| TIKI PLACES |
|
| LAS VEGAS, NV |
|
| Trader Vic’s Bar & Restaurant (inside the Planet
Hollywood Casino - Miracle Mile Shopping area), 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South,
Las Vegas, NV 89109 702-405-4700 Q Q Q Q
 |
At last, true Tiki has returned to Las Vegas! I went to the
"soft" opening of Trader Vic's on 10-12-07. Trader Vic's these days
faces a difficult challenge of appealing to a "normal" upscale crowd
looking for an elegant experience and to the Tiki purists who desire a
place as close as possible to the old school original Trader Vic's. I
think they have arrived at a good compromise. While it may be possible
that Tiki purists can keep a place going in Los Angeles (although recent
massacres there make that a dubious proposition), the experience of the
"Venus Bar" makes it clear that Trader Vic's needs the tourist crowd to
survive and flourish in Las Vegas. Thus, this Trader Vic's is sort of
an ultra-modern, upscale, understated (by my standards) design that will
appeal to a wide range of clientele (don't expect the "transported to a
tropical island effect"). But for the Tiki purist there are two massive
Tiki sculptures (rivaling the size of the Aku Aku's of Easter Island and Sunset
Park!). There are also available the classic Tiki drinks in a variety of
Tiki mugs (though not for sale as of yet). I think everyone will be
happy. And they must have had me in mind when they did the blue glow
backlit bar! My favorite color and design technique. There is a nice
range of prices for food ranging from the very upscale to more
affordable sandwiches. For cheapo ambiance lovers like me, at a minimum
buy a virgin Pina Colada and soak in all in. It also has a great outdoor
patio to overlook the intriguing show of tourists below (almost a
Parisian experience). I ate at the bar with a very hard working,
professional and attractive bartender making the experience even better.
You are hereby ordered to patronize this place!!! Vegas needs at least
one decent restaurant on the strip and this is it.
UPDATE: Hard for me to belive but I'm told this
place is closed! |
| LOS ANGELES, CA: |
|
Bahooka Ribs and Grog, 4501 N. Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead,
626-285-1241, Hours
Mon-Thu 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm
Sun 12pm-9pm since 1967Rating: T T T T T
Each both is surrounded by aquariums. The
restaurant is darker than it appears in the photo. |
This may well be the most original and unique restaurant in the Los
Angeles metropolitan area. Well worth the drive no matter were you live
(even Alaska). The place has 105 aquariums. The most famous fish here is
a Pacu named Rufus, who weighs more than 34 pounds. Impossible to
describe accurately but it’s dark, romantic, quasi-Tiki
Polynesian/nautical, with beautiful aquariums surrounding each booth.
They have recently increased their number of Tiki's - always a good
move! Tropical drinks and great food, especially the ribs. This place
should have lines around the block, but it has been fairly quiet each
time I’ve gone. The plates are huge – you might want to share one.
Patronize this place!!! Some one will have to explain to me some day
why they can't make creative places like this anymore. A scene from
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was shot here, as well as
the Jim Carrey picture "The Number 23". This
place is simply a MUST SEE!
UPDATE: Rob M. informs me that their drinks are now in Tiki
Mugs! Great idea. They have also added quite a few Tiki's.
Not far from Petrillo's Restaurant, Goody's Restaurant and Clearman's
North Woods Restaurant. You can also combine your trip with a visit to
not too far away Tamarack Inn, Clearman's Steak 'n Stein restaurant and
Dal Rae's Restaurant.
|
| Damon’s,
317 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale
818-507-1510 Monday 11am-10pm,
Tuesday-Sunday 11am-11pm since 1937
T T T T
|
Great
restaurant with a wonderful ambiance. Even
though this is now in a relatively new
location, you would never know it. Great
interior with a wonderful 1940s like mural.
Sort of a Tiki place without the Tiki’s
(well, I believe there may be one). This is
an excellent example of how a classic
restaurant can relocate and not lose its
ambiance. LA TIME MACHINES
AWARD: MOST RELAXING RESTAURANT IN LOS ANGELES METRO AREA
Near the Alex Theater, the Red Lion and
the Astro Family Restaurant.
 |
|
The Royal Hawaiian Restaurant, 331 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna
Beach, CA 92651 949-494-8001 (since 1947)
|
Laguna Beach is another place I only seem to visit in the morning.
Since this place is not open at that time, you'll have to write me to
tell me what it's like. It looks really promising for Tiki lovers,
and I don't remember it being mentioned in any of the recent Tiki Books.
The sign saying it's being refurbished scares me but hopefully they
don't mean remodeled. For those of you who watch "Laguna Beach" on
MTV from Russia or Uzbekistan, you might wonder if Laguna Beach is
really as incredible as it appears on TV. Unfortunately for those of us
who don't live there, the answer is Yes! UPDATE: Dean "The Jab"
C. tells me the original interior is gone and the place is remodeled.
|
| Sam's Seafood Restaurant, 16278 S. Pacific
Coast Highway, Seal Beach 562 592-1321 The bar: T T T
 |
As far as I know, this is one of the last
of the original Tiki restaurants in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
(not counting San Diego) still with
the Tiki theme (the Tiki Ti is a bar. There is still Trader Vic's,
9876 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills, but it has been pretty much
remodeled and mostly de-tikified (and may be leaving us soon). Trader Vic's was one of the great
originators of the Tiki explosion in America, but the Los
Angeles/Beverly Hills restaurant is
mostly nautical in decor now. Back to Sam's - the restaurant itself is
not too time machine, but still very beautiful in its tropical decor
(it's a very well done recent remodel). However, the bar is still in
excellent Tiki condition. There are a number of
incredible Tiki books available at present. "The Book of Tiki" by Sven
A. Kirsten is the definitive book on the subject and I'm sure soon to be
a collector's item. The "Tiki Road Trip" by James Teitelbaum is also a
wonderful book that focuses more on what places still exist and how to
find them. For authentic Tiki Bars in the Los Angeles area, see the Tiki Ti and
the Tonga Hut on my bar page. UPDATE! - According to Dean "The
Jab" C. this place is closing on June 4th! Another devastating blow to
Seal Beach pop culture and Tiki history. How could this place not
have lines around the block! Any big time movie star or bored
billionaire reading this site - it would only take a small amount
(relatively speaking) to buy and save this place. I'll be happy to run
it for you. Seriously though - is there no way to save this place?
Tiki recreations are nice - but like plastic surgery - they are
just not quite up to the real thing.
Update II: Steve R. tells me the place is definitely
closed with a sign on the door, although the tables are all perfectly
set inside. Why????
UPDATE III: The place has reopened with basically the
same fabulous interior. It is now a reborn classic Don the
Beachcomber. Check it out!
Not far from the Riviera at Fireside
restaurant and the Parasol restaurant (closed). |
|
Trader Vic's - 9876 Wilshire
Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-276-6345 (since 1955)
T T
 |
This place is one of the originators of the
Tiki restaurant. There are others in this
chain that are still quite Tiki. This one
has become very toned down with nautical
decor. I had placed it on the remodeled page
for a couple of years, but after a recent visit (and in light of the
endangered nature of the place), I've decided to put it back in the Time
Machine category (you can tell I place an exaggerated importance on
everything I do!). It's interesting that in most de-Tikified
places, it's the support posts carved like Tiki's that are the last to
go (they can't remove them since they hold the place up!). Granted that my wife is known for not being picky
about food, but she thought her fried rice dish here was the best thing she
had ever eaten in her life on a recent visit. There is a great
story about how the big Tiki in front of the restaurant had to be
modified after it was uncrated from its trip from Polynesia where it was
purchased, but due to the G-rated nature of this site, I'll have to let
you look into it.
