950's and 60's? They had two of them, one on Valley Blvd in Alhambra and the other was in Arcadia on Huntington Dr at Colorado St (across the street from 100 to 1). I can't recall the details but I had been to both of them. Too bad, they had good food and great service.

Another was
Clearman's Northwood's Inn in Monrovia. You have them listed however, the San Gabriel location used to be on Huntington Dr in Monrovia (Huntington Dr & 210 Fwy). They had hired movers to haul the building from Monrovia to San Gabriel which is now Clearman's Village and is currently being re-constructed with a Kohl's retail center. Clearman's had a Golden Cock and another name restaurant take the place of the Golden Cock as it may not have been profitable however, it was a great dinner house.

Also, in Glendora, the Old Hickory Inn is now gone and has a Walgreens Rx in place. The Old Hickory Inn was the last water hole from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in the 60's era on route 66. All ofthe travelers would stop there for their first or last meal until they reached Las Vegas in those days. Back when style was in, as they would not stop at the road side cafe's around Barstow and
Baker.

Sari R. remembers this era of Los Angeles:

Hi, I moved to Los Angeles in 1946 and boy does your site bring back memories. (I now live in San Diego--moved here in 1982). I remember going to the Tick Tock Room as a kid--they served sherbet between courses and had sweet rolls with icing on them, as I remember. I also remember the old Ontra Cafeteria on Vine street. My father owned a stationery store across the street from the Pantages Theater through the 1950's--until 1968. We used to go to lunch at the Owl drug store counter at the corner of Hollywood and Vine. There was also a hot dog stand across the street on Hollywood Blvd. I have only been to Langers Deli once and still dream of the Pastrami sandwich. I don't eat meat any more, but might, when I visit there, which I hope is soon. Also I remember the Sky Room restaurant at the old Burbank airport--my folks used to take us there for dinner when we lived in Burbank. Once, we went during a strike and didn't cross the picket line--we wouldn't have anyway and were rather forcefully urged not to cross it by the strikers--I remember one guy had a dead cat (!) hung on his picket sign. Also went to John's Chili house in the 1960's--what fiery chili you could have there. Also the old Hody's drive-ins --I think there was one on the corner of Sepulveda and Ventura, and also one in North Hollywood--I remember having lime rickeys there. There are lots of memories--maybe some of these are not so earthshaking, but it is nice to see someone so devoted to cataloguing these old treasures.

Alexander M. has these great memories of San Diego:


I can't tell you how much I enjoy your site...absolutely fantastic! This is in specific reply to your question regarding
Manny's Lunch Counter. I was stationed at the 32nd Street Naval Station on the destroyer U.S.S. Ingersoll (DD-990) from 1979-1984 and usually ate at Manny's due to my extreme lack of funds at the time.Manny's was located on either E or F Street near 9th or 10th [E Street - Jonathon], and was almost next door to the Arcade music store. The place was always very crowded with winos, young military kids like me, and elderly people who were looking good food and great prices. Manny was an extremely nice guy who knew many of his customers by name, and the others by sight. One of my favorite meals there was homemade pea soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. Manny also cooked a great, slightly greasy cheeseburger with a fried bun and red onions... the best! I would go back there in a second if I could!Next door to Manny's was a little alteration shop run by an old guy in a wheelchair. I took my uniforms to him to have crows (rating badges) sewn onto my uniforms. He owned a Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle and had photos of himself as a young man with it up on the walls of the shop. He lost his leg while racing the bike back in the '50s. His main customers were military personnel and San Diego police officers. I loved the Gaslamp Quarter back then (yes, it was still called that), and spent many afternoons and evenings at Green's, a dive bar located on the S.E. corner of 4th and E. It had a great neon sign and was always full of interesting old guys...mostly alcoholic WW2 vets. They thought it was pretty cool that a kid in his 20s from Iowa had volunteered to serve in the Navy. It was a rough bar, but if you kept your wits about you it was fine.There were 2 movie houses I would go to back then, the beautiful Balboa (now part of the Horton Plaza mall), and the Aztec. Those days the theatres showed a lot of Friday the 13th type movies, Escape From New York, etc. The balcony in the Balboa was a great place to heave an ice cold Coke from during a tense scene, then escape to the bathroom while the perpetrator was sought by an angry throng (I never got caught).That area was also frequented by pretty young girls from the Midwest who had gotten off the Greyhound bus with a bag of clothes, a few bucks, and their looks. You can probably form a mental picture by now.
Another great place to go back then was a small arcade full of interesting games from the '50s and '60s. The arcade was on Broadway a couple of blocks west of the Crocker Bank, and its coolest game featured a gunfighter. It probably dated back to the '40s.
Near the arcade along Broadway were several small stores that sold beer and wine. A bottle of Night Train Express or MD 20-20 would really keep a sailor warm on a chilly December night back then.
I now live in Columbus, Ohio , but I plan to retire to California in 14 or 15 years. I still miss it, especially on cold, snowy nights.


