Americana Restaurant, 210 Atlantic
Ave Long Beach, CA 90802
562-435-4030
T T T
|
This place I found just by driving by.
Very quaint, with a nice interior dating
from the '40s (from a prior restaurant).
Friendly owner and good old fashion comfort
food like Hot Turkey Sandwiches.
You're going to like it!
 |
(El) Adobe de Capistrano Restaurant,
31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan
Capistrano, 949-493-1163 (since
1948)
.JPG)
 |
The El Adobe de Capistrano is a very beautiful restaurant in a historic
adobe home. El Adobe de Capistrano became a restaurant in 1948.
I'm including it here despite a recent
complete remodel, because the new interior
has a time machine effect of its own.
You feel like you have been
transported back to the old Californeano
days of Spanish Mexico. The restaurant
is owned by Richard O'Neill, a member of the
pioneering family that once owned all of
Camp Pendleton (Rancho Santa Margarita) and
Rancho Mission Viejo. Mr. O'Neill at
one point owned or co-owned around 30
restaurants, including the Blarney Castle,
the Bull 'n Bush, the Tiny Naylor chain and the HMS Bounty.
UPDATE: Dick O'Neill recently passed
away. His amazing history and
contributions to Southern California will
always be remembered.This
is a remarkable restaurant - a great stop
between San Diego and Los Angeles. And
make sure to visit the Mission San Juan
Capistrano while you're here. |
|
Alpine Inn, 833 W. Torrance
Blvd., Torrance, CA 310-323-6520
(since around 1968) T T
|
What a great find! The Alpine Inn restaurant is
part of a whole Alpine Village. I went
to the Alpine Inn on a Monday night when they had a big
band playing with a great singer doing
mostly Sinatra. There is a variety of music
every night. The Alpine Inn has a mildly
old feel, but the food is excellent and
reasonably priced and above all the dancing
makes this one of the last true supper clubs
in the Los Angeles metro area. I don't
know if it is typical, but we were served by
the cashier and the service
was truly excellent. The majority of
the crowd were seniors. One couple in
particular - probably in their 80's - danced
up a storm and were kissing and hugging the
whole time. It literally brought tears
to my eyes. The human spirit soars
here! Sadly, it also reminds one how
much we have lost in American culture in
recent years. If you live in the LA area and
don't become a regular here - your nuts! Very conveniently located right off the 110
freeway. UPDATE: Rumors are the
Alpine Inn may be endangered.
Given the amount of land it sits on and the
incredible location - not hard to believe
someone would want this locale. There goes
the last of the true Supper Clubs?
Not far from the San Franciscan
and Henry Moffit's Chicken Pies. And
don't forget, when it rains in Los Angeles,
it comes down in Torrance! |
Anna's
Italian Restaurant.
10929 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90064
310 474-0102
T T T
|
Great place.
Sort of a Sardi's feel but with a twist.
The sketches on the walls are of long time
employees, if I'm not mistaken. Pizza
here was magnifico! Nice to find time
machines toward the West side of town.
Reasonable prices.
Near the Apple Pan, Billingsleys and the
Arsenal Bar. |
| The Apple Pan,
10801 W. Pico Blvd. West Los Angeles, (310)
475-3585, Tues-Sun 11AM to midnight, Fri-Sat
to 1AM. opened 4-11-1947
T T T T - see home page for explanation.
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|
The Apple Pan
Restaurant is considered to have the
best hamburgers on the West Side of Los
Angeles [Cassell's is the challenger in
Koreatown, as well as Knowlwood's
(remodeled) and of course Tommy's all
over the place]. I may not be an expert, but
these burgers are the best I've ever had.
Great apple pie. The Apple Pan restaurant is small
but has a very authentic ambiance. Counter
seating only, but fast service. I'm not
sure, but the their neon sign is in such
good condition, my guess is that it's new.
I'll have to investigate. Tillamook cheddar
is used on the cheeseburgers. Johnny
Rockets is said to be influenced by the
Apple Pan. The Apple Pan restaurant has 26 red
stools, which comprises its entire seating
space. The Apple Pan is still with us
because longtime owner Martha Gamble fought
off mega offers for her property. The first
owners were her parents Alan and Ellen.
