The best cure for a tidbit attack is... I suppose the Omni Hut is Smyrna's most famous restaurant since the 70's. The place is decorated with a tiki motif.
Pappy's Drive-In neon sign - Milan, TN Along 1st St. (US 45E)
The Hearth Restaurant - Martin, TN This restaurant is along US45E on the north side of town.
Flynn's Restaurant - Beale St.
Miss Polly's Soul City Cafe 154 Beale St. - Memphis, TN
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease Miss Polly's Soul City Cafe Beale St. - Memphis
Home of the Earthquake Burger Sometimes you venture into towns so small, you can't find out anything about them when you get back home. I tried to google this restaurant after I got home and couldn't find out anything about the earthquake burger, and if it was special. With a name like that, it better be memorable! The small town here is Ridgely, TN, which is located in Lake County. The Earthquake is no doubt related to the New Madrid Fault area earthquakes which caused Reelfoot Lake a few miles north of here.
Jingo Market BBQ - Fairview, TN Seen along highway 100.
Rotier's Restaurant neon sign - Nashville Located in Nashville's Midtown on Elliston Place.
The Dip Dairy Freeze - Dover, TN Located on US79 along the west side of Dover is this old fashioned hamburger & dessert fast food restaurant. On their menu are "Little Square Hamburgers" which I assume are similar to Krystals or White Castle. Instead of that, I ordered a "Large Hamburger." Yum.
Mauricio's Italian Restaurant sign - Cookeville, TN Highly reccomended
Gray's Neon Sign - Franklin, TN Gray Drug Co. was a longtime drugstore located along Main St. (US31) in Franklin. Frank Gray Jr. had the sign installed in 1952 at a cost of $860. In 1998, the Pharmacy closed, and a new tenant operated here as Gray's Cards and Gifts. Up until then, GRAY was in the blue space below Rx and DRUGS was the vertical portion. That store closed six years later and the building remained vacant for nearly a decade. In August of 2013, a new establishment took on the Gray's name as Gray's on Main restaurant opened up in the 1876 building. For the opening, the sign was restored and it now works again!
Elliston Place Soda Shop counter I was here on St. Patrick's Day weekend when they offered a limited time only Pistachio Milkshake. It was excellent. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/ice-cream-tn/ 7 Mouthwatering Ice Cream Parlors in Tennessee You Can’t Miss
Elliston Place Soda Shop at dusk
Jack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que neon sign The original location in downtown Nashville has a similar iconic sign with the alternating three hat-wearing flying pigs. Their thrid location on Charlotte Ave. (US70) adds Jack's last name to the sign
Dinty Moore's Restaurant I think these are the people that sold the cans of beef stew. This sign is in the old business district in McMinnville, TN just a couple of blocks from the Warren County Courthouse. Dinty Moore's is out of business but the neat neon sign was left behind. The last occupant here was the Regal Begal restaurant but they too are gone.
Ferrell's Hamburgers neon sign - Hopkinsville, KY located at the corner of Main St. and 10th St. in downtown Hopkinsville.
Johnny G's Creole Kitchen - Beale St. Memphis It's not too often you'll see a top-hat wearing, cigar-smoking Catfish. Would you like to see more photos from Beale street? Check out the Beale Street gallery
Sweeney's Bar-B-Q neon sign Located along TN58 in Harrison, TN
Arcade Restaurant Neon Sign - Memphis, TN Located along Main St. in Memphis, the iconic Arcade Restaurant is the oldest in Memphis. Read more here: arcaderestaurant.com/about/
Arcade Restaurant - Memphis, TN Located along Main St. in Memphis, the iconic Arcade Restaurant is the oldest in Memphis. Read more here: arcaderestaurant.com/about/
The Original Freezo - Knoxville, TN This restaurant serving Ice Cream Fantasies is a North Knoxville landmark that has been along Central Ave. for many decades.
King's Palace Cafe Neon Sign - Beale St. Located on historic Beale St. in Memphis is the King's Palace Cafe. The restaurant and its neon sign are an iconic establishment on the iconic street. Would you like to see more photos from Beale street? Check out the Beale Street gallery
Bozo's Hot Pit Bar-B-Q Restaurant - Mason, TN This restaurant and its neon sign are seen along US70/US79/TN1 in the small town of Mason, which is in Tipton County. UPDATE: As of 2019, this business is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Original KFC Known at the time as Harland Sanders Cafe, is located along an old stretch of Highway, US 25W in Corbin, Ky. The inside has a statue and a bust of Col. Sanders, a replica room from the Sanders Motel that used to be next door, the original kitchen on display, and you can order the same KFC food you can get at any other KFC. Hello to anyone who found this photo on Wikipedia: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:SandersCafeKFC.jpg I used this photo in my blog here: brentkmoore.blogspot.com/2008/02/col-sanders-for-senator....