The drinks are still excellent
(although it took a lot of explaining and
two attempts to get a "virgin" Pina Colada),
but the Tiki mugs are gone. It would be very easy to retikify this place. Have these places not
caught on that the Tiki craze is back full
swing!
UPDATE: Developers are
threatening to take this place away
from us as well. Check with the Los Angeles
Conservancy to see if anything can be done
about protecting this historic place. It's
looking like a fait accomplis.
UPDATE II: The classic old place is gone, but they have
reopened in the Beverly Hilton Pool Area. Let me know what it's like
(hope they added some Tiki's!). Algo es algo dijo el diablo! There
is also a new Trader Vic's at LA Live downtown. Haven't been able to
check it out but this company always gets it right.
 |
|
Tiki Ti, 4427 W. Sunset,, Los Angeles,
90027-6017, 323-669-9381, since 1961
T T T
 |
[This was once a garage - wrong - see
below]. It started out with six bar stools.
Still small but extremely authentic Tiki
bar (one of the only really authentic one’s
still existing in Los Angeles that is not a
re-creation, along with the Tonga Hut), and
still run by descendents of the original
owner, Ray Buhen, who was perhaps the
greatest Tiki bartender at Don the
Beachcomber (or anywhere else) in the 1940’s. I hear that
Disney's California Adventure has a new Don
the Beachcomber. Would someone inform me is
it pronounced Tiki "Tee" or Tiki "Tie" (I
usually hear Tiki "Tie") Next door to El Chavo Mexican Restaurant. Not far from Taix
French Restaurant, the Short Stop Bar, El
Cid
and Millie's for a nice Sunset Blvd tour.
You can continue on Sunset to the Coach and
Horses, the Hollywood Athletic Club, the
Crossroads of the World, the Sunset Grill,
Greenblatt's Deli, the former site of the
Garden of *****, the former sites of the
Trocadero Cafe, the Mocambo and La Rue,
Myagi's (Players)the Chateau Marmont,
Mel's Drive-in (Ben Frank's), the Rainbow
Bar and Grill, the Argyle Hotel, Duke's
Tropicana, the Bel Age Hotel and the Beverly
Hills Hotel.
Update - My source indicating this was
once a garage is dead wrong. This is what
an associate of the Tiki Ti points out:
Sorry guys, I don't know where you got
your info, but the Tiki-Ti was never a
garage, it may only be big enough for two
cars, but it was never a garage. It stated
off as a family owned Violin Repair Shop
that was built in the 1930's and owned by
the father in-law of the original owner, Ray
Buhen. Ray was originally going to open a
Bar-tending School in
the old Violin Repair Shop, that had been
previously rented out as a meat pie
manufacturing shop,
and Republican Head Quarters in the 1950's.
Fortunately he listened to his
wife and opened a real bar instead. And the
rest as they say is history.
Gil A.
tiki-ti web master |
|
The Tonga Hut, 12808 Victory Boulevard,
North Hollywood, CA 91606, (818) 769-0708
T T T T
|
Quite a good Tiki find. I could be wrong
but I don't remember this place mentioned in
"The Book of Tiki" or "The Tiki Road Trip".
Very well worn dive - definitely not
remodeled - although shockingly, I might not
be opposed to some careful restoration here
(removing some knick knacks and repairing
the fountain behind the bar). During the
afternoon the place was pleasant enough and
the bartender and patrons very friendly
(although the neighborhood looks like you
should use caution).
UPDATE: There are rumors
that this place has new owners who realize
what a unique property this is. It sounds
like they may do the careful restoration I
suggested. Someone let me know the current
status of the place.
Not too far from the
Smokehouse Restaurant, Dimples Restaurant, the Blue Room
bar, Frank's Restaurant, Chili John's, Genio's Restaurant
(now closed) and Bob's Big Boy restaurant. |
| MODESTO, CA |
|
| Tiki Cocktail Lounge, 932 Mchenry Ave, Modesto, CA 95350 209
577-9969 T T T T T
|
One of the very last of the original Tiki bars or restaurants in
California in its original location and not remodeled (I count Sam's in
Seal Beach, the Tiki Ti, the Tonga Hut, Minnie's Restaurant, and the
Tonga Room as the only other's in this category - if there are more
fitting this criteria - let me know - and Trader Vic's is not in the
original locations that I know of). I went in early in the afternoon
while only a very affable bartender and her friend were in there (I took
a nice picture of them, but without a signed legal release I'm afraid I
can't use it!). I can't tell you what the place is like at night.
It was in beautiful original shape. Next door (and owned by the same
person) is a very modern "Rodeway Inn Modesto" with the glaring
contrast that all the huge original Tiki's have thankfully been saved.
Don't know what the original Tiki name of the motel once was. Some very
nice original paintings in the place as well. Given that Modesto has two
original Tiki places near to each other and on the same street, Modesto
may well qualify as "Tiki Mecca". I don't specify supposed
gender preferences that go with the predominant patrons of any bar on
this site. It makes no difference to me.
This picture above is the Rodeway Inn, a strange but thankful mix of
a modern motel and incredible Tiki sculptures. Who would have the heart
to destroy such great artwork (many other places unfortunately - but not
here!).
 |
| Minnie's Bar & Restaurant, 107 McHenry Ave., Modesto CA.
95354 209 524-4621 T T T T T
 |
Another great part of Tiki Mecca in Modesto. A true time
machine Tiki Restaurant, very popular with locals. The bartenders
seemed a bit wary of me with my camera, but they can be forgiven for
keeping this place alive (I long ago gave up explaining to people that
my site is very good free advertising for a place - in the modern world
everyone, perhaps understandably, assumes you have an evil, money making
motive - hence my love of an earlier era!). Both Minnie's and the nearby Tiki
Cocktail Lounge had great paintings by a local painter - I've got to
find out his name. Minnie's and the Tiki Cocktail Lounge make a
trip to Modesto (even a long one) well worth it. Strange that American
Polynesia would survive only in the hot and dry California Central
Valley! I guess that's where the fantasy was needed the most.
 |
| PHOENIX, AZ |
|
| Trader Vic's, 6850 E Main St. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480)
421-7799
 |
Trader Vic's has returned to Scottsdale, and this one is very nice!
Unlike the new Trader Vic's in Las Vegas, this one is closer to the Tiki
origins of the company. Very hip, very mid-century modern just like its
Valley Ho Hotel location. Still has the classic Trader Vic's libations.
I'm not sure what the official label is for the style of music they play
in the background is (sort of a cross between new age and classic lounge
- I tend to call it Buddha bar music since that's the first place I've
heard this style). While I would prefer old school lounge, this
music is also very relaxing. I think they have once again struck a
nice compromise between old school tiki and modern hip.
Incidentally, you'll see I always include Tiki places on the site even
if they are not old. I made the rules, so I can break them! This place
alone merits a trip out to Scottsdale. Get directions before
coming. It's a little hard to find just by looking for the address.
 |
| RENO, NV |
|
| Trader Dick's Restaurant and Aquarium Bar , 1100 Nugget Ave,
Sparks, NV 89431 775 356 3300
T T T
 |
This is not in its original location, but it is one of the original
Tiki Restaurants and it has retained much of its charm in the new
location. A beautiful interior with much indirect lighting, plenty of
Tiki's and a giant aquarium bar. One of the great features of this
restaurant is that you still get to keep the Tiki mug when you order
certain tropical drinks. The food is good and in the moderate range of
prices if you order carefully. Very relaxing and usually has a good band
for dancing. Located in John Ascuaga's Nugget, a nice place to stay if
you do not mind casinos. Sparks, if you did not know, is a city that
merges into Reno.
|
| SAN DIEGO: |
|
| Bali Hai Restaurant,
2230 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego
(619) 222 - 1181
 |
One of the great original, historic Tiki
restaurants, although now somewhat less
intensely Tiki. Much of interest still
remains. The original Bali Hai Tiki mug may
perhaps be the "holy grail" for collectors
(I guess I'm exaggerating a bit). The
restaurant's main symbol, "the goof" is no
longer politically correct but it appears he
has been repainted to mask his origins in
ancient history.
