Syd's Bar
Noblesville, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Noblesville, IN home to this roadside bar lighting up the street with its neon signs. Syd's Bar also has an unforgettable name (especially when it's your own). This bar is found in downtown square Noblesville. The photos are fresh from 12/13/08. 12-08
Noblesville, Indiana is home to Syd's Fine Food & Spirits, a neighborhood bar that's hard to miss thanks to its glowing neon signs. Of course, the name caught my attention too! Located just off the downtown square, it's been welcoming customers for generations. The photos here were taken in December 2008. 12-08
Syd's traces its roots back to 1945, although the building has housed a tavern in one form or another since the late 1800s. Inside, it still has the feel of a classic neighborhood bar, complete with vintage booths, an old shuffleboard table, and plenty of local character.
The menu is just as well known as the sign outside. Syd's is famous throughout Central Indiana for its breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, along with burgers, steaks, and other Hoosier favorites. Whether you're stopping in for lunch or spending an evening with friends, it's the kind of place that has become part of the community's routine.
The vintage neon sign fits the building perfectly and adds a lot of character to downtown Noblesville. It's always nice to see an old neighborhood tavern that has managed to hold onto both its history and its sign.
UPDATE: Syd's Fine Food & Spirits remains open on Noblesville's downtown square and continues serving customers from its historic location. The classic neon sign still lights up the corner and remains one of downtown's most recognizable landmarks. 06-26
Florentine Restaurant (Gone)
Columbus, OH Photo and info courtesy Michael Sekeres
For more than 70 years, The Florentine Restaurant was one of Columbus' best-known Italian restaurants and a familiar sight along West Broad Street in the Franklinton neighborhood. If you were looking for homemade Italian food, chances are someone would point you here. 02-09
Founded in 1945 by Tony Penzone, The Florentine became a favorite for generations of families thanks to its homemade spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and house salad dressing. The restaurant stayed in the Penzone family for three generations, earning a loyal following that kept people coming back year after year.
Like so many longtime neighborhood restaurants, The Florentine wasn't flashy. It simply served good food in a comfortable setting, and that was enough to make it a Columbus institution for more than seven decades.
Unfortunately, the restaurant closed its doors in late 2016 after an impressive 71-year run. While the family has continued offering some of its signature sauces and dressings, the restaurant itself is now part of Columbus history.
UPDATE: The Florentine Restaurant permanently closed in December 2016 after serving Columbus for 71 years. The building still stands, but the restaurant's neon sign is gone. Another longtime neighborhood favorite has faded into history. 06-26
Pete's #2 Pizzeria (Rem.)
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy chibbqking
Check out the vintage neon sign at Pete's #2 Pizzeria in Chicago. The glowing marquee proudly announces "Since 1955," letting everyone know this neighborhood favorite has been serving pizza for a long time. 02-09
Pete's traces its roots back to 1955, when the family's first pizzeria opened near the old Riverview Park. Today, the business is still family owned, with the original recipes being passed down through three generations.
While plenty of restaurants have turned to third-party delivery services, Pete's still does things the old-fashioned way. If you want a pizza delivered, you'll be calling the restaurant directly, and one of their own longtime drivers will bring it to your door.
The neon sign is a perfect match for the building and another reminder of the days when neighborhood pizzerias weren't afraid to stand out with a little bright advertising. It's a great-looking sign that's well worth a second look if you're in the area.
UPDATE: Pete's #2 Pizzeria remains open and continues serving Chicago's Northwest Side using the same family recipes that helped build its reputation. The classic neon sign disappears around 2011. 06-26
Lock View Restaurant
Sault Ste Marie, MI Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
If you're spending any time around the Soo Locks, Lockview Restaurant is a great place to stop for a meal. Located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the restaurant sits next door to the Lockview Motel,although the two businesses have always been separately owned. 12-08
One thing that caught my attention was the sign out front. It didn't take much investigating to figure out where the original neon had gone—the same cursive neon script now lights up the restaurant's front window. It's a clever way to preserve a piece of the old sign while giving it a new home.
Lockview is best known for its fresh Lake Superior whitefish and lake perch, with the whitefish prepared several different ways to suit just about everyone. If you happen to be in town on a Friday, you'll find even more whitefish specials on the menu. The upstairs dining room is also a great place to watch the giant freighters make their way through the Soo Locks while you eat.
