HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES - BARS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS & BUILDINGS - GOLDEN AGE MEMORIES BY READERS (AS WELL AS THE PRESENT!)

This is a continuation of the first page (got a little long). 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.  As I approach having most old places on the site already, the correspondence has shifted to mostly nostalgia for places gone by (as well as about 25 emails a day trying to sell me Viagra - quite an affront to one's pride!!!).  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. Any negative comments are strictly the unproven and unverified opinion of the writers.

A very nice letter from John T:

I want to start out by saying how much I enjoy your site and how grateful I am for people like you who are out there who devote their energies to topics like snooping out LA's old time machines.  I'm 21, but like you, I yearn for the simplicity and sincerity of times past, and as a result, I'm thoroughly fascinated with the 40s.  I count Jo Stafford and Dick Haymes among my favorite musicians, and I love watching movies like "The Best Years of Our Lives".  I'm proud to be an Angeleno (probably more for what it was than for what it is!), and your site has really helped me to gain a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the city I was born in and the area I call home.  I really look forward to additions to your website, and thank you once again for helping me pursue one of my passions! 
 
      I was wondering if you've visited a place called Pecos Bill's BBQ Restaurant on Victory Blvd. in Glendale (near Griffith Park and where the 134 meets the 5).  It's been around since 1946 I believe, and they serve barbecue sandwiches.  It's one of those "shack" places, and it certainly feels like a time machine to me (although there are some new additions, like a new Pepsi fridge), often times leading me to imagine how the place looked 60 years ago, when Victory was still a country road it seems like!  It's near the old Glendale airport terminal building
 
     Speaking of airports,- have you heard of a place called the Aero Market?  It's further north on Victory Blvd., in the city of Burbank, and it's been around since 1945. (although pictures reveal the building to be a newer structure?)  I haven't been here, but a local paper had an article on it recently.  They say that it used to be a favorite hangout of pilots who were shuttling between the Grand Central Terminal (Glendale airport) and the Union Air Terminal (today's Burbank Airport), and the place is loaded with aviation memorabilia and pictures...apparantly, there's a lunch counter there, so it may just be the original place.  I'm not sure if this is a time machine, but it sure is loaded with potential, and I will definitely visit once I have the time.  
 
      Once again, thank you for taking the time to create, operate, and maintain such a swell website, and good luck!

Carol G provides this info:

Cassell's Hamburgers restaurant moved from its original location when the owners of the property saw more $$$ in parking than they did in burgers. The original spot, on a corner a  block west of the current location, featured a patio at the back of the restaurant with – if I remember correctly – a leafy roof over some old & splintery picnic tables.  It attracted every pigeon in the Wilshire District, but what a great, funky outdoor spot!

Also – your ‘graph on Greenblatt’s on Sunset…did you know: 1) the corner location in the building (just east of the deli space) was for many years home to Ah Fong’s Cantonese Restaurant, a favorite of Sunset Strip habitués? And 2) Ah Fong’s came to be because of Groucho Marx.  Am not sure if he actually owned the property but his office was on the 2nd floor in what is now The Laugh Factory, and Mr. Marx’s cook was a Chinese woman , encouraged (and backed) by Groucho  to open a restaurant as a showcase for her Cantonese cookery. [Editor's note - there was an Ah Fong's Restaurant for a while near Sunset and Vine if I'm not mistaken]

 Have spent many happy hours perusing your material – what a terrific job you’ve done (whoever you are) in putting it together. 

Rob M. give us this update on Bahooka's:

Thanks for such a wonderful site!!
>
> We visit Bahooka about twice a year, but were a bit late getting in this year; last weekend was our first visit for 2007. Wanted to let you know that Bahooka Ribs and Grog Restaurant will be celebrating their 40th anniversary in November (with a retro-price special running on three days therein; I'm a little fuzzy on details--you might check with them for specifics).
> I noticed something in your write-up, and thought you might like to hear that in honour of the anniversary, they have added tiki god glasses for the drinks! They come in brown or a sort of bright avocado green, and you can buy the drink in the glass to keep, or purchase the glasses separately.
> We noticed that our water came in (clear) glasses that were shaped like bamboo sections, which was new to us since our last visit. ("Look! More tiki!" We were delighted.) Also, you might want to add that the Jim Carrey picture "The Number 23" filmed there last year.
>
> I love this site and will be passing it along to friends. I will send you updates wherever possible. We are lucky enough to live within a short drive of many wonderful old places, and I do love the time machine aspect.
> Thank you for your enthusiasm! My partner and I firmly believe that, by and large, chain restaurants are for the birds. We have a hobby which causes us to daytrip across California, and the best part, really, is looking for cool local restaurants for dinner afterward. They are the best. I joke that one of my reasons for being on earth, is to keep local hole-in-the-wall eateries, in business.
>
> Best wishes from a fellow time-traveler--

Daniel B very kindly writes:

First, I should tell you how much I appreciate your site.  It's truly my bible and has been for the past year or two.  And I love all the additions you've recently made.  You often write that when you take friends around sometimes they can't appreciate restaurants unless they have good food.  I completely understand, my criteria are 1) history 2) architecture 3) interior 4) staff 5) clientele 6) food quality.
 
I digress, I’m always seeing places that I say "hey, I should email Jonathon and tell him about that place."  So while I have these two on my mind I'm gonna mention them because I don't see them on your site anywhere.  There's a great place in North Hollywood on Lankershiem called "Little Toni's Italian Restaurant."  It's an Italian place, but it's more like an American Italian place complete with wood paneling and red booths.  It reminds me of Tony's Bella Vista in Burbank.  It's open until 2am, but it doesn't open until 5pm (I think).  Actually, that just made me think of another place that's in my neighborhood (Los Feliz) called Palermo's on Vermont (and you can also check out "House of Pies" Restaurant across the street too if you have time).  They're both near the Desden Room Restaurant.  Palermo's Restaurant is pretty fun, it has murals of Italy on the walls, Christmas lights, and neon by the coffee bar and lots of green, red, and white all over the place.  Very American Italian.  And the other place I was going to mention is a place that I just saw the other day called Steven's Steakhouse in Commerce.  I haven't gone there yet, but it looks hopeful from the signs.  There's a nice big sign on the street that resembles the sign for Chadney's Restaurant in Burbank and a pretty descent neon sign closer to the restaurant.  So I guess that's three restaurants (or technically four).  None of them are mind blowing time machines, but all are worth checking out.  Maybe worth about three Ts each (especially little toni's).
 