Mark C. reports on the demise of Hilltop House in Las Vegas:

Jonathan, just thought you might want to know The Hilltop House closed for good Saturday night! There was a line of 50 people all throughout the night trying to get in. They ran out of lobster after the first 2 hours. I waited in line for 3 hours only to be told that they ran out just as I was to be seated. Anyway, I had the New York Steak, scampi and pan fried scallops. As it was locking up, I ordered a final order of scallops to go and have the distinction of being the last one to get something off the old Wolf stove!

Sorry for the bad news. One less reason to come to Vegas!

Carlos V. has these memories of MacArthur Park, Pico Union, and the Wilshire district area:

First of all, I would like to say your site is absolutely great!!! There are a few sites about Los Angeles and its historic places, but yours has got to be one of the best. I grew up in Los Angeles during the late 70's and 80's. Not one of the best eras of this wonderful place, but many of the old buildings and homes were still in tact and provided a home for the folks on the the lower end of the income scale. The working poor I guess they call those folks now? Anyway, I grew up in and around MacArthur Park, Pico Union, and the Wilshire district area. Even as a kid I knew that these places, the homes, the buildings and the streets were very special places. They have become almost sacred places for me.
My favorite section in your site is the section where you feature the old movie movie palaces along Broadway. I was fortunate enough to have been able to go into just about every theater along Broadway before they closed down. Since I lived so close to downtown, Saturdays and Sundays were spent watching movies at the State Theater, Globe Theater,
Orpheum Theater, Arcade Theater, Tower Theater , and the Los Angeles theaters. Although in a severe state of decline by that time, they were nothing less than "Glorious" places for me as a child. The urinals in the State theater were covered in classic mosaic designs and art Nouveau sculpture!! Imagine that!! The URINALS??!! Three years ago I visited Los Angeles with my kids for the first time since I had moved away in 1990 with the intention of taking them to a movie at one of these theaters on Broadway and to my absolute horror I found that many of these theaters had been gutted and turned into in-door swap meets. What a loss for LA, for my children, for me, and for the world.......
I love that city, much of what I loved about that city has been foolishly demolished never to be seen again, my only hope is that people there are willing to preserve and cherish what little is left. So strongly do I feel about this, that I would personally go out there and help rebuild any of those beautiful places.
You ask in your site "Why did we stop building this way? Why can't we build this way anymore?" I think there are many reasons but I feel that the biggest reason is that far too many people, particularly those my age, never experienced what or how special our old architecture is. I was fortunate to have lived there in those places, in those old victorian homes and art deco apartment buildings, but most people weren't that lucky. If you can call it luck living there at that time. Most of the world viewed those places as nothing more than ghettos, crime ridden places, best avoided or done away with all together . Which is exactly what they did. You know, those were not the most pleasant places to live, but people did raise families there. They did the best they could to survive and acquire a piece of that American Dream. I am a product of those places and I am proud of it,
I had many relatives who lived in the Bunker Hill Community before it was razed in the name of "Urban Renewal" . They had lived there since the
1930's From there they moved into Macarthur Park and Pico Union. Those folks are all dead now, and with them went the stories, pictures, and memories of a very special time and place.
 Anyway congratulations on a wonderful web site. It took me to a very special place in my heart.

Jeffrey S. provides this great list of old LA restaurants:


These LA restaurants were around for a long time:

Ma Gordon's Deli restaurant on Pico at Robertson (now Pico Kosher Deli) and also Fairfax near Beverly Bl.. Closed in late 60's.