Located on beautiful Shelter Island, once
one of the ultimate Tiki destinations
including several other Tiki hotels. I think
this is
the last original Tiki restaurant in Southern
California that still has some original
interior, now that the Island's Restaurant
is being remodeled (well, perhaps including
the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach - I
haven't seen the interior recently).
There are some nice recreations of Tiki
places, but we need to have some of the
historic ones to fully remember "the way we
were".
 |
| Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites, 2303
Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 619 224-3411
 |
Another surviving Tiki location (but
with very few Tiki's left) - the classic "A"
frame entrance still survives. The nearby
Kona Inn has been completely de-Tikified.
Perhaps when businesses realize the new
hunger for all things Tiki, they will re-Tikify
these places. It certainly would not be
hard to do at Humphrey's.
Humphrey's by the
Bay Restaurant with decorations that were
once part of the now defunct Tiki Theme. |
| Islands Restaurant-
Hanalei Hotel, 2270 Hotel Circle N.,
San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 297-1101 T T
T T
 |
As far as I know (correct me if I'm
wrong), this, along with the Bali Hai and
the Royal Hawaiian are the last of the original
(50's-60's era) Tiki Restaurants in Southern
California (the Tiki Ti and Tonga Hut's are bars and Sam's
Seafood just closed). It is fairly
unique among all Tiki places in that the
decorations are authentic cultural artifacts
from Hawaii (not the Americanized
conglomeration of cultures and fantasy of
most Tiki places). The prices are
reasonable, the food good and the staff
friendly. Relaxing waterfalls. I
guess it has been somewhat remodeled but you
would never know it. It's really a
beautiful Tiki restaurant albeit a little
less campy than most.
Unfortunately the
Hanalei Hotel itself is fairly di-Tikified,
but there are nice remnants here and there
(and it's an attractive hotel in any event). Please
patronize this great restaurant. We
need at least one of the original Tiki
Restaurants in Southern California to
survive. The new Tiki places springing
up are pleasant, but they don't give you that
time machine feeling. Perhaps the
greatest Tiki massacre of our time was the
di-Tikification of San Diego Shelter Island
(except what survives at the Bali Hai). If
you don't eat at these places on a regular
basis - you have no right to complain when
they are gone.
UPDATE: ARGHHHH! The
place is being completely remodeled. Some
elements may remain, but it's going to be a
tropical, rather than a Tiki restaurant.
|
| Mister Tiki Mai Tai
Lounge, 801 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA
92101
|
This place is a new Tiki creation.
They've done a nice job. Not an
inexpensive place, but worth a visit.
Parking is very tight in the Gas Lamp
Quarter, so you probably should use the
valet. I guess you have to walk a fine line
in making a new Tiki place commercially
viable. If you appeal only to Tiki
purists, you won't have enough patrons to
support the place (the best example of this
was the Venus Bar in Las Vegas that would
have past most Tiki purist tests). This
place strikes a balance in appealing to some
Tiki diehards, as well as attracting people
just looking for an exotic or upscale place.
It appears to be quite a success.
Near Filippi's Italian Restaurant, the
Tivoli Bar, the Sun Cafe, the Santa Fe Station
and not far from the Turf Supper Club. |
| SAN FRANCISCO |
|
| Fairmont Hotel and Tonga Room, 950 Mason Street,
San Francisco, CA 94108 415 772-5000 Hotel: T T T T
Tonga Room: T T T T T
 |
This classic California luxury hotel is perched on top of a hill
overlooking all of San Francisco (hiking up the hill is a good way to
work off a big meal from one of the classic restaurants below) I would
not recommend anyone with health problems making the hike, it's really
steep. The hotel is in great shape with much of its original pre-art
deco interior. The biggest draw here is the classic Tiki
restaurant "the Tonga" room. This is one of the last un-remodeled
original Tiki restaurants in California and certainly the most
elaborate. The Tonga room has a "lake" in the middle (that in a
former life was the hotel's pool). There are thunder storms and
rain showers periodically. The restaurant is not inexpensive, but well
worth the price and experience. Parking on top of the hill can be
incredibly expensive, so it's best to look for cheaper lots half way up
the hill (in the $10-15 range if you are lucky). Unfortunately, on my
first visit the Tonga Room was closed (but I got some exterior shots).
When I returned and entered the restaurant - I had forgotten my camera -
so I don't have shots of the lavish interior of the restaurant. You have
to see it to believe it in any event. Not far from Original Joes, the House of Shields, the
Palace Hotel, Jack's Grill, Sam's Grill, Sears Fine Foods, Tadich
Grill, Schroeder's German Restaurant. |
| Trader Vic's Restaurant, 9 Anchor Drive, Emeryville, CA 94608
510-653-3400 T T T T (the current restaurant dates from the
70's but it still has a time machine effect)
|
This is a wonderful place. Very convenient location right across the
Bay Bridge in Emeryville, a short distance from San Francisco, Oakland
and Berkeley. Located right on the water with beautiful views, this is
certainly one of the Tiki greats. This Trader Vic's has not been
as "nauticalized" as other Trader Vic's, with plenty of tiki's and
Polynesian atmosphere still remaining. I believe much of the decor of
the first Trader Vic's was brought here after the original burnt down.
Great collection of old rum bottles on display. A large selection
of Tiki drinks, including the original Mai Tai. Free Valet parking (well
of course, tip the attendant generously). A must see. If you guys
don't keep this place packed, don't complain if it ends up like the
Beverly Hills version.
 |
| GOOGIE PLACES |
|
| LOS ANGELES |
|
| Astro's Family Restaurant, 2300 Fletcher Dr. Los Angeles
323-663-9241 open 24 hours. Since 1958
T T T T
 |
An outstanding example of Googie architecture, in great shape inside
and out. Good food too. Let's make sure to support this restaurant with
our business, so it does not go the way of Johnie's Broiler! This has
the same owner as Jan's Restaurant in West Hollywood.
A good stop on a tour of the Red Lion, the Tam O'Shanter Restaurant,
the Roost bar, Club Tee Gee bar and the former site of Algemac's
Restaurant.
|
| Beeps Fast Food, 16063 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818)
781-0830 since 1956
 |
I have left most drive up stands off of this site, since the theme
here is basically historic interiors - but this place has such a nice
Googie sign, I could not resist (and the Valley is running low on time
machines). Had a great sandwich here as well. |
| Bob's Big Boy, 4211 W Riverside Dr Burbank, CA 91505
818-843-9334 (since 1949)
 |
A classic Wayne McAllister coffee shop. This is the oldest
surviving Big Boy. Modernism par excellence. Well worth a visit,
especially when they have a classic car show in the parking lot. Near
the Smoke House Restaurant, Frank's Steakhouse, Genio's Restaurant,
Dimples Restaurant, Chili John's Restaurant, the Bella Vista Italian
Restaurant, Tin Horn Flats, Monte Carlo Deli & Pinocchio's Restaurant
and the Blue Room bar.
|
| Chips Restaurant - 11908 Hawthorne Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250
310 679-2947
T T
 |
Great Googie exterior and sign. Fairly remodeled but still with an
old feel inside. Good food of course. This is one of the very few time
machines in Hawthorne. This restaurant is the only one I recognized
being used in the movie Hollywoodland. I'd give that movie 4 out of 5
stars. Well acted and definitely worth seeing, but the set design just
didn't catch the old Los Angeles flavor like Chinatown and LA
Confidential. They didn't use enough recognizable Los Angeles 50's
sites, and using the remodeled Chips interior kind of threw things off.