Oh, I just thought of another one, Lancers on Victory in Burbank has a nice big slanted roof.  It looks great from the front (on victory across the street).  And that's not too far from The Corol Café on burbank blvd.  That place is great in a similar way.  Roof isn't as good, but they might have a better sign and a descent counter near the entrance.
 
I'm sure there are others but I don't want to Jam up your inbox.  Hope they're helpful, and again, thanks for all the work you do on this site; for people like me, there are few other resources that even compare to what you have done.

Charles H. recounts the history of the Kopper Kart Restaurant (2167 W. Florence):

My family lived around the corner from this place (at night, we could see the neon sign from our back yard!). This was between 1967-1979

We moved away in 1979, but would occasionally come through the "old neighborhood" if we happened to be in LA (ball games, trips to LAX, etc.) By 1981 or 1982, the Kopper Kart no longer existed (it may have burned down). There was something else (a store front church?) in its place....

None of us ever went inside the place, it looked kind of run down by the time we came along anyway.

A search of the LA Times Historic Newspapers pulled up a number of interesting ads and stories. This seemed to be one of *the* places to be in the 1940's and 50's. The theme of the place was having drinks mixed tableside from a copper cart (hence the name). They served steaks, prime rib, seafood, and had live music (usually, Clarence Paris or Ted Campbell "nightly at the Hammond Organ" but occasional vocalists or other performers as well)

The Kopper Kart Restaurant had closed for a short period in the early 1960's; a newspaper blurb says it was being reopened in 1964by Eddie Olson and  Frank Lococo (formerly of the Cockatoo). It was sold sometime in late 1967 or early 1968, according to my records.
By then changing tastes and demographics might have killed the restaurant, but it did soldier on until the early 1980's.
A Question from Dorothy T:

I was hoping you could help me or direct me to someone who could.

It has always been a story in my family that my great aunt married a man who was a maitre de at the Brown Derby.   It was in the 1930s and his name was Vladimir Patrick although his real name was Vladimir Pavkovitch.

Can you tell me if he ever worked at the Brown Derby or suggest who I might ask to find out.
 

Julie G recounts:

Just discovered your site. It's fabulous. Born in Long Beach in 1948, I remember some of these places from my childhood. There are a couple of exclusions, I think. You mention Little Joe's in connection with the Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, but I could find nothing on LJ's itself in your extinct restaurant listings. Did I miss it somehow? That was certainly a classic. Another I remember is the Reef restaurant in Long Beach harbor area. It was very kitschy with fishing nets, fake starfish, etc. I understand it's still there, but wonder what it is like today (including the food)? Also could not find your oft referenced Chateau Marmont (sp?). Would love to see photos and history (drove by it years ago but not since it's come back into fashion. It's along drive now from where I live.) Loved seeing "Tip's" included, as my family stopped at their Newhall Ranch location when I was a child as a ritual every summer for breakfast on our annual car trip vacation up the coast to visit San Francisco. I have looked for it in vain ever since on subsequent trips and always wondered what became of it. I would enjoy knowing what year it ceased operation, and when/if the building was torn down. My parents actally had honeymooned in San Fran in 1938, and drove that same route, spending their first night in the now long-gone famous old hotel in LeBec. I've seen photos of that on a postcard, but nothing left at the site now. Any info on that?

 Keep up the good work. My only complaint is that I have wasted far too much time at the computer today walking down memory lane! I will revisit another day.

Jerry R informs us:

I was browsing through your excellent website featuring extinct restaurants of Los Angeles; and I recently discovered on the Los Angesles Public Library website photo collection on-line two great photos of a restaurant in L.A. called the Jail Cafe. Since this extinct unique L.A. restaurant is not on your list, I thought I would mention this to you for your website. Go to the LAPL.org website photo collection, and type in Jail Cafe--you'll find a great photo of the Jail Cafe Restaurant from the outside; and an equally great photo taken on the inside of customers being waited on in jail cells by prison striped waiters!! 

These photos came up on the LAPL website when I typed in the word "restaurants". I have since found out from the historical L.A. Times on-line that the Jail Cafe opened in 1925, with high hopes for a chain--one other Jail Cafe opened in downtown L.A., but was converted to another restaurant from a new owner. The last ads for the Jail Cafe appear in 1930 issues of the L.A. Times. View these great photos!!
 

Greg C. adds:

My uncle owned a very popular little place for many years called Crosby's Pizza and Bar-B-Q Restaurant. It was on located on Santa Monica Blvd. and Berendo, a block west of Vermont. I worked there in the late 60's. It was a great local hangout for a wide variety of characters.

Also you forgot Shari's coffee shops. I think there were two or three around town. One was on Wilshire. And Hodey's (sp) in Hollywood.

The China Trader Restaurant on Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake, and Alfonse's also in Toluca Lake, and Sorrentino's Restaurant too. All great old Hollywood joints in the valley.
 

Joseph talks about an early LA family:

In the 1930's 40's 50's it was Joe D'Angelo and his three brothers who were to receive the second liquor license issued by the State of California.  The other three brothers, Paul, Sam, and Johnny, also had Bars. The Sunset, in Hollywood, would be a gathering place on Oscar night. All owed their business startup to the oldest brother Joseph Edward D'Angelo.
 
Mr. D'Angelo's Bar once was an elegant night spot with floorshows, and fine dinning, music, and it did thrive until the day of the big depression, D'Angelo loosing a fortune to th Banks which closed their doors, that day and did not pay out moneys owed.
 
This Bar on Six and Union streets L.A., were favorite meeting palce for the Union crowd being only a block from AFL-CIO headquarters.  This good man was loved by all, an to date there is no Picture, article, or mention of Joe's Shanty, in any research that I can find.

