Waddle's (Gone)
Portland, OR Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Few roadside signs were as impossible to ignore as Waddle's. Long before you reached the restaurant, the giant neon clock and glowing message telling you to "Eat Now at Waddle's" would catch your eye and practically make the decision for you. After blinking a few times to make sure you really saw it, you'd find yourself pulling into the parking lot just to see what all the fuss was about. 12-06
The coffee shop opened in 1945 and became one of Portland's best-known roadside landmarks for travelers crossing Hayden Island. Designed in a clean mid-century style, the restaurant looked every bit the part of a classic highway stop. The real star, though, was the towering neon sign with its cheerful duckling and unmistakable slogan. It was the kind of sign kids watched for from the back seat while parents figured out whether it was close enough to lunchtime.
Waddle's (Gone)
Portland, OR Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Waddle's built a loyal following over the years with hearty meals, fresh coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere. Even people who never stopped there usually remembered driving past the sign. It became one of those familiar sights that let you know you were entering Portland.
When Waddle's closed in 2004, the building lived on under new restaurants, including Hooter's Restaurant. The famous sign survived the transition, but the duckling, lettering, and much of its original personality were removed during the remodeling. Even so, if you knew the original, it was hard not to recognize the old framework and oversized clock standing along the highway.
UPDATE 01/09 : Hooter's is located off the highway in Portland. This Hooters took over from Waddles Restaurant, a Portland landmark for many years. 01-09
Hooters (Gone)
Portland, WA Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
UPDATE: The building is now occupied by another restaurant. The historic sign still stands, although it has been heavily altered and no longer resembles the original Waddle's landmark that greeted travelers for so many years. 07-26
I still remember driving up and down the highway several times, trying to capture the perfect photo of the giant "Eat Now at Waddle's" sign before finally pulling into the parking lot. When Hooters arrived, I found myself repeating the same routine, photographing the changes and realizing another familiar roadside landmark was entering a new chapter. Looking back, I'm glad I made those extra passes. They preserved a little piece of roadside history that has continued to evolve over the years. I'll be sharing more photos soon, including several from the Hooters era. 07-26
Ming Wah Restaurant
Spokane, WA Photo courtesy Josh Hudgens / 2007
The Ming Wah Restaurant is a typical old Chinese restaurant, having seen better days, but still going. 07-07
The vintage Chinese restaurant may have seen better days, but that's part of what makes it so appealing. Its classic neon sign has been catching the attention of Spokane motorists for decades, making it one of those places that's easy to remember after you've driven by.
There's nothing flashy about Ming Wah. The familiar booths, traditional decor, and old-school atmosphere feel like they belong to another era when neighborhood Chinese restaurants were found in just about every town. It's the kind of place where the sign outside tells you almost everything you need to know.
In 2020, a powerful windstorm knocked the landmark sign to the ground. Fortunately, the community rallied behind the restaurant, raising the money needed to restore it. Today the vintage neon is glowing once again, welcoming customers just as it has for generations.
UPDATE: Ming Wah Restaurant is still serving Spokane, and its beautifully restored neon sign once again lights up West Third Avenue. 07-26
One of the most unusual sights along East Sprague Avenue was Peking Garden. Even after the restaurant burned to the ground, its vintage roadside sign continued standing over an empty lot as if it were patiently waiting for the building to come back. Many thanks to Josh Hudgens for info. 07-07
Peking Garden had been serving Spokane since the early 1970s before a devastating fire destroyed the restaurant in 2004. While the building disappeared, the colorful multi-level neon sign somehow survived. For months it stood alone, becoming an unexpected landmark and a reminder of what had once been there.
Fortunately, the story didn't end there. The restaurant was rebuilt later that year, and the old sign was brought back to life, once again greeting motorists along Sprague Avenue. It was the perfect example of how a familiar roadside sign can become just as important as the building itself.
UPDATE: The restaurant now operates as Happiness Chinese Restaurant. The original roadside sign still stands, although it has been updated with the new name. 07-26
Dick's Hamburgers
Spokane, WA Photo and info courtesy Josh Hudgens / 2007
Some roadside signs become as much a landmark as the restaurant itself, and Dick's Hamburgers is one of them. The colorful sign with its familiar panda and rooster has been welcoming hungry Spokane motorists for generations. 07-07
Built in the mid-1960s, Dick's still has the feel of a classic walk-up burger stand. Picnic tables, burgers by the bag full, and a great Googie-style sign make it the kind of place that's worth pulling over for, whether you're hungry or simply appreciate old roadside Americana.
Despite the name, this Dick's has no connection to the famous Seattle chain. It's been a Spokane favorite for decades, and thankfully very little has changed.
UPDATE: Dick's Hamburgers is still serving customers beneath one of Spokane's best-known roadside signs. 07-26
Brown Derby Tavern
Spokane, WA Photo and info courtesy Josh Hudgens / 2007
The Brown Derby is a "quaint" neighborhood tavern with a great neon sign. 07-07
The bright red neon at Brown Derby Tavern has been drawing people into Spokane's Garland District for generations. It's the kind of neighborhood tavern that looks right at home beneath an old neon sign.
Opened shortly after Prohibition ended, the Brown Derby has become one of Spokane's longtime gathering spots. Inside is a colorful mural painted in 1950 featuring many of the tavern's regular customers, giving the place even more personality.
Whether you're stopping in for a drink or just admiring the vintage neon from the sidewalk, the Brown Derby is another reminder that some of the best roadside signs are attached to the places locals have loved for decades.
UPDATE: The Brown Derby Tavern is still open, and its classic neon sign continues to light up the Garland District. 07-26