Smith Bros. Fish Shanty restaurant on La Cienega at San Vicente in Beverly Hills. Had a big Fish Mouth as a front door entrance. Now a Morton's.

Smokey Joes Bar-B-Q restaurant at corner of La Cienega and Beverly Blvd. Part of the old Beverly Park/Kiddie Land.Now Beverly Center.

Mediterranean Restaurant on La Cienega in Beverly Hills.

Alan Hale Jr.'s Lobster Barrel on La Cienega in Beverly Hills.

Frascotti's on La Cienega near Olympic.
Closed in 80's to become a car stereo store.

Scotch & Sirloin Steakhouse restaurant on Sepulveda Blvd. at Pico Blvd. in West LA.
Closed in 70's.

Stats Charbroiled Hamburgers restaurant on Pico Bl. at Rexford in West LA.
They had a few other locations.

The Donut Show in Toluca Market at corner of Pico & Robertson in West LA. Best buttermilks in town.
Closed in 80's

Farrell's Restaurant on Robertson at Pico Blvd.
Long time breakfast/lunch spot next to old post office.
Closed in 70's. Now Edame sushi bar.

Great American Food & Beverage Co. on Wilshire in Santa Monica and later at corner of Santa Monica Blvd and La Cienega. Extremely popular in mid 70's. Owned by same owner as Poppi's Star in Westwood. Waiters used to stop and sing folks songs. Huge fishbowl hot fudge sundaes.

Bratskellar Restaurant in Westwood Village.

Monty's Steakhouse restaurant in Westwood Village.
One location left in Pasadena (update: Now gone! But there's one in Encino)

2 Cents Plain-Hot dog stand on corner of Pico & Robertson.
Closed in the 80s.

Tracton's Steak House on La Cienega, across from the old Fedco Department Store.Closed in the 70's

La Barbara's Pizza on Wilshire Blvd. in Brentwood.
Closed in the 80's

Dolores' Drive-In restaurant on La Cienega at Wilshire in Beverly Hills. Home of the Curlie Q Fries.

Nibbler's restaurant - 8383 Wilshire in Beverly Hills.

Fox & Hounds Restaurant on Wilshire and 26th in Santa Monica.

The Fox Inn restaurant - a long beer garden on Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Owner John Fox would challenge anyone to drink beers faster than him. He would stand on his head and down 'em. Then would go play some piano, singing "toilet humor" songs to the UCLA College crowd.

Joanne provides these memories of the Culver Theater:

HI-I GREW UP IN CULVER CITY, EVEN BOUGHT MY FIRST HOUSE THERE, HOWEVER WE LEFT WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN .
IT WAS GREAT TO SEE A PICTURE OF THE CULVER THEATRE ON YOUR SITE. I HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH RECENTLY AND IT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE 'KIRK DOUGLAS' THEATRE.
THE CULVER WAS ONE OF TWO THEATRES IN CULVER CITY, THE OTHER (AND LESSER) WAS THE
MERALTA THEATRE WHICH WAS TORN DOWN IN THE LATE 70'S EARLY 80'S.
THE CULVER WAS A TYPICAL PLACE THAT KIDS WOULD GO TO SEE MOVIES, USUALLY A DOUBLE FEATURE. IT HAD A 'LOGE' SECTION WHICH WAS SEPARATE AND SLIGHTLY RAISED OVER THE REGULAR SEATING.
I REMEMBER IT BEING A MAGICAL PLACE WITH A HUGE SCREEN AND COLOR CHANGING LIGHTS ILLUMINATING THE CURTAINS WHEN THEY WERE DRAWN PRIOR TO A MOVIE OR AT INTERMISSION. ALSO GREAT MUSIC WAS PLAYED AT THESE TIMES...I PARTICULARLY REMEMBER HEARING THE SONG 'AT LAST.'
CULVER CITY, WHICH I NOW CALL 'SONYTOWN' WAS A GREAT PLACE TO GROW UP AND I HAVE TONS OF STORIES AND MEMORIES OF THE MOVIE INDUSTRY, MOSTLY BECAUSE I LIVED IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE THEN OPERATING STUDIOS (MGM, HAL ROACH, DESILU, ETC.) AND MOST OF MY FRIENDS PARENTS WERE IN THE BIZ. IT WAS AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE TO SEE ACTORS WALKING/DRIVING AROUND THE AREA OR TO SEE SETS BEING BUILT OR SHOWS BEING SHOT. WE ALSO GOT TO KNOW THE STUDIO GUARDS AND WORKERS WHO LET US PLAY ON THE BACKLOTS.
HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT. WISH I HAD A TIME MACHINE...