Jack's Bar-B-Que Located on Broadway in Downtown Nashville, Jack's bar-B-Que has an iconic neon sign. This photo isn't it. To see it, look here: flic.kr/p/3SLpZy I'm guessing this is an older neon sign that was eventually replaced by the flying pigs sign on Broadway. If so, this sign was moved to its current location on the other side of the restaurant facing Ryman Alley.
Nashville Nut - The Peanut Shop The Nashville Arcade is a downtown shopping center that dates back to 1902. It is modeled after an Italian shopping arcade as it's a bunch of shops along this two-story alley with a roof but open air. There are a few restaurants and retail stores along with a vibrant arts community. The Peanut Shop is probably the most famous store at the Arcade. It opened in 1927 when Planters Peanuts were operating retail stores across the nation. In 1960, Planters did away with these retail locations and Nashville's continued as an independent nut shop. They even have their own banjo-pickin' southern hillbilly peanut mascot known as the Nashville Nut.
Acme Feed & Seed neon sign - Downtown Nashville I'm about 99% certain that this neon sign was created in the last couple of years, but it's still a nice one. The neon rooster upon an arrow atop the sign top spins. Acme Feed & Seed is a restaurant and live music venue that opened in 2014 inside the 1890 Acme Farm Supply building.
The Peanut Shop - Nashville Arcade The Nashville Arcade is a downtown shopping center that dates back to 1902. It is modeled after an Italian shopping arcade as it's a bunch of shops along this two-story alley with a roof but open air. There are a few restaurants and retail stores along with a vibrant arts community. The Peanut Shop is probably the most famous store at the Arcade. It opened in 1927 when Planters Peanuts were operating retail stores across the nation. In 1960, Planters did away with these retail locations and Nashville's continued as an independent nut shop. They even have their own banjo-pickin' southern hillbilly peanut mascot known as the Nashville Nut.
Luigi's City Pizza Nashville neon sign The neon sign for Luigi's Pizza is located along 3rd Ave. in downtown Nashville.
KFC signs: Old and New KFC started as Harlan Sanders Cafe in Corbin, Ky. He owned a motel and a restaurant along highway US25. When the interstate was built, fewer people drove past the place, and it almost went out of business until he passed the fried chicken recipe to a franchise. Now, the 11 herbs and spices are eaten everywhere. In the foreground is the original Sanders Cafe sign which sticks out of the entrance. In the background is the really tall 1980's bucket sign that you can see from the interstate. Of course, these days the powers that be market the fast food chain as KFC and not Kentucky Fried Chicken in most places Hello to anyone who found this photo on Kentuckyville.US www.kentuckyville.us/2006/07/25/kfc-signs-old-and-new/ or here: consumerist.com/consumer/trans-fats/how-kfc-went-trans-fa... or here: consumerist.com/consumer/trans-fats/the-colonel-axes-tran... Or here:(in a blog post referencing a news story about PETA asking Cambodia to not open a KFC) critternews.blogspot.com/2007/10/peta-asks-cambodia-not-t... This is my 2nd photo to reach 1000 views. woot! the newest place for it to show up: critternews.blogspot.com/2008/02/peta-concerned-they-dont... I included this photo in one of my own blogs here: brentkmoore.blogspot.com/2008/02/col-sanders-for-senator.... Today's new Location: Hi Retro TV Girl! shelliakers.typepad.com/glued_to_my_tv/2008/03/parts.html and here: themarketingspot.blogspot.com/2007/04/inspire-me-with-mar... Inspire Me With A Marketing Story This is my 4th photo to reach 2000 views! Next, used here: www.olmblog.com/?p=6126 Tales of The Stand Out Brand Then here for a KFC quiz: www.yumsugar.com/3443450 also seen here: frombottomup.com/success-story-3-harland-sanders/ Success Story #3: Harland Sanders and then here: www.secondwindconsultants.com/?p=4106 Which was reposted here: dtod.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/franchise-workouts-a-differ...
I Dream of Weenie hot dog stand This popular place to get a hot dog is located in a converted VW bus in East Nashville's trendy Five Points neighborhood. If you hadn't guessed it yet, the name is a play on the 1960's TV sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. The logo on the sign depicts a hot dog that looks like genie Barbara Eden. Also, check out the hot dog flower pots on the railing.
Wendell Smith's Restaurant sign Wendell's is a Meat-n-three along Charlotte Pk. (U.S. 70) in Nashville, TN. The daily menus are printed on a mimeograph. Best I could tell, drive-in service hasn't been available for a long time. the front half of the building is a liquor store.
Dandgure's Cafeteria mural Mural alongside Dandgure's Meat-and-three cafeteria along Lafayette (US41/70S) close to downtown Nashville. It's across the street from the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. 2022 Update: after over 30 years in business, Dandgure is retiring and the restaurant is closing at the end of June 2022.
