| Haskell's Prospector Restaurant, 2400
E. Seventh St., Long Beach, CA 90814 562-438-3839
T T T
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Haskell's Prospector Restaurant and bar is a
very friendly place with great regulars at the bar. Owned by a
Mexican immigrant who is a true American success story, working
his way up from something like dishwasher or busboy. I didn't
get to eat at the restaurant part, but it looked like a really
nice place.
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The Hat, 1 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra,
CA 91801-5049 (626) 282-0140
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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
restaurant. 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!
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Henry Moffett's Chicken Pies, 16506
Lakewood Blvd, Bellflower, CA (562) 925-5061
 Moffetts Chicken Pie Shoppe, 1409 S Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007 626 447-4670
Below are Arcadia Locations:
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The Bellflower location of Moffetts is a
pleasant old place. Love the exterior, although the interior is
pretty much remodeled. Good old American comfort food from
scratch. You can never go wrong with a homemade chicken pie!
Kind of a nice oasis in a dull area of Bellflower. Please
patronize this place or there will be nowhere worth going to the
Bellflower/Artesia area time machine wise at least . I have
not been to the Arcadia Branch (I assume that at least in some
point of time they were affiliated). Kathleen B. was nice
enough to take pictures for me however (and got the same
suspicious looks I often get).
UPDATE: Hey - you guys weren't listening! This
great place closed, although the Arcadia Moffett's is going
strong. Big loss to Bellflower.
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| HMS Bounty Restaurant and Bar, 3357
Wilshire Blvd , Los Angeles (Koreatown/Wilshire Center/Chapman
Park) 323-385-7275. Mon-Sat
11am-1am; Sun 2pm-12am (under this name since March 26, 1962
but interior is older). Open 365 days a year. T T T T
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In a historic area across the street from the
Ambassador Hotel (now gone), next to where the original
Brown Derby hat used to be (now mummified on the third
floor of the strip mall next door) and near site of former
Haig jazz club, former Bull 'n Bush restaurant and
the former Mona Lisa restaurant (affiliated with Musso and
Frank's Grill). The Bounty started out as "the Gay Room"
(Gay was H. Gaylord Wilshire's nickname - long before the word
took on another connotation). It appears the Gay Room opened in
1948 with music and dancing (an early act featured Carol Mitchum,
Robert Mitchum's sister). It was advertised as a place with a
high movie star quotient. It later did a stint as Jane (nee
Hoffman) Assell's Gaylord Dinning Room (approx. 1950 -1953).
Then it became Dimsdale's Secret Harbor (possibly in 1954), and
then briefly it was known as the Golden Anchor in 1962. When it
became the HMS Bounty, the first owners were Richard O'Neill
(descendent of one of California's most famous pioneering
families and still co-owner) Ron Waller (of football fame) and
Gordon Fields. The food is good and still has reasonable prices.
Plenty of free parking on streets in area after six (but see the
warnings page). By the way, many don't remember, but the very
first Brown Derby Restaurant (when it was standing alone
and not attached to a coffee shop) was actually one block West,
where the massive Equitable Building stands now.
It's a short walk (if you're in a group!) to the Prince
(Korean Restaurant) and the Brass Monkey bar and restaurant .
Also near the Wilshire Galleria, Frank 'n Hanks bar, Langer's
Deli, and Wilshire Bullocks (now a law library)
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| Hop Louie (formerly Golden Pagoda)
Chinese Restaurant, 950 Mei Ling Way, Chinatown, Los
Angeles, California 213-628-4244
(since 1941)
T T T T
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Graciously brought to my attention by Chris
Nichols - renown expert on just about every aspect of Los
Angeles architecture and pop culture (especially the history of
McDonalds and Wayne McAllister). Hop Louie's Chinese
Restaurant was built in 1941 and has a five tiered pagoda in
front. Well preserved and nice interior. Seen in a ton of
movies. Excellent Chinese food by my simple tastes. I only got a
quick look at the bar, but it looked like a great vibe. Near
the former site of Little Joe's Italian Restaurant, the Quon
Jazz Club, and close to downtown.
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| Iron Skillet Restaurant, 805 N. Euclid
Ave. Ontario, CA 91762 909 984 7912 (since 1964)
T T T
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The Iron Skillet Coffee Shop started out
under the name of Squires in 1964. Still has a lot of the
original interior, including a massive stone fireplace. Very
good food at really low prices (I recommend the Iron Skillet
Omelet) . Very amiable staff. The waitresses here should start a
school for others - they are the classic friendly, local, old
fashion style who have virtually disappeared from American
culture and restaurants. And no nickle and diming you for
substitutions here! There are few time machines in San
Bernardino county, so this makes a great stop off from the 10,
the 60 or the 210 going from or coming to Los Angeles.
Downtown Ontario is well preserved and worth a look. Ontario
is also very historic regarding the history of bringing water to
the greater Los Angeles Metro area. Ontario had perhaps the
first modern irrigation system in Southern California (ignoring
the more primitive one going to the original Los Angeles Pueblo
site). Because of its early irrigation history, this has got to
be one of the greenest cities in the area.