David S. provides this info:

Barney Ross was a little more famous a fighter than "Slapsy Maxie" Rosenbaum, whose place you at least mention; but I've had a hell of a time finding any internet reference to his "place." Maybe I'll try to dig out a 1952-3 Hollywood phone book. Thanks for casting back over your memory for me. Shame my mom died about five years ago. She might have been helpful to you--must have worked in half the places on your website for L.A. over her lifetime. She got into bookkeeping and managing after her age got a little too much for cocktail or dinner house waitressing. Could have told you about a few good places you don't have, such as (Fremont's) Matador, a Spanish (not Mexican) restaurant bar on the Pico at Veteran Boulevard site now occupied by Islands and Dudley Murphy's Holiday House in Malibu (designed by modernist architect Richard Neutra on the site of the present Geoffrey's . She ran both places for Mr. Murphy and Mr. Fremont, in her time. The Matador had gypsies, dancers and musicians, in the sub-basement and second bar then in the back facing south on the lot, and the Holiday House was a famous hide-out for the movie set. She also ran the Garden of Allah hotel's restaurant just before it closed. I used to wallop pots when I was in high school in there, to give the regular dishwashers the day off, Thanksgivings and Christmases, once she was satisfied I was big enough to do it right. Mom owned a little place of her own, called the Cameo Room, with two partners, in East Hollywood, just off Normandy, north of Santa Monica, for a couple years after working for Barney; but the partnership broke up when the bartender-partner found out the chef-partner preferred men. A shame, they were a good partnership, were making good money, and had a nice little place. She also worked with Peggy Abruzzi, at a pretty good Italian restaurant named Abruzzi's on the site of the present Original Sound Records, 7120 Sunset Blvd., in Hollywood. They two and Bea Litvack (or Litwack), who owned a now closed bakery in the Valley, did catering too.

 

Jim R recalls these great places:

Born: Hollywood 1940
Lived & raised in San Fernando Valley (No Hollywood)
(** I used to print Menus for these places, and worked in some of them)

1.
The Queens Arms Restaurant...(1958-the late 60's) A huge replica of an English castle with central fire pit, excellent food and the special was a Marco Polo Dinner for two - $25. Valet parking, the perfect place for a first-date ... Located on No. side of Ventura Blvd East of Balboa in Encino, later became a used car lot,

2.
The Pump Room
estaurant  .. further East on No. Side Ventura Bl. close to Woodman, and across the street from old Pig N; Whistle! .. (which later became a Marie Calendar's) The old sign (A hand pump) is still there ..


3.
Soo-Way's Kitchen ... No small portions here - A Cantonese dinner for two - $10, I took four guys in for dinner, and the food never stopped! ... they just kept bringing food until you left !! Also on Ventura, South side by Encino Theater (long Gone).

3.
White Horse Inn
restaurant ... Lasted for decades - 1950's to 1980's on Roscoe Bl. just West of White Oak in Reseda.

.This doesn't include All the Bob's, A&W's, oh and Beep's !!! don't forget Beeps !! (1955-NOW!) on N.E. Sherman Way & Woodley - Older than any Bob's in the Valley, and JUST RESTORED!** One of our FIRST drive-ins.**

Just a couple, but they were all VERY popular in the Valley in the 60's
...
Nice website - keep up the good work! - JR

 

Rodger C. remembers:

I was raised in North Hollywood in the 1940s and ‘50s. On special occasions my parents would take the family to Bill Storey’s restaurant on Hollywood Way. The restaurant was dark with white table cloths and, I assume, upscale food because my parents made me dress-up. My memory of the food is vague but I do recall wonderful garlic cheese bread.  
Your website doesn’t mention the fact that Barone’s Italian Restaurant in the 1950s had painted murals on the walls depicting the adventures of Marco Polo.
 

Hampton F. provides info on these Culver City places:

I live in Culver City and have some additional info for you regarding The Cinema Bar and Dear Johns Bar.

