Majestic Restaurant
Alexandria, VA
Photo courtesy Joyce Kerrigan

The Majestic Restaurant catches the eye along King Street in Old Town Alexandria with its tall neon sign and streamlined Art Deco facade. The restaurant first opened in 1932 and moved to this location in 1949, becoming a familiar stop for generations of diners.

After closing in 1978, the building sat empty for more than twenty years before restoration and reopening in 2001. Inside the front window is a special survivor: the restored 1932 neon sign from the original location. The exterior sign was recreated, giving the restaurant a connection to both chapters of its history.

UPDATE: The Majestic remains open under new ownership, with its neon continuing to welcome diners along King Street. Good to see this Alexandria landmark enjoying another chapter. 08-26

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

The Southern Grill on North Broadway in Knoxville welcomed hungry customers with a vintage neon sign and the promise of a Southern breakfast. Its modest appearance fit the neighborhood diner inside, where counter stools and an old tin ceiling added to the character.

Biscuits and gravy were among the favorites, drawing neighborhood regulars, nearby workers, and local television crews. The counter offered a familiar place to settle in with breakfast and coffee before getting on with the day.

UPDATE: Southern Grill has been closed for many years, and its familiar neon sign is gone. This photo recalls another of Knoxville's old neighborhood breakfast stops. 08-26

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

Looking for oysters? The Pearl on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans advertised a fitting destination beneath its glowing marquee. Serving oysters and seafood since the late 1920s, the restaurant became a longtime downtown stop for lunch and dinner.

Inside were classic diner touches and plenty of neon, while the hanging sign added its own glow to the street outside. With streetcars passing along St. Charles Avenue, the restaurant offered a memorable setting for a meal or a quick roadside photograph.

UPDATE: The Pearl closed in September 2015 after more than eighty years in business. Its familiar sign still hangs above St. Charles Avenue, keeping a little of the old restaurant's presence along the street. 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 traced its history to 1909 and later became a popular 24-hour stop near the railroad terminal now known as the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The frogs gave the marquee a personality all its own, making the restaurant memorable even to motorists who never stopped for a meal.

UPDATE: Ellis Restaurant closed in 1979. Restored frogs returned to the marquee in 2017, bringing back part of the famous display, although the sign no longer lights up. 08-26