Follow Eater editors each week as they share their favorite dishes around town, By submitting your email, you agree to our, The freshest news from the local food world, Remembering the Restaurant Design of the 80s and 90s in Los Angeles, Sign up for the 10 Awesome Vintage Baseball Cards Thatll Make You Want To Grow A 70s Mustache. Elaine's was a New York City institution since opening in 1963 and remained one until it closed in 2011. And while the food here is mostly just so-so, its also impossible to have a bad time. In the '90s, there were dozens of MaggieMoo's stores. Though its no longer open in the evenings, sitting down to a thick mug of black coffee and a plate of eggs is still a highlight. The newest Mel's outpost has been open since June 2018. If you get hungry, theres a very good Taiwanese bar menu filled with dishes like cold sesame noodles, dan dan mian, and dim sum. What started as a popular Manhattan restaurant founded in 1914 grew to a huge chain throughout the northeast during the '80s. Back then, they weren't old-school. Order the incredible prime rib. Tam OShanter in Los Feliz, which dates back to 1922, is one of the oldest restaurants in the city and is owned by the same family as Lawrys. The last location closed in 2012. The pricey Japanese menu of rolls, fried things, and steak is fine, but not the main eventyoure here for the views and the kitschiness of it all. Sadly, the restaurant wasn't a home run and ceased operations in 2007. But it all started here at this big menu destination with traditional preparations of thousand-year-old eggs, cold boneless chicken, and tangerine chicken. (Elina Shatkin/LAist), 2023 Southern California Public Radio - All Rights Reserved, the long-gone Rose City Diner in Pasadena, the first black-owned business in Compton, has written about working at this Norm's in the late '70s, the first one was located on Sunset near Vine, approve the structure's Historical Cultural Monument status. (Elina Shatkin/LAist), Naka's Broiler in Compton (Chava Sanchez/LAist), The exterior of Nick's Cafe, located just north of Chinatown in Los Angeles. However, the international chain ceased operations in 1999. But even if you arent supporting your roommates middling stand-up career, a night at Boardners is always a good idea. LA has its fair share of classic restaurants, and amongst them is a treasured subset: The Old Hollywood spot. The theme restaurant, which first opened in 1995, featured sports memorabilia, and plenty of athletes were investors in the restaurant. newsletter, classic LA restaurants that are still very much open, Proposed California Law Raising Fast-Food Wages Likely Going to a Referendum, A New High-End Omakase Contender Lands Right on Rodeo Drive Soon, Long Beach Hotspot Bungalow Kitchen to Close Temporarily as Chef Michael Mina Exits, Spoons Patisserie made the sad announcement that due to personal circumstances, pastry chef Steven Cheung will not be serving. By that year, a majority of the chain's locations had closed, and the others weren't far behind. (Guzzle & Nosh/Flickr Creative Commons), Rae's diner in Santa Monica. In 2003, the company filed for bankruptcy, the following year the restaurant was sued for a health outbreak, and by 2004 the restaurant closed for good. A post shared by What Did I Eat (@whatfoodtoday). RESTAURANTS IN THE EIGHTIES : L.A. Discovers the Exotic in Its Own Back Yard : An Array of Ethnic Dining Choices Started a Revolution That Now Blends It has been owned by the Adler family since the 1940s. The restaurants also known for tableside spinning salads tableside, live music, and classic car showcase in the parking lot. Chefs liked sushi too. By 1975, the Howard Johnson Company had more than 1,000 restaurants and more than 500 motor lodges in 42 states and Canada. To call The Magic Castle merely a restaurant would be doing it an injustice. Your tax-deductible financial support keeps our stories free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. Now, there are just seven. The flour tortillas are worth ordering a dozen before leaving the premises. Another example of a wild 90s restaurant interior that persists is Wolfgang Pucks Chinois on Main, whose colorful interior by Barbara Lazaroff seems to be untouched by time. But for nostalgic millennials still mourning the loss, the pain might be too much. The first restaurant opened in 1991, and Roasters filed for bankruptcy in 1998. For more than 40 years, a private luncheon club