Hot n' Tot Grill
Lomita, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
An impressive neon sign gives Hot n' Tot Grill in Lomita a proper introduction along Pacific Coast Highway. The lettering and generous roadside proportions make this coffee shop worth noticing before breakfast even enters the discussion. Of course, looking over the sign can be hungry work.
The business dates to 1946, putting its beginnings in the early years of Southern California’s postwar driving boom. While neighboring businesses have changed, Hot n’ Tot has kept the familiar neighborhood diner routine going. Breakfast plates, sandwiches, and coffee still give customers reasons to pull off the highway.
Owners Charles and Jackie describe their approach as maintaining the homey atmosphere that brought regulars through the doors for decades. Fortunately, the old roadside name still comes with a working kitchen.
UPDATE: Hot n’ Tot remains open at 2347 Pacific Coast Highway in Lomita, serving breakfast and lunch daily. The reported closure and conversion into another coffee business do not match the restaurant’s current operation. 10-26
Clifton's Cafeteria (Closed)
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Looking to dine at an early to mid 20th century cafeteria? Well, depending
on how your taste buds are for the day, Clifton's Cafeteria may
be the place. Yes, Clifton's Cafeteria is a traditional "pay as you go" type of cafeteria.
Can't say much about the spices, but the atmosphere is great.
Picking up a tray at Clifton’s Cafeteria once meant taking dinner into a woodland setting without leaving downtown Los Angeles. Waterfalls, rocky scenery, and redwood-inspired surroundings made the Broadway cafeteria quite a departure from an ordinary dining room. The food might have been familiar, but the scenery certainly had other ambitions.
Clifford Clinton opened this location as Clifton’s Brookdale in 1935. His cafeterias became known for feeding people who couldn’t afford a meal, giving the elaborate surroundings a generous purpose during the Depression.
Andrew Meieran took over in 2010, restoring the building and reopening it in 2015. Later, Clifton’s Republic brought themed bars and nightlife into the old cafeteria. Renovations also uncovered a hidden neon fixture believed to have glowed for roughly 77 years. Now that’s a light someone forgot to switch off.
Clifton's building sign Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Chris & Ginger
Unverified stories describe footsteps in empty rooms and a woman appearing on an upper level. True story? A place with this much scenery certainly gives a ghost somewhere to hide.
UPDATE: Check out the old Clifton's sign on the side of the building. 07-07
UPDATE: The Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria was to reopen on July 2 after closing for remodeling. According to the owner and a few long time patrons, the updated menu will be worth the visit. This was welcome news as Clifton's has been serving hungry Angelenos since 1935 with its pay for what you select and "dine free unless delighted" policy. For more information, see the Clifton's Brookdale website. 07-11
UPDATE: Clifton’s Republic at 648 S. Broadway is closed. In April 2026, its operator announced he had abandoned plans to reopen following another extended shutdown. The historic building remains. 10-26
Clifton's Cafeteria
Los Angeles, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Clifton's Brookdale
Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Gourmet Dinner House (Demolished)
San Bernardino, CA Photo courtesy David Carrasco
Here is a photo of the Gourmet Dinner House in San Bernardino
CA. Notice the star on top, which tops off this nice looking sign. Many thanks to David Carrasco for info.
An unverified tale supplied with its history describes an order-ticket machine clicking inside the empty restaurant after midnight. Think this is true? Someone may have forgotten to tell the kitchen that dinner service was over.
UPDATE: Having served food that has been described by folks that have dined here as "sketchy", the Goumet House Restaurant has been closed for a few years. The place still shows off its cool sign with a sputnik on top. 09-17
UPDATE: The former Gourmet at 1445 E. Highland Avenue suffered severe fire damage in April 2021. The restaurant was demolished, and the old sign is gone. 10-26
Frontier (Demolished)
Arcadia, CA Photo and info courtesy Dan MacPherson
The Frontier Drive-in was at 250 W Colorado Blvd in
Arcadia. It was torn down in the early 1960's to make way for a gas station
run by Rod Phillips, a local engine builder who made a name for himself
at Irwindale raceway. Many thanks to Dan MacPherson for info.
The drive-in disappeared in the early 1960s, according to the original site history. A gas station operated by Rod Phillips took its place. Phillips became known locally for engine building and his connections to Irwindale racing, giving the property another chapter in Southern California car culture.
UPDATE: Frontier Drive-in was demolished, and its former site at 250 W. Colorado Boulevard was converted into a gas station in the early 1960s. The original restaurant and sign are gone. 10-26
Clifton's Cafeteria (Closed)
Clifton's building sign
Gourmet Dinner House (Demolished)
Frontier (Demolished)