Martha Gamble’s grandmothers invented the
pie recipes. The Apple Pan's motto:
"Quality forever" and they live up to it.
The Apple Pan Restaurant is near to the
Anna's Italian Restaurant, Arsenal Bar, Billingsly's Restaurant and not too far from
Dan Tana's Restaurant and Nate 'n Al's
Restaurant, and a short drive to the Buggy
Whip bar and restaurant, Pann's restaurant
and Dinah's Family Restaurant.
|
| Astro's Family
Restaurant, 2300 Fletcher Dr. Los Angeles
323-663-9241 open 24 hours. Since 1958 T T T T
|
Astro's Family
Restaurant is an outstanding
example of Googie architecture, in great
shape inside and out. Good food too. Let's
make sure to support the Astro's Family
Restaurant with
our business, so it does not go the way of Johnie's Broiler!
The Astro's Family Restaurant is owned 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. |
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.
 |
Bahooka Ribs
and Grog 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). Bahooka Ribs and Grog has 105 aquariums.
The most famous fish here is a Pacu named
Rufus, who weighs more than 34 pounds (he
occupies his own aquarium - with good
reason).
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. World's
largest Tuna Salad - it will make you laugh
to see it.
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".
Probably the most creative and unique
restaurant I've ever seen (and extremely
relaxing as well). UPDATE: Rob M. informs me that
Bahooka's drinks are now in Tiki Mugs! Great
idea.
Bahooka Ribs and Grog is 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. |
| Barney’s
Beanery, 8447 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood 323 654-2287,
Mon-Fri 11am-2am;
Sat-Sun 10am-2am. Since 1920. The bar - T T T T
Restaurant - T T T
 |
Barney's Beanery
is a colorful
place and quite historic. It is located on a
part of Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood that was once
Route 66. Established by John "Barney"
Anthony who died 11-25-1968. Just about
every classic movie star you can think of
has eaten here. The bar at Barney's Beanery appears in the movie
"the Doors" and it was a major Jim Morrison
hangout (Janis Joplin as well). Bukowski
hung out here at the bar and unfortunately
liked the bar's former controversial sign. Body Double
was also filmed here. Very extensive menu of
down home American food.
Barney's Beanery claims to be the Third Oldest Restaurant
in Los Angeles proper. I guess that's true if you
add "in its original location" (then I guess
the oldest is Cole's and then Tam O'Shanter
using that criterion). This place has now
become a nice chain of restaurants, but of
course my principal interest is in the
original locale. Barney's Beanery
is not far from Dan Tana's Restaurant,
the Chateau Marmont Hotel, the Rainbow Bar
and Grill, the Standard Hotel, the
Troubadour, Duke's, Greenblatt's Deli and the
Formosa Cafe. |
| Barones Famous
Italian Restaurant, 13726 Oxnard St. Van
Nuys, CA since 1945
T T T
Booths at the original
location of Barones Famous Italian
Restaurant.
.jpg)
Sign at the old location |
Good old time
feel. Good food. What more could you want
in an Italian restaurant? UPDATE:
A reader has informed me that Barones
Famous Italian Restaurant
has temporarily closed and that possibly it
will be moving to the Matterhorn. Let's hope
they can recreate the great old ambiance in
the new location.
UPDATE II: Barones Famous
Italian Restaurant has now
reopened in the historic Matterhorn Chef
site, If
one old place has to go, at least it's nice
to have another old one come back. The
interior of the "new" location is equally
wonderful and one of the few true time
machines in the San Fernando Valley.
Required stop on the Ventura Blvd tour of
Dupar's Restaurant, Art's
Deli, Casa Vega Restaurant and the La Frite French
Restaurant.
|
| Barragan's
Mexican Restaurant, 1538 W Sunset Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA, 213-250-4256 (since
1961) T T
 |
Barragan's
Mexican Restaurant is mostly
remodeled, but it has a few old wooden
booths. Can't beat their huge $3.99
breakfast specials that include coffee!
