 Ferguson's Fountain Cafe
Spokane, WA
Photo courtesy Josh Hudgens / 2007
Movie fans may recognize Ferguson's Fountain Cafe from Benny & Joon, but even without its Hollywood connection, it's the kind of diner that makes you want to stop for a cup of coffee. With its vintage sign and classic storefront, it fits the Garland District perfectly. 07-07
The cafe has been serving Spokane since the 1930s and still feels like an old neighborhood gathering place. Inside you'll find a traditional soda fountain, checkerboard floors, cozy booths, and the kind of atmosphere that seems to belong to another era.
While Benny & Joon brought Ferguson's some well-deserved attention, it's the timeless look of the place that keeps drawing people in. If it seems familiar, there's a good chance you've seen it on the big screen.
UPDATE: Ferguson's Fountain Cafe remains open after being carefully restored following a 2011 fire. 07-26
 Stop N Go Family Drive-in (Closed)
Spokane, WA
Photo courtesy Josh Hudgens / 2007
The bright red sign at Stop N Go Family Drive-in was hard to miss along North Wall Street. It had all the makings of a classic neighborhood burger stand, inviting motorists to pull in for a quick meal before heading on their way. 07-07
Known locally as Stop N Go Family Drive-In, the little restaurant had been serving Spokane for years with simple comfort food in a classic drive-in setting. It was the kind of place that became part of the neighborhood, where generations of customers stopped for a quick meal and familiar faces.
The drive-in closed in 2015, ending its run as one of Spokane's longtime roadside burger stands. Soon afterward, the building found a new life as Lost Boys' Garage Bar & Grill, and while the familiar roadside sign disappeared, the old drive-in structure continued serving customers. Today, the building is home to Hangry's, proving that nearly 70 years after it was built, it's still doing what it was designed to do—feeding hungry people.
UPDATE: The original Family Drive-In closed in 2015. The vintage sign is gone, but the building survives and now operates as Hangry's North Spokane. 07-26
 Buster's Barbecue
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
As the sun begins to set, the neon at Buster's Barbecue starts doing exactly what a good roadside sign is supposed to do—make you hungry. It's hard to drive past without wondering if there's a plate of ribs or brisket waiting inside. 01-09
Founded in 1982 by two brothers raised in Texas, Buster's brought authentic Texas-style barbecue to the Portland area. Hickory-smoked meats, homemade sides, and generous portions have made it a favorite stop for barbecue fans ever since.
The glowing roadside sign is still one of the restaurant's best features, standing out along the highway and inviting hungry travelers to pull in. Sometimes a great neon sign is all the advertising a restaurant needs.
UPDATE: Buster's Barbecue is still serving Texas-style barbecue beneath its classic roadside neon sign. 07-26
 Hong Kong Restaurant (Gone)
Victoria, B.C.
Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
The bright neon at Hong Kong Restaurant leaves little chance of driving by without noticing it. Even among the lights of the city, the colorful sign stands out, reflecting off the boulevard and giving the restaurant plenty of nighttime appeal. 01-09
It's the kind of classic Chinese restaurant sign that once seemed to be found in every city, inviting hungry travelers inside with glowing neon instead of flashy advertising. Whether you stopped for dinner or simply admired the sign from the street, it was another reminder that some of the best roadside attractions weren't attractions at all.
UPDATE: The Hong Kong Restaurant has since closed. The current status of the neon sign is unknown. 07-26
 Denny's Restaurant
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
There's something comforting about spotting a Denny's Restaurant sign after a long day on the road. It may not be unique to one town, but that familiar neon has probably convinced more than a few travelers to pull off the highway for a late-night meal. 01-09
This Portland location still had the classic Denny's look, complete with the distinctive roadside sign glowing at dusk. For years those signs became a familiar sight along highways across America, promising coffee, breakfast at any hour, and a place to stretch your legs before getting back on the road.
Sometimes it's the independent diners that become roadside landmarks. Other times it's a well-known chain with a sign that feels just as much a part of the trip. For many travelers, Denny's has always been one of those dependable stops.
UPDATE: Denny's continues to serve travelers throughout the Portland area, although the classic neon signs have largely been replaced with modern versions. 07-26 |
 Mary's Club
Portland, WA
Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
The bright blue neon at Mary's Club has been turning heads in downtown Portland for decades. Even if you weren't planning to stop, the glowing script and dancing figure made it one of those signs that was hard to ignore after dark. 01-09
Mary's has been a Portland fixture since the 1960s, making it the city's oldest continuously operating strip club. Like many classic downtown neon signs, it became as much a part of the streetscape as the business itself, glowing above generations of late-night visitors.
One bit of good news is that the famous sign wasn't lost when the club moved. The original neon made the trip to its new location, allowing one of Portland's best-known signs to keep lighting up the night.
UPDATE: Mary's Club continues operating at its new Burnside Street location, where its historic neon sign once again greets visitors after dark. 07-26
 Crepe de France
Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
The neon at Crepe de France may not be vintage, but it still manages to catch your eye as you wander through Seattle's Pike Place Market. The little glowing Eiffel Tower adds just the right touch, making it easy to spot among the market's maze of shops and restaurants. 01-09
Since opening in 1991, Crepe de France has been serving sweet and savory crepes from its cozy corner inside the market. It feels like one of those places you discover while exploring rather than planning to visit, and that's part of its charm.
The sign may be newer than many of the classic neon displays around the Northwest, but it fits right in. Sometimes all it takes is a little glowing Eiffel Tower to make you stop and take a second look.
UPDATE: Crepe de France continues serving customers from its longtime home inside Pike Place Market. 07-26
 Overlook Restaurant (Demolished)
Portland, WA
Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
The colorful neon at Overlook Restaurant was hard to miss as you drove through North Portland. Bright lettering stretched across the front of the building, doing exactly what good neon has always done—catching your eye and making you wonder if it was time for a meal. 01-09
For more than 40 years, the Overlook was a neighborhood favorite known for hearty breakfasts, comfort food, and generous portions. It wasn't fancy, and it didn't need to be. Places like this earned their reputation one regular customer at a time, while the glowing neon welcomed newcomers from the street.
UPDATE: The Overlook Restaurant closed in 2018, and the building has since been demolished for new development. The colorful neon sign is gone. 07-26
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