I am a musician and have been playing at the Cinema for years (10+). Yes, they have live music there every night. The place hasn’t changed much since I discovered it. Its the oldest bar in Culver City.

I was told by two different people that the old owner, John of Dear Johns, used to work for
Frank Sinatra. One day Frank asked him what he really wanted to do with his life and John told him he wanted to open a nightclub/restaurant. Apparently Frank loaned him the money and John was in Business.

You may want to mention that there is a small piano bar there as well.

Other bars you may want to check out in C.C.;

The
Tattle Tale Lounge ( corner of Sepulveda & Sawtelle)
And, a few doors down,
The Scarlett Lady.

The
Backstage (on Culver east of Overland across the street from Sony)

Hope this was helpful

Phil I. recounts:

My daughter (she's 14) and I just returned
from 4 days in Los Angeles. Thanks to you we ate at the following restaurants:

Johnnie's Pastrami
Musso & Frank's Grill (Musso & Frank's) restaurant
Apple
Pan restaurant (where my daughter sat next to the actor Adam Brody and was
in heaven)
Dolores' Coffee Shop
Phillipe's French Dip restaurant
Nate & Al's Deli restaurant
Formosa Cafe


We enjoyed ALL of them. We often commented during our visit that you are the
man. Would never have known about most of them if not for you.

We live outside of Baltimore, Maryland in the town of Bel Air. A good time
machine for you here is
Crisfield's Seafood Restaurant in Silver Spring,
Maryland (where I grew up). Are you familiar with it? It opened in the 1940's
and hasn't changed a lick. I've been going there since I was a kid (I'm
now 53)
and the menu hasn't changed at all either. It's been owned by the same family
the entire time as well.

Again, thanks for doing what you do.

Rosalie S. says:

I'm so enjoying your website; it's a major nostalgia trip. But, we had a favorite restaurant on Pico (near Veteran, I think) called "The Matador" Restaurant. It was Spanish food and my husband and I courted over the Mignonettes de la Casa...absolutely delicious.
Thank you for your site; it's wonderful.

 

Susan M Remembers:

I love your site! I was born (1945) and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. My friend mentioned an extinct restaurant, The Black Watch, somewhere in the San G. Valley. Do you have any information on it?

 
Also, my aunt worked on Hollywood Boulevard in the 40's and 50's at MacIntosh Clothiers. (Or was it McIntosh?) They made custom clothing for lots of Hollywood ... Marilyn Monroe, Edward G. Robinson. My aunt said Mr. Robinson came in one day and asked for someone in his best gruff gangster voice and scared my aunt to death!

Great comments by Jon G:

Some bad news: Monty's in Pasadena is closed as of June 23.  My wife and I we're driving on Fair Oaks through Pasadena on our way to eat at Casa Bianca Italian Restaurant (on your list, more on that later) and we passed Fair Oaks Pharmacy (comment to wife: "We'll have to eat there soon") and Gus's BarBQ Restaurant (ate there recently; enjoyed both food and decor!) and spotted Monty's up ahead.  As I was saying "We've gotta eat here soon, too" I was reading the banner on the outside wall that said "Monty's thanks Pasadena for 65 years".  I thought it was just a thank you on their anniversary until I spotted in much smaller type "Closing June 23".  I read the banner on June 30.  What a bummer.  I tell you, I swear I feel a physical reaction when one of these places closes or is demolished.  I get very bummed out.

On to Casa Bianca
Restaurantin Eagle Rock.  I think we've eaten there four or five times in the last year despite it being a good 30 miles or so from our home.  Delicious food and very time machine-esque.  An excellent entry on your site.  One of these times I'll try to snap some photos but the place is always packed!