They did much better at costume design however.
Near the Pizza Show Restaurant and the Rustic Lite bar.
|
|
Corbin Bowl, 19616 Ventura Blvd.,
Tarzana, CA 91356,
818-996-1579
 |
Another 50's bowling alley with a great
Googie sign. Some traces of the
original interior inside, including a small
lunch counter. Near Darby's Coffee Shop
and My Brother’s Bar BQ. |
|
Covina Bowl, 1060 W San Bernardino
Rd, Covina, CA 626 339-1286
(1955)
|
This may have been the first and most
magnificent of the great
bowling centers in the 50s. The Pyramid Room
inside (named after the giant pyramid
entrance) used to have an Egyptian theme.
Unfortunately, the Pyramid room is now
closed, although it's in perfect shape for
someone to reopen it. The bowling is still
going strong.
 |
| Dinah’s
Family Restaurant, 6521 S. Sepulveda
Blvd., Los Angeles 310-645-0456 daily
6am-10pm
(since
1959)
T T
 |
First called
Dinah's Original Pancake and Chicken House
(competition for Roscoe's?) A quasi-googie
type restaurant (it was probably googier in
1959). Lots of old radios on display.
Good food, although given my cholesterol
problems (you’d never guess where that came
from!), I did not sample their famous fried
chicken. Good homemade rolls. Nice place to
eat going or coming from the Los Angeles
airport, especially if you want to escape
the traffic on the 405. A very convenient
stop. There was (is?) another location at 2454
E. Gage St. in Huntington Beach, CA.
The Glendale Location has great food, but
appears to be more remodeled. I assume there
was once a connection between these two
places but there no longer is.
Not far from Pann’s restaurant, the Buggy
Whip restaurant, Johnie’s Pastrami, Dear
John's restaurant and the Cinema Bar
UPDATE: As is typical in the surreal world of LA metro, my
family had dinner here recently. The next day I bought season one
of "Southland" - a very good modern cop show and there was a scene from
inside Dinah's where the people were eating in the exact same booth that
we ate at the day before. The "outside" world probably doesn't
realize how cool it is for us "LA metro" people to have this experience
and to so often know exactly where movie and television scene are
filmed! Another reason why Los Angeles is the world's greatest
city (though I sometimes have dark thoughts on the 405 in the Sepulveda
Pass while going three miles an hour).
|
| Goody's,
865 E Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 626
286-3515 (since 1957)
T T
 |
Classic Googie
sign. Still in pretty good shape (not too
Googie inside, but with an old feel). Yummy
food. Given that Hispanic employees abound,
they make a great salsa here. San Gabriel
makes for a great tour with Goody's,
Bahooka's, Clearman's North Woods,
Petrillo's and then down to Pico Rivera for
Dal Rae's, the Tamarack Inn and Clearman's
Steak and Stein. Then off to Whittier
to Chris & Pitts and the Embers Lounge. A virtual feast of
time machines (and all very good!).
UPDATE: According to a reader of this site (which I have not yet
substantiated) this place is moving and it's incredible sign may
possibly not move with it! |
| McDonald's Restaurant, 10207 Lakewood Blvd. (at
Florence Ave.) Downey, (562) 622-9248
|
This is the
oldest surviving one in the chain. No one can dispute that Southern
California is the hamburger capitol of the world and the first
McDonald's restaurants, such as the one in Downey were true Googie
designs. The generic places came later. Not far from what's left of Johnie's Broiler,
Dal Rae's Restaurant. the Tamarack Inn and Clearman's Steak and Stein
Restaurant. When traffic isn't bad - not a long drive to the Alpine Inn
in Torrance.
 The cut
off remnants of another classic McDonalds, now AMA Donuts, 1057
East Mission Boulevard, Pomona, CA 91766 Hard to understand why a
McDonalds would ever go out of business. Sure would be nice to restore
this one. |
| Norms Restaurant, 470 N La Cienega Blvd, West
Hollywood, 323 655-0167 (since 1957)
T T T
|
An older (perhaps oldest existing? - someone let me
know) locale of the large chain famous for its breakfast specials.
The chain started in 1949. Norm's already had nine locations in 1962. This is definitely Googie on the outside. The interior is still
interesting and wisely the sprucing up they have done is with
Mid-Century Modern fixtures. Located in a congested area of town,
but it has its own parking, which is a big plus. Many Norms now
have given up all traces of the great Googie signs, but this place
thankfully remains. The Huntington Park location is another one
fairly close to the original design and the Hispanic community there
keeps the place utterly packed with fans. Given the great prices,
these places are not in any way endangered.
 |
| Pann's, 6710 La Tijera
Boulevard, Westchester, 323 776 3770 ( since 1958 -
Armet & Davis) T T T T T
|
Ok folks, it doesn't get any better
than this. There could not be a better preserved Googie
California 1950s Coffee shop. Pann's makes you realize how
far off the fake 1950s coffee shops are. This was restored
(the way places should be restored - freshened up but not
changed) in 1991. The work of the greatest of California Coffee
Shop architects - Armet & Davis. The owner could
not be nicer, the service excellent and friendly, and the icing
on the cake is that the food is all made from scratch - great
biscuits, waffles, sausage - you name it. If you have not
been here, you are in for a real treat (I went for breakfast).
The movie "Triple X" was filmed here. Pulp Fiction was
apparently filmed at an affiliated restaurant on Hawthorne Blvd. that is no longer with us (a tragedy!).
Not far from LAX's Encounter's Lounge and Restaurant and the Buggy Whip Restaurant, the Harbor
Room bar and Dinah's Chicken Restaurant.
 |
| Rae's Restaurant, 2901
Pico Blvd, Santa Monica 310 828-7937 ( since 1958 ) T T T T T
 |
This
restaurant is so cool, it's almost
surrealistic. The night I was there it felt like I'd entered an Edward
Hopper painting. Perfectly preserved and incredible neon. Food was good
and cheap as well with a lot of "homemade" touches. You absolutely
can't miss this place, although the ambiance is probably best at night.
True Los Angeles culture. Sublimely perfect neon sign.
Near Snug Harbor Restaurant, Casa Escobar Mexican Restaurant, the Circle
bar, Billingsley's, Dolores' Restaurant, the Gaslite and the Galley
Restaurant.
|
| Rod's Grill, 41 W Huntington Dr,
Arcadia , CA (626) 447-7515 T T T
 |
Classic coffee shop with a well preserved
interior. Great place for breakfast and reasonable prices. Near the
Derby and a couple blocks from the 1967 Van de Kamp's windmill, now
sitting on top of a Denny's Restaurant. UPDATE: This place is in great danger of closing and
becoming a parking lot. I hope preservation groups in the area do
what they can to say this nice old coffee shop. We've already lost
Van De Kamp's in this area. Unlike some other places - this great
restaurant wants to stay open. Arcadia is trying to close it through
eminent domain. UPDATE II: While the city of Arcadia has
put on the back burner its plan to take this great piece of history and wonderful
restaurant away from us, the place is still not safe. Arcadia
wants to use eminent domain to level this place and increase its tax
base. Please look into what you can do to help Rod's Grill.