Dan informs us:

I was watching Michael Jackson's THRILLER video
tonight and realized that him and the girl leave THE
PALACE theater as the thriller music stars 4:14
seconds in. Just a little trivia bit you might want
to add as Thriller is a very popular video yet I'm
sure no one knows where it was filmed (I didn't).

Garry P remembers:

I was just enjoying your wonderful web site again when I recalled a landmark that has not been mentioned: Wallichs' Music City at the corner of Sunset and Vine. I worked there for Clyde Wallichs in the early sixties. What a place it was! I recall it was across from the old NBC Television building. I wonder if there is a photo of it out there somewhere?

I truly enjoy visiting your L.A. Time Machines site every so often. It is wonderful that someone has taken the time to archive this period. Thank you very much for your efforts.

Michele talks about Cafe LaMaze in National City, CA:

I seem to run across your web site quite often in my searches for fun old places. A brief history as I was told Marcel LaMaze opened the place in 1941 due to request from celebrity friends and a stop on there way to Mexico (it had become quite the hot spot due to prohibition) He found this location, and it even had a secret gambling room upstairs from what I heard. Gable, Flynn, Laurel & Hardy were frequent guest to name a few. I was puzzled when I noticed no mention of the the La Maze San Diego location. I was raised in Chula Vista and have been eating there since birth.

An only slightly exaggerated assessment of me by D.E.:

Yesterday I went to a film party in Hollywood.  I have wanted to go to the Prince for years and finally found a friend who would go with me.  So I googled the Prince and found your site. 
 
YOU ARE A GOD!
 
Oh, sorry, I'm not supposed to gush to people I don't know.  Sometimes I forget my southern upbringing.  :)  Anyway, I have simply bathed in the beauty that you've created.  I found so many places that I've ventured to alone and of course thought I was sorta strange (read UNIQUE).  And now thanks to you, I have many more bar stools to fall off of and more places to stuff myself.
 
Your work is simply marvelous and truly educational.  
 
And lastly, I was right all of these years yearning to go to the Prince Restaurant.  The fried chicken and Hite beer were fabulous and the surroundings one of a kind.  (However, I could have done without the Seafood Pancake.)  The experience was at least a nine out of ten.

Carol G provides this important information:

A number of your readers have mentioned Ollie Hammond's Restaurant. The La Cienega restaurant featured an intimate room known as the cellar, down a short spiral staircase from the main bar area. The room was upholstered in red leather (half-way up the walls, booths, bar front) and could hold about 20 people.

Others have commented on the Frascati  Restaurant chain. My research for a previous project turned up 4 Frascati restaurants: Wilshire Blvd. across from the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel ; Sunset at Crescent Heights (northwest corner); La Cienega Blvd. (east side) south of Olympic; and the fourth location at the west end of the Sunset Strip. The Wilshire location is now home to a hipper-than-hip shopping area. The La Cienega location was, for a number of years, an exotic car sales lot and was leveled just a few months ago for construction of - I am sure - yet another ugly, post-modern eyesore. The location at the west end of the Strip, for which I never did find an exact address, is long gone. The only one still a dining establishment is the Sunset & Crescent Heights location. At the moment, it's being remodeled by the Starck Group for use as a restaurant bar. The Frascati Restaurant at this spot was a swingin' joint for years - piano bar at night, jazz combo, and - for the ladies - fashion shows during the luncheon hours.

Your site improves each time I visit - keep it up!

Great info from Glen B. :


I found your amazing website looking for a restaurant chain that used to be in the LA area but I think is now extinct.  Anyway, I thought I would give you a few contributions.  I have lived in the LA area all of my life.  My dad grew up in Beverly Hills back in the 30s and 40s.  In looking over your lists, here seem to be a few omissions. 
* Le Petite Chateau, 4615 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91602 (818) 769-1812  A french farmhouse nestled between an auto dealership and a bank/office building.  It looks like urban sprawl swallowed up a french countryside.  I thought that this was a no-brainer for a timemachine and was easily earlier than your 1970 cut off.  I'm not so sure - at worst it is borderline.  However, on the time machine scale it clearly qualifies.  Walking into a restaurant you are taken back to the days when the old Hollywood crowd would dine there (it is relatively close to the movie studios).  The decor hasn't been changed or updated. I'd be surprised if there was any remodling.
* Castaways, 1250 Harvard Road Burbank, CA 91503 (818) 848-6691 and (818) 848-3915  - The Castaways restaurant was built back in the 60s as a view restaurant nestled in the Verdugo Mountains near the burbank municipal golf course.  The complex has undergone some expansions and renovations (it is a highly sought wedding reception venue), but I think the main seating in the restaurant is pretty much as it was when it opened.
* Matteo's Italian Restaurant 2321 Westwood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064(310) 475-4521 - Openned in 1963. It is another old Hollywood hang out.  It is definitely a time machine type of venue.  Lots of art work on the Wall from the original owners.
* Chadneys, Burbank, CA (Extinct)  The shell of this grand olde restaurant still sits acorss the street from the NBC studios.  In its day, it was a regular watering hole for Hollywood folks -- especially those working at the Disney and NBC studios.
* Patricks Roadhouse, 106 Entrada Dr, Santa Monica, CAý - (310) 459-4544 I've never been to this venue.  However, it was recently feature on Food Network's show Diners, Drive ins & Dives.  The guvenator was a regular back in the day.   Definately older than your '70 cut off.
* Juniors Deli, 2379 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CAý - (310) 475-5771 - Juniors has been a hangout for UCLA students for longer than I can remember.  Definitely predates the '70 cutoff.  Not much in the way of architecture.
* Papoo's Hot Dog Show 4300 W Riverside Dr Burbank, CA 91505  This is one of my Dad's favorite hot dog places.  It dates back to just after World War 2.  Across the street from Bob's Big Boy.
* Cupids Hot Dogs 20030 Vanowen St.,  Canoga Park CA ; 9039 Lindley Ave., Northridge  CA.  A hot dog stand that just serves its own "snapper" style of hot dogs.   The stands in Canoga Park and Northirdge date back to the mid-60s. 
* Magic Castle 7001 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, (323) 851-3314 - Is nestled below Yamashiro's in the Hollywood Hills.  It probably qualifies as both a historic build and a restuarant.  It is a membership restuarant, but getting in is usually not difficult.  It has a number of historic magic collections. Definately a time machine. 