Hmmm, let's see... ah, yes, our recent Vegas trip!  Hill-Top House is definitely closed.  Another huge bummer.  I actually ate there before I even knew it was on your list and found it to be superb.  Truly.  I raved to my wife.  I specifically planned to go there with my wife back in May.  Only to find it closed.  Very sad.  However, we did have some great experiences in Vegas.  We dined at the Golden Steer.  The restaurant was quite empty (Monday night) but our waiter was quite funny, making a point to hit on my wife in a joking way.  As we left he said, "How was everything?" and I said, "Everything was terrific, except for one fellow."  He laughed and offered to buy us a drink.  That drink turned into five or six, all on the house, as we sat and chatted about the history of the restaurant and Vegas in general.  What a great experience.  We also went to The Bootlegger Bistro.  I specifically wanted to check out the entertainment, a kid named Sam Riddle who does some really terrific, jazzy interpretations of standards.  Nice surprise: We chatted with him after the gig and I asked, "Riddle, eh?  Any relation to Nelson?" to which he replied, "Yup!"  I imagine you already know that Nelson Riddle arranged the majority of Sinatra's Capitol records.  What a great trip that was.

Now for some interesting developments: It appears Sam's Seafood has reopened! There are some fantastic pictures of the old restaurant and a *very* intriguing comment at the very bottom of the page.  I'll take a trip over there soon and let you know what I find.  [It is now Don the Beachcomber Restaurant]

Sorry to jump around so much, but I noticed a place in LA, probably the Los Feliz area, called Sarno's Pizza di Napoli.  I only saw the signage, not the actual establishment, but it looked like a possible time machine.  Know anything about it?  And speaking of Los Feliz, have you been to House of Pies?  Not sure of the vintage, but it's another possibility for the site.

Quick reviews:  Ate at Dinah's near LAX recently and was very pleased.  On the other hand, when we recently ate at Pann's, it was truly the consummate time machine experience.  What an awesome place.  Have I thanked you for putting together such a great web site?  Thanks a *ton*.

Okay, okay, one last thing.  I mentioned in my last e-mail (way back in 2006) that I was going to put together a Google Earth map of the L.A. time machines.  I did it but got too busy to send it over so I'm attaching it now.  It's a little out of date, but if you're interested in hosting it on your site for use by others, I'll gladly update it ASAP. 
 

George S provides this important information on classic LA:

For El Coyote Restaurant. The original location of 105 N La Brea Ave. Across W. First St. near W. Los Angeles. The Red Onion also started in Inglewood, CA on Hillcrest Ave. And don't forget that Fosters Freeze original location is still in Inglewood, CA on S La Brea Ave just North of Hardy Street. Also the original location of the Dal Rae Restaurant at 10511 S Western Ave would be South Central Los Angeles. (Century Blvd and Western Ave).

The 4 original United Artists were: Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford AND David Wark Griffith (D. W. Griffith). I believe that UA was formed in 1917. I remember in the collection of the Inglewood Historical Society there was a picture of D. W. Griffith standing on the front porch of his house in Inglewood, California in 1922. (Manchester Blvd just South of Fir Street West of Inglewood High School). Another actor who lived in Inglewood before he became famous was Robert Taylor.(Somewhere East Of Manchester Blvd/West Blvd area). My parents took me to Poor Richards Restaurant for my 4Th birthday in 1959.

A restaurant that was owned by the Mc Henry's Tail Of The Cock restaurant  /Bantam Cock, ect. was The Colonial House in Oxnard, CA. Andre's Of Beverly Hills also had a small informal location on Sepulveda Blvd in Westchester, CA (near LAX). Torn Down to build the Ralph's market. The Andre's of Beverly Hills in Westchester, CA was cafeteria style if I remember correctly. I believe that their pizza was made to order.

As you probably already know, Lawry's.com sells the C. C. Brown's hot fudge sundae. (4 jars @ $28.00). There used to be the famous Tower Market (South West corner Florence Ave/Western Ave). I believe that was Carl Karcher's (Carl's Jr) second location for his Hot Dog stand. (first location was I believe across the street from the Firestone Tire factory). Also at the top of the tower at the Tower Market was one of the original Van De Kamps bakery's. So much was destroyed after the 1992 riots. Art's Chili Dogs is still on the South West corner of Florence & Normandie. And don't forget that George Pepperdine University was originally from this area.

The Academy Theatre in Inglewood, CA on Manchester Blvd. used to show PREVIEW'S. The Academy sign used to flash with alternating PREVIEW neon lights in blue whenever a preview was showing. My mother took me to the prewiew of the movie "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane" at the Academy Theatre in I believe 1962.