You'll not only be saving a great restaurant, you'll be preserving your
own rights to private property! Shame on the City of Arcadia. |
| SAN DIEGO |
|
Rudford's Restaurant,
2900 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego 619-282-8423
since 1949
|
Fairly remodeled inside, although the
exterior is still pretty nice, with a Googie
sign. Good food - cheap and historic. El Cajon Blvd.
was once the main highway in and out of
town. Not as historic as Rt. 66, but as
close as you will get in San Diego. Very close the San Diego Chicken Pie
Shop and the Red Fox Room. |
| ART DECO PLACES |
|
|
DENVER, CO |
|
Oxford Hotel,
1600 17th St. Denver, CO 80202 (Cruise Room)
Hotel opened in 1891
Cruise Room opened in 1933, the day after prohibition
was repealed.
T T T T T
|
This classic hotel has a beautiful lobby, but the real star here is
the "Cruise Room", which often makes the top ten best things in Denver
list in various magazines. This pristine art deco bar is nothing less
than a national treasure. I imagine you can count places like this on
one hand in the U.S. While I'm not a well traveled person, this is the
best art deco interior I know of that is open to the public on a daily
basis (now that the Redwood Room in San Francisco is remodeled). It is
often compared to the Queen Mary, but this bar is actually nicer than
the one on the Queen Mary (which I also like and which is very often
seen in period piece movies). John Denver apparently played here early
in his career. Each design element or relief depicts a different way to
say "Cheers" while drinking (in a different language or culture).
Apparently the picture depicting Germany was torn down around World War
II by angry military men. Very proud and well trained bartenders who are
well versed in the history of this place. If you only have an hour or
two in Denver, this is the one place you simply cannot miss. I fear
that national treasures like this will all eventually disappear, since
most of the present generation of people (excluding the elite hipster
crowd that appreciates old school design) view places like this as
simply old and out of fashion (the same way the present author is often
viewed!). The place also has a killer free jukebox with classics by
Perez Prado, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, etc. You just have to see
it to believe it.
|
|
LOS ANGELES, CA |
|
|
The Airliner Bar, 2419 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 221-0771
T T
|
Just a mild art deco theme here.
If one has to remodel a classic bar, this is the way to do it. Very
tastefully freshened up but much of the original interior remains. I
stepped in right when it opened and no one else was there, so I can't
tell you about the vibe at night. Nice Art Deco pictures. I
guess this area is called Lincoln Heights. First time I've been
there, but it looked like an interesting area.
 |
|
The Argyle Hotel (St. James Club/Sunset Towers - Leland A.
Bryant 1929), 8358 Sunset Boulevard,
West Hollywood,
800-225-2637
323-654-7100
The Sunset Towers before restoration as the Argyle Hotel [photo by E.
Shamie]
The Argyle Hotel Today - Photo by Christie
|
The Argyle Hotel (once Sunset Towers), a beautifully preserved Art
Deco exterior (zig zag moderne) hotel. You can see it in the movie
"Murder My Sweet" (1948) with Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe
(or was it Farewell, My Lovely?). This
movie, along with "The Long Goodbye" by Robert Altman (1973), were, in
my humble opinion, the best Raymond Chandler adaptations. While the lobby, bar and lounge are a pleasant generic
upscale club design, it is hardly worthy of the incredible exterior.
Gone is the old art deco lobby. What corporate genius in
this day and age did not know how treasured original art deco interiors
are. Oh, well.
It's thirteen or fifteen stories, depending on who you ask.
John Wayne supposedly kept a cow on his balcony for fresh milk here.
Benjamin Siegel and Howard Hughes (that guy really got around) also lived here.
Other films made here include the Player and Get Shorty. Not far from the Mondrian Hotel (Skybar), the Standard West
Hollywood, the Chateau Marmont, the Rainbow Bar & Grill, Duke's and the
Bel Age.
 |
| Boardner’s, 1652 N. Cherokee Ave. Hollywood 90028-6212,
323-462-9621, 11:30am to 2:00am daily, since 1942 Recently
totally remodeled (but I'll keep it here since they have a nice owner
and it's still a great place)
This is the original interior below:
Here's the new art deco interior:
 |
A new art deco interior. May not appeal to purists. It appears this location was first known as the "Cherokee House" in
the 1930s. When Steve Boardner first took it over it was called the "52
Club". Stephen L. Boardner was born around 1914 and married at least
three times, including a very brief marriage to actress Crystal Reeves.
Boardner's was featured in the movie "Ed Wood". The crowd at nighttime
is definitely more interesting. It's funny how the ambiance of a bar,
like this one, improves dramatically at night. This place is nice and
dark. Generally a young crowd. Despite the young crowd, this place
doesn't make the mistake of playing music so loud, you can't have an
intelligent conversation. The current owner, Tricia La Belle, is very
nice and very civic minded. The location is ideal being a block from
Miceli's and Musso and Frank's - the Golden Triangle of Hollywood!
Near the Frolic Room, the Pantages Theater, Miceli's Restaurant,
Musso and Frank's, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Grauman's Chinese and
Egyptian Movie Palaces, and the Power House bar.
|
|
Bullock's Wilshire - 3050 Wilshire
Blvd. (now a Law library for Southwestern
Law school and not open to the general
public I believe) - Built 1929 and closed in
1992 - designed by John and Donald
Parkinson.
Matchbook from the
downtown Bullock's - Bronwen B. collection.
Bullock's Wilshire of course was famous its
Tea Room as well. |
Bullock's actually traces its origins to the
Broadway Department stores. The
Broadway was the idea of Arthur Letts who
created it in 1896 at 7th and Broadway. It
was Letts who put John G. Bullock, a long
time worker at the place in charge of the
Broadway. When the chain wanted to
expand, Letts actually let Bullock put his
name on the new store (also downtown).
Later, when the bold move was made to expand
to the hinterlands of Wilshire Center - the
Bullock's name was used. One of the
greatest art deco treasures of Los Angeles
and thankfully preserved by Southwestern Law
School including many interior elements.
This former department store was quite an
innovation in design when it was first
built. At a time when virtually all
retail business was centered downtown and
looking like big boxes, this was the first
suburban department store. Even in the
1920s, parking and traffic were a big
problem downtown and this was the first
major store designed with the car and
parking in mind. A gamble that paid off!
Sure wish someone would let me go in and
take pictures!!!!
Near Langer's, the HMS Bounty restaurant,
Langers Deli, Taylor's Steakhouse, the Brass Monkey and the
Prince Restaurant (Windsor)
 |
| Cicada - 617 S. Olive St., Los Angeles (downtown)
213-488-9488 Dinner 5:30pm - 9:00pm, closed for Lunch and on Sunday T T T T T
 
|
The restaurant as a business is not old, but its locale is a former
men's store with an incredible art deco interior resembling an old ocean
liner. Full of priceless Lalique art deco glass. If you can't afford
the restaurant (highly rated and not cheap) you should get a drink in
their second floor lounge. One unfortunate thing is that the restaurant
is so popular for shooting movies that the film crews are damaging parts
of the interior. The restaurant is located in the James Oviatt Building,
where James Oviatt had his upscale men's furnishings store. Oviatt
started out in business in 1912. The penthouse of the Oviatt Building
is perfectly preserved and may be the best art deco interior anywhere in
the world . I'm not sure exactly how one gets to see it.
This place is featured in many "MAD MEN" espisodes - see my Mad Men
page.Near
Clifton's Cafeteria, the Original Pantry Cafe, Cole's PE Buffet, the
Yorkshire Grill, Casey's bar and restaurant and Philippe the Original
French Dipped Sandwiches.
|
|
Cross Roads of the World, 6671 Sunset
Blvd. (Robert V. Derrah, architect,
1936-1937).
 |
You sometimes hear a claim that this was the
world's first shopping center, but that is
not correct (for example the Arcade downtown
was much older). Described as a
shopping court or pedestrian mall when
opened, it was a predecessor I guess to the
mini-mall (you can see how much our culture
has plummeted!). It is however an art deco
master work, with a variety of themes,
including the styles of England, Spain,
Algeria and Persia. Architectural
styles include Streamline Modern, Spanish
Colonial, and French Provential motifs. I
believe you can see this in LA Confidential
(the business suite of Sid Hudgens) and
Indecent Proposal.