Michael S adds these suggestions:

Just thought I'd let you know I do seriously love your site, and thought I'd comment on a few of the older restaurants you haven't been to yet. Petrelli's Steakhouse Restaurant in Culver City has been around since the 40s but the current building dates from the 90s. It only LOOKS retro. The food's pretty good. Junior's Restaurant in West L.A. has quite excellent deli food - it's been there since the '60s at least. Never been to Matteo's nearby, It was one of Dean Martin's favorite restaurants (a friend of mine was a waiter there and saw Dino there all the time back in the 80s).

Palermo Italian Restaurant in Los Feliz is good old style Italian American food, plenty of red sauce, and also in a safe area . Little Toni's in North Hollywood is also good, albeit old fashioned red sauce checkered table cloth Italian-American like Palermo. One restaurant in that area of West L.A.  that you failed to mention was Anna's on Pico, which has been around since the 1960s. Originally it had the same ownership as Mario's in Westwood, which I'm pretty sure moved to Santa Monica.
 
You also didn't mention La Cabana Mexican Restaurant in Venice, around since 1962 and a favored spot of the Beach Boys in the '60s - they'd often stop there on the way back from recording sessions due to it being open late at night. Brian Wilson planned Pet Sounds and Smile there along with Tony Asher, Van Dyke Parks, his other brothers, and members of the band. Dennis was also a customer there. Still very much around.

Ken and Karen T suggest:

Mama Cozza's Italian Restaurant
2170 W. Ball Road
Anaheim, CA 92804
714/635-0063

Thanks for your great site...Its a massive database!

Mama's might not be old enough....but it's an anaheim late 60's? good bar
and the chris & pits BBQ Restaurant on Euclid
Thanks for all your info!

Alyssa shares these important memories:

A few places I didn't see mentioned on your phenomenal site/trip down
memory lane ... some perhaps not quite as notable as others, but
definitely strong memories for me: The Luau Restaurant on Rodeo Drive was a
tropical heaven with the best BBQ ribs (we dipped bare bones in the
sauce - yumm!) ... Hasty House Restaurant (I think was the name) in Brentwood,
right around the curve of San Vicente between Wilshire and the
Brentwood Village was a cafeteria-style restaurant where we'd get
delicious bbq pork sandwiches ... Nibblers Restaurant in Beverly Hills (not sure
the exact location) which was my grandfather's favorite coffee shop.
I know at some point they moved to the first floor of an office
building near restaurant row.

And I swear there was a Chinese restaurant we loved (not vintage, per
se) down on Wilshire in Santa Monica that was called "North China."
NO one seems to remember it, but I do and I miss it! They had a
creamed cabbage concoction I've not seen on any other Chinese menu,
and pressed duck (which no one makes anymore anywhere).

Another suggestion:

What about The Bistro and The Bistro Garden Restaurant in Beverly Hills??? Great
restauranteur, Kurt Niklas.. and the most beautiful restaurants..
serving the biggest celebrities!! He worked for Romanoffs as maitre
d'.. and went on to open The Bistro on Canon Drive (now
Maestros Steakhouse) with the backing of Billy Wilder and some of
Hollywood's most influential people. Never seeking publicity, to his
fault, only wanting the best for his clientele! Look it up!!

Marilyn B writes:

Dorando's Restaurant was on Vine Street in Hollywood, more or less across the street from the old Hollywood Ranch Market. I used to eat there with my husband, both before and after we were married in 1961. We started eating there ca. 1958; went over for dinner sometime in mid-60s(??) and found the place locked up and decorated with police tape! Mr. Dorando, it seems, had been shot and killed by some bad guys who had a grievance against him. The food was very good -- veal piccata, veal marsala, excellent cannoli (not the junk with chocolate bits -- NO WAY). I have no idea what was going on here that precipitated the shooting, but heard it had to do with "the mob", whatever that means in CA. We missed it when it was gone.

I didn't read all your extinct restaurant listings yet. Do hope you've included Paul's Duck Press Restaurant, which was just east of downtown LA and served game meats.

Another one you may have missed was Armand's Restaurant -- first on Manchester Blvd., just west of Western Ave. (in 40s and up until ???; then moved to Pasadena on Foothill Blvd. just east of Rosemead. Known for SPLIT PEA SOUP. People used to line up for this at the original Armand's on Manchester! Recipe VERY secret. After they moved to Pasadena, I phoned, shmoozed up the owner, who was still "family", tried to get recipe -- NO NO NO !! Then we laughed at my brazen attempt.

It was fun to see "Madame Portiers" aka "Madame Curtains" on the list.
A more obscure "family French" place was located on Melrose, one block west of Vermont. Very popular among faculty at LA City College and (in mid 50s) faculty from Cal State College, then located on the same campus. This may have been the BEST BARGAIN in LA -- a very respectable home-style French dinner for under $2. Sorry I can't remember the name, but I'm sure someone can. I had many dinners there on evenings when I had a class until 9 PM.

You have a fascinating project -- collecting all the old restaurants!

Interesting thoughts from Tia:

Hello there! I just wanted to say thank you for turning me on to some real treasures/experiences!

I happened on your site recently when I Googled "historic restaurants San Diego". I was about to embark on a site visit of San Diego as a possible site for the International Foodservice Editorial Council's (IFEC) 2009 conference. Our membership is made up of the editors of the top foodservice trade publications (Food Arts, Restaurants & Institutions, Nation's Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, Restaurant Hospitality, etc.) and the publicists who represent national food manufacturers and commodity boards.

As part of our conference, which is held in a different city each year, we organize food tours that explore some of the more interesting indigenous food-related foodservice operations, farms, manufacturers and such. Which is why I was doing some investigation on the topic.

Your site led us to visit Filippi's restaurant, where we drank Chianti and signed the bottle to be suspended from the restaurant's ceiling with all its brethren. We also sought out Bali Hai restaurant and sampled a few of their finer tiki drinks, collecting the collectable mugs, of course. I was sad to hear that they don't serve a flaming drink--it's against the law there I was told! In the Bali Hai neighborhood, we passed the impressive façade of Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites, but I'll have to save for another visit--as I will the Turf Club and the Tivoli.