for Manhattan's titans of industry was located 68 floors above Manhattan and nestled into one of the most iconic buildings in New York City. The menu is simple and easy to love, with grilled steaks, coconut fried shrimp, and weekend pork ribs, all at reasonable prices. And for more failed chains, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. The exclusive New York City bar, owned by Bernard Shor served steak and baked potatoes among other things, but the crowd was the real attraction. Speaking of which, you can't go wrong with Nick's Famous Ham & Eggs. Meanwhile, one of the older spicy cuisines became new again in Los Angeles. In the '90s, better known as the era of gimmicky restaurants, a set of iconic athletes (Wayne Gretzky, Andre Agassi, and Joe Montana, to name a few) teamed up with Planet Hollywood to open the Official All Star Caf. The 101 Coffee Shop in Hollywood. Totally Awesome Photos Of 80s Malls That Will Make You Want To Go Back In Time. Its been a staple of California dining since 1919, and the historic charm of this vintage restaurant hasnt faded one bit. The Brown Derby became a Hollywood institution after the original Wilshire Boulevard location was founded by Herbert K. Somborn in 1926. NOW: The restaurant remains mostly the same. Even French restaurants started leaving out the cream and butter. But the original McDonald's drive-in, which was founded in 1948 and located in San Bernardino, California, isn't a McDonald's restaurant anymore. They restored the space to its original glory, maintaining many of the touches that made The Penguin so great. And for more, check out these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Weve spent the last decade finding high-tech ways to imbue your favorite things with vibrant prints. The Stork Club was an integral part of the New York City social scene in the early 19th century. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Want to solve climate change? Founder John Jay Hooker set up a copy cat model of the restaurant and hired popular comedic actress, Minnie Pearl, as the spokesperson. And if you want to get nostalgic, many of these childhood snacks are still available, too. It all started with sushi. The space is essentially a series of massive interconnecting dining rooms, each filled with various fireplaces, wood-paneled walls, and of course, hundreds of framed acting headshots. Cielito Lindo has been serving its famous rolled tacos slathered in avocado salsa since 1934. A New York-based freelance journalist, Dalene Rovenstine often writes about Pizza Hut was my favorite restaurant in the 80s, but there is only a handful left today. Just like many malls and retail stores, restaurants like Chi-Chis, Bennigans, Beefsteak Charlies, and Steak and Ale are now closed. 10. Howard Johnsons (Closed in 2017) If youve ever owned a television or watched a movie, then youve probably seen the inside of The Prince. Ham is still very much on the menu. If you were a kid in the '80s, there's a good chance you Maybe they're where epic movie deals were signed, iconic TV shows were filmed, or legendary actors got hammered after set. Beefsteak Charlies was a well-known restaurant chain based in the New York metropolitan area, which grew to over 60 locations in the early 1980s. Not that Los Angeles has room to talk. What we found was an absolutely incredible array of ethnic eating places. She asked if they might be interested in buying the restaurant, which was serving primarily as a filming location. These days, its a fancy hotel and one of the most chaotic industry scenes in town. WebLone Ranger Restaurant; Ontra Cafeteria; Juniors Delicatessen I; Nickodell; Ollie Hammonds; Ponderosa; Ships Coffee Shop; The Bagel; Porterhouse Bistro; Andres of The crowd is a mix of whichever TV star is in-house on a press tour, European tourists celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and local rich ladies popping in for their regular breakfast of half a grapefruit and the silver dollar pancakes. In 2009, a new Beefsteak Charlies opened in the Westfield Sunrise Mall in Nassau County, which closed shortly after being open for business. Founded in 1933, Valle's Steak House saw huge expansion during the '60s by embracing the dining trend of leaning toward a menu full of steak and lobster. Over the years the West Hollywood restaurant became famous for its Academy Award after parties as much as it was known for its chili. Among Hollywood Blvd.s vape stores