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The second entrant is San Diego, California's famous Topsy's Diner from the Hillcrest neighborhood on Washington St. From the classic 60's sign to the greasy food. Topsy's exuded "googie". Here are photos, courtesy of Mark Morrissey, of the Topsy's marquee's last day. Its last day standing guard over its small piece of roadside Americana

Topsy's Diner
San Diego, CA
Photo courtesy Mark Morrissey

A late-night drive along Washington Street once came with a familiar invitation from Topsy's Diner. The tall neon marquee stood above the San Diego coffee shop, its staggered geometric shapes looking right at home along the roadside. Check out this one. The sign alone was worth slowing down for, even if dinner had already been taken care of.

Of course, dinner was a fairly flexible idea at a place that stayed open 24 hours. Topsy's offered a seat for the breakfast crowd, the evening regulars, and those who showed up when most kitchens had called it a night. Somewhere between the last stop of the evening and the first cup of the morning, there was still a meal to be had.

Perhaps the last true "googie" sign in the San Diego area is now history.

Topsy's Diner
San Diego, CA
Photo courtesy Mark Morrissey

Inside were the familiar Formica counters and vinyl booths of a neighborhood diner. Local musicians, night owls, and regular customers kept the place company through the late hours. No elaborate setting needed here. A booth, some coffee, and something off the grill could do the trick.

Alas, all good things must come to an end... and the Topsy's marquee is one of them. Here's the "bucket truck man" taking a swing over to this historic sign.

The menu had its own following, with Monte Cristo sandwiches and knockwurst Reubens among the remembered favorites. For those coming in after a night out, these were a little more substantial than a cup of coffee for the road. Might as well settle in for a while.

Topsy's Diner with bucket truck
San Diego, CA
Photo courtesy Mark Morrissey

Outside, the Googie marquee gave the diner a personality all its own. Its height and offbeat arrangement made the name easy to pick out along the commercial strip. Long before another meal became another memory, the sign was already part of the visit.

Topsy's run ended in late summer 1999, when the diner was demolished and the original marquee came down. The old counters and booths were gone, and Washington Street lost a familiar place to stop when the hour was late but the appetite wasn't quite finished.

UPDATE: The Topsy's sign is now history. 09-99

Topsy's Diner
San Diego, CA
Photo courtesy Mark Morrissey

UPDATE: Shortly after closing, Topsy's became Brian's American Eatery and the sign was reused with the letters for Topsy's replaced by Brian's. In June 2012, Brian's itself closed down after one of the co-owners sold his share which made it difficult financially for the remaining two partners to operate the restaurant and diner. And finally, a restaurant by the name of Great Maple opened at this former location of Topsy's and Brian's by San Diego restaurateur Johnny Rivera. Word is IHOP had been interested in the location after Brian's shut down abruptly in 2012. According to this Eater San Diego article, Great Maple will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. See the menu and restaurant hours at the Great Maple website. 11-13

UPDATE: Brian's American Eatery followed Topsy's at the site and later closed in 2012. Great Maple came afterward, bringing another chapter to the property remembered for its 24-hour diner and towering Googie sign. 10-26

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