Your description of Filippi's contained a mention of Reno's Casale's Half-Way Club, and since my husband and I have a little cabin at Tahoe and often go over the hill to Reno for a movie or a little video poker, we were anxious to check it out. Have to say that we LOVED the place. We'd already been to Louis' Basque, and don't know which I liked more--actually, I do: Casale's. What a treasure! They even let us sign the ceiling fan.

We are big fans of Virginia City and the amazing history there ~ especially the Gold Hill Hotel with its ghost stories and antique bar. Wow. You don't have the Gold Hill on your site--maybe because it's not on the contiguous main drag--just down the street and over the hill--but it calls itself Nevada's oldest hotel, and the bar is just wonderful. We live in San Francisco, and before that, I lived in New York and I'm from Iowa. I've been a "collector" of old bars and cool places all my life--from Iowa City to Brooklyn Heights to Shaky Town, and I'd be glad to pass along some tips from these areas that I've known and loved.  For instance, in NYC:

The Subway Inn (Manhattan) ,Farrell's (Brooklyn)  ,The Old Town Bar (Manhattan)

... so many more. But, as you've said on your site, so many have closed too--or remodeled themselves out of any character...that's why I was so happy to see your listings.   

So thanks again! And keep up the good work!

Nice words from Stephen B:

First, please accept my heartfelt thanks for what you have done and are doing.   Since I was a young child (born in 1964 in Pasadena) I bemoaned the loss of many local great restaurants (the Tahitian Restaurant, Bullocks Tea Room, the original Pasadena Athletic Club coffee shop, Blums, etc, etc.).   Your site has provided so many great ideas of where to eat (you are spot on about the Prince being so amazing, I am considering buying them new red lamp shades as the ones they have are in horrific shape..........when I snuck into the banquet room in the back, which was obviously half of the original lobby, I could see all of the original California Restaurant Writers awards for the Windsor up on the balcony), and have made living in Los Angeles more fun than it would be otherwise.

p.s.  I think the $11 (maybe $12) minute steak at the HMS Bounty is one of the best deals in Los Angeles, amazing atmosphere, a steak, salad, and baked potato for $11.    

A questions from Nick:

You have a wonderful site. I ran across it while looking up info on a restaurant my grandfather used to own. His name was Patrick Mitchell. He passed when my mother was 7 years old. I dont know much about it other than he owned it. Do you know how I can find out more info about it. I remember my grandmother telling me that it was a chain. Also she said it had gambling parlor in a private area. Not sure about that though.
Please let me know any info and thanks.

 Birgit R reports on some changes:

i just wanted to write you a note saying thank you for your wonderful website. my boyfriend and me are Europeans living
in los angeles and we always loved the "time machines", so we were very happy to find your site with many new places
to go.
yesterday we read about the Buggy Whip Restaurant and decided to visit it. it was absolutely wonderful - great atmosphere, really
good food and very nice service. we will certainly go there again.

We both love the Dolores Restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard .

 Dolores was always a very nice place to go to, the food was nothing special, but it the service was supernice
and it had the perfect time machine feel. it would be nice if you have the time to update the information on your website.
i also send you a photo i took 2 years ago with the original sign that is gone now. maybe you can use it.

thank you for your great work and dedication to all those wonderful places. it is really sad to see them go.

 Enthusiastic Words from Victoria T:
Hi!  I absolutely adore your website.  I happened upon it accidentally and am so glad that I did!
 
I grew up and lived in Los Angeles (from the mid-1950's until the early-1980's).  I haven't been back since I moved to the East Coast, but get homesick almost every day.  (You can't turn on the TV or watch a movie without seeing some part of the city.) 
 
I'm married to a "good 'ol boy" who has absolutely no interest in visiting the Los Angeles area, but I definitely want to return some day (as a tourist) and visit all the spots I recall from my early days (e.g., Griffith Park, Travel Town, Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz, the Bonaventure, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Santa Monica Pier, etc., etc.). 
 
It was such a wonderful walk down memory lane to see all the awesome pictures and trivia on your website.  It made me feel very much at home again. 
 
I don't know if you can help me, but I've been wracking my brain trying to find out about a spot in the downtown area when I was a child.  It was a manmade waterfall (near the Dept. of Water & Power, I believe).  It had a catwalk that I recall vividly because I tried to walk across it when I was about 12, and slipped/fell.  I'm sure it probably isn't there anymore.  I also wanted to see if the old Pioneer Chicken on North Western Avenue (above Hollywood Blvd.) is there anymore.  I don't believe it is, but not sure. 
 
Now that I've discovered your fabulous site, I'm going to be a frequent visitor -- believe me! 

Al C. shares these memories:

I loved your history on LA Restaurants that aren't there anymore. It
brought back a lot of wonderful memories of our family going out to
eat almost every Sunday during the 50s.

I was somewhat disappointed that you did not include one of our
favorite places. We used to go to Wilson's Restaurant on La Cienega,
just North of San Vicente, at Blackburn.

It might be described as somewhat of a coffee shop, but it was good
homestyle family food. One of the few places that had Spencer steak on
the menu. The soups were homemade and delicious.

The also had another restaurant, but I forget it's name. It was a
similar style and located at the NE Robertson and Beverly Blvd.
in about the same time frame.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Stephanie H has a few questions:

Thanks so much for what you are doing!  We are longtime frequenters of old LA and I use your guide frequently when we want to check out the new old places we don’t know about. 

My 96 year old father who is usually a treasure trove of these and but who sometimes just gets it a “little” bit wrong keeps referring to a restaurant called the Heist or the Hoist or the Heights (???!!!), located somewhere with a view of LA (l in the foothills of the San Gabriels or the San Bernadino mountains - Alta Dena, Redlands, Pasadena?), and suggests this was a good steak and burger place, nice ambiance with some connection to horse racing – owned by a jockey?  A jockey’s mother?  I have a feeling this was a 1930s – 1950s operation. 

You get the idea.  But I also bet you are the person who just “might” have the clue we need. 