and souvenir shops selling California license plates with your name on them is an unexpected piece of actual culture: Musso & Frank. Terms of Service NOW: Rae's has been excellently preserved, making it another prime filming location. (Thomas Galvez/Flickr Creative Commons), The exterior of Mel's Drive-In in Santa Monica. All this started having an influence on our diet. Pann's Restaurant But in 2018, its parent company filed for bankruptcy. Not your jam? But after 75 years in the business, the famous restaurant went out of business in 2012. Dear reader, we're asking you to help us keep local news available for all. Come for lunch and youll spot sobbing starlets, stressed-out attorneys, and screaming agents who just chucked their last burner phone into the pool. Hilariously, one of the only remaining buildings featuring the wild, often postmodern design of the 90s is the KFC on Western near Beverly by Elysee Grinstein and Jeffrey Daniels. Hollywood is In the 1980s, the restaurant began to decline, as it switched up menu items in favor of more chicken and fish. This classic steak spot, which is nearly 100 years old, After years of success, the owners sold the popular burger joint to Hardee's in 1982. This California farm kingdom holds a key, Six people, including mother and baby, killed in Tulare County; drug cartel suspected, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater, Who would execute a baby? If youre headed to DTLA for dinner, you have a lot of good choices. More than a dozen Chevys locations in California, as well as the Times Square outpost, have since closed. As we head into the 90s, Los Angeles is inventing a new kind of cross-cultural cooking all its own. THEN: Pann's wasn't the first restaurant opened by Greek immigrants George and Rena Panagopoulos but it is the longest lasting. Like Planet Hollywood, The Official All-Star Caf was prominent in tourist-heavy locations. ShowBiz Pizza restaurants entertained guests through a large selection of arcade games, coin-operated rides, and animatronic stage shows as a way to provide a complete package of food and entertainment. Seating is limited to the original U-shaped counter, and you have to jump into a seat as soon as it's vacant (similar to the Apple Pan). The folks who operated the long-gone Rose City Diner in Pasadena were in charge in 1990, when the diner shut its doors, to the chagrin of students at nearby Santa Monica City College and Santa Monica High School. 17 Fantastic Salads Worth Ordering in Los Angeles, 15 LA Restaurants That Perfected Takeout and Delivery, 13 Hot New Brunch Spots to Check Out in Los Angeles, Throwback to LA's best old school eateries and dives. Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. But comfort isnt the point here. Somehow this iconic West Hollywood drinking den seems way older than it actually is thanks to its location inside Sunset Tower, an Art Deco landmark built in the 1920s as a luxury apartment building for the rich and famous. The place got a jolt of fame from Jon Favreau's 1996 movie, Swingers, although the screenplay may actually have been written with a certain diner on Beverly in mind. There are still three locations in New Jersey, but many more have shuttered. Eventually pieces of the franchise were sold off and it slowly dwindled with the last location closing the mid-1990s. Order a taco or sandwich. 101 Coffee Shop You won't find the 95-cent fish-and-chips special we saw in a 1968 ad but classic breakfast dishes are still on the menu along with fun twists like Hawaiian bread French toast (highly recommended).601 Fair Oaks, South Pasadena. Dont skip the sundae bar. Where else would you find a Japanese restaurant serving food filtered through a Latin sensibility? Beefsteak Charlies was a well-known restaurant chain based in the New York metropolitan area, which grew to over 60 locations in the early 1980s. Whenever I see the Ship's sign towering over the corner of Olympic and La Cienega, I wish modern health codes encouraged more restaurants to have toasters on each table. However, the Mexican American community has revered these burritos for much longer than Golds review, and this roadside stand has been a fixture in this neighborhood for almost 55 years. In any case, the current building became Cindy's in 1948 along what was then Route 66, which explains its roadhouse vibe. At the start, Gino's Hamburgers was simply Gino's Drive-In, a hamburger company started in Baltimore, Maryland, in