Barragan's Mexican Restaurant is near the Short Stop bar, Millie's, El Chavo
Mexican Restaurant, El Cid Dinner theater
and restaurant, Taix, the Brite Spot and the
Tiki Ti.
|
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
.jpg)
|
You have to
love the Bear Pit Bar-B-Q Restaurant 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. Many convenient highway
exits for Sepulveda Blvd. 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.
 |
| 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 Beeps Fast Food 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. |
| (Tony's)
Bella Vista Restaurant, 3116 W. Magnolia
Blvd. Burbank, CA 818 843-0164
T T T
 |
Tony's Bella
Vista Restaurant is a classic old and
cozy Italian restaurant. Scrumptious food. What
more can I say? Formerly, the Lava Isle
Restaurant (which closed in 1964), this is a
nice place to stop on the
time machine tour of Burbank including Chili
John's Restaurant, the Smoke House Restaurant, Genio's
Restaurant (now closed), Frank's Restaurant, the Safari
Inn Motel and the Blue Room bar.
You can have an easy tour of Time Machines
just driving down Magnolia Blvd. from North
Hollywood to Burbank passing the Fire Fox
Room, Sitton's North Hollywood Diner, Tony's
Bella Vista, the Monte Carlo Delicatessen
and Pinocchio's Restaurant and finally Tin
Horn Flats (and I've probably missed a few
on the way!). |
|
Billingsley's Restaurant, 11326 W Pico
Blvd - Los Angeles, CA. 310-477-1426 T
T T T (the bar)
T T T (the restaurant)
  |
It appears
Billingsley's Restaurant started out at 5827 Sunset Blvd.
(unless it was another place with the same
name). It's funny that
no matter how much I research, I still
find great places by accidentally driving by
them. This was a great find. The bar
is in almost perfect original condition. I
had a great Cobb Salad here as well. Owned
by the Billingsley family of whom everyone
knows Barbara Billingsley of "Leave it to
Beaver" fame. She was the model for American
mothers for years. And I think her
scene in "Airport" as an interpreter of
"jive" was a classic of comedy. Her
warmth is more than adequately represented
in this restaurant.
Billingsley's Restaurant is near the Arsenal bar, Nate 'n Al's, the
Gas Lite bar and the Apple Pan
restaurant. |
| Boardner’s
Bar,
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 of
Boardner's:
Here's the new art
deco interior:
 |
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 bar was featured in the movie "Ed
Wood". The crowd at nighttime in
Boardner's is definitely
more interesting. It's funny how the
ambiance of a bar, like this one, improves
dramatically at night. Boardner's 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 location is
ideal being a block from Miceli's and Musso
and Frank's - the Golden Triangle of
Hollywood!
Boardner's is completely remodeled, which
would normally send it to the "Old but
Remodeled page - but the owner "Tricia La
Belle" is so nice and the location and new
interior are still great so
I'll keep it here. Regulars still love it.
Boardner's is 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.
|
| Bob's Big Boy
Restaurant,
4211 W Riverside Dr Burbank, CA 91505
818-843-9334 since 1949
T T T
|
Bob's Big Boy
is a classic Wayne
McAllister coffee shop. This is the oldest
surviving Big Boy Restaurant. Modernism par
excellence. Well worth a visit, especially
when they have a classic car show in the
parking lot. Bob's Big Boy Restaurant is
near the Smoke House Restaurant,
Frank's Steakhouse, Genio's
Restaurant (now closed),
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. |
| Bobby's Coffee Shop, 22821 Ventura
Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818 225-1324
T T
 |
Bobby's Coffee
Shop is
really popular, probably due in part to the
lack of other old fashioned places in the
area. Recommended by "April Baby" (check out
her great website on life in the San
Fernando Valley -
Aprilbaby's California ). According to
her "From 1947 until the early seventies It
was a restaurant called the Chicken A-Go
Go. For 32 years now it's been Bobby's ".
I can verify the food's great here.
Bobby's Coffee Shop does not have a whole lot of decor to speak of other
than an old fashion counter, but you can't
beat their breakfasts. |
| Brite Spot
Restaurant,1918
W. Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 484-9800
T T
 |
The Brite Spot
Restaurant is a very friendly
and hip place. Mildly old feel. Unique naugahyde booths. A mixed crowd from old
folks to very stylish, hip young people.
