Moody Marquee.... 4 of 365

I know I'm a little late, but the clock hasn't struck midnight on the west coast yet which means I have not turned into a pumpkin and missed my deadline for the evening. Besides, I have a good reason.... a consult with a couple about their future wedding photography is a perfectly good excuse to be behind schedule.

As it turns out, that same couple is the inspiration behind tonight's post. The groom works on sets for a non-profit company involved in theatre productions. After our evening meeting I came home and began searching for tonight's photo of the day and found this...

Downtown LA's very own theatre, down the street from the well known Orpheum

It's a bit moody and definitely different than my usual style, but it's a perfect end to my Thursday and it's my fourth of 365. Good night everyone.

Foodie Friday - The Original

Believe it or not, there's a bit of a fight in Los Angeles about just who originated the french dip sandwich. Two restaurants share this claim to fame, Philippe the Original and Cole's Originator's of the French Dip. Both places were opened in 1908 and neither one of them is budging an inch about who made the popular sandwich first. They both also have great neon signs and darn good food. 

"Philippe's" 

Philippe's was the first of the originals that I tried. I loved the old brick building, the sawdust floor and the vintage style counter service. Their famous french dip is different from the mainstream version you'll find in that the bread is dipped in au jus instead of the au jus being poured over the meat once it's in the sandwich. Believe me when I say you won't need extra au jus on the side. Cole's was a completely different take on the sandwich, but I'll save that for another Foodie Friday post. I do have to say that of the two places, I prefer Philippe's french dip. 

"The Original" in my Retro Roadside Photo Etsy Shop 

Have you eaten at either Philippe's or Cole's? Do you have a preference? And what's for lunch today?

Happy Friday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - More for the Cowboys

I've always found the idea of a western themed motel to be a little humorous. Cowboys slept under the stars, next to campfires with their guns. There was no roof over their heads, no protection from the elements and no warm bed waiting with turn down service and a mint on their pillow. At least there wasn't in any of the western movies I've watched. 

Not withstanding the irony of a western motel aimed at Cowboys and Cowgirls alike, the theme certainly makes for great signs. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've started to amass quiet the collection of western themed neon signs and there are more waiting on my list.  

The Silver Saddle Motel was a recent photo subject that falls under the western genre. Located in North Hollywood, the motel is small with less than 30 guest rooms and an outdoor pool typical of Southern California. According to a local, the motel used to have quite a bit of western memorabilia on the grounds but all that remains is the giant plaster horse on top of the roof. Oddly enough the horse isn't wearing a saddle, let alone a silver one. Maybe they keep it in the lobby?

Whatever happened to the saddle, I sure hope they keep the sign. It's a metal and neon classic.

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - Rollin' Like a Celebrity

St. Patrick's Day weekend is over but I'm still feeling the green and have decided to run with it. Thus, in the spirit of my favorite color, today's Motel Monday feature is the famous Beverly Hills Hotel. The Hotel was built in 1912 and the city of Beverly Hills eventually sprang up around it. The surrounding streets lined with palm trees are a beautiful place to spend a warm afternoon.

I have loved these Beverly Hills Hotel signs for as long as I can remember... meaning I loved them before I loved signs. The gorgeous typography, the color, and their presentation are striking. In the evening green neon glows from behind the elevated letters of the signs which keep the neon tubes and cathodes hidden from view. They are vintage simplicity and beautiful appeal. In short, the Beverly Hills Hotel sports the Audrey Hepburn of vintage signs. Yes, I said it. 

I just managed to reference Weezer, Audrey Hepburn and Beverly Hills in 200 words or less. I think it's going to be a good week. Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Foodie Friday - Bring the Green

I don't ever need an excuse to wear my favorite color, but if I did, this Saturday is it. That's right... I will be wearing green every second of St. Patrick's Day. It's not my fault it brings out my eyes. 

In celebration of tomorrow's unique and color specific traditions... green beer, really?... I have two Irish themed Foodie Friday photographs for you. These signs fit together like two peas in a pod. And at this very moment I'm chuckling to myself because peas are green making my analogy even better. Now on to the good stuff.

The first St. Patty's Day beauty is the Shamrock Dinners sign from Yreka, California. Heading north on Highway 99, take the Easy Street exit, take a right and make your way back towards the freeway. The restaurant building is still standing and seems to be rather large. Shamrock Dinners shut it's doors at least 4 years ago and the property was for sale back in 2008. Like most of these closed down places, I can't find a single thing about the restaurant. Based on the sign, I'm guessing they served liquor and food, but that's really not much to go on. I do know that I trespassed to take this shot and was in great fear of being chased off the property. Thankfully my fears were unfounded and this snap was completely worth a little anxiety. A large print of this beauty is on it's way to a new home today. I hear it's going to be the centerpiece of the kitchen decor. 

Not to be left out is Tom Bergin's Steak and Chop restaurant that touts itself as the House of Irish Coffee. Tom's Bergin's Tavern was established in 1936 and has been around for 75 years. They're in the midst of remodeling and apparently are hoping to be around for 75 more to share their Irish heritage with Los Angeles. I must say it's wonderful to see their neon signs in such great shape. Once they've reopened I'll have to return to capture the neon lit at night. I think I"ll have some dinner while I'm at it. I always love a good steak.

 Happy Friday! Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day weekend wherever it may take you.

- Stefanie

Foodie Friday - Hey Vince!

A few weeks ago I drove up to Los Angeles to chase some neon over the long weekend. I headed as far east as Rancho Mirage to shoot the most awesome car wash sign ever before making my way back towards the valley. I also stopped off at the World's Famous Dinosaurs of Cabazon but we'll save them for another post. Saturday evening ended in Ontario and Covina where neon signs used to be king.