Any thoughts? appreciate your insight or your suggestions for other ways we might research this place.  Keep up the good work!

Lorenzo points out this important history:

FWIW, Schaber's Restaurant had a North Hollywood location on the north side of Victory, west of Laurel Canyon.
Ontra had a location in Van Nuys on the east side of Van Nuys Blvd, between Chandler and Burbank.

One extinct great one was Sternberger's Rite Spot on North Brand in Glendale. They had a great Bordeaux Sauce.

Re: Rand's Round Up: I had a lunch box(!) from there. It was the usual rectangular shape for elementary school, but had their western icons on it (brands, cattle, wagons etc)

Don's Restaurant on Glenoaks (just west of Providencia) in Burbank has been there since streetcars rolled by; a good, stolid old coffee shop.

Thanx for your splendid work!

P.S.  My Mom once worked at Boos Bros Cafeteria.

More great info from Marilyn B:


Here's another one I thought of last night: in Pasadena -- the Stuffed Shirt (at Lake and DelMar Sts). It was a very nice dinner house -- prime rib, flaming crepe suzettes, very dignified atmosphere. The sort of place people took "Mother" for birthday dinner. We also had The Honker, which became the Chronicle -- and a few things since then, but Stuffed Shirt was much better. One more goodie that used to be on Lake Avenue near DelMar was The Tahitian -- you've guessed what the decor was, of course. Food was Polynesian, and we used to love the pressed duck. They also had some drinks flamed with 151-proof rum. the Tahitian was a good place to go on a hot day because it was cool and dark inside!

Back in the 60s, I used to have a long list of "good cheap restaurants where you could have dinner for $5 or under. This did not include alcohol, of course. Dorando's was on the list. There were two Mexican places on Beverly Blvd., (east Hollywood area) on different sides of the street but close to each other. The one on the south side of the street was very good, the one on the north side was very famous . Both are gone.

If I think of any more, I'll let you know.

From Chris B. :

First let me say how much I enjoy your site -- me and my friends have been working our way through the restaurants on it slowly but surely. 

Just wanted to let you know that Johnie's Broiler in Downey has now reopened as a Big Boy. I haven't been there yet, but from the pics here it looks as though they tried to keep a vintage feel and keep as much as they could of what was left of the structure.

From Sanford S. :

As a matter of fact, my wife was in a beauty contest at the old Ambassador Hotel in 1960. That was a year before Judy Garland appeared at the Coconut Grove. I took her to the Moulon Rouge on Sunset Blvd for her graduation. We had a dinner there, and got up on the stage and danced to some music. Jimmy Rogers was  the current entertainer at that point in time. As we rounded the front of the stage going back to our table, Jimmy Rogers made an announcement. He said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, lets give a hand to one of my good friends, Mr. Elvis Presley!" We were so surprised as Elvis stood up and nodded his head. He sat back down with his body guards/friends and that was that. It was also 1960. We got married in 1962, we will be celebrating our 48th anniversary next July. It's been a wonderful marriage.

I looked through your entire site and noticed one of the most fabulous
restaurants of the past was not recalled by anyone. It is Rudy's Italian
Inn. It was located on Santa Barbara Blvd. and Coliseum.
 
We had our wedding shower there and believe me, they were noted for their
fantastic sauce, that I have never scene duplicated anywhere in my life,
and I am now 70 years old. Their prime rib was the greatest! For a few
dollars you would have to take home a large doggie bag, if you ordered any
meal other than the pasta specialties. Just thought I would mention it.
Kelley's Steak House I would go to on dates. It was right near my house.
Only we would eat at the pizza parlor in the front. Of course Kelley's was
on Santa Monica Blvd

 From Brian E."

Cant tell you how much I enjoy your site - here are some you should check out and add to your list 

Sambos in Santa Barbara

Sir Georges Smorgesboard Restaurant - Arcadia - last surviving one

Cold Springs Tavern - outside Santa Barbara - old stagecoach stop from early 1920's

From Judi W:

Thank you for the wonderful website.  I grew up in Torrance and the LA area during the 1950's  I have been to several of the places that you have pictures of.  I loved it and have just completed a couple of hours reminiscing about the area I will always call home.  I remember Clifton's restaurant.  I think I have a picture of my family when we went to the original Cliftons cafeteria. I remember it as a very little girl.

History and buildings have always fascinated me as I can often "feel" their history and see the people going in and out.  It's like a movie in my head.

Anyway, I just wanted to say I am very very glad to have run across your website.

From Don B. :

Thanks for your effort. I MISS the old turf so bad I literally just told myself I'd rather be homeless and living in a tent in my old San Fernando Valley haunts than living where I'm at now in N. CA.

You have a photo of Monty's Steak House (now closed :( that you profiled. And you provided an address in Encino, CA for another one of their steakhouses.

Monty's in Encino was the sponsor of my little league team in about 1963. I ate there with my family maybe once. But, the address you have for that location is not correct. The correct location is about one mile East .... down Ventura Blvd..... and now occupied by condos. The steak house used to have a huge vacant and sloping hill behind it where my friends and I would play (actually, throw cherry bombs into gopher holes). Thats where the condos are now. Days gone by.

Thanks again for your pics. I shouldn't focus on memory lane... but it WAS a better, nicer era than today.

From D'Lanie B:

Thank you... THANK YOU... for your wonderful site! I am hoping you might have more information on a couple of places ...

 I'm looking for information on two places in particular: The Generous Britain in Canoga Park, which I think was at Roscoe Blvd. on Topanga Canyon Blvd. I think it's a "To Die For Sushi" place now. Also, the Tonga Lei on Pacific Coast Highway... I have searched high and low for information on this restaurant, and your site is the first place I have found that even mentions it. I was very excited to see it, as it was my parents' favorite place to dine together during their courtship. Apparently, the margaritas at the Tonga Lei are at least partially responsible for my existence! So seeing where it was located, and the view from there (sadly they tore it down for a swanky resort and spa in Malibu).

I'm continuing to browse your site gleefully...!!!!! I'm also looking for reading material on the SF Valley during the Race to Space, or anything about this era.

