Overall view of the lunch counter. The counter runs along the left side, sweeping across the back. Black and white checkered floor allows for table seating with red formica topped tables and red and chrome chairs. A red stripe runs across the wall with red neon above. Framed Coca-Cola ads line the upper, cream portion of the wall, a large circular Coca-Cola sign sits on the back wall.

Inside the Last Operating Woolworth’s Lunch Counter

September 21, 2021, 1 Comment

For some the name Woolworth’s can bring back fond memories of a tasty cheeseburger and a 5 cent Coke while seated at a lunch counter, perhaps after shopping for deals at the famed “Five & Dime.” In Bakersfield, you can still have that experience, although for a wee bit more than five and ten cents,…

Myself, wearing a yellow shirt featuring the band The Doors, standing in front of Hot Dog on a Stick holding a corndog.

A Summer Outing to the First Hot Dog on a Stick

September 8, 2021, 2 Comments

This last weekend was Labor Day, and to me it often marks the end of summer. Patrick and I decided to go for a very summery outing to the Santa Monica Pier over the long holiday weekend. California is the birthplace of many restaurants (especially fast food) that are found across the country, and even…

Myself, wearing a white halter top with red polka dots, and red shorts, holding a red and white In-N-Out cup, standing in front of the replica of the first In-N-Out.

A Visit to the First In-N-Out…Well Sort Of.

August 11, 2021, 2 Comments

When it comes to California history, there is certainly a lot. One aspect of California history that has become a staple of American life is fast food. Yes, one could argue that fast food started right here in Southern California, and while not typically viewed as “important” history, fast food is certainly a cultural phenomenon…

The Larry's neon sign sits at the corner of a fenced off outdoor eating area for Larry's, which features several picnic tables with red and white umbrellas near the outdoor order and pick-up windows. A large sign on the roof features a cartoon dog and reads "Larry's"

The Happy Little Neon Dachshund of Larry’s Chili Dog

July 14, 2021, 4 Comments

A good way to get me to go to nearly any restaurant is a killer neon sign, so when I spied Larry’s Chili Dog one day in Burbank I knew I had to visit, because it has absolutely one of the cutest neon sign’s I’ve ever seen! Larry’s Chili Dog has been around since 1953…

Exterior of the Aztec, a teal painted structure with various Mayan influenced designs along the corners, edges, and doorways.

A Look Inside the Strange and Haunted Aztec Hotel of Route 66

July 1, 2021, 2 Comments

Sitting along Foothill Boulevard in Monrovia is what a first glance appears to be some sort of ancient temple, but upon further inspection, it’s actually a hotel, the Aztec Hotel. Last week Patrick and I joined other curious visitors for a tour of this Route 66 oddity, hosted by Craig Owens of Bizarre Los Angeles.…

Myself, holding a chocolate donut, standing in front of The Donut Hole.

A Drive Through the Kitsch-tastic Donut Hole

June 22, 2021, 3 Comments

When it comes to architecture I’m of course a sucker for a good mid-century modern, art deco, and even Victorian, but perhaps my favorite style is programmatic architecture, aka “California Crazy” because it’s just plain fun! There are other terms for this style as well, including vernacular and mimetic architecture. This is where a…

Myself, wearing a black cowboy hat, black tee reading "Bounty Law" and jean shorts, leaning against a large sign reading "The Red Dog" in large red letters.

The Red Dog, the Saloon that Once Served Trigger right at the Bar

June 8, 2021, 1 Comment

When I first went to Pioneertown in 2014 with my dad, we wondered through a desolate western town where the only activity was dirt blowing across the street. Completely devoid of people, we peeked through the windows here and there, windows of legitimate businesses, though closed, and faux ones with pun based names such as…

Close-up of the neon sign atop the shack's red roof reading "Tommy's Hamburgers & Hot Dogs"

Tommy’s Burgers Turns 75

May 28, 2021, 5 Comments

Before embarking on our Koreatown tour, we stopped at Tommy’s for a bite, and it just so happened to be their 75th anniversary! This small shack might not look like much, but it’s here where chili burgers first made their mark in Southern California. Born to Greek immigrants in Oklahoma City, Tom Koulax arrived in California…

Andre's at an angle. Two over arching "dog legs" stretch across the small walk up restaurant, painted orange. A nearly all glass front has showcases the items available. A seating area is off to the left.

Andre’s Drive-In

May 21, 2021, 4 Comments

When out and about, Patrick and I often seek out the older restaurants, and it’s even better when they have a great old sign. However, I’m still a bit on the wary side of dining due to COVID, especially indoors, so I was thrilled to find Andre’s! A 1950s drive-in restaurant, complete with great architecture,…

Myself outside of the Taco Bell, holding a crunchy taco, with a fountain in the background

A Trip to Timothy Leary’s Favorite Taco Bell

May 13, 2021, 2 Comments

Alright, I guess it’s time to get it out in the open…I love Taco Bell. I know, say what you will…but sometimes a crunchy taco with a side of chips and cheese and a Mountain Dew is just what this girl needs. So, when I found out that there were only four Taco Bells operating…

Atomic Redhead

Sleep & Eat

Inside the Last Operating Woolworth’s Lunch Counter

A Summer Outing to the First Hot Dog on a Stick

A Visit to the First In-N-Out…Well Sort Of.

The Happy Little Neon Dachshund of Larry’s Chili Dog

A Look Inside the Strange and Haunted Aztec Hotel of Route 66

A Drive Through the Kitsch-tastic Donut Hole

The Red Dog, the Saloon that Once Served Trigger right at the Bar

Tommy’s Burgers Turns 75

Andre’s Drive-In

A Trip to Timothy Leary’s Favorite Taco Bell