Fairlawn Steak House (Gone)
Greenville, OH Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Fairlawn Steak House along Sweitzer Street in Greenville, Ohio also featured an eye-catching roadside sign. The bright green neon marquee, complete with its "Cocktails" panel below, made it one of the more recognizable restaurant signs in town. 09-08
The restaurant opened in 1980 and spent nearly four decades serving steaks and other favorites to locals and visitors. Sitting across from the Darke County Fairgrounds, it was a familiar stop for fairgoers and anyone passing through Greenville.
Unfortunately, the restaurant closed in 2018 when the owners retired. There was hope the sign could be saved, but it was eventually removed after the property changed hands.
UPDATE: The Fairlawn Steak House closed in 2018. The building is now home to a Mexican restaurant, and the vintage neon sign has been removed. 07-26
Colony Restaurant (Gone)
Greenville, OH Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Check out the roadside sign that once stood tall outside of Colony Restaurant in Greenville, Ohio. It was one of those classic downtown restaurant signs that was easy to spot and gave the business plenty of personality. 09-08
The Colony was a longtime family-owned restaurant that became well known for its fried chicken, crinkle-cut fries, and homemade dinner rolls. Inside, it had the feel of a traditional hometown diner, complete with booths and a counter where generations of local residents gathered for a meal.
Unfortunately, both the restaurant and its sign are now gone. It's another reminder of how quickly these familiar roadside landmarks can disappear.
UPDATE: The Colony Restaurant has permanently closed, and the vintage roadside sign has been removed. 07-26
Gary Steak House (Demolished)
Gary, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Gary, Indiana is home to this gem of a sign. Gary Steak House featured a weathered roadside marquee with all the colors and styling you'd expect from the Googie era. Even after years of exposure to the elements, it was still one of those signs that caught your eye. 10-08
The restaurant stood near Ridge Road and Chase Street and was a familiar neighborhood spot for many years. While not much has been documented about its early history, the sign alone made it worth pulling over for a closer look. The bold angles and colorful design are a great reminder of the kind of roadside advertising that once lined busy commercial streets.
Unfortunately, neither the restaurant nor the sign survived.
UPDATE: The Gary Steak House has been demolished, and the Googie-style roadside sign has been removed. The property now sits vacant. 07-26
Harvey's Restaurant (Rem.)
Hammond, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Harvey's Restaurant in Hammond, Indiana features a roadside sign that's definitely starting to show its age. Even with the faded paint and weathered look, it still has plenty of character and fits this old neighborhood diner perfectly. 10-08
Inside, Harvey's has held onto its classic diner feel with a long counter, wood-paneled walls, and the kind of atmosphere that's becoming harder to find. It's a popular breakfast and lunch stop, known for generous portions, hearty comfort food, and plenty of coffee.
Sometimes a sign doesn't have to be perfect to get your attention. A little age and wear can give it just as much personality as a fresh coat of paint.
UPDATE: Harvey's Restaurant is still serving customers in Hammond, and the eye-catching sign is unfortunately now gone. 07-26
The Country Kitchen (Rem.)
Hebron, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Here's The Country Kitchen in Hebron, Indiana. The roadside sign has a nice small-town look to it, and the restaurant was carrying Swift's ice cream when this photo was taken. 10-08
Country Kitchen has the feel of a classic local breakfast and lunch stop, with counter seating, family tables, and plenty of comfort food on the menu. These days it is known more as Country Kitchen Pancake House, serving big breakfasts, skillets, pancakes, waffles, and other diner favorites.
It's always good to see a simple hometown place like this still going. Nothing fancy here, just the kind of stop that keeps a small downtown feeling familiar.
UPDATE: The Country Kitchen is still open in Hebron as Country Kitchen Pancake House. The sign disappeared sometime after 2023. 07-26
Palm's Krystal Bar and Restaurant
Port Huron, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Port Huron, Michigan is home to Palm's Krystal Bar and Restaurant, a longtime favorite known for its famous "Chicken in the Rough." The restaurant's colorful neon chicken sign has been catching the attention of passing motorists for decades and is every bit as memorable as the food inside. 11-08
The restaurant has been serving customers since 1936 and is the last remaining "Chicken in the Rough" franchise in the country. The signature meal hasn't changed much over the years, featuring fried chicken, shoestring potatoes, a hot roll, and honey. It's a simple combination that's kept people coming back for generations.
If you're a fan of vintage neon, the sign alone is worth a stop. Fortunately, both the restaurant and its classic roadside marquee are still going strong.
Palm's Krystal Bar and Restaurant
Port Huron, MI Photo courtesy Alan Culley
UPDATE: Palms Krystal Bar & Grill is still open and serving its famous Chicken in the Rough. The neon chicken sign continues to light up Pine Grove Avenue. 07-26
Fairlawn Steak House (Gone)
Colony Restaurant (Gone)
Gary Steak House (Demolished)
Harvey's Restaurant (Rem.)
The Country Kitchen (Rem.)
