The Munch Box
Chatsworth, CA
Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo

Here's the Munch Box of Chatsworth. The Munch Box hamburger stand (circa 1956) has been added to the Cultural Heritage Commission's list of historic-cultural monuments. The L.A. Times article says that Councilman Hal Bernson presented the motion to preserve it and even wrote that it's "an integral part of the old Chatsworth community and a direct link with its past. These types of establishments that once abounded virtually no longer exist and are only seen in old photographs or movie clips." The article added that "The red-and-yellow burger stand, with its distinctive jet-age overhang, once sported a hitching post where local equestrians could tie their horses while they downed chili dogs and secret-recipe root beer. Local ranchers Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were among its celebrity patrons. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed the motion, without discussion. More than 1,500 residents signed petitions to save this hamburger stand. Many thanks to Adriene Biondo for info.

A sharp overhang and red-and-yellow exterior give The Munch Box in Chatsworth plenty of roadside character. Check out this little hamburger stand, where the jet-age canopy makes ordering lunch look a bit more interesting. Opened in 1956, it became a familiar stop when the neighborhood still had plenty of ranch land.

The stand once offered a hitching post for customers arriving on horseback. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were among its patrons, giving the place a fitting connection to Chatsworth’s movie-cowboy history. Apparently finding somewhere to park didn’t always involve a car.

UPDATE: The Munch Box remains open. It became a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2003, helping preserve the little stand and its distinctive canopy. Seventy years after opening, there’s still a reason to stop here hungry. 10-26

McDonald's
Downey, CA
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

Golden arches and a running little chef make the McDonald’s in Downey quite a sight for anyone watching the roadside. Check out Speedee on the tall sign, still carrying the identity that came before Ronald McDonald. This hamburger stop has a few more years behind it than the average drive-through.

Opened in August 1953, the restaurant retains the early red-and-white building design with arches rising on either side. The walk-up arrangement recalls the days when customers approached the counter from the parking lot and took their order back to the car.

A fast food section isn't worthy without the rainbow room itself. The golden arches. The Ronald of burgers. Yes, we are talking McDonald's.

McDonald's
Downey, CA
Photo courtesy Louis Di Fazio

There’s also a museum alongside the restaurant, adding another reason to linger after lunch. Between the old building, the sign, and the displays, this corner offers quite a bit of hamburger history in one stop.

UPDATE: The Downey restaurant remains the world’s oldest operating McDonald’s. Its preserved building and Speedee sign continue to give the corner a look from the chain’s earliest years. The arches have had plenty of newer company, but this pair has stayed put. 10-26

George's Burgers
Riverside, CA
Photo courtesy David Carrasco

Here are a couple of photos of the sign and building of Riverside's George's Famous Hamburgers and Tacos. This hamburger stand has been a favorite of Riverside's since the 60's and is still in operation today, serving some of the best hamburgers around. Classic cars often show up here for a visit as well as other vintage vehicles. Many thanks to David Carrasco for info. 08-05

Hamburgers and tacos share the billing at George’s Famous Hamburgers in Riverside. Check out the tall roadside sign, announcing a place where the menu offers more than one answer to a hungry traveler’s question. The stand and its sign make a fitting pair along Magnolia Avenue.

Classic cars have been known to stop here too, adding a little extra scenery to the parking lot. An older automobile beside a familiar hamburger stand makes a convincing reminder of the days when cruising and grabbing something to eat went hand in hand. Sometimes the roadside attraction arrives on four wheels.

George's Burgers
Riverside, CA
Photo courtesy David Carrasco

George’s has a family history behind the counter. George and Zaharoula Alexiou started the business in 1974, and the menu grew to include breakfast, hot pastrami, burgers, and chili cheese fries. Quite a few reasons to pull over, even without a vintage car in the lot.

UPDATE: George’s continues operating as a family-owned drive-in. Its beginnings date to February 1974, giving this Riverside stop more than fifty years of feeding the neighborhood. The old hamburger outing still has a place on Magnolia Avenue. 10-26