One of the most amazing signs still standing in Ontario is Vince's Spaghetti. The restaurant opened in 1945 and has been in the same location ever since. Apparently Vince's started as a french dip stand before customers caught sight of a member of the family eating his grandmother's spaghetti. Sorta funny how some business decisions are made... Anyway, more than 60 years later that sandwich stand has grown into a 425 seat restaurant that keeps family friendly hours. 

I stopped by Vince's between lunch and dinner service so they sadly were closed when I photographed their sign. I remember thinking their parking lot was rather large, but it you're going to feed 425 people at a time you're going to need quite a few parking spaces. And a lot of spaghetti. 

So who's got pasta on the menu tonight?

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - It's Still the Weekend

I dig the star mobile...

This President's Day Motel Monday is a little late because let's face it, it's still the weekend. I've been too busy chasing neon to be blogging. Sometimes there's just not enough hours in the day.

I have yet to find a Presidential themed or named Motel, so instead I'm opting for the Holiday Lodge Motel in Los Angeles. At least it's got the Holiday part right. I also find humor in the naming repetition of both Lodge and Motel.

If you're a fan of the cancelled television show Numb3rs you may have caught this sign flash by in an episode or two. The motel was used as a filming location for at least one perpetrator hide out.

Enjoy the holiday!

- Stefanie

Foodie Friday - Since 1931

One of two Canter's Delicatessen photographs available on my Retro Roadside Photography shop

In need of a Restaurant, Deli or Bakery? You've come to the right place. Canter's is open all day almost every day of the year to feed your food needs. Canter's opened in 1931 but moved to Fairfax Boulevard when the neighborhood changed. In 1953 Canters moved just down the street to it's current location. That's almost 50 years in one spot and it has the neon signage to prove it. 

Canter's on Fairfax

All of the neon, including the signage on the front of the building, is in full working order. I can't wait to take another trip to LA and photograph this sign at night.

 Happy Friday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - Two For the Price of One

Vintage signs are generally like wolves... they travel in packs and are rarely alone. When I map out my road trips the end result is often clusters of flags separated by empty spaces that vary in size.  Today's two motel signs are no exception.

Located on Sepulveda Boulevard in Culver City, the Astro Motel and Deano's Motel are literally two peas in a pod. The motels sit right next to each other on Sepulveda, and they are only a stones throw away from the Half Moon Motel, Johnnie's French Dip and a few other establishments sporting vintage neon. But the Astro and Deano's seem to be made for each other.

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Foodie Friday - It's Back!

Just like Motel Monday, Foodie Friday took a short holiday break. This morning it is back with a vengeance and it's sporting a very famous sign.

Randy's Donuts has been standing since 1953, but was originally part of the Big Donut Drive-In chain. The individual stores in the chain were sold off in the 1970s and Randy's Donuts on Manchester was born in 1976. Randy's changed hands one more time in 1978, but brothers Ron and Larry have owned the place ever since. You can even buy a Randy's Donuts mug with their picture printed beside the donut drive through. That my friends is pride.

In addition to being a Los Angeles landmark, Randy's has been seen in a few movies as well. I loved Tony Stark lounging inside the giant donut on the roof while eating his breakfast in Iron Man 2. I was also just a tad jealous.

For even more trivia on Randy's Donuts, you can read their Wikipedia page or check out their website. You know you're big when you make it on Wikipedia. 
One last thing...their glazed donut is darn good.. If you're going to splurge on a donut in LA, drive to Randy's. I was not disappointed.

Happy Friday!

- Stefanie

P.S. And now I'm going to go be a good girl and eat my greek yogurt with fruit. If you're having something a little more sinful this morning, enjoy a bite for me. Much appreciated.

Motel Monday - Double Feature

The Desert of Anaheim

Today's Motel Monday showcases two different motels in the Los Angeles area with very similar names, the Sahara Motel and the Saharan Motor Hotel. Both signs appear to have been painted recently, and have undergone a few changes. In the case of the Sahara Motel, the changes were slight... in the case of Hollywood's Saharan Motor Hotel, the changes were rather substantial.

The Saharan

When I first saw this sign in 2008,the letters were still neon tubes and the blue letters were only visible at night. Within the past few years the neon and bulbs were sadly replaced with back-lit plastic letters. I wonder if the neon stars still glow at night...

I know of three other hotels with similar names: one in Jordan Valley, Oregon; a second in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and the third in Las Vegas. I can't wait to shoot the one in New Mexico in a few weeks.

And that concludes today's feature. Until next time...

- Stefanie

I Love This Clown...

Every photographer has something they desperately want to shoot, like the Green Flash at sunset or the view from the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. While I hope to photograph both of these one day, I dream of vintage neon signs. Believe me, I didn't call my Etsy shop Retro Roadside Photo for nothin...

One of the signs I have dreamt of for nearly two years is the Circus Liquors clown in North Hollywood. The colors, the shape, his hand pointing to the drum at his waste and the pom poms on his shoes... I love that clown. He's distinct and dare I say one of a kind. A few weekends ago I finally got to see him for myself. Here's a teaser:

Read My Drum

He'll be in my Retro Roadside Photo shop soon!

What better way to start the week than with a clown?

- Stefanie

Eat at Jim's

These past few weekends have been a photographer's dream... gorgeous weather and two road trips. I spent three days in Los Angeles over Labor Day weekend and spent this past weekend driving Route 66 from Kingman, Arizona out to the beautiful California coast. I have enough photographs to keep me busy for weeks. 

Today's photographic googie goodness can be found in Hawaiian Gardens just off the 605 freeway. My advice, come hungry... the food smelled so good. 

Is it lunch time yet?

This weekend is reserved for adventures in moving, but I'll have more to share with you on Monday.

Happy weekend!

-Stefanie