Strangely enough the main design element here has been replicated at a
theme park in Florida.Near the Coach and
Horses bar, the Hollywood Athletic Club, the
Cinerama Dome and the site of Earl Carroll's
nightclub.
 |
|
Eastern-Columbia Building, 849 S.
Broadway, Los Angeles, CA (Claude Beelman,
1929)
Has there ever been a
more beautiful building? |
I think this is my all time favorite
building exterior. Art Deco sublime. The
colors and ornamentation could not be
better. It originally housed the
Eastern Outfitting Company (appliances,
etc.) and the Columbia Outfitting Company
(clothing). Both businesses had the same
proprietor, Adolph Sieroty. This building is
being used as lofts and condominiums.
It can be seen in Batman Forever and
Predator 2. I can't help but feel good when
I look at this amazing building. I doubt whether current American
culture would be capable of such a masterpiece. Near Clifton's Cafeteria, Cole's PE
Buffet, the Yorkshire Grill, Philippe French
Dipped Sandwiches and Hank's Bar. |
|
Griffith Observatory, Mount Hollywood
in Griffith Park, just above the Los Feliz
neighborhood in Los Angeles.
 |
This had been closed for a while for
remodeling. Of course, weird as I am I liked
the old interior better (but they didn't
completely remove all of the historic
interior). You can go to their site to find
out about reservations, shows, etc. I love
the incredible views of Los Angeles from
here and the trail on Mount Hollywood, which
took someone else - Sumeet - to motivate me
to hike even part of it. Great views of the
Hollywood sign here as well. Seen in many
movies, probably most notably "Rebel Without
a Cause". Classic art deco building.
A must see.
Not likely to be
used in a Porsche commercial
Ahhhh - Los Angeles!!!!! My Nirvana.
I should have written a song like "I left my
heart in El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La
Reina de Los Angeles de Porcuincula!" I'd
probably need Busta Rhymes to sing it
though. |
|
Hollywood First National Bank Building
(originally the Pacific-Southwest Trust and
Savings), 6777 Hollywood Blvd. (1927-28
Meyer and Holler)
 |
One of the most beautiful and detailed
buildings on Hollywood Boulevard (at the
corner with Highland) designed by Meyer and
Holler (my favorite architects) who also did
the Egyptian and Chinese theaters. This
building was constructed for the princely
sum of $750,000 in 1927. Both Gothic
and Art Deco in design, this was either the
tallest or second tallest building in Los
Angeles (depending on who you talk to) up
until 1932.
Near Musso and Frank's restaurant,
Boardner's bar and restaurant, Miceli's
Italian restaurant, the Pig 'n Whistle, the Frolic Room bar, the
Chinese theater, the Egyptian theater and
the Pantages theater.
 |
|
Hollywood High School, 6800 Sunset
Blvd.(opened in 1904, the current building
was built in 1933)
 |
While the demographics of the students here
has changed dramatically, some of the
graduates include Mickey Rooney, Jason
Robarts and Judy Garland. Near Musso and
Frank's, Boardner's, the Pig 'n Whistle, The
Power House, Miceli's, the Frolic Room, the
Chinese Theater, the El Capitan Theater and
the Egyptian Theater. Pretty easy
tour, perhaps by foot during the day. |
|
Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring
St. (Albert Martin Sr., John and
Donald Parkinson, and John C. Austin
Interior by Austin Whittlesey
- April 25, 1928 - a hodgepodge of
styles including classical, Romanesque,
Beaux Arts)
 |
The ultimate symbol of Los Angeles. It
always gives me a good feeling inside to see
it.
Built at a cost of four million dollars. The
only building originally allowed to exceed
the now defunct 13 story (150 ft) height
limit for buildings for some 50 years (it
has 28 stories). It was supposedly highly
influenced by the Nebraska State Capitol,
which also is sort of a skyscraper
sandwiched between a base. It can be
seen in the old Dragnet shows (on the badge)
and it served as the Daily Planet in the old
Superman TV series. Seen repeatedly in that
great old film noir "Criss Cross" and more
recently in the movie, the Black Dahlia.
It was damaged in the Northridge earthquake,
but later completely restored.
 |
|
Los Angeles Public Library, Los
Angeles Public Library 630 West Fifth Street
- (213)228-7000 (Bertram Goodhue
1925 or 1926 Roman, Byzantine, Egyptian
and Islamic architectural styles)
 |
This is a excellent place to research Los
Angeles history, although the bathrooms can
be an unpleasant adventure (even the down
and out need some place to go - perhaps the
City of Los Angeles should develop better
places to serve their needs). They also have
an extensive website with data bases that
anyone can access (including a menu
collection). Even if you are just
visiting Los Angeles, stop in and get a
visitor's library card, so that you can use
a more extensive collection of data bases on
the website. Residents of the area get
access to the full data base collection on
the site. Fantastic book store on the
premises, with lot's of books on Los Angeles
history and nostalgia. There are even
restaurants in the building. Much of the
original interior was destroyed in a fire in
1986 and subsequent remodeling (but some
original elements remain). You can
find $5 parking in the area if you look around and walk a few blocks. |
|
Max Factor Building/The Hollywood
History Museum (1931 remodel by S.
Charles Lee - Regency Moderne), 1666
N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, California
 |
Max Factor (born in Russia and immigrated
1904), movie makeup inventor and genius made
this beautiful art deco building the home of
his makeup empire in the 1930s. It is now
the Hollywood History Museum, a great place
to visit for anyone even vaguely interested
in the history of the movies. Also has a
prodigious collection of photos of the
history of "the City" of Hollywood (for
those of you not living in Los Angeles,
Hollywood was only briefly a true city until
it was incorporated early on into the City
of Los Angeles). The lobby was used in
the movie "The Two Jakes", a much better
film than the critics gave it credit for
(Harvey Keitel should have gotten the best
supporting actor Oscar for his role in this
film). |
|
The Miracle Mile (from Fairfax to La
Brea)
The May Company,
6067 Wilshire (now LACMA museum) - 1940
Albert C. Martin and S.A. Marx
Sontag Drug Store
(now Wilshire Beauty Supply) - Norstrom and
Anderson -1935 - originally contained a soda
fountain and grill and coffee shop. One of
the largest drug stores in America when
constructed. streamline moderne
El Rey Theater
(formerly movies, now a music venue) - 1928
- W. Cliff Balch
Wilshire Tower
Building, 5500 Wilshire Blvd. - 1928-1929
(Gilbert Stanley Underwood) - Originally
Desmond's clothing store and Silverwood's.
E. Clem Wilson
Building, 5217 Wilshire Blvd. - Meyer and
Holler - 1930 (the sign which damages the
architectural effect may change subject, but
it's been there for a long time). Originally
J.J. Newberry Variety Store.
The Darkroom - 5370
Wilshire formerly a programmatic
Camera shop in the shape of a camera (is
that redundant?). Marcus P. Miller -
1938.
Dominguez Wilshire
Building, Morgan, Walls, and Clement
1930 (originally Myer Siegel Dept. Store).
|
Early commercial development by the great A.
W. Ross, who had the foresight to see that
parking problems downtown would shift
business to the "suburbs". This was one of
the first commercial shopping areas to cater
to the automobile with parking and entrances
in the rear of the stores. Built at the
height of the Art Deco craze - there are
many Art Deco gems here.
