Majestic Restaurant
Alexandria, VA
Photo courtesy Joyce Kerrigan

Strolling along King Street, it's hard not to notice the glowing neon at Majestic Restaurant. The tall vertical sign has been a familiar sight in Old Town Alexandria for years, giving the restaurant the kind of classic roadside appeal that seems to belong to another era. Even if you weren't looking for a place to eat, the sign alone is enough to make you stop for a closer look.

The Majestic first opened in 1932 before moving to this location in 1949. Its streamlined Art Deco facade and bright neon have helped make it one of King Street's best-known landmarks ever since. The restaurant closed in 1978, and for more than twenty years the building sat empty before being carefully restored and reopened in 2001.

One nice surprise waits inside the front window. The original 1932 neon sign from the restaurant's first location was saved and restored, giving visitors a chance to see an authentic piece of the Majestic's early history while the recreated exterior sign continues lighting up the street outside.

UPDATE: The Majestic remains open today under new ownership, and its restored neon continues welcoming diners to King Street. 08-26

Southern Grill (Gone)
Knoxville, TN
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

Hungry travelers once had plenty of reasons to pull over at Southern Grill. The classic roadside diner on North Broadway had all the ingredients of a neighborhood favorite, including a vintage neon sign that welcomed customers looking for a good Southern breakfast. From the outside, it looked like the kind of place that had been feeding Knoxville for generations.

Step inside and you'd find a traditional diner complete with a row of counter stools, an old tin ceiling, and the sort of friendly atmosphere that kept regulars coming back morning after morning. Biscuits and gravy were among the house favorites, and the restaurant became a popular breakfast stop for everyone from neighborhood residents to employees at nearby businesses and even local television crews.

By the time this photo was taken, the Southern Grill already felt like a throwback to an earlier era of roadside dining. Places like this weren't flashy, but they didn't need to be. Sometimes a simple neon sign, a hot breakfast, and a cup of coffee were all it took to build a loyal following.

UPDATE: Southern Grill has been closed for many years, and the familiar roadside sign is gone. 08-26

The Pearl (Closed)
New Orleans, LA
Photo courtesy Chris Richey

Looking for a good plate of oysters? A place called The Pearl seems like a pretty safe bet. The glowing marquee hanging over St. Charles Avenue made this longtime New Orleans favorite easy to spot, especially after dark when the neon added another splash of color to the downtown streets. It was the kind of sign that fit right in with the city's lively atmosphere.

The Pearl had been serving oysters and seafood since the late 1920s, making it one of downtown's longtime lunch and dinner spots. Inside, the restaurant had a retro feel with plenty of neon and classic diner touches, while outside the sign quietly invited another generation of hungry customers through the front door.

Take a walk down St. Charles Avenue after sunset and it's easy to see why this sign became so memorable. Between the passing streetcars and the glow of downtown, The Pearl was one more reason to slow down and enjoy the sights before moving on to the next stop.

UPDATE: The Pearl closed in September 2015 after more than 80 years in business. Although the restaurant is gone, its familiar sign still hangs above St. Charles Avenue. 08-26

Ellis Restaurant (Closed)
Chattanooga, TN
Photo courtesy Steve/Back on Tack

It is a hopping shame that his place sunk. All that remains of the Ellis Restaurant are traces of neon frogs which once must have jumped across there marquee. The defunct eatery is part of a row of boarded buildings along Chestnut Street in Chattanooga, TN. Directly across, is the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel where guests have the opportunity to sleep in converted railroad cars. Many thanks to Steve/Back on Tack for info.

The restaurant dated back to 1909 and later moved to this busy location, where it became a popular 24-hour stop known for everything from steaks to fried frog legs. Those frog legs inspired the animated neon frogs that once "jumped" across the marquee, making it one of downtown Chattanooga's most unforgettable signs.

UPDATE: Ellis Restaurant closed in 1979. Restored versions of the famous frogs were returned to the marquee in 2017, but the sign no longer lights up. 08-26