Good food with a creative menu. I
definitely enjoyed eating at the Brite Spot, even though
it's somewhat remodeled to appeal to the Silverlake/Echo Park hipster crowd. Affiliated
with Little Pedro's.
The Brite Spot Restaurant is near Taix French Restaurant, El Cid, El
Chavo Mexican Restaurant, Millie's
Restaurant, the
Short Stop bar, and the Tiki Ti bar. Got to
be one of your hippest areas! |
| Buggy Whip
(The), 7420 La Tijera Blvd. Westchester, 310
645 7131 since 1949 T T T T T
|
The Buggy Whip
Restaurant is an excellent find
near the Los Angeles airport (after numerous
suggestions by readers). This restaurant
has it all - great old time atmosphere and
in my humble opinion fantastic food.
The Buggy Whip is not
inexpensive but huge plates can be shared.
Very good service. Two large rooms and a
bar. Highly recommended. Owner: Paul Darricarrere. Originally called "Peterson's Buggy
Whip". The Buggy Whip Restaurant is
not far
from Pann's Restaurant, the Cinema Bar, the
Tattle Tale Bar, Dear
John's restaurant and Dinah's Fried Chicken
Restaurant.
|
|
The Bucket Restaurant, 4541
Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA (323)
257-5654 T T T
 |
The Bucket
Restaurant was a nice find in
Eagle Rock. Looks like it might have once
been a house. A unique restaurant with a
very small bar (were it not for outside
seating and being mostly a restaurant - this
would beat the Harbor Room for smallest
bar). Friendly owner. I had a great
concoction called something like the
"Cardiac" that was one of the best
hamburgers I've ever had. Gives the Apple
Pan a run for its money. I hope this is a
big hang for the Occidental kids - this is
great for the college crowd. The Bucket
Restaurant is a nice stop on
the Eagle Rock tour of the Casa Bianca
restaurant, the
Capri restaurant, Colombo's Italian Restaurant and the
Chalet Bar - and very close to Pasadena for
the mega tour.
|
|
Bun 'n Burger Restaurant, 1000 E Main St,
Alhambra, California (626) 281-6777 ( since
1941 ) T T
|
The Bun 'n
Burger Restaurant is a cool place in
an Hispanic area of town. Their special
omelet (Adkins health food) may be the best
I've ever had. Really 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).
 |
Callahan Restaurant, 1213
Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403-5487
(310) 394-6210
T T T T
 |
Exceptionally
well preserved old restaurant with a very
nicely designed old terrace floor. One
of the few classic places left in Santa
Monica. Good coffee shop food made
from scratch. Definitely worth a
visit.
 |
|
Canetti's Seafood Grotto, 309 E. 22nd
St. San Pedro, CA
310-831-4036 (since 1949)
T T
 |
Canetti's
Seafood Grotto is a diehard old
historic restaurant in a very quiet part of San
Pedro. Classic old neon sign. Canetti's has
a fairly simple
decor but good seafood at low prices.
Good stop
on a peaceful trip to a great old city. The
owner has to be one of the friendliest guys
in town and he's been here for the whole run
(with his parents starting out even earlier
nearby). I sort of wonder if this
place was the inspiration for the restaurant
in Mildred Pierce that has a big fish sign
and is near the water (when Mildred is
thinking of jumping in!).
UPDATE: Unfortunately
I am told this nice mom & pop place recently
closed. It will be much missed by San Pedro
locals.Canetti's Seafood Grotto is near the Indian Bar, TC's Cocktail
Lounge, the Alhambra bar and Rebel's bar. |
| 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
 |
Canter's Deli is 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
(Boyle Heights) 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). Canter's Deli moved to this
location in 1948. Well preserved interior
(it was once a movie theater). Outstanding deli
food (stick with the specials for
breakfast if you're on a budget), and validated parking. It’s open
24 hours which is one of the reasons
Canter's Deli was
once a Frank Zappa hangout (as well as a
whole slew of 1960s Sunset Strip rock
stars). Canter's Deli 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. A minor but scary partial remodeling
of the glass dividers between the booths
recently occurred. Not an improvement in my
opinion. I wish these wonderful places
would understand that you can't improve on
what's already perfect! Canter's
Deli is not far from Molly
Malone's pub, the Farmer's Market (Patsy D'Amore's Pizza), El Coyote Mexican
Restaurant and Tom
Bergin's bar and restaurant. |
| Casa Bianca
Italian Restaurant,
1650 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 323
256 9617, Tues-Thur. 4PM to midnight,
Fri-Sat, 4PM to 1 AM, closed Sunday and
Monday.
