Far East Restaurant
Bakersfield, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Here's the Far
East Restaurant sign in Bakersfield giving off an eerie glow after dark. Well, with a little light shining on it, anyway. The neon wasn't doing the work in this shot, but the old marquee still gave the camera something to catch.
Check out the pagoda-shaped top above the vertical lettering. Quite a look against the night sky. Makes you wonder what this stretch of 18th Street looked like when the tubes were glowing and the restaurant was serving dinner.
Also known as Far East Cafe, the restaurant closed in 2000. The sign had an even earlier life, built for Chinese Village Cafe in 1942 before being remodeled for Far East in 1951. That's when it picked up the pagoda cap.
UPDATE: The sign was saved and donated to the Kern County Museum in 2007, then restored by Center Neon. It now stands in the museum's neon courtyard. Another place to catch the old Far East marquee, with its neon heyday getting a second turn. 09-26
Shaw's Restaurant
Santa Maria, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here's the lit-up marquee for Shaw's Restaurant in Santa Maria, advertising early bird dinners to passing motorists. A good reason to pause along Broadway for a photo. Whether the camera stops leave enough time to catch the early bird is another matter.
Shaw's opened in 1953 and is known for Santa Maria-style barbecue cooked over red oak. A fitting change from another roadside burger while making the rounds through the Central Coast.
UPDATE: A January 2019 fire gutted the restaurant, but Shaw's was rebuilt and began serving takeout again in November 2020. It remains open as Shaw's Steakhouse & Tavern, with the familiar marquee still out front. 09-26
Andre's Giant Burgers
Bakersfield, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Check out Andre's Giant Burgers in Bakersfield. Yep, the burger on the sign looks huge, just as advertised. Quite a sight to catch while making the rounds through the Central Valley. Too bad the portions on this stop didn't quite live up to the roadside billing. Maybe the “giant” part was meant for the sign.
The original Andre's opened in 1955, with the Brundage Lane drive-in following in 1957. The old sign and drive-in look give the camera something to do before finding out how much lunch is actually waiting.
UPDATE: Andre's continues operating on Brundage Lane with its vintage sign still in place. Another original Andre's sign was saved from a former location and is displayed at the Kern County Museum. No burgers served under that one, giant or otherwise. 09-26
Tokyo Gardens (Closed)
Fresno, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Check out Tokyo Gardens Restaurant in Fresno after dark. The illuminated front and roadside sign give this stretch of Fulton Street a little nighttime glow. A good reason to pause for a photo before following the sign toward dinner. Here's the billboard that directs the traveler into the restaurant.
Opened in 1956, Tokyo Garden became a longtime downtown gathering spot for Japanese food and live jazz. Something different to catch on the evening rounds through town.
UPDATE: The restaurant has closed, so this night shot shows the old dining stop during brighter hours. 09-26
Mexicali
Mexican Food
Bakersfield, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Cruising through downtown Bakersfield, check out Mexicali
Mexican Food and its giant red arrow. The green cactus gives the sign a little extra roadside personality, though that sweeping arrow probably has no trouble getting attention on its own. Hungry or not, here's a reason to pull over.
Get a look at the cactus and lettering before following the arrow toward the restaurant. At night, the neon adds another excuse to come back with the camera. Sometimes one daytime stop just doesn't cover everything.
Santos and Trini Gamez started Mexicali in 1941 at Baker and Eureka streets. Trini had already been supplying tortillas and tamales to local customers before the restaurant opened. The family brought that kitchen experience into a business that would keep feeding Bakersfield for generations.
Mexicali
Mexican Food
Bakersfield, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
The 18th Street location opened on July 19, 1957. Inside, the broad wooden ceiling beams and rustic chandeliers offer something else to look at after the sign photos. There's also a second vintage sign near the parking area, so keep the camera handy while making your way around.
UPDATE: Mexicali remains open at its longtime 18th Street location, with the cactus and red arrow still marking the stop. Other Mexicali branches have closed, but this downtown restaurant continues serving. Follow the big arrow if the photo rounds have worked up an appetite. 09-26
Brad's
Pismo Beach, CA Photo courtesy Georg Balandran
Check out the neon fish at Brad's Restaurant in Pismo Beach. Quite a catch for the camera while wandering toward the pier. The sign points out fish and chips, just in case a walk by the ocean has worked up an appetite.
Brad and Helen Phillips opened the restaurant in 1956 after a fire destroyed their earlier hamburger stand, The Hut. The former parking area became a dining patio in 1983. A place to park yourself instead of the car.
UPDATE: Brad's remains open on Pomeroy Avenue, with the neon fish still greeting locals and travelers. Seventy years after opening, there's still a food stop behind the sign. 09-26
The Branding Iron (Closed)
Merced, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Check out The Branding Iron in Merced, with a neon sign that can catch the eye from blocks away. The cowboy and calf give passing travelers a little ranch scene above the street. Worth a stop after dark, then another look in daylight to catch the painted details.
Ray and Marie Williamson opened the restaurant in 1952. The Western theme continued inside, where roughly 200 livestock branding irons decorated the walls. Quite a collection to look over while waiting for dinner.
UPDATE: The restaurant closed and is now the La Finca Branding Iron after long time owners closed and sold the place. The good news is the andmark sign remains on-site. 09-26
Shaw's Restaurant