Good food, a little neon history, and one of the best views in town make this an easy recommendation if you're passing through Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
UPDATE: Lockview Restaurant remains open seasonally across from the Soo Locks and continues serving fresh Lake Superior fish. While the original exterior neon has been modified, the classic cursive neon lettering still survives in the restaurant's front windows. 06-26
The Wheel Family Restaurant Restaurant
Hammond, IN Photo and info courtesy Kevin Heggi
Hammond, Indiana is home to The Wheel Family Restaurant, originally known as The Big Wheel Restaurant. This classic early 1960s diner still lights up Indianapolis Boulevard with its neon sign and remains the last survivor of what was once a small chain of restaurants across Northwest Indiana. 01-09
Back in the day, Big Wheel locations could be found in Hammond, Gary, and Valparaiso, but over the years the others gradually disappeared. The Hammond restaurant shortened its name to simply "The Wheel" in 1985 and has continued serving customers ever since.
The restaurant has all the ingredients of a classic American diner—hearty breakfasts served all day, generous portions, fresh-baked rolls, and plenty of comfort food. Whether you're stopping in for breakfast, lunch, or a late-night meal, it's easy to see why The Wheel has remained a local favorite for so many years.
The updated neon sign may not be the original, but it still gives the restaurant plenty of roadside appeal. With the other Big Wheel locations now gone, it's nice to see this one still carrying on the tradition.
UPDATE: The Wheel Family Restaurant remains open in Hammond and continues serving customers from its longtime location. The neon sign still survives, making this the last remaining restaurant from the original Big Wheel chain. 06-26
Barringer's Tavern
Indianapolis, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
Indianapolis is home to this eye-catching neon sign outside Barringer's Tavern, a longtime neighborhood gathering place on South Meridian Street. The glowing "Beer" and "Lunch" lettering makes this one of those signs that's hard to drive past without taking a second look. 01-09
Barringer's has been part of the neighborhood since 1879, making it one of the oldest taverns in Indianapolis. Years ago it marked the end of the city's southbound trolley line, earning the nickname "Last Chance" because it was the final stop to grab a bite or a drink before heading out of town.
Like many old taverns, Barringer's has plenty of stories to tell. During Prohibition it operated as a confectionery while local lore says drinks were quietly passed through a hidden back window. Over the years the property has also housed everything from a bowling alley to a boarding house, adding to its colorful history.
The tavern closed for a time, but fortunately new owners brought it back to life in 2019. Along with restoring the building, they also preserved the classic neon sign that continues to light up South Meridian Street.
UPDATE: Barringer's Tavern remains open and continues serving customers from its historic Indianapolis location. The vintage neon sign has been restored and still shines over South Meridian Street. 06-26
Emil's Steer Inn (Demolished)
Columbus, OH Postcard and info courtesy Michael Sekeres
Check out this nighttime postcard of Emil's Steer Inn, a restaurant that once welcomed travelers along U.S. 40 on the east side of Columbus. The postcard proudly called it "The Nation's newest and most ultra-modern eating place" and encouraged motorists to "Steer out to Emil's Steer Inn." It's easy to see why this place caught people's attention after dark. Here's a look at what Emil's Steer Inn looked like inside. 02-09
Emil's Steer Inn was owned by Emil Windmiller and became a popular stop for sandwiches, pastries, French ice cream, and full meals. Customers were even greeted with complimentary bowls of pickles and sauerkraut while they waited for their food. Downstairs, the bakery turned out fresh pies and pastries that earned plenty of loyal customers over the years.
The postcard also advertised the restaurant as a drive-in, sandwich shop, and restaurant, making it a one-stop destination whether you wanted a quick bite or a full meal. Looking at the building lit up at night, it's hard not to imagine families pulling in after a long day on the road.
Unfortunately, Emil's Steer Inn didn't survive the changing times. The restaurant closed in the 1970s, and the building was eventually demolished. Today, the old roadside landmark has disappeared, leaving only postcards and photographs to remind us it was ever there.
The postcard read "Nationally Known Drive In, Sandwich Shop and Restaurant.
The Nation's newest and most ultra-modern eating place. Dedicated to the serving of delicious food, fine pastries, and rich French ice cream.
A popular slogan here is: "Steer out to Emil's Steer Inn" 4484 East Main Street, U. S. 40 East, Columbus, Ohio". 02-09
UPDATE: Emil's Steer Inn closed in the 1970s and was later demolished. The site has been redeveloped, and the restaurant's distinctive building and signage are gone. Another roadside favorite now lives on only in old postcards and memories. 06-26
The Wheel Family Restaurant Restaurant