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| James Family Restaurant, 739 Truman
St., San Fernando 818 361 1850 T T
|
The James Family Restaurant is a popular, old
fashioned California coffee shop, although fairly remodeled.
Great neon sign. Good place to stop if your going to see the
San Fernando Mission, which is a beautiful place.
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| Jan's Restaurant, 8424 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048. 323 651-2866
(since 1956)
T T
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From the same owner's as the Astro Family
Restaurant (Astro was originally at 6th and Vermont). Mildly
old feel. Good central location. Jan's Restaurant has very
good food and plenty of it, although not ultra cheap (given the
area that's understandable). Free parking. The first owner
was Jerry Cohn who named the restaurant after his daughter.
Harry Siafaris bought it in 1984. Not sure if ownership
has changed since then.
Actress Gail Russell once crashed her car into the counter of
this restaurant in 1957.
Jan's Restaurant is near Swingers Cafe, El Coyote Mexican
Restaurant, Patsy's Pizza, Tom Bergin's bar and restaurant,
Molly Malone's Pub and Norm's restaurant.
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| Johnnie's Pastrami, 4017 S. Sepulveda
Blvd. Culver City, Sunday-Monday 10am-1am; Tues-Thurs
10am-2:30am, Friday-Saturday 10am-3:30am 310-397-6654. since
1952 T T T T T
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Johnnie's Pastrami has a beautiful sign and
is a nice old fashioned restaurant. Looks like it has not
changed a bit in all these years. Great Pastrami. Let's make
sure to keep this place going. Does anyone know if this was
related to the Johnie's on Wilshire in Los Angeles and Johnie's
Broiler in Downey (I guess not given the extra "n"). Near Dear
John's restaurant, the Cinema Bar, Tito's Tacos, the Culver
Theater, Dinah's Family Restaurant and the Harbor Room bar.
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| (Mrs.) Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant,
8039 Beach Blvd. Buena Park, CA 90620 714 220-5080 (since
1934)
T T
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I actually had a hard time finding this place
until I was told you have to enter the main entrance of Knott's
Berry Farm Theme Park. They have free parking for the
restaurant. Most of the place is new, but they have maintained
the original booths in one room. Of course, you can't stop in
without trying out the chicken! Historic and tasty. Were it not
for the great chicken recipe there might not be a Knott's Berry
Farm Theme Park. Of course, it goes without saying that all
kids love Knott's Berry Farm. |
La Cave Restaurant, 1695
Irvine Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949 646-7944
T T T T
(since 1962)
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This is definitely a nice place. It's the
darkest restaurant I've seen since Cucina on Melrose closed.
On quirky thing is that they have no menu. You pick out
what you want from a cart they roll out (ingenious in that most
people are probably embarrassed to ask what it costs). The
restaurant is in the basement and it's a great place for a
romantic date. No a good place for those on a tight budget, but
certainly good for a special occasion or splurge. |
| La Dolce Vita, 9785 Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310 278 1845 T T T T T
See
their site for more pictures
|
What a great place! Someone wrote me years
ago to check this place out, but I rarely get out to Beverly
Hills. I walked in unannounced and received a very friendly
welcome. Very nice bartender. Your host here is Ruben Castro
who has lived through and served a big chunk of Hollywood
history here. If you come in early, perhaps he will share some
of his incredible stories. I'll let you visit their site for
all the history, but this was a major Rat Pack hangout, with one
of the original owners being George Raft. You will almost
expect Frank Sinatra to walk through the front door as you are
eating! La Dolce Vita is dark, relaxing, romantic and every bit
the classic Hollywood spot. Given the intimate nature of the
place, the classic service, the great background music, the
wonderful food and I could go on and on, this may be the best
all around "time machine" restaurant in Los Angeles metro.
While Musso and Frank's can't be beat on history, the warmth of
this place is tops. Ruben will make sure there is attention to
every detail and that your dinner and experiences are perfect.
If you are on a budget, at least stop in for a drink at the
bar. Could I recommend the place anymore highly? |
| La Fonda, 2501 Wilshire Blvd. Los
Angeles 380-5055, 5:30pm-midnight Mon-Sun, since 1969
(building - Spanish Colonial Revival - Morgan, Walls and
Clements) T T
|
The La Fonda was established 1969 by
Natividad ("Nati") Cano the director of the world famous
Mariachi group Los Comperos, along with Frank L. Fouce (who at
one point owned the Million Dollar Theater) and Leo J. Richard.
A mildly old feel. Go for the fantastic Mariachi show (that
evokes memories of a more innocent time in Mexico – before the
Banda explosion). Probably the best Mariachi experience outside
of Boyle Heights (El Mercado, 3425 E. First St. has a number of
mariachi bands for brave souls who crave authenticity - I have
not been there in years). Make a reservation early – the shows
sell out fast. Few things in life can make you feel more joyful
then a good Mariachi. "Me canse de rogarle ...." By the way,
this restaurant sits right smack on Gaylord Wilshire's original
land parcel where Wilshire Boulevard started.
