Bob's Big Boy
Toluca Lake,
CA Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Here's the famous Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake as seen at dusk. This Bob's Big Boy barely survived the wrecking ball, thanks to hard work and efforts of made by preservationists and the local community back in the 1990's. 01-07
Old Tony's
Redondo Beach, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A walk along the Redondo Beach Pier comes with a bright greeting from Old Tony's. The familiar neon survived the devastating pier fire of May 27, 1988, and continued lighting up the waterfront. Between the ocean view and the marquee, there’s plenty to admire before dinner arrives. 10-06
Tony Trutanich opened the restaurant in 1952. Its upper, glass-enclosed lounge gives visitors a panoramic look at the Pacific, while the nautical decorations and celebrity photographs supply entertainment closer to the table. A seafood stop with an upstairs ocean lookout certainly has something going for it.
An unverified tale describes a whistling sea captain and the sound of a mug touching down in the empty upper lounge after hours. Really? Perhaps someone was still waiting for another round.
Tony's on the Pier
Redondo Beach, CA Photo courtesy Kirk Maillet
UPDATE: Since 1953, Tony's on the Pier has been a familiar and favorite eating place on the Redondo Beach Pier. Even after the great pier fire in 1988 which destroyed two-thirds of the pier, Old Tony's survived and its neon sign was lit just as bright as before. According to this article, the City is looking to spur revitalization with new investment, so existing businesses like Tony's will not have their long term leases extended. To answer questions or concerns about the fate of Old Tony's on the Pier whose lease expires next February, email the Redondo Beach City Council. Many thanks to Adriene Biondo for alert. 06-11
UPDATE: Old Tony’s remains open on the Redondo Beach Pier, continuing its long run as a waterfront restaurant and cocktail stop. 10-26
Art's Delicatessen
Studio City, CA Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Ventura Boulevard gets a bright evening announcement from Art’s Delicatessen in Studio City. The neon makes this neighborhood deli easy to notice, giving hungry motorists a little advance warning that sandwiches are nearby. Finding dinner probably wasn’t the difficult part. Choosing something once inside might take longer. 12-06
Art and Sandy Ginsburg opened the deli on June 22, 1957. Its proximity to the studios helped make it a gathering place for entertainment-industry customers, but the sandwiches had their own following. The slogan “Every Sandwich is a Work of Art” gave the founder’s name another job on the menu.
An unverified story describes the clack of an old meat slicer sounding in the quiet kitchen before opening, accompanied by the aroma of pastrami. True story? That would be one unusually early prep shift.
UPDATE: Art’s remains open on Ventura Boulevard as a second-generation family business, serving traditional Jewish deli favorites. 10-26
Jim's Burgers (Closed)
Downey, CA Photo courtesy Sal Garcia
A hamburger stop can offer something extra before the food reaches the table. At Jim’s Burgers in Downey, the neon marquee gave passing motorists a display worth noticing. Stacked letter boxes spelled out the name beside a tall red spear, while angled panels advertised burgers, hot dogs, steaks, and pastrami. Apparently the menu wanted some time in the spotlight too. 12-06
Built in 1961, the Bellflower Boulevard stand carried the familiar look of Southern California’s drive-in years. Its sign combined bold lettering and unusual shapes to catch attention from the street, giving hungry customers several reasons to turn into the lot.
The restaurant later became Golden Ox, followed by Tony’s Restaurant around 2011–2012. The sign followed along, with its vertical letters changed to “TONY.” Another transition brought Sunny’s Sushi & Grill and the abbreviated “SUNY” lettering. That old spear certainly learned a few new names.
UPDATE: The former Jim’s building and adapted pylon remain standing at 11531 Bellflower Boulevard. Later tenants altered the lettering and menu panels while retaining the distinctive sign frame. 10-26
Las Chabelitas (Demolished)
Downey, CA Photo courtesy Sal Garcia
There wasn’t much chance of overlooking Las Chabelitas after dark. Neon on both the marquee and the building gave this neighborhood bar more than one way to announce itself. A single illuminated greeting apparently wasn’t enough for this frontage. 03-07
The cantina stood along Telegraph Road on the Downey side of the Pico Rivera border. Inside, food, billiards, and a jukebox gave customers reasons to linger. Outside, the lighting supplied entertainment for passing sign hunters without requiring a trip through the door.
The building eventually traded its familiar neon identity for a different look. Fortunately, this change came through remodeling rather than a visit from the bulldozer.
UPDATE: The former Las Chabelitas building was extensively remodeled in 2016 as The Junction Bar & Billiards. The original exterior signage was removed and replaced with new branding, while the building at 9370 Telegraph Road survived. 10-26
Jim's Burgers
Pico Rivera, CA Photo courtesy Sal Garcia
Here’s the dilemma: head to the gym or stop at Jim’s Burgers in Pico Rivera. One promises exercise, while the other lights the way to burgers and onion rings. This marquee certainly makes the second choice easier to find after dark. 03-07
Jim’s belongs to the familiar Southern California landscape of neighborhood burger stands with signs that have something to say. Before studying the menu, passing motorists get an illuminated introduction from the roadside.
These smaller food stops helped give the commercial strips their character. A burger, a side of onion rings, and a little neon outside could turn an ordinary meal into a worthwhile roadside detour. The workout could always come later.
UPDATE: Jim’s Burgers continues operating in Pico Rivera, including the Rosemead Boulevard location. If it's the one I'm thinking of, the sign has been modified. 10-26
Old Tony's
Tony's on the Pier
Art's Delicatessen
Jim's Burgers (Closed)
Las Chabelitas (Demolished)
Jim's Burgers