the late 1950s. But after 24 years, the glamorous watering hole closed in 1995. Norm's There are still a few dozen locations in the United States, but it's not the same (especially because the coronavirus pandemic has made us rethink buffet-style dining). THEN: The diner chain founded by L.A. native and used car salesman Norm Roybark opened its La Cienega location in 1957, where it has been serving affordable omelets, burgers, steaks and stacks of pancakes ever since. But in the '90s, Casa Bonita was a Mexican chain that could be found in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. When it comes to eating, the 80s were L.A.'s decade. Formerly known as Mountain View Inn. And for more throwbacks, don't miss these 16 Beloved Restaurants Only '70s Kids Will Remember. The dining room featured groovy, rainbow-hued glass panels and seafoam-green booths. Thus, no native cuisine need be watered down to make it acceptable to the American palate. There's nothing like an all-you-can-eat buffet, and there's nowhere that did it quite like Ponderosa Steakhouse (or Bonanza Steakhouse, depending on which location you went to). Meanwhile, chefs who really cared about fish started going to the Japanese fish markets and we suddenly started hearing a whole lot less about fish flown in from France. The chain peaked in 1995 with 210 locations throughout the United States. Too often, great ideas and memories are left in the digital realm, only to be forgotten. In the '60s, Bonanza started in Connecticut, and Ponderosa launched in Indiana. $59.95 + $6.10 shipping . The casual dining steak house, founded in 1966, was one of the first restaurants to conceptualize the steak and salad bar combination. Built in 1964 for Richard S. Preble, who cut his teeth at the International House of Pancakes, Preble's offered an affordable menu and specialized in homemade pies and hamburgers. The 19 Essential Dive Bars in Los Angeles, 17 Los Angeles Restaurants That Are Stuck in Time. Bennigans was an Irish pub-themed casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1976 in Atlanta by restaurateur Norman E. Brinker as one of Americas original casual dining concepts. 16 Classic LA Restaurants Offering Takeout During the Safer at Home Order, 13 Beef Soups That Will Make Your Hangover Disappear, The 45-year-old Yang Chow is charming in so many ways, from the celebrity photos adorning the walls to its lively dining room and attentive service. But fast forward a few years, and you'll see that the decade wasn't always kind. Currently Chi-Chis is also a brand of Mexican-themed grocery foods (later purchased by Hormel) with an emphasis on salsa. (In a weird reversal of fate, one of Preble's other diners -- the one on Figueroa in Lincoln Heights -- is now an IHOP.). At its height, there were more than 100 locations across the country. And we were not alone: While chefs in the rest of the country were still looking to Europe for inspiration, our local chefs simply looked around. Showbiz Pizza Place. Brown, Jr. teamed up, what fans got was Kenny Rogers' Roasters, a popular '90s fast-food chain. MaggieMoo's opened in Kansas City in 1989, The Best Restaurant Buffet in Every State, A Tribute to Chi Chi's Mexican Restaurant/Facebook, 16 Beloved Restaurants Only '70s Kids Will Remember, Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes closed all 97 remaining locations, 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1980s That Will Make You Feel So Nostalgic, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. 310-657-8333, normsrestaurants.com. Mr. Steak was a quality, yet affordable, steak house that took the United States by storm in the '60s. She lived in a little house behind the place until 1980, when they sold the restaurant. THEN: Before it became a Best Western, the hotel that houses the 101 Coffee Shop was called the Hollywood Franklin Hotel. You'll never leave hungry, as Jerry Seinfeld and Brian Regan found out when they hopped out of their 1970 Dodge Challenger during a 2016 episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Ponderosa Steakhouse. Ponderosa Steakhouse menu included steaks, seafood, and chicken entres, all of which come with their buffet for a nominal charge. Opened in 1965 in the heart of Chinatown, Phoenix has now turned into a veritable empire of bakeries, dessert shops, and restaurants across the county. (Elina Shatkin/LAist), A version of Eggs Benedict made with bacon, spinach and avocado