UPDATE: This incredible Los Angeles treasure has
closed, the victim of a callous eviction. How does the
City of Los Angeles quietly sit by and see its cultural heritage
destroyed without stepping in? Hopefully the Cano family will
find another venue for their heavenly music. In a city like Los
Angeles, you would think excellent Mariachi music would be easy
to find - but it isn't. Thanks to Kathleen B. for the
info.
UPDATE II: A new version of the La
Fonda has opened in the same place. Can someone tell me if this
is still connected with the Cano family and whether the interior
looks the same?
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| La Frite, 22616 Ventura Blvd.,
Woodland Hills, California 818-225-1331 Sunday-Thurs 11am-10pm,
Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm T T
|
Not sure how old the La Frite restaurant is.
It may well violate my 1970 cut off, but it has such a nice neon
sign, I'm including it in any event. Very good French food in
my Bohemian opinion. The Salad Nicoise was enormous. Nice hot
bread fresh from the oven. Ben K. has cleared up the mystery
of the sign - it originally belonged to a prior restaurant in
this same location - Pappy Jack's - a pancake place.
La Frite is not far from Sportsmen's Lodge, Art's Deli,
Dupar's restaurant, Barones Italian Restaurant (now moved) and
Casa Vega Mexican restaurant.
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| Langer's Deli, 704 S Alvarado St, Los
Angeles, Monday-Saturday 8am-4pm 213-483-8050. since 1947
T T T T
|
It had been some twenty years since I had
eaten at Langer's Deli, but I finally got over there for lunch.
Langer's reputation for the best Pastrami in town may well be
deserved. Loved my sandwich. The place was packed, so I have no
worries about this time machine's future. This shows you that a
great restaurant can survive, no matter how the area around it
changes. Owner: Norm Langer. Seen recently on Curb Your
Enthusiasm.
Langer's Deli is not far from the HMS Bounty restaurant and
bar, the Prince (Korean restaurant), La Fonda Mexican Restaurant
(now closed), the Brass Monkey bar, the remains of the Brown
Derby Restaurant Hat and Frank 'n Hanks bar.
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| La Palma Chicken Pie Shop, 928 N.
Euclid St., Anaheim (714) 533-2021
T T T
|
I don't know much about the history of the La
Palma Chicken Pie Shop, but it's old and original. Sort of like
the San Diego Chicken Pie shop but still in its original
location. Friendly staff and great prices. One of the very few
time machines in Orange County that I'm aware of. For the San
Diego Chicken Pie Shop, see my "San Diego" page. Few things in
life can beat a good chicken pie! Orange County's other great
chicken pie restaurant is Henry Moffit's Chicken Pie in
Bellflower (unfortunately now closed - what is America going to
do when there are no more chicken pies to be had?).
|
La Paloma Mexican Restaurant,
2975 Foothill Blvd., La Verne, CA 91750 909 593-7209
T T T T
since 1966
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Quite a nice find on Route 66. As I've
mentioned in other places, Mexican Restaurants rarely seem to
keep their original interiors, but this this one has a really
great interior and bar. Probably the best looking Mexican
Restaurant in Los Angeles metro, along with El Chavo. Very nice
owner as well. If you want to travel back in time on Rt.
66 in LA metro, this is one of the few places where you can do
it. One of the best "googie" signs around as well.
Near the Magic Lamp and the Sycamore Inn. |
| Lisa's Coffee Shop, 1530 W San
Bernardino Rd, Covina, CA 91722 (626) 339-2014 T T T
|
Lisa's Coffee Shop is a classic California
coffee shop with good old fashioned American food of course.
Very popular with the locals, in an area of Los Angeles County
with very few time machines left. Breakfast nirvana.
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| Lowenbrou Keller, 3211 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90057 213 382 - 5723 (not Lowenbrau Keller!)
(since 1967)
|
Talk of the City Host John Rabe told me about
this place. The restaurant (often misspelled Lowebrau Keller) is
nothing short of incredible. One of the founders of the place
was a former set designer, George Eder. He and his wife Renate
opened this place without any prior restaurant experience. The
building was formerly a Safeway. This place has always had a
laid back and healthy attitude. When it opened, it was a
smashing success, so after a month the owners closed up for six
weeks to take a vacation! This place is right out of
Disneyland (but cooler!). This has got to be about tied for
uniqueness with Bahooka's Restaurant. It appears to be run
by only two people the nights I've been in there. It seems
the owner does not want more business because they just can't
handle it (the last night I was there they were overwhelmed by
one large table). If you are going for dinner, why not call and
ask what would be a good time to come and make a reservation.
Please don't overwhelm this place!
So if you are the type of person who is easily upset by
things taking too long - please don't go here. For those
of you who are patient and understanding - a great experience
awaits! It's easy to pass by this place because it's in an
odd part of town basically by itself and behind two huge trees.
Near Langer's Deli, the HMS Bounty Restaurant, The Prince bar
and restaurant, the Brass Monkey bar and restaurant and Frank 'n
Hanks bar.
UPDATE: This place is now the Medusa Restaurant.
It wasn't open when I stopped by but I am told they have kept
most of the wild interior, so I hope people will patronize this
place and keep it going. If it now sells Korean food it
will really be great in the mode of "the Prince".
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