Wildcat Saloon (Closed)
Trinidad, CO Photo and info courtesy Larry Glass
Check out the neon at the Wildcat Saloon in Trinidad. Judging by the crowd, patrons were having a "large" time when this photo was taken.
The Wildcat Saloon opened in 2002 and added another splash of neon to downtown Trinidad. While it wasn't around nearly as long as some of the town's historic watering holes, its sign fit right in with the vintage character of Main Street after dark. 11-07
UPDATE: The Wildcat Saloon has since closed, and the building now operates as a different business. The original Wildcat sign was removed during the transition, making photos like this a reminder of a short-lived but memorable piece of Trinidad nightlife. 06-26
Larsen's Frostop
St George, UT Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
Check out the neon sign at Larsen's Frostop. Since opening in 1965, this St. George drive-in became a roadside landmark along old Highway 91. The sign alone was enough to make passing motorists take a second look.
Larsen's was one of those classic drive-ins where you could pull up, order a burger and a shake, and enjoy a meal without ever leaving your car. Over the years, the restaurant became a favorite gathering place for both locals and travelers passing through southern Utah.
I still remember how excited I was the first time I saw this sign fully lit. On my first couple of visits, the sign happened to be dark, so finally seeing it glowing at night was a real treat. It's located just down the street from the Sands Motel, another St. George landmark with a great neon sign of its own. 01-09
UPDATE: After nearly six decades in business, Larsen's Frostop permanently closed in 2023. The property has since been redeveloped, but fortunately the iconic neon sign was preserved and remains on display as a reminder of one of St. George's best-known roadside eateries. 06-26
Flying V Coffee Shop (Gone)
Panguitch, UT Photos courtesy Matthias Tippner
Panguitch is home to the Flying M Cafe, a classic roadside stop that was once impossible to miss. Located along Highway 89 near Bryce Canyon National Park, the cafe featured an eye-catching neon sign that welcomed travelers passing through southern Utah. The Flying M opened in 1949 and became a popular stop for tourists heading to Bryce Canyon and other nearby attractions. Its colorful neon arrow and prominent "Coffee Shop" lettering made it one of the most recognizable signs in town.
UPDATE: The Flying M Cafe is long gone, and its famous neon sign has been removed. While the building and property have changed over the years, photographs like these help preserve the memory of one of Panguitch's classic roadside landmarks. 06-26
Taco House Neon Sign (Closed)
Denver, CO Photos courtesy Robin McCracken
The neon sign really stands out at the Taco House along Federal Boulevard in Denver, Colorado. The sign features neon lettering, a sombrero-wearing character, and lighted edging which all work together to make it one of the more eye-catching roadside signs in the area. Taco House has been serving Denver-area customers for decades and has become something of a local institution. The restaurant was founded by Bob "Taco Bob" McFadden and grew into a small regional chain known for affordable Mexican food and a loyal customer following. 09-10
UPDATE: The Federal Boulevard Taco House has permanently closed. After serving customers since 1958, the restaurant closed its doors on December 31, 2024. Owners cited rising operating costs and the lingering impacts of the pandemic as reasons for the closure. Fortunately, the Taco House name lives on. The Lakewood location at Wadsworth Blvd remains open and continues serving the restaurant's longtime menu favorites. 07-25
Bastien's Restaurant
Denver, CO Photos courtesy Robin McCracken
Looking for a good steak while cruising down Colfax Avenue in Denver? Bastien's Restaurant has been serving customers for decades and is well known for its steaks. The food may get most of the attention, but the sign and building are worth a look too. The current restaurant opened in 1959 on the site of the old Moon Drive-In and remains one of Denver's best-known examples of Googie architecture. In 2009, Bastien's was added to the National Register of Historic Places, becoming the first Googie-style building in the country to receive that designation. 09-10
UPDATE: Bastien's remains in operation today under family ownership. The restaurant continues to serve its famous Sugar Steak while preserving the distinctive mid-century building and neon sign that have made it a Denver landmark for generations. 06-26
Arby's Roast Beef
Denver, CO Photo courtesy Robin McCracken
Here is a example of Vintage Corporate signage still in use. This restaurant is a newer building. This Arby's hat still glows in Denver, CO. 07-11
Introduced during the company's early years, these oversized hat signs helped Arby's stand out from other fast-food restaurants and became a landmark for travelers looking for a quick meal along the road.
UPDATE: While Arby's remains in business, many of the classic hat signs have disappeared over the years as locations were remodeled and updated with modern branding. Surviving examples like this one have become increasingly uncommon and serve as reminders of an earlier era of roadside architecture and advertising. 06-26
Griff's Hamburgers
Denver, CO
Photo courtesy Robin McCracken
Hungry for a late night snack? Then this must be a familiar sight for you when in the Denver area. Griff's Hamburgers features the ever present double cheeseburger. 01-13
UPDATE: The South Broadway Griff's closed in 2015 and the building was demolished in 2017. While the restaurant is gone, photos like these preserve one of the more recognizable fast-food building designs from the roadside era. 06-26