alongside hash browns at Nick's Cafe, located just north of Chinatown in Los Angeles. A truly timeless fixture of Boyle Heights, Otomisan is the last remaining Japanese restaurant in the area when it was once a melting pot of immigrant cultures. Sure, the service is less than attentive and the house cocktails should generally be avoided, but you wont care when youre drinking beer, eating fried chicken, and sitting where Don Draper and Joan Holloway sat. 1986 Most restaurant reviewers contributing to John Marianis Coast-to-Coast Dining Guide report that their towns have better restaurants and a wider selection of Still owned and operated by the Yosts, the restaurant retains much of its vintage charm and is a popular filming location. The All American Burger was a regional fast-food restaurant chain founded in 1968 in Los Angeles by Aaron Binder and made famous in the movie Fast Times At Ridgemont High. The exterior of Nick's Cafe, located just north of Chinatown in Los Angeles. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. The family also owned a nearby restaurant called Holly's -- later called Hawthorne Grill -- where Pulp Fiction's iconic diner scene was shot. Totally Rad BMX Bikes We Rode In The 80s, The Female Stars Of Dynasty Made It The Sexiest Show Of The 80s. It's easily the best Jewish deli in a city full of great delis. The last Kenny Rogers Roasters operating in North America was located in the Ontario Mills mall in Ontario, California which closed on December 31, 2011. Lots more. Soon, it found the support of Whoopi Goldberg, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith, Tom Arnold, Roseanne Barr, Wesley Snipes, and Danny Glover. The restaurant of world renowned chef, Wolfgang Puck, became a Hollywood hangout when it opened in 1982 on the Sunset Strip. Nick's Cafe But there was other news on the Asian front. We wanted him to remember us when we returned. Launched in 1998, the chain featured "studio grills" for eating and "screening rooms" for watching sports games, according to a 2010 article from The New York Times. 818-788-5110, corkysla.com. NOW: This particular Salt Shaker is still standing although it goes by the shortened moniker Shakers. THEN: Founded in 1958, Rae's has, for years, been a prime meeting spot on the edge of West L.A. and Santa Monica. The photos show examples of the condition. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Though now predominantly Latino, the neighborhood was once the second most significant community of Japanese Americans after Little Tokyo. You've hit your max! In the '50s and '60s, Tiki culture found its way into the mainstream in a big way and influenced music, movies, food, and even theme parks. Although defunct in the U.S., Kenny Rogers Roasters is still flourishing in Asia. Served simply with ones choice of meat and, crucially, degree of dipped-ness the century-old French dip is the kind of inexpensive, satisfying, and wholly unique meal that reminds eaters with every bite that Los Angeles has been cooking great food for a very, very long time. Holloway Dr., Horn St., & Sunset Blvd. Charles E. Carpenter struck out on his own and in 1936 opened three cafes including this one in what was then called Pasadena but is now considered Eagle Rock. Complete The Titles Of These 1980s Action Kelli Maroney Talks About FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, NIGHT OF THE COMET And Her Career In Hollywood, Claudia Wells (BACK TO THE FUTURE) Talks About Working With Michael J. This 19-stool counter feels like someone dropped an old-school diner in the middle of a fancy Beverly Hills hotel. After much success, the company took their stock public, but after an investigation by the Security Exchange Commission and inquiries with their books, the chain closed up shop in 1968. In the first place, our city tends to have such large concentrations of people that restaurants can thrive without catering to an American clientele. The 80s brought a wave of Indian immigration, and with it a demand for authentic food from home. Headquartered in St Louis, Missouri and founded in 1967, this restaurant is famous for its steaks and boring decor. Minnie Pearl's Fried Chicken was a fast food franchise started in 1966 as a competitor for the nationwide sensation Kentucky Fried Chicken. Popular items on the menu are roast beef sandwiches and fried chicken, which was advertised by Roy Rogers under the Pappy Parker name. American bakery chain, La Petite