From Marcia G:

Thanks for wasting my entire afternoon taking me on a trip down memory lane. I lived in LA from '35 to '72 and was enchanted to discover entries on restaurants like Pig'n Whistle and the Lighted Tree fondly remembered from my childhood and youth. (A couple that I remembered liking very much that are not included were the Ranch House in Beverly Hills and Chatham in Westwood Village. The original Ranch House was indeed in the form of a ranch house. They had THE BEST Salisbury steak and hash browns. Chatham's was a hangout for UCLA folks. I believe it was run by one of the Solvang Andersens.)

 Before WWII we lived for a while on Hacienda Place 1/2 block from Barney's Beanery Restaurant. Several times they were good enough to sell me small quantities of raw hamburger when my mother had forgotten to get cat food.

 The Hollywood Brown Derby, Hatton's, Nickodell's and the Gotham were places where we frequently ate lunch during the 50's, when I worked in the Hollywood area— all alas gone now.

 Sorry you don't have a category for ice cream parlors like Currie's Mile High (awful but cheap), Chapman's (quite good) and Wil Wright's (fabulous, but with regrettable flocked red wallpaper in the Westwood branch).

 

Thanks again

From D. Bowman:

I am a 3rd generation Californian, raised in Orange County.  From a very early age I have been fascinated with the rich culture of Los Angeles. 

 

Your web site is a GOLD MINE.  Let me preface how I found you -

For years we have been going to Musso's.  I take everyone I'm close to there at least one time.  You are correct, it is like stepping back in time.  I met the bartender Manny over a martini a few years ago and he was a delight!

 

My frustration is that there is no one book published that has the entire history of Musso and Frank's.  I ordered a book on line called "American Places: Encounters with History" solely for the one small chapter dedicated to Musso and Frank's.  I got it yesterday and it was worth every penny for that coverage.

 

My Grandmother ate at Musso and Frank's in the 30's as well as the "Pig 'n Whistle" 70+ years ago (another place we love to go to but can you explain the beds downstairs?!?)

 

Then there is Clifton's Cafeteria.  Everyone who has lived in So Cal seems to have a story about that place.  I had email dialog with one of the grandson's and he sent me some souvenirs about 10 years ago.

 

I had the pleasure of dining at Chasen's Restaurant and was there on a night that Ronald and Nancy Reagan were there.

 

For many years we didn't miss the "Last Remaining Seats" series.  The Los Angeles theatre is spectacular!!!

 

I could go on and on, but just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the fascinating information you provide!!!

Brian E adds these places:

Can't tell you how much I enjoy your site - here are some you should check out and add to your list 

Sambos  Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Sir Georges Smorgesboard Restaurant - Arcadia - last surviving one

Cold Springs Tavern - outside Santa Barbara - old stagecoach stop from early 1920's

Tee asks this question:

I like your Web site! 

 

I'm trying to do some research for a good friend that wants to know of an old bar in Los Angeles and was not able to find it on your site. 

 

It was called the Ritz Cafe was located on 312 1/2 S. Main St.

 

Any information would be much appreciated.

Judy W has these nice things to say:

Thank you for the wonderful website.  I grew up in Torrance and the LA area during the 1950's  I have been to several of the places that you have pictures of.  I loved it and have just completed a couple of hours reminiscing about the area I will always call home.  I remember Clifton's restaurant.  I think I have a picture of my family when we went to the original Cliftons cafeteria. I remember it as a very little girl.

 

History and buildings have always fascinated me as I can often "feel" their history and see the people going in and out.  It's like a movie in my head.

 

Anyway, I just wanted to say I am very very glad to have run across your website.

 

Some memories of Bruce H. :

 

I recall a little out-of-the-way greasy spoon called the Backstreet Cafe.  It is(was?) in the heart of Hollywood, on a little street off Seward Avenue below Santa Monica.  It was just north of Romaine, I believe.  I would stop on my way home from school in 5th or 6th grade, and often get a chili dog or chili size, or some other equally typical fare.  The fun came in hearing the waitress call your order to the cook in diner-ese slang.  I don't recall the colorful phrases she used, but as a kid of 10 or 11 years old it was always entertaining. (Things like "Adam and Eve on a raft", etc.) As it was about 40 years ago, I don't think it is there anymore, but I could be mistaken as I don't drive through Hollywood very often anymore if I can avoid it.  But I may be wrong, after looking over some of the entries on your website.

In the last 4-5 years (since the Kodak Theater opened, where I sometimes work) I had occasion to stop in at another of my childhood favorites, Two Guys from Italy Italian Restaurant on Hollywood Blvd at Las Palmas, and was surprised to see the same counterman who used to serve me slices in the  late 60's and early 70's.  That place almost qualifies for Time Machine, but they expanded a little in the last 40 years.  The slices are still great, though!

Really enjoy your site, and I wish I had more free time to check out some (a lot) of the places listed.  Still, it will provide me with hours of reminiscing about the L.A. of my youth.

 

Dave P provides the following:

 

