Twohey's Restaurant (Demolished)
Alhambra, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Not sure why this crying fella has a pin on his nose at
a restaurant. Twohey's Restaurant was first established in the city of Pasadena in 1943 before moving to its present location in Alhambra in the 1950's. This was a place for car hop service until the late 1970's.
UPDATE: Twohey's was originally a drive-in burger
stand and restaurant complete with roller-skating car hops and window trays. Twohey's
billed itself as the home of the stink-o burger, essentially a hamburger
smothered with grilled onions. The character on the sign is the head
of a waiter logo, who originally carried a tray with stink-o burger
on it, hence the clothespin and tears. The stink-o and other burger
stand fare are still available on the menu but sadly the car hops and
drive-in are long gone and the restaurant has shifted to a family dining
environment. Many thanks to Joseph McLaughlin for
information above. 10-02
UPDATE: The Alhambra building was demolished in 2019. Twohey’s reopened at 424 Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena in October 2020 and remains in operation. 10-26
Chris & Pitts Bar B Q
Downey, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A barbecue stop with something extra overhead, Chris & Pitts in Downey gives motorists along Lakewood Boulevard a reason to look up. Its oversized sauce-bottle sign takes the restaurant’s familiar product and turns it into roadside advertising. Apparently a bottle on the table wasn’t going to reach enough customers.
The business began in South Gate in 1949, founded by Chris Pelonis and Morris Pittman. It grew into a Southern California chain, bringing ribs, steaks, and its signature barbecue sauce to generations of neighborhood diners. The Pelonis family took full ownership in 1963.
An unverified tale describes metal tongs scraping an empty grill after closing, accompanied by a sudden wave of heat and smoky aroma. Really? Perhaps an old pitmaster wasn’t quite ready to call it a night.
UPDATE: Chris & Pitts remains open in Downey. Following the Bellflower restaurant’s closure in September 2026, this Lakewood Boulevard survivor became the chain’s last remaining location. Fortunately, its long Southern California barbecue story still has a place at the table. 10-26
Tolteca Mexican Foods
Azusa, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
This neon sign for Tolteca features a tamale creatively places in the midst of a sign arrow. The first restaurant first opened in 1967 by Ben Arrietta Sr. The
neon still is in great condition.
Ben Arrietta Sr. started the business in 1948 as a corn tortilla factory. The family added a small dining area in 1967, expanded in 1981, and moved again in 2008. Fortunately, the familiar neon sign went along.
Saving the marquee kept a recognizable greeting through the change of address. Apparently gaining a larger kitchen didn’t require retiring the old dinner announcement.
UPDATE: La Tolteca remains open on North Azusa Avenue, with the Arrietta family continuing its restaurant and tortilla-making traditions. The business reaches 78 years in 2026. 10-26
Among the lights at the Pomona Fairgrounds, Ernie’s BarB-Q offered a neon invitation to stop for dinner. With so much competing for a fairgoer’s attention, apparently the barbecue aroma needed a little assistance overhead.
Ernie’s stood near the Food Circle, which dated to 1939. Its permanent concessions became familiar stops for generations of visitors, with the neon adding another attraction after dark. The Food Circle was razed in December 2009, taking Ernie’s and neighboring favorites such as Toad in the Hole and Pie A La Mode out of their longtime settings.
An unverified tale describes barbecue-scented warm air and metal tongs clattering near the former stand after midnight. Really? Perhaps an old pitmaster still had an order to finish.
UPDATE: The Food Circle at the La County Fairplex was razed in December 2009 and replaced by temporary structures. Also gone are other fairplex favorites such as the Toad in the Hole and Pie A La Mode. 04-10
UPDATE: Ernie’s permanent fairgrounds stand is gone. Temporary concessions replaced the old Food Circle, ending a familiar chapter of dining beneath the neon. 10-26
Toad in the Hole (Demolished)
Pomona Fairplex Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
A name like Toad in the Hole gave visitors to the Pomona Fairgrounds something to consider before reaching the counter. Its neon marquee helped this longtime eatery stand out after dark. Hopefully nobody expected an actual toad to take the order.
The permanent stand belonged to the historic Food Circle, where returning fairgoers could find familiar dining stops between exhibits and rides. For sign hunters, dinner came with another illuminated attraction overhead.
Redevelopment threatened the stand as early as 2000. The Food Circle ultimately came down in December 2009, removing several favorite concessions together.
UPDATE: The Food Circle at the La County Fairplex was razed in December 2009 and replaced by temporary structures. Also gone are other fairplex favorites such as the Ernie's BarB-Q and Pie A La Mode. 04-10
UPDATE: The permanent Toad in the Hole stand is gone following the December 2009 demolition. Its memorable name and neon greeting recall a favorite part of the old fairgrounds. 10-26
Talpa Mexican Food
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Georg Balandran
The neon figure beneath the cactus at Talpa
Mexican Food looks like he found a comfortable place to settle down. Along West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, the sign gives passing motorists a little scene to admire before deciding what to eat. Apparently the fellow saw no reason to leave his spot.
The cactus and resting figure turn a restaurant announcement into something with personality. The name gets the business across, but the little character gives sign hunters another detail to remember. Hopefully he isn’t occupying the only available shade.
The family-owned restaurant has served the neighborhood since 1962. Its long history makes a meal stop here part of a tradition stretching back more than six decades, with Mexican food and a familiar roadside greeting sharing the same address.
An unverified tale describes a human-shaped shadow stepping away from the sign on stormy nights and pacing near the entrance, then disappearing when a car horn sounds. Really? Perhaps even a longtime neon resident needs to stretch occasionally.
UPDATE: The Talpa continues operating on West Pico Boulevard, maintaining the family restaurant tradition established in 1962. This longtime West Los Angeles food stop reaches 64 years in 2026. 10-26
The Hat
Monterey Park, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Pastrami and neon make an appealing combination at The Hat in Monterey Park. The familiar hat-shaped marquee gives hungry motorists something to watch for, while the menu supplies a reason to pull into the parking lot. Apparently headwear can work up an appetite.
This location belongs to the Southern California restaurant family that began in Alhambra in 1951. The original stand remains at Garfield Avenue and Valley Boulevard, while Monterey Park has its own stop on Atlantic Boulevard.
Pastrami dips are the main attraction, joined by burgers and generous orders of fries. Adding chili and cheese can turn a quick snack into something that might require reinforcements.
An unverified tale describes a silent customized coupe appearing in the empty lot after midnight, then disappearing beneath the marquee. Really? Perhaps the driver remembered the pastrami but forgot the opening hours.
UPDATE: The Hat remains open on South Atlantic Boulevard at Riggin Street in Monterey Park. Its listed daily service continues until 1 a.m., keeping pastrami available for the evening crowd. 10-26
Ernie's (Gone)
Toad in the Hole (Demolished)
The Hat