since 1955
.jpg)
|
I have not
eaten at the Casa Bianca Italian Restaurant yet, but I liked the exterior as
I drove by and the interior as I peaked
through the window seemed pretty original.
I'll update you in the future. Good Italian
restaurants are hard to find. Casa Bianca
Italian Restaurant is not far from
Colombo's Restaurant, the Capri Restaurant,
the Chalet bar and the Bucket restaurant |
Casa Escobar
Mexican Restaurant,
2500 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica,
310-828-1315 since 1965
T T
 |
Casa Escobar is
a pleasant place,
with an interesting exterior. It seemed
quite similar to the Casa Vega restaurant
(although not as
dark). I didn’t get the chance to ask if
they were owned by the same people at any
point in time.
Casa Escobar Mexican Restaurant is near the Galley Restaurant, Rae’s Restaurant,
Rick's Tavern on Main Restaurant and bar, the Gas Lite Bar, Patrick's
Roadhouse restaurant, Dolores Restaurant and Snug Harbor
cafe.
|
| Casa Vega
Mexican Restaurant,
13301 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks, (818)
788-4868. T T T T
 |
Casa Vegas
Mexican restaurant is a unique sort of
place in the Valley. Very
dark. Very friendly staff and good food. As
you know, I'm a big fan of dark restaurants
- much more relaxing. You can make a great
tour of old restaurants just traveling down
Ventura Blvd. You'll
find Dupar's restaurant (newer branch), Art's Deli,
and the La Frite French
restaurant.
|
Casey's Irish Pub (Casey's Bar and Grille)
- 613 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA (213) 629-2353
T T T T
.jpg)
 |
This great bar and grill is a perfect example of how one can
successfully recreate an excellent time machine. If I have my
information right, most of the old fixtures here were actually imported
antiques from Ireland. They had me fooled - everything looks like it
has been there since the 1930s (instead of the early '70s). Good food
and outgoing staff. Very convenient downtown location. This is a
must see for those who want to live out
their "MAD MEN" fantasies! One of the
best bars downtown.
Casey's Irish Pub is used as the filming
location for Mad Men when
they are supposed to be in New York at
someplace like "P.J. Clarke's" if I'm not
mistaken. See it Season Two Episode One of
Mad Men when Donald Draper is eating a steak
and eggs breakfast. It was also used
in the scene (I forget the episode) where
everyone is dancing the twist.Not far from the
Yorkshire Grill and The Standard Hotel, the Broadway Bar, the Eastern
Columbia Building, Cicada Restaurant, the
Orpheum Theater, the Los Angeles Theater,
the United Artist's Movie Palace, Clifton's Cafeteria, the
Original Pantry Cafe, and Cole's
Pacific Electric Buffet French Dipped Sandwiches.
|
|
Chez Jay’s, 1657 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, 310 395-1741 |
See my Los
Angeles Bars pages |
| Chili John's
Restaurant,
2018 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA
(818) 846-3611 T T T T T
 |
Chili John's
Restaurant was an incredible find
(based on a reader's suggestion) in Burbank.
Chili John's Restaurant 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. Chili
John's 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, Chili John's Restaurant 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!
Chili John's Restaurant is not far from the Bella Vista Italian
Restaurant, Genio's Restaurant (now closed), the Smoke
House Restaurant, Tin Horn Flats Bar and Frank's Steakhouse
Restaurant. |
| Chips
Restaurant - 11908 Hawthorne Blvd,
Hawthorne, CA 90250 (310) 679-2947
T T
|
Chips
Restaurant has a 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. Chips
restaurant is the only one I recognized
being used in the movie Hollywoodland.