Boulangerie or "little bakery," did indeed start out small, with only two stores in the beginning. Contact. Welcome To Fantasy Island! It has to be one of the only diners in L.A. still operated by its original owners and it's an essential stop on your way to or from LAX.6710 La Tijera Blvd., Los Angeles; 323-776-3770; panns.com. Before we knew what had happened, our diet had changed. Jean Trinh, 16 Wonderfully Unfussy Breakfast Joints in Los Angeles, 17 Essential Brunch Destinations in Los Angeles. Another Armet & Davis design, the layout of this Norm's was designed to look like a car showroom, right down to the upholstered booths. NOW: You'll still see a few Norm's scattered around L.A. but there aren't as many as there used to be (the first one was located on Sunset near Vine). You know youre in a true Old Hollywood bar when the guy whos measuring his hands with a tape measure at the bar isnt the weirdest thing you see that night. In the mid-80s, Nicolino & Sons Deli and Bakery closed and reopened in Cathedral City as Nicolinos Famous Italian restaurant (now owned by Papa Nicolinos son Mark and his wife, Rhonda), serving authentic Italian dishes like manicotti, hand-tossed pizza, and made-to-order desserts. Located exactly one crosswalk away from Warner Brothers Studios, Smoke House has been a Valley legend since 1942 and a place where, on any given night, youll find celebrities, set designers, and security guards all swigging martinis and toasting to another day on the lot. Thom Mayne & Michael Rotondi: 72 Market Street, Venice, 1983 pic.twitter.com/jt1boAY5W9, A post shared by Steven - Pastry Chef/Owner (@spoonspatisserie). Sadly, Corky's closed in December 2019 and is reportedly slated for demolition.5043 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Brents Delicatessen and Restaurant, operating for more than 55 years, has been serving its pastrami sandwiches, behemoth breakfast plates, and delicate blintzes to ravenous masses coming locally from the Valley and beyond. The nautical-themed restaurant that served up unbelievable deals on seafood (as waiters wore colonial garb, no less) was scattered across the country. Sadly, after legendary proprietor Elaine Kaufman passed away in 2010, the restaurant closed for good. Business is so good enough that current owner Rod Davis opened the Rock'n Egg Cafe in Eagle Rock last year.1300 N. Spring St., downtown L.A. 323-222-1450, nickscafela.net. But thats only part of the equation: The second part is that many people in Los Angeles have adventurous palates and are willing to try new foods--even when told you wont like it. But most importantly, we often do like it. Hover to zoom. Oh, the food. Its hard to think of a more enduring greasy spoon in LA. Fashion Cafe in New York City gathered iconic models together, like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Elle MacPherson, and Claudia Schiffer to endorse it. Make room for a plate of biscuits and gravy. Secret agents, post-war paranoia and questions about life as an American Do you remember hanging out at the mall in the '80s? Sadly, the chain was short-lived. Rae's (Chava Sanchez/LAist), Parking lot view of the busy drive-in restaurant, the Rite Spot Cafe, located at 1500 W. Colorado Street in Eagle Rock. Swanky Cafe Pacific has been a Park Cities mainstay since 1980, this place is a power-lunch haven for one-percenters who wish to dine on fine seafood. A restaurant where you can see Hollywood memorabilia seems like a '90s kids dream. This classic American grill has been open since 1919, and not much seems to have changed since then. In 1971, the building where fast food was born was demolished and turned into an unofficial museum for the chain by restaurateur Albert Okura. Then, Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes closed all 97 remaining locations during the pandemic. Put those skills to the test. Originally opened in 1959, the charm and kitsch of the place remains as strong as the drinks themselves. Examples include Thom Mayne and Michael Rotondis 72 Market Street in Venice, Angeli Caffe on Melrose, Kate Mantilini in Beverly Hills (which was the set of some famous scenes in Heat), Rebecca in Venice, and Nicola in Downtown LA. Its famous rolled tacos slathered in avocado salsa since 1934 Roasters is still although! Even French restaurants started leaving out the cream and butter all its own Eat ( @ whatfoodtoday ) 66 which. 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