Manning's Cafeteria. What is interesting is that when Manning's closed all of their retail locations. Manning's, Inc. started operating cafeteria's in business/industrial locations. I believe that Manning's, Inc operated the cafeteria at the Los Angeles Times building. Tips had a location in Lemert Park (just off Crenshaw Blvd.) There was also a Tiny Naylor's at the Southwest or Southeast corner of Manchester Blvd/Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester, CA. Also I believe that Tiny Naylor's last location was close to Magic Mountain. Schaber's Cafeteria also had a location in North Hollywood, CA and finally Scrivner's Drive In had a location somewhere in Hollywood, CA (maybe off Highland)?

There is still a Chili Bowl building still standing on Florence Avenue close to the Harbor (110) Freeway. I believe that the cross street might be Hoover Street but I am not sure. Another Ontra Cafeteria location was at the Del Amo Mall in Torrance. I believe this mall opened in 1960 or 1961 & of course it was an open air mall. The second mall opened in Los Angeles was Lakewood Mall in I believe 1950 also as an open air mall. Whats unusual about the Ontra Cafeteria is there very first location on Vermont was the last one to close.

When I was a child (1958-1961). Me & my parents used to eat at the Ontra Cafeteria at the Crenshaw/Santa Barbara Mall. There was a Brown Derby Restaurant in business just off of Crenshaw Blvd. where the IHOP is now. Biff's was at Crenshaw/Santa Barbara. Maybe someone can research this because I KNOW a "The Brown Derby" sign was on the roof. About the Ontra Cafeteria. The Vermont Ave location was the original. Their name was derived from "On The Tray" Please don't forget that the Crenshaw/Santa Barbara "mall" when it opened in 1947 was the first mall in Southern California. The Ontra Cafeteria location on Crenshaw Blvd was big upstairs & downstairs. a beautiful mid century moderne interior. One last thing. The Red Balloon restaurant chain was also owned by the Ontra Cafeteria. I'm sure that someone can do some further research on the Crenshaw Blvd. "The Brown Derby" location. One last item. The Inglewood, CA IHOP on Manchester Blvd opened in I believe in either 1959 or 1960.

Fat Buick gives some Eas Los tips: 

Arry's is a place to have a the biggest pastrami you'll ever have. You need to tray it.  

Arry's Super Burgers:

1015 W Whittier Blvd
Montebello, CA 90640-4638
Phone: (323) 726-1550
 
If you want a good dog you have to eat at Chronies in East L.A., you will not be disappointed. The dogs have a great casing that pops when you take a bite. I have had Pinks and they are good, but Chronies blows them out of the water. Try their chili cheese dogs and you will know what I am talking about. It is located at the corner of Keenen and Whittier Blvd.

Some nice comments by Linda B:

I was looking up a friend's new historical digs and found a link to vintage restaurants. I am a rambler and thought I could move on, but found myself spending the next couple of hours oohing, ahhing and aching for the past!  And I loved it!  Of course, I was smiling as I reminisced of when I used to go here and there.  I noticed some places like Java Time and Zucky's Deli of San Mo. Gulliver's, Pieces of Eight and Tiny Naylor's (MDR) Margarita's .Ontra Cafeteria and Rudy's (Crenshaw Area) The Wichstand and Homer & Edy's  and Lafite's, NTM> The Olympic Room that had a back dining room where tables were surrounded by living animals!!!  I even remember my my family leaving Poor Richard's Restaurant because they told us we had to sit in a back room away from everyone even though there was room in the front! My Mom was steaming!  She remarried and the man who took us to see his new business venture.  He owned a jazz nightclub on Adams called the Alladin and sold it to by "Poor Richard's!!!  He turned into a jazz restaurant called La Lousianne.   He's passed on but the place is still there, across from the Wichstand restaurant !  well, now I'm dating myself! 

I used to give historical tours of the Biltmore Hotel years ago.  The restaurant was named  Smeraldi's  in the 80's (?) named after Giovanni Smeraldi - one of the original artists who hand-painted the Renaissance ceilings in the hotel. I believe the western half of the restaurant was the original dining room known as the Men's Lounge and the eastern half was the coffee shop with a plush soda fountain next door!
If you call the LA Conservancy, they may be able to furnish you with some of the memorabilia fro the Biltmore's restaurant and also for Bernard's (Formal Dining Restaurant). Thanks for the cool stroll down memory lane! Have a scrumptious day!