To whom it may concern:
     I happened to have eaten at The Derby Restaurant in Arcadia this past Friday and it made me think, for some reason of Musso and Frank Grill. I've never been to Musso and Frank, but I've always known it.
     While I was at church today I mentioned Musso and Frank to a local history buff and he said that he had never heard of the place. I was in shock since he had heard of The Derby.
     I did a search for Musso and Frank to send him information about the place and came across your website and was fascinated by the list of restaurants and bars, some of which I had patronized and some I had only heard of. One of the extinct restaurants I had been to was Tahitian Village. It was a fixture in the area and was considered an example of a good night out with the faux Polynesian food and floor show.
     While looking through the list I thought of several restaurants that might make the list that you may have missed or have never heard about.
     The Silver Saddle was a place in either Downey or Pico Rivera (the last time I saw the place was over forty years ago). It was a Western themed place and in the lobby was a saddle covered with silver conchos. It was quite popular in the southeast county at the time. Unfortunately, the restaurant is long gone.
     I do not know if the Cockatoo Inn is still in existence. It was one either Aviation or Hawthorne Blvds. in Inglewood. I used to drive by it daily on my way to work. The place was used in several movies and a few episodes of The Rockford Files. At the time I worked in the area the place had the reputation as being owned by a mobster or being a meeting place for mobsters.
     There is a place on PCH in either Seal Beach or Huntington Beach called Sam's Seafood Restaurant. There is a sign above the place in the shape of a swordfish. I first saw the place in the mid-sixties and it has always looked like it has been there since the forties.
     In the early 70s there was a bar on Terminal Island, the name of which I can't remember. It was a working man's bar for longshoremen, merchant seamen and workers at the Starkist Tuna processing plant. It was interesting in that on the walls on the exterior it pretty much stated that if you weren't part of that particular fraternity you'd not be welcome at the place. It looked, when I first saw it, that it had been there forever.
     The other day I had to take the Blue Line train from Long Beach. On the corner of 5th or 6th and Long Beach Blvd. there is a place that specializes in French Dip sandwiches and the place looks like it has been there for some years. Again, I don't remember the name of the place, but it would be interesting to take a French Dip tour of LA starting at the place in Long Beach and ending up at Phillipe's Restaurant.
     In the thirties and forties there was a nightclub/burlesque house in LA called Hawaiian Village. It was quite popular for a time. I do not know if there was a restaurant at the place.
     I apologize for the "at this place or that place" tone of this missive, but I've not been to some of the places I've mentioned for many years.
    

My memory concerning the address of the old Cockatoo Inn and in what movie it appeared was faulty.
     The Cockatoo Inn Restaurant was in Hawthorne on Hawthorne Blvd. It was featured in the movie "Jackie Brown" by Quintin Tarentino. The restaurant used in "Reservoir Dogs" is a place, still standing, in Eagle Rock.
    
     Also, I don't remember if this place was in your list, but when aerospace was pretty much centered in the South Bay/Centralia area, from the mid-60s to the mid-90s,  a restaurant called The Proud Bird was pretty popular. Back when I was an apprentice machinist starting in 1973 the company I worked for always had its company parties at the Proud Bird. When I used to go to the place there was not the collection of airplanes outside. The attraction was having a good view of the runways at LAX. The place still stands and is in operation. 

 

Mary R Provides this info: 

There's a wonderful old book in the BH Library that is a compilation of resident-donated recipes (circa 1929). Inside are some pages of "sponsors" and one is for the White Spot Restaurant in Beverly Hills.  It shows a photo of the original one in 1924 - a food stand at the NW corner of Wilshire and La Brea and a photo of the "new" one "At the Point: Wilshire at Santa Monica."

Steve C. provides this great info:

 I was the senior bartender at Hotel Bel-Air for many years.  HBA has been closed since September, unfortunately, ending its most modern era (1980-2009). 

I was not around in the golden age of L.A.'s hotel and restaurant industry, but many of my bar customers were Old Hollywood types.  Several had known or had worked with legendary actor James Dean.  I was often regaled with stories about Dean's notorious adventures at Warner Bros. Studios, his sports car racing in Palm Springs, and his many evenings at the Villa Capri restaurant in Hollywood. 

As you know, Patsy D'Amore's original Villa Capri restaurant on McCadden Place was later referred to as the "little" Villa Capri after Mr. D'Amore moved his business to a nearby, larger structure on Yucca Ave in 1957.  The "little" Villa Capri was demolished prior to the opening of the newer establishment. 

Interestingly, there seem to be no photographs of the exterior of "little" Villa Capri.   I had been discussing this with Patsy's daughter, Filomena D'Amore, and she remarked that not even her family has a picture of the original building.  On the Internet there are a few vintage photos of the interior, notably of Frank Sinatra's 1955 birthday party.  James Dean and Ursula Andress, Sammy Davis Jr., Sinatra himself, Nat King Cole, and Lauren Bacall were all photographed at that event.

D'Lanie makes these comments:

Thank you... THANK YOU... for your wonderful site! I am hoping you might have more information on a couple of places ...

 I'm looking for information on two places in particular: The Generous Britain in Canoga Park, which I think was at Roscoe Blvd. on Topanga Canyon Blvd. I think it's a "To Die For Sushi" place now. Also, the Tonga Lei on Pacific Coast Highway... I have searched high and low for information on this restaurant, and your site is the first place I have found that even mentions it. I was very excited to see it, as it was my parents' favorite place to dine together during their courtship. Apparently, the margaritas at the Tonga Lei are at least partially responsible for my existence! So seeing where it was located, and the view from there (sadly they tore it down for a swanky resort and spa in Malibu). 

I'm continuing to browse your site gleefully...!!!!! I'm also looking for reading material on the SF Valley during the Race to Space, or anything about this era. If you would be so kind as to make any reading recommendations, after reading your commentary on your site, I'd eagerly pick up the titles you recommend.

 Thank you again... !

A Writer has these questions:

I am interested in any further information regarding Holly Ho, which you have listed at 7060 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, California; especially a photograph.

 

The owners were relocated to camps in Arizona during WWII.

 

The family that operated the restaurant has had an extraordinary history, and I would like this data to fill in some of their past experiences.

 

Any advice on how to get this info would be greatly appreciated.

Lorna provides this info:

You really have a great site - almost too overwhelming.  It definitely shows a lot of love and sweat in the compilation.

 

I am trying to locate information on a restaurant, The Fish Restaurant, located on Colorado Blvd. I am guessing 1930s-40s.  At the time of its creation, it was located "out in the boon-docks".  My great uncle, Robert Eddy purchased property that had 2 abandoned chicken shacks on it.  Bob, and Delores, a cateress, cleaned it up, white washed the shacks, hung fish net for  curtains and opened the

Fish Restaurant.  Dorothy made all the salads, cakes and pies.

A friend of Bob's was a super fry cook and did all the fish.  Bob of course was the Maitre 'd.  The property they bought just happened to be on a corner that became an extremely valuable intersection, no longer in the boon-docks.  The restaurant was a huge success and they finally sold out, several million dollars richer.

 

I do not know the full name of the restaurant, dates or anything else of the restaurant and hope that you could give me more information. I would also love to find a picture of it and hopefully Bob and Delores.

 

I would be pleased to give you more info on Bob Eddy if you would like.

 

 

 


    

 

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