 Mexicali Rose Restaurant (Closed)
Oakland, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
It is hard not to notice a restaurant with a name like Mexicali Rose, especially when the stomach starts growling during a long road trip. The bright neon lettering and rose motif stood out nicely against the restaurant’s unmistakable pink building in downtown Oakland. 09-09
The Gomez family opened Mexicali Rose in 1927 and operated it for four generations. By the time it closed, it was Oakland’s oldest Mexican restaurant. The little pink building survived nearly a century of changes around the neighborhood, including the arrival of BART tracks and the nearby police headquarters.
UPDATE: Mexicali Rose closed on June 29, 2018, after 91 years. Rather than sell to developers who wanted to demolish the building, the family found new operators who would preserve its history. The space reopened as For The Culture. The pink exterior, historic artwork, and repaired Mexicali Rose neon sign all survive. 09-26
 Pagano's Sports Bar (Gone)
San Lorenzo, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Cruising along Washington Avenue, check out the pair of neon martini glasses outside Pagano's Sports Bar. Although this photo was originally identified as San Lorenzo, the bar actually stood just across the border in San Leandro. One glowing cocktail might have been enough to attract thirsty motorists, but Pagano’s apparently believed in having a backup. 09-09
The twin martini glasses flashed above the boulevard, helping the otherwise ordinary neighborhood tavern stand out after dark. They were especially effective at catching the attention of workers and truck drivers making their way through this industrial stretch of the East Bay.
 Pagano's Sports Bar
San Lorenzo, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Pagano’s was a longtime working-class hangout known as a Teamster bar because of its popularity with members of nearby Local 70. The dimly lit interior had a long central bar, jukeboxes, and several pool tables that could be rented by the hour. Pagano’s even kept enough cash on hand to cash workers’ paychecks on Friday nights, making the bar a regular stop before the weekend began.
UPDATE: Pagano’s closed following the death of its owner. The building was remodeled and repurposed as a child daycare and early learning center, which is quite a change from its former life as a neighborhood tavern. Both neon martini glasses have been removed, and their whereabouts are unknown. 09-26 |
 Texas Size Burgers (Closed)
Lodi, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
With a name like Texas Size Burgers, this little Lodi eatery seemed to promise some hefty portions. The tiny walk-up building may not have been Texas-sized, but its glowing neon lettering did a good job of catching attention after dark. 09-09
The drive-thru burger shack later became La Parrilla and then La Taquiza as the menu shifted toward Mexican food.
UPDATE: The original building survives as Taqueria Mexico. The Texas Size Burgers neon sign was removed during one of the changes, and its fate remains unknown. 09-26
 Joe's of Westlake
Daly City, CA
Photos courtesy Scott Strickland
Stopping in Daly City, check out the vintage neon for Joe’s of Westlake. The restaurant opened in 1956 and became a longtime destination for Italian-American food served in an old-fashioned setting. With its glowing sign and sprawling mid-century building, Joe’s looked like the sort of place where dinner could easily stretch into the rest of the evening. 09-09
Bruno Scatena opened Joe’s in the Westlake neighborhood developed by Henry Doelger. The restaurant became known for charcoal-broiled burgers, house-made ravioli, calamari steaks, and prime steaks, all served from an open kitchen that kept the action visible from the dining room.
 Joe's of Westlake
Daly City, CA
Photos courtesy Scott Strickland
The original family sold the restaurant in 2014 to the Duggan family, owners of Original Joe’s in San Francisco. Joe’s closed for two years while the building received a major renovation, though its lounge, dining rooms, open kitchen, and familiar mid-century atmosphere were carefully preserved.
UPDATE: The restaurant reopened in February 2016 as Original Joe’s Westlake and remains busy today. Its original neon signs were restored and continue welcoming diners to this Daly City landmark. 09-26 |
 Pee Wee's Pizza (Gone)
San Leandro, CA
Photos courtesy Scott Strickland
Traveling along East 14th Street in San Leandro, check out the neon chef above Pee Wee’s Pizza. The whimsical sign outlined his hat and face in neon, with the restaurant’s name glowing below. By the time of this photo, however, the pizza parlor had been closed for several years following a major fire. The sign remained outside, keeping watch over the empty building. 09-09
The Caselli family opened Pee Wee’s in 1953, and the neighborhood pizza parlor became a favorite for generations of San Leandro families. Rosa Caselli made the pizza sauce and meatballs from scratch. A generous coating of olive oil went into the baking pans, giving the crust its distinctive almost-fried texture. It may not have been the lightest pizza in town, but nobody was stopping here for a salad.
 Pee Wee's Pizza
San Leandro, CA
Photos courtesy Scott Strickland
A fire swept through the restaurant on August 22, 2006, causing extensive damage. The owner’s fire insurance had recently lapsed, leaving little money available for rebuilding. Loyal customers organized benefits, comedy nights, and other fundraisers in hopes of bringing Pee Wee’s back, but the restaurant never recovered.
UPDATE: The building reopened as a Papa Johns franchise in 2010. The old Pee Wee’s sign structure was reused, but its lettering was replaced and the neon chef was gradually covered by modern plastic panels. A little of the original framework survives, although most of its character is now hidden. 09-26 |
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