Collection of Daniel Sullivan
They are calling the shopping area in the
Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas "the Miracle
Mile" - yeah, right! |
|
Montecito Apartments (Marcus Miller
- 1931 - zig zag art deco ),
6650 Franklin Ave. Hollywood (Do not enter
or disturb residents!
 |
One of the most classically beautiful and
mysterious art deco apartments in Los
Angeles. Whether specifically named or
not, these apartments were the inspiration
for many a noir detective story, including a
short story by Raymond Chandler - "The
Little Sister" (where it played the role of
the Chateau Bercy). Ronald Reagan
lived here early in his Hollywood career.
 |
|
One Bunker Hill Building, 601 W. 5th
St. Downtown, Los Angeles, CA (1930-34
Allison & Allison).
 |
I guess this is the only original building
left on Bunker Hill. It's an art deco
masterpiece. Many people pass it by
each day for lunch without poking their
heads in to see the jaw dropping incredible
marble lobby (yes, I know I need to get a
picture of it, but the guard in the lobby
looked pretty menacing last time I was
there!). |
|
The Pasadena Freeway (Hwy 110)
 |
Inaugurated on December of 1940, it's the
patriarch of freeways in the West and Los
Angeles metro's first. If you thought Los
Angeles traffic was a recent phenomena,
you may be comforted in knowing that the 110
had it's first unintended parking lot
experience three days after it opened due to
a mass exodus from the Rose Bowl. About
eight miles in length and very winding with
short entry ramps. Better hit the gas!
You've just got to love a city where even
the freeways are Art Deco! The tunnels go
beneath Elysian Park. By the way - keep your
eye on the road! |
|
Terminal Annex Post Office, 900
N. Alameda St. near Union Station, downtown
Los Angeles, since 1938.
 |
Don't know much about this place, but it has
great 40's style WPA art deco(ish) social
realism murals of
Los Angeles history. You can visit the lobby
on a weekday and walk to Olivera Street as
well. Seen briefly in the opening credits of
Criss Cross. Interestingly enough Charles
Bukowski worked here for a while with the
U.S. Post Office (and he truly hated the
place and the job).
Close to Union Station, Hop Louie's and
Philippe's French Dipped Sandwiches
restaurant and not too far from Cole's,
Clifton's, the Biltmore, the Yorkshire Grill
and Hank's bar.
|
|
Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy, Long
Beach, CA 310-435-3511
 |
Despite its tourist trap reputation, the
interiors here are some of the best
preserved Art Deco around, including a very
well preserved bar. This is one of LA
metro's least appreciated and underrated
attractions in my opinion. The tours into
the interior are well worth it, to see the
abandoned pool and main ball room, among
other things. The rooms are very well
preserved, and in my experience the claims
of being haunted may not be entirely bogus.
The Poseidon Adventure (1972) was filmed
here, as well as Farewell My Lovely (1975),
Treacherous Crossing, and Meet Danny Wilson.
Recently, several scenes from the Aviator
were filmed here as well. Correct me if I'm
wrong, but I believe the Queen Mary is/was
larger than the Titanic. At certain times of
day, you can enter for free if you eat in
one of the restaurants (and pay for
parking). Near the V room bar, the Reno
Room, the 36 36 Club, the Indian Bar, the
Alhambra Bar, TC's Cocktail Lounge and Clancy's Irish bar
and restaurant.
 |
|
Santa Monica Buildings, Santa Monica,
CA
 |
You can tell I'm getting really lazy.
Someday I'll give you some history on these.
Santa Monica sure has a different feel to it
than LA. It seems like everyone here
dresses like a supermodel (who has the time
to be so perfect?). It's a very
politically correct town. Last time I
was there, I just tapped someone's bumper
while parking and did no damage, but half of
the outdoor cafe where I parked got up and
started searching for the owner to turn me
in! When the owner came out -
fortunately she could have cared less (maybe
she wasn't from Santa Monica). All
kidding aside, it is a beautiful place.
The Third
Street Promenade (above) is a nice place to
walk at night for tourists who are not
comfortable in more funky areas. Also
good for night time walks are the Sunset
Strip and the Universal City Walk (but see
my warnings page). |
|
Title Guarantee & Trust Building
(John and Donald Parkinson - 1929-1931),
corner of S. Hill and W. Fifth, downtown Los
Angeles  |
This may be the second best Art Deco
building in downtown Los Angeles. Nice mural
inside called "The Treaty of Cahuenga" by
Hugo Ballin. This served as the fictitious
"Los Angeles Tribune Building" in the TV
show "Lou Grant". Believe it or not
the original ads for the building claim the
location had plenty of fresh air (even a
stretch back then!). It’s always a joy
to see its white exterior gleaming in the
morning sun from the window of the building
I occasionally work in near Pershing Square.
By the way, the design committee that picked
the “new” design of Pershing Square, in my
totally unbiased opinion, must have been
blind. Couldn’t they have picked something
more consistent with the history of the park
and the area. More trees might have been
nice in this otherwise concrete jungle (a
few full time policemen would have been
worth it to give the area some greenery
without attracting the drug element). Oh
well.
 |
|
Union Station (completed 5-7-1939)
- John and Donald Parkinson with help from
Edward Warren Hoak, J.J. Christie, H. Gilman
and R. J. Wirth) - Streamline Moderne,
Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial
Revival) 800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles
 |
The last great train station built in the
U.S. Officially the name of this place is
the Union Passenger Terminal. Created
by the efforts of the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe (try to put that into a song),
the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific
Railways. This train depot has an excellent
Art Deco interior. Also a locale for Blade
Runner, Criss Cross, and Bugsy. Take the Los
Angeles Conservancy tour of this place and
see the remains of the beautiful original
restaurant that was here in the 1940’s - the
Fred Harvey Restaurant (designed by Mary
Jane Colter). It now has a nice new
restaurant there as well - Traxx. In the
1940's stars would take trains here with the
names "The Super Chief and The City of Los
Angeles" and arrive here (or get off in
Pasadena to avoid fans. Seen in
numerous movies including one entitled
"Union Station" (which strangely takes place
in Chicago). Near Phillipe's French
Dipped Sandwiches restaurant, Olvera Street,
La Golondrina Cafe, Hop Louie's and
the Postal Annex and not far from Cole's PE
Buffet, Clifton's, the Yorkshire Grill, the
Standard Hotel, Hank's bar and Casey's.
|
|
The Wilshire Galleria (formerly I.
Magnin Department Store -1939 Myron
Hunt and H.C. Chambers) 3240 Wilshire Blvd.,
Koreatown.
 |
Quite a hidden gem in K-Town. This
department store, which I believe dates from
1939 has a lot of amazing art deco interior
design elements still in excellent shape
including a really beautiful art deco
chandelier. Now an upscale, predominantly
Korean mall - it's an interesting place to
walk around in Koreatown. While one hears a
lot about Bullock's Wilshire (which I
believe was also an I. Magnin for a while),
this classic department store goes quietly
unnoticed outside of the Korean community.
 |
|
Wiltern (1931 Morgan, Walls
and Clements and interior G. Albert
Lansburgh), 3780 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles
|
First known as the Wiltern-Warner and the Warner Brothers Western
Theater before the big anti-trust suit that made the studios divest
their theaters. It once contained the grandest theater pipe organ in the
West of the U.S. It closed not long after it opened due to the
Depression. It did not stay closed long however. Almost torn down
in the 80s - an art deco masterpiece. Parts of "La Bamba" and "Barton
Fink" were filmed here.
