Andy's Diner (Gone)
Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy John Spencer

The railroad cars at Andy’s Diner looked more ready for departure than dinner. Along Seattle’s Fourth Avenue South, the colorful collection and distinctive sign made this a restaurant worth noticing before you ever thought about ordering a steak.

Andy Nagy opened the diner in 1949 with a single railcar. The business moved two blocks south in 1956 and eventually grew to seven cars, including equipment acquired from Seattle City Light. That’s quite an expansion for a restaurant that started without much need for a conventional building.

UPDATE: Andy’s closed in 2008, but the railcars found another dining career as the Orient Express Restaurant. An original Andy’s sign was also preserved by a private collector and loaned for a Seattle sign exhibition. Thankfully, more than photographs survived this particular departure. 07-26

Old Diner
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Jeff Raber

This unidentified Old Diner in Portland had enough coffee shop character to deserve a photograph. The weathered building looked like somewhere that had poured plenty of coffee before the doors closed, although its name and history remain a mystery.

UPDATE: The diner’s identity and present status remain unconfirmed. If you recognize the building or remember its former name, please let me know. A little local knowledge could help put this Portland coffee stop back on the map. 07-26

Bliss' Hot Rod Grill (Gone)
Florence, OR
Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner

Cars on the roof were a pretty good indication that Bliss’ Hot Rod Grill wasn’t an ordinary Oregon Coast restaurant. Inside, more vintage automobiles served as dining booths, making this Highway 101 stop in Florence part hamburger joint and part car show. 01-09

Also known as Bliss’ Route 101 Restaurant & Lounge, the business embraced a 1950s automotive theme with memorabilia and vintage kiddie rides. There was plenty to inspect while waiting for your meal, especially if your idea of restaurant decor included chrome bumpers and tailfins.

UPDATE: The Hot Rod Grill has closed, and the former location at 1179 Highway 101 became Ichiban Chinese & Japanese Restaurant. The cars and automotive theme are gone, leaving photographs to recall the days when the rooftop looked more like a parking lot. 07-26