In-N-Out Burger (Demolished)
Baldwin Park, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A yellow arrow and an old clock give In-N-Out Burger in Baldwin Park a familiar roadside introduction. Check out the vintage neon, which had plenty of work to do before the chain’s name became recognizable across the West. Whether the clock kept time or not, the arrow knew where hungry motorists should go.
Harry and Esther Snyder opened their first stand in Baldwin Park in 1948. The little drive-through helped establish a routine that would become second nature to Southern California motorists: order from the car, pull ahead, and leave with lunch.
UPDATE: The first stand was lost to freeway construction, and its replacement closed in 2004 before being demolished in April 2011. A replica of the 1948 stand opened in 2014, while vintage signage survives in Baldwin Park. There’s still some early In-N-Out history to admire between burger stops. 10-26
Bun n' Burger
Alhambra, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Some detailed neon gives Bun n’ Burger in Alhambra a welcome bit of sparkle above the entrance. Check out the lettering and the little figure worked into the display. There’s more going on here than a simple announcement that hamburgers are available, with glowing lines giving the sign a show of its own.
Opened in 1941, the restaurant has watched Main Street change around it while keeping its familiar look. The curved Moderne building and elaborate sign make a good pair, giving roadside visitors something to admire before heading inside. Newer development may have arrived nearby, but this little diner still knows how to catch the eye.
Bun n' Burger
Alhambra, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Despite the name, burgers aren’t the whole story. Tamales and other American and Mexican dishes have also been part of the attraction. Between the food and the neon, there are a few reasons to linger at this longtime neighborhood stop. Apparently the sign didn’t have enough room to list them all.
UPDATE: Bun n’ Burger remains open, continuing its long run on Main Street. Its distinctive neon display survives, keeping this 1940s restaurant among Alhambra’s memorable roadside food stops. Eighty-five years after opening, the old diner still has something to offer hungry travelers and neon fans alike. 10-26
Tom's Burgers East Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Georg Balandran
A hamburger is only the beginning at Tom’s Burgers in East Los Angeles. Check out the stacked roadside sign, where burgers, French dips, pastrami, and tacos each get their own announcement. Apparently one sign cabinet wasn’t going to cover everything coming out of this kitchen.
The script Tom’s lettering tops the display, with the other specialties arranged below on an angled blue framework. Rectangular panels and an oval taco sign give the whole thing a little variety. Quite a menu to read before ever reaching the order window.
Established in 1956, Tom’s belongs to the longtime neighborhood burger stands that expanded their offerings while keeping the familiar name. A customer could arrive thinking about a cheeseburger and leave with a pastrami sandwichinstead. The sign gives fair warning that choosing lunch might take a moment.
UPDATE Tom’s remains open on East First Street, continuing its run of burgers, sandwiches, and Mexican dishes. The multi-tier roadside sign also survives, with changes to its paint and lighting over the years. Seventy years after the business began, there’s still plenty being advertised above the sidewalk. 10-26
Chuck Burgers (Gone)
North Hollywood, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A rather large sign did the announcing at Chuck Burgers in North Hollywood. Check out the oversized roadside display, giving the little restaurant plenty of presence above the traffic. The teriyaki lettering suggests hamburgers weren’t the only thing coming off the grill. Apparently the menu had branched out while the burger name stayed overhead.
The building dates to 1961 and borrowed its design from the early McDonald’s style. The low roof and angled storefront gave it that familiar roadside hamburger-stand look, built for customers arriving by car and looking for a quick bite.
Above it all, the big sign made sure the modest building didn’t disappear among its neighbors. Quite a bit of advertising for a little food stop, and another worthwhile find for anyone keeping an eye on the Valley’s older restaurant signs.
UPDATE: Chuck Burgers has closed, but the building survived and later became Lit Sushi. The building and sign were painted black, giving the old burger stop another look. The date of the change has not been confirmed. Burgers gave way to sushi, but the familiar roadside framework found another job. 10-26
Capitol Burgers (Gone)
Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A weathered marquee gave Capitol Burgers in Los Angeles the look of a stand that had served quite a few lunches. Check out the old sign, which seemed content to keep announcing burgers without dressing up for the occasion.
Opened in 1965 by George Stamos, the Pico Boulevard stop became a neighborhood fixture. His son John later continued the family business, serving customers from the modest walk-up stand. The little building and well-worn sign fit comfortably into the everyday routine of stopping for a burger.
UPDATE: Capitol Burgers served its last meals on December 22, 2018, after 53 years in business. The kitchen equipment was removed days later, ending the family’s long run. The old roadside burger stop had finally finished its last order. 10-26
McDonald's
San Bernardino, CA Photo courtesy Georg Balandran
Check out this look-see at a mystery McDonald's location. The signpost
still says "15 cents." Is this gem a relic or a flashback to
a relic?
Fifteen-cent hamburgers? The McDonald’s sign in San Bernardino certainly gets a second look with that announcement. Check out the old lettering, recalling a time when a few coins could cover a quick meal. Best to admire the price rather than expect it at the counter today.
The sign stands at the site where Dick and Mac McDonald opened their restaurant in 1940 and introduced their streamlined hamburger operation in 1948. The smaller menu and faster service helped turn an ordinary restaurant stop into something that would change the roadside dining routine.
Mc Donald's
San Bernardino, CA Photo courtesy Chris & Ginger
There’s quite a difference between this early announcement and the familiar golden arches found everywhere today. The price and self-service lettering tell their own story, giving visitors a little of the original sales pitch. Apparently a hamburger didn’t need an elaborate name when fifteen cents could do the advertising.
UPDATE: The original restaurant building was demolished in 1971. Albert Okura purchased the property in 1998 and established an unofficial McDonald’s museum, which continues to welcome visitors with memorabilia from the chain’s long history. The fifteen-cent sign remains part of the roadside attraction, even though the bargain belongs to another era. 10-26
Bun n' Burger
Bun n' Burger
Tom's Burgers
Chuck Burgers (Gone)
Capitol Burgers (Gone)
McDonald's
Mc Donald's