I'd give that movie 3 out of 5 stars.
Well acted and definitely worth seeing, but
the set design just didn't catch the old Los
Angeles flavor quite as well as 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. Of course, what the
heck do I know about movies! I enjoy
all movies about pre-70's LA. Chips
restaurant is near the Pizza
Show Restaurant and the Rustic Lite bar. |
| Chop
Suey Cafe & Lounge, 347 E 1st St,
Los Angeles, CA 90012 213-621-2872
(interior dates to 1935 I think) T T T T
|
Given the
recent massacre of historic restaurants in
this town, the resurrection of a classic
place (in the mode of the Pig 'n Whistle in
Hollywood) is always happy news. Chop
Suey Cafe & Lounge
was once the famous "Far East Cafe" which
dates from 1935 (the building may be 1896). Somehow, the
wonderful wooden booths with a patina of
over a seventy year's of use have survived.
The new owner very wisely did not change
them. I didn't get a chance to eat
at Chop Suey Cafe & Lounge, but I did click off a few shots of the
interior. Kudos to the new owners.
 |
| Chris &
Pitts Restaurant, 11350 E. Washington Blvd.,
Whittier, CA (562) 699-9069 T T
|
Chris & Pitts
Restaurant is a venerable old
barbeque joint in Whittier with a mildly old
feel to the interior. The Chris &
Pitts chain itself
dates from 1940 when Chris Pelonis opened
the first one in Lynwood. I think this is
the second oldest surviving location and the
oldest is in Bellflower. To the best of my
knowledge, some of the older Chris & Pitts
have disappeared but there are plenty left.
I thought the food here was pretty good and
reasonable prices. Friendly staff and
clientele (it's not the kind of place where
you find vegans, dieters and organic
cuisine!). A big plus here is that
there is another Time Machine in the same
parking lot - the highly recommended (at
least during the day) Embers Lounge (see the
bar page).
A quick and productive tour of Whittier,
Pico Rivera and the San Gabriel Valley would
include Chris & Pitts, the Embers Lounge,
Clearman's Steak and Stein, Clearman's North
Woods, Goody's Coffee Shop, the Tamarack Inn, Dal Rae's
Restaurant, Petrillo's Italian Restaurant and Bahooka's
Restaurant. |
| Cicada
Restaurant - 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.
The Cicada Restaurant is full of priceless Lalique art deco glass.
If you can't afford the restaurant (highly
rated and not cheap and worth every penny!) 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.
This is where the scene of Julia Roberts
having trouble eating snails was filmed in
"Pretty Woman". 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.
Cicada is used frequently as a filming
location for Mad Men.
They use this place perhaps more than any
other restaurant location, such as in Season
one, episode four ("New Amsterdam" - well I'm pretty sure). Also
Season Two Episode 4 "Three Sundays".
The place is so large that they use
different corners or floors to double for
many different places. If you love
Mad Men, you'll love my
site and vice versa (perhaps wishful
thinking on my part!). I identify with
Mad Men quite a bit because my grandfather
was a corporate executive in Manhattan
during the same time period (Chairman of the
Board of Collier's Encyclopedias) - and
believe me - Mad Men
accurately depicts that time and place
exactly as I remember it (down to my
grandfather's drinking habits, house,
Cadillac and his glasses!). Can anyone tell
me where the scene where Betty Draper goes
to a bar and cheats on Donald takes place?
Couldn't figure that one out!The Cicada Restaurant is near Clifton's Cafeteria, the
Original Pantry Cafe, Cole's PE Buffet
Restaurant, the
Yorkshire Grill restaurant, Casey's bar and restaurant and Philippe the
Original French Dipped Sandwiches restaurant. |
| City Hall
Coffee Shop, 2327 Honolulu Ave.