Not far from Frank n' Hanks, the Prince, the HMS Bounty and the Brass
Monkey.
|
| GREAT NEON/SIGNAGE |
|
| DENVER, CO |
|
Bastien's Steak House, 3503 E Colfax Ave Denver, CO
80206 (303) 322-0363
T T T T
since 1937
 |
Started by William Bastien in 1937 when he bought out the Moon Drive
Inn. In 1958, the present building was constructed. Cool old school
Steakhouse and bar with an interesting architectural design (sort of a
subtle Googie flair). Very hip bartender the day I was there and an all
around friendly place. The couple next to me were drinking Martini's
from a unique sort of metal martini glass that I guess keeps the drink
extra cold. The bar had the best time machine effect in the place.
Often voted best steaks in town and prices that I thought were quite
reasonable for a nice place like this. While the restaurant is older,
this structure dates from the '50's. Got to love the great neon sign as
well. A Denver iconic restaurant for sure.
Near the Bluebird Theater, Pete's Kitchen and Pete's Satire Lounge. |
El Chapultepec, 1962 Market St. Denver, CO
80202-1420 303 295-9126.
T T T T T
since 1951
 |
One of the last (perhaps THE last?) of the true Jack Kerouac hangs
left in Denver. This place is 100% pristine old school. Countless Jazz
greats have played here as well. Prices tend to be pretty cheap all over
this town, but insanely, this place, which was packed on Saturday night
and could easily have charged $10-$20 dollar cover and have a drink
minimum as well, had neither a cover nor minimum! Is this place
non-profit? The night I was there they had an excellent Latin Jazz
band. The Chapultepec is the place for jazz in Denver. Located in a
lively area of downtown bars and restaurants (although I don't know why
you would want to go anywhere besides the El Chapultepec in this area!).
El Chapultepec includes a very cool looking restaurant as well with a
classic "Eat" neon sign outside. If you have a limited amount of time in
Denver, I would say that the El Chapultepec, along with the Cruise Room,
Ship's Tavern, and Bonnie Brae Tavern are the absolute can't miss
places. |
Pete's Kitchen,
1962 E. Colfax Ave. Denver CO 80206 303 321 3139
T T
since 1942
 |
Open 24 hours a day and beloved by all of Denver, this is a true
landmark. While the interior has only a mildly old feel, you just have
to love the neon sign. Surprisingly, for a place sometimes referred to
as a greasy spoon (in an affectionate way), the food is outstanding
here. I had what was probably the best Greek salad ever here (and the
small one was too big to finish). Great prices and an exceptionally
friendly staff of hip, young people. If you are wondering where to go
at a time or day when most things are closed, you have only one
excellent answer. As one long time Denver denizen told me - if it has
"Pete's" as part of the name, you can't go wrong.
Close to Bastien's, the Ogden and Bluebird Theaters, the Lion's Lair and
Pete's Satire Lounge. |
Pete's Satire Restaurant & Lounge, 1920 E. Colfax
Ave. Denver, CO 303 322-2227
T T T
since 1962
 |
Right next to Pete's Kitchen (and I assume owned by the same people)
is this bar and restaurant. Got to love the neon sign out front. Can
you believe they sell mixed drinks here!!! (and all I got was boring
O'Doul's - someone has to tell me where this "mixed drink" thing
originates). Nice interior and quite an eclectic crowd, from hipsters to
well behaved people with broken dreams. I didn't stay long here but it
looked to be a fun place to hang out. Tattoos abound here, which always
makes for a lively place. Wish Vegas had a place like this.
|
| LOS ANGELES, CA |
|
Bear Pit Bar-B-Q Restaurant, 10825
Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, 818 365-2509 since the 1940s
T T T T T - for their sign
T T - Interior
|
You have to love their neon sign. And they have a long established
rep for great barbeque. Sawdust on the floor is always the mark of a
good restaurant in my opinion. Up toward the north of the Valley. Owned
by Andrew Schatz. Strangely, one ad for it in 1964 had it spelled Baier
Pit. It was soon corrected.
There were (are?) two other locations:
132 N. Glendale, Glendale and 12377 Roscoe,
Canoga Park.
|
| Bun 'n Burger, 1000 E Main St, Alhambra, California (626)
281-6777 ( since 1941 ) T T
|
Nice place in an Hispanic area of town. Their special omelet (Adkins
health food) may be the best I've ever had. Nice neon sign. Nice round
counter area. I think I tend to say nice and great a bit too much!
Please send me suggestions for better adjectives. The neon looks great
at night (wish I had a picture). Not far from the Hat (original
location).
|
| Canter’s Deli, 419 N. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, 323-651-2030,
since 1928 (1948 in this location) Open 24 hours. The room that
includes the bakery:
T T T T
|
One of the most famous restaurants in Los Angeles. Ben Canter
started out in the restaurant business in New Jersey in 1924. The
Canters moved their restaurant to East Los Angeles in 1931 when that was
still a predominantly Jewish neighborhood (the grave yards of East Los
Angeles are full of Jewish names, reflecting those times). They moved to
this location in 1948. Great interior (it was once a movie theater).
Great deli food (stick with the specials for breakfast), and validated
parking. It’s open 24 hours which is one of the reasons it was once a
Frank Zappa hangout (as well as a whole slew of 1960s Sunset Strip rock
stars). This was also one of Jack Benny's favorite places. Did you know
they now have a Las Vegas branch? In Las Vegas they decided on ulta-modern
decor (probably a good idea since you could never replicate the original
restaurant). The only movie I've noticed Canter's in is "Sunset Strip",
which is probably worth seeing just for this reason. Not far from Molly Malone's, the Farmer's Market (Patsy
D'Amore's Pizza), El Coyote Mexican Restaurant and Tom Bergin's bar and
restaurant.
|
| Chili John's Restaurant, 2018 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA
(818) 846-3611 T T T T T
|
Incredible find (based on a reader's suggestion) in Burbank. This
place almost looks like a movie set from a 1940's period piece (actually
would be a great place to film a movie scene). Unique horseshoe shaped
counter. This place is a must see. I don't know if the Gen X'ers have
discovered this place or not, but they would love it for sure. Friendly
staff (owners?). Now that Chasen's is gone, this at least deserves a
nomination for the best Chili in LA metro (very unique and spicy).
Curiously, the bathroom door has no lock, but you need not fear - it's
so small you can easily hold it closed!
Not far from the Bella Vista Italian Restaurant, Genio's Restaurant
(now closed), the Smoke House Restaurant, Tin Horn Flats and Frank's
Steakhouse.
|
| The Hat,
1 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, CA 91801-5049
(626) 282-0140
 |
No - it's not
the Brown Derby Restaurant. This is the original
location of what is now a chain. This
locale is an outdoor stand, unlike the rest
of the chain. The chain is unique in
that each branch incorporates the great
original neon sign design and other old
elements of the original restaurants. Some
of the newer branches are such good
recreations they had me fooled (briefly!).
Man - with all the great Pastrami places in
Los Angeles, it's hard to believe the "Big
Apple" can beat the "Big Orange". What
is it about Pastrami anyway that generates
so many restaurants. Personally I
prefer Corned Beef. To each his own!
 |
| Vince’s Spaghetti, 1206 W. Holt, Ontario,
CA
909 986 7074, since 1945. T T T
 |
There are three branches which are all incredible deals on food, but
the original restaurant location from the 1940s is in Ontario.
While I’m not sure the interior is that old, it has a very old feel to
it. Some areas are wonderfully dark and others have this
great florescent glow. The food menu is limited but what they do, they
do very well and at rock bottom prices. Mostly Spaghetti (watch out for
ordering cheese on it – you’ll get a mountain’s worth) and French Dipped
Sandwiches. Can get a little crowded but well worth the wait. The line
moves fast. Good stop off point traveling to and from Los Angeles
from Las Vegas and points East. Located on Holt Blvd. which used to be
highway 99, an important old route in and out of Los Angeles. Perfect
for the whole family. After Filippe's in San Diego - this may be the
next best spaghetti place anywhere. |