Kikki E. comments:

Thanks for your interesting site. I would like to tell you about a restaurant that you should check out and include on your site. It is so authentic it looks untouched from the 50s. It's in the valley, but off the beaten path. I'd like more people to know about it and support it. The name is "Loves" and it's an incredible googie standalone building. It's on Saticoy, just west of Balboa. Cheap coffee shop food with an asian twist (the owners, last I was there, were chinese or thai).

Also, FYI, the Monty's in Pasadena has closed.

Renay recounts: 

Thanks so much for offering all this fantastic info on our culture! I was hours just reading all kinds of interesting facts and looking at all the images of restaurants and hotels we've had or still have. Awesome job!
I stumbled upon your site by Googling The Brown Derby.
 
One last thing, I drove by The Arches Restaurant on PCH in Newport Beach...
It's gone. :-(
Torn down completely. I was so sad to see this.
Just letting you know.
Thanks again and hope you continue your quest on enlighting us peeps about an very interesting and important subject!!

Michael B. talks about my home town of Baltimore:

Tio Pepe was (and I think still is) a Spanish restaurant in downtown
Baltimore that was long considered the best restaurant in the city. My
mother still lives in Baltimore, so I can ask her. They had the best paella
I've ever had, but then I've never been to Spain. Haussner's is somewhere
near Little Italy, I believe, but definitely in east Baltimore. My memory
fades, but please remember that I haven't lived on the east coast for more
than 25 years, and more than 30 since I've lived in Baltimore. Haussner's
was famous for the walls- literally every inch was covered with art work,
mainly paintings. German food, not terribly expensive, and packed on the
weekends. Of course, you never minded waiting, since there was so much to
look at.
And the Sheraton Belvedere will always have a special place in my heart,
since we stayed there the first week we lived in Baltimore. I'm not
surprised it's now condos.
One other classic restaurant that just occurs to me is The Pimlico Hotel,
which was not a hotel, though maybe it was before my experience there. It
was on Reisterstown Rd, near Pimlico Race Track, of course. Wonderful old
red leather booths, wood paneling, like a classic steak house. And a great
(and huge) hot fudge sundae. Though I wasn't aware of such things at the
time, I have not doubt that anybody who was anybody ate there.

Bob H writes:

You write on the Theater page:
"The El Capitan proves that movie palaces can be brought back to life and succeed. The theater now has a Wurlitzer organ with an excellent staff musician. This was brought in from a movie palace in San Francisco. The Orpheum is the only other movie palace in the area I know of that has a Wurlitzer. There may be one in Santa Barbara. Citizen Kane premiered here in 1941."

I can confirm there is a grand theater organ in SB at the Arlington Theater on State St. It was a Fox theater. I hear GWTW had a pre-premier test screening here.

I googled looking for info on this theater's organ --

Thought you might like info on the great theater it's in:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mister_goleta/99696079/in/pool-theaters/ for an exterior shot.
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PALACE/atmosphere.jpg for an interior shot.

Hey, keep up the work on your site and it's mission of saving the cultural and architectural history of LA et al.

BTW, I discovered your page while surfing in prep for my trip tomm -- I'm taking my son and 5 friends to see Pirates III at the El Capitan. We're from SB, but are making the trip cuz it's such a cool venue. After we saw Pirates II there we hopped the Red line to Chinatown and ended up at Hop Louie's for dinner. (Why I found your page) They are eager to go back there for dinner.

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Miscellaneous Facts on Los Angeles bar and restaurant history  | Photos of Old Town Historic Pasadena 

Misc. Pictures of Historic Oakland and San Francisco buildings | Misc. Pict. of Baltimore/D.C.  | MOVIE PALACES

 WARNINGS! |  MAD MEN (AMC) LOS ANGELES FILMING LOCATIONS

Awards and Recognitions for Los Angeles Time Machines  |  RENO NEON SIGNS | CHRONOLOGY

My Choices for Top Ten Best Los Angeles History Time Machines for Various Categories

Miscellaneous Facts on Los Angeles bar and restaurant history  |

TIKI/GOOGIE/ART DECO/NEON | Misc. FUN FACTS RESTAURANT HISTORY |

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