Montrose, CA 91020 248-4905 T T T
|
The City Hall
Coffee Shop is a fun little
traditional coffee shop I discovered on my
first visit recently to Montrose. A
word or two about Montrose. I had never
heard of it, but set out to find the "Barru"
bar on the recommendation of a reader (which
looks interesting but was closed). Upon
arriving at Montrose it seemed like perhaps
I had entered a portal to paradise. This
city looked so perfect, it was hard to
believe it was real. A fantastic main
street with this coffee shop, an art deco
bowling alley, several old classic bars and
a local population sort out of an idealized
vision of America. I began to question my
life and the unfairness of not having grown
up in Montrose. Oh well.... Someone will
have to explain to me some day why life is
so random in how the good and the bad is
doled out to each person. |
| Clifton’s
Brookdale Cafeteria, 648 So. Broadway, Los
Angeles (downtown), 213 627 1673, daily
6:30am to 7pm, since 1935. The first floor: T T T T T
Clifford Clinton, a relative of New York
Governor DeWitt Clinton, died in 1969 at age 69.
A native of Berkeley, California,
both of his parents were captains in the
Salvation Army. A crusader against not only hunger, but city
corruption, at one point his home was
bombed, because his group "Citizens
Independent Vice Investigating Committee" was
getting a little too close to exposing high
level corrupt leaders. Clifford Clinton was
truly one of the great heroes of Los
Angeles.
|
I love
Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria. One of the true iconic restaurants of
Los Angeles. Extremely historic. They didn't steal
any recipes from Perino's, but I've always
loved the comfort food here. The interior
of Clifton's is exceptionally well preserved
and quirky. I find the
waterfall relaxing. Check out the terrazzo
in front which is a time capsule of Los
Angeles history. The movie "Fight Club" was filmed
at Clifton's Cafeteria. You can also see it in the 1950's
version of D.O.A. Many have forgotten
about the first great cafeteria chain in Los
Angeles started by the Boos Brothers (no -
they were not from Saturday Night Live). The
Boos Brothers, Horace, Cyrus, Henry, and
John opened their first cafeteria in 1905.
There were six Boos Brother's cafeterias
in the 1920's - some locals were taken over
by Clifton's.
Clifton’s Cafeteria is
credited with saving the lives of many down
and out people during the depression with
its "pay what you wish" policy. Founded by
Clifford E. Clinton, the Brookdale branch
was once the national headquarters for
"Meals for Millions Foundation" a nonprofit
corporation to prevent starvation
(apparently in the US in the 1930s but I
believe continues to this day). They
also developed a special 5 cent meal
served to 500 patrons a day "with the
nutritional equivalent of beef, green peas,
milk and potatoes". It was called
"multi-purpose food". The meal checks
used to say "Regardless of the amount on
this check our cashier will cheerfully
accept whatever you wish to pay - or you
dine free". Can you imagine a
restaurant today surviving with that policy?
It seems our culture used to have more
integrity. Other branches, including a
tropical themed one called Clifton's
"Pacific Seas" at 618 So. Olive and a
comparatively more elegant one called the
"Silver Spoon" are long gone (although a
sign for the Silver Spoon still exists at
the location). The Seven Seas had
primitive huts inside with rain and thunder
effects and waterfalls on the outside
exterior. There was also a meditation room
and even a statute of Jesus. Today, if you sit by yourself at
the tables on the main floor of the
Brookdale Cafeteria, you're soon
likely to have company and possibly a lively
conversation about the good old days
(speaking Spanish helps). They just don't
make places like this anymore. It's
surprising that more of the "office" crowd
to the west doesn't take advantage of this
quick place to eat lunch. If you want to
see several places in one trip, get a snack
here, and continue snacking at nearby Coles
Pacific Electric Buffet (temporarily closed
for remodeling), the Original Pantry
Cafe, Yorkshire Grill (remodeled), and stop for a drink
at Hank's bar. 
Please say a prayer or do a moment of
meditation for Jean Clinton Roeschlaub, a
wonderful woman who was recently taken from
us. |
| Cole’s PE
Buffet, 118 E. 6th St. Los Angeles
(downtown) 213 622-4090, since 1908.
Mon-Fri 9am to 7pm, Sat. 9am-5pm
The Pacific Electric
Building where Cole's is located. The
interior shots are pre-remodeling. |
Cole's PE
Buffet ia arguably the
oldest continuously operating bar (well
ignoring the current remodel) and
restaurant in the same location in Los
Angeles (Philippe's had to move in the 1950s
to make room for the Hollywood Freeway).
This place battles with Philippe’s for the
claim of inventing the French Dipped
Sandwich (these sandwiches are fantastic in
both restaurants). I have conscientious
objector status in this war. Located in the
Pacific Electric Railway building that once
ran all the great trolley cars (which by the
way can still be seen and ridden in in a
unique museum in Perris, California). I
thought the food was very good here, but it
is in a part of town not for the meek of
heart (although for better or worse -
rapidly gentrifying). The site of the "Night Owl" from LA
Confidential is across the street (it was J
J's Sandwich Shop, 119 E. 6th St. at Main -
although there appears to be nothing left of
the movie set).
You would never guess by looking at it, but
the Pacific Electric Building was once the
tallest building West of the Mississippi.
This old place strangely was playing Bossa
Nova music last time I was in (my
favorite!). The bar area might not be
for the weak at heart or the Pacific
Palisades crowd, but it's probably the
oldest "feel" in all of Los Angeles.
UPDATE - The restaurant has reopened
and has been completely restored. I'm
told they did a great job, so make sure to
stop by and get a great French dipped
sandwich.
Not far from Clifton's
Cafeteria, the Original Pantry Cafe,
Hank's bar, the
Yorkshire Grill restaurant, and Philippe's
restaurant - their arch
rival. |
| Colombo's
Italian Steak House,
1833 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles 323 254 9138
since 1954
T T T T
 |
Colombo's
Italian Steak House is a classic old place
in Eagle Rock. Very well preserved and a
friendly staff. All around a pretty cool
place. The mildly bawdy paintings inside may
not make it a good place for kids depending
on your sensitivities. Eagle Rock has a nice
collection of old places including the Casa
Bianca Italian Restaurant, the Chalet bar, the Bucket
Restaurant and the Capri Restaurant. And it's
not far from Pasadena. |
| Colonial
Kitchen, 1110 Huntington Drive, San Marino,
626 289-2449 T T
|
Bill Covington
and his mother were long time owners of the
Colonial Kitchen Coffee Shop. They unsuccessfully tried to lift
the ban on alcohol in San Marino. I
know little else about this place other than
it looks fairly old, has nice neon
signs and has good food. The Colonial
Kitchen
seems like the best restaurant going in San
Marino. San Marino reminds me of La Jolla,
California. It looks so clean! While we are
on the subject - the La Jolla cove may be
one of the most beautiful places in the
world. Don't miss it if you visit San
Diego, California. |
Covina Tasty,
1063 N. Citrus Ave. Covina, CA 626-332-8816,
Open daily 11am-11pm. since 1961
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|
One of the many
old sandwich/Ice Cream stands that
predominated the commercial landscape before
McDonald's and the like took over. There
are a fairly large number of these places
that have survived in the Los Angeles area
(especially East Los Angeles). They almost
always have good nostalgic food and
sundaes. Covina Tasty is no exception. A plus
here is their veggie burgers. Someone
out there should do a website about
pre-McDonald's LA metro hamburger stands
that still survive (beyond the scope of this
site). Covina Tasty is not far
from the Covina Bowl and as long as you are
East of Los Angeles, check out Bahooka's
Restaurant,
Clearman's North Woods Restaurant,
Clearman's Steak 'n Stein restaurant, the
Tamarack Inn Bar and Restaurant and Dal Rae's Restaurant. |
| Crab Cooker
Restaurant,
2200 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663
949 673-0100 T T T since
1951
|
The Crab Cooker
Restaurant has a quirky old
interior. Excellent seafood. A small
seafood market inside. A real Newport Beach
institution. They have a moderate fee
parking lot, but on a summer day, if you
want to park at a meter - be prepared for
battle! The Crab Cooker Restaurant is near the old site of the Arches
Restaurant. Not too far from the Five Crowns
Restaurant and La Cave Restaurant.
 |
Cupid's
Hot Dog,
9039 Lindley
Ave Los
Angeles CA
91325
since 1946
 |
Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Walsh started this humble hot dog
stand in 1946. Man, if I were not on a
diet, I could down five of these at one
sitting. Nice little food oasis in
what can be in some parts a generic San
Fernando Valley. Yummy!!! |
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