Bucky's Family Restaurant Sundays Go Worship Then come eat here U.S. 31 Columbia, TN
Rachael's Country Kitchen - Allons, TN This is far from my highest quality photo, but I thought it was a cute sign.. Along TN52 between Celina and Livingston TN
Sue's friendly Drive-in Closed for the winter Byrdstown, TN - Highway 111
Blues City Cafe - Beale St. One of the many restaurants along Beale St. but one of the few open for breakfast. This neon sign is three forks that alternate being lit. Would you like to see more photos from Beale street? Check out the Beale Street gallery
Mr. Burger Its Here Lafayette Ave. (U.S. 41 / 70S) Nashville, TN
Kline's Dairy Bar - Harrisonburg, VA
Twistee Treat Twistee Treat is a chain of ice cream dessert drive-throughs located mostly in Florida. They are known for their distinctive buildings which look like a giant waffle cone. This one is in Kissimmee and each one I saw in the Orlando area had a different look. The ice cream on this one had a chocolate drizzle atop vanilla ice cream, while I saw another that had sprinkles and another topped by a cherry. I am glad there are companies that still want to have notable roadside architecture instead of the boring buildings that most places have.
Brown's Diner Popular with the locals, although I've never eaten there. Not too long ago, there was a fire here. Soon after the fire, I remember reading a restaurant review in the paper that said "The food's still good, but not quite as good as when they had 40 years of grease caked on the griddle." Not far from Vandy on Blair Blvd. near the intersection with 21st Ave.
Overton Motel Sign Livingston, TN I like the cactus flower bed.
Overton Motel & Restaurant Livingston, TN I like the cactus flower bed. Update: 6/22/2013 - The motel is still in business but the neon sign has been replaced.
Dyer's Famous Burgers - Beale St. - Memphis Since 1912, according to the sign. What sets them apart is the way they cook the burger, submerging the beef in grease - the same grease that Elmer "Doc" Dyer used in 1912 when he started the restaurant. Their motto is HAVE YOU HAD YOUR VITAMIN "G" TODAY? www.dyersonbeale.com/ Would you like to see more photos from Beale street? Check out the Beale Street gallery
Mason's Efficiency Restaurant I like their food because it tastes so efficient. O.K., I haven't actually eaten there. In this case, Efficiency isn't an adjective describing the restaurant, but is using the term as an extended stay suite. If you look closely, the work Efficiency is painted over the word Motel. To their credit, they looked packed which would be good for any restaurant at 3 on a weekday. Dickerson Pk. (U.S. Highway 41 / 31W) Hello to anyone who found this here: wearemodule.com/2009/01/08/better-processes-increase-smal... or here: arckinteractive.com/blog/2009/01/08/better-processes-incr... or here: www.habitosvitales.com/2010/06/13/lo-que-haces-es-mas-imp... or here: niksilver.com/2010/12/22/effort-or-duration/
Mama Mia's One of Nashville's best kept secrets, this Italian Restaurant is operated by a family of Cuban immigramts. They're located on Trousdale Rd. and this is the sign that faces Harding Pl. and it's right next to the Radnor train yard.
Pancake Pantry - Gatlinburg I have now eaten at the Popular Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg as often as I've eaten at the one in my hometown of Nashville - all of one time.
Winona Motel On the East side of Cookeville, TN on Highway U.S. 70N. I had about an hour wait at a restaurant, so I drove about 15 minutes each way to go take a picture of this sign and waste time. My favorite part of the sign are the pool waves at the top
Beijing Chinese Restaurant On Harding Place, near the radnor train yard
Miller's Grocery an old time store in Christiana, TN This is no longer an Amoco or even a gas station. It's not really a grocery store, either. Instead, today it is a popular restaurant and probably the only reason that people from out of town come to Christiana. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tn-general-stores/ These 10 Charming General Stores In Tennessee Will Make You Feel Nostalgic This piece of the past is a large draw for the town of Christiana, but don't expect to stock up on milk. It operates mainly now as a restaurant.
Triangle Diner - Winchester, VA - Patsy Cline worked here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Diner The Triangle Diner is a quintessential American diner in Winchester, Virginia. It was built in 1948 by the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company of Elizabeth, New Jersey. It is one of the best preserved classic diners in America, with close to 100% of the original features still intact. Key features include elaborate stainless steel ornamentation on the exterior, rounded interior ceiling with hidden lighting cove on all sides, a counter with stools and booths for patron seating, and terrazzo concrete floor. O'Mahony was one of the most significant and prolific diner manufacturing companies of all time and is often regarded as the company that set the highest standards for diner construction quality and craftsmanship. Every aspect of the structure's form and function was very carefully designed and optimized. O'Mahony is considered a father of the American diner and builder of the "Cadillac" of American diners. His company's work served as an inspiration for other diner manufacturers throughout the 1940s and 1950s. The Triangle Diner is an outstanding example of "Moderne architectural features" that are representative of the stainless steel prefabricated diners of the post–World War II era. The entire diner building – approximately 43 by 16 feet – was built at the O'Mahony Diner Company factory in New Jersey and once fully complete was then transported by train nearly 300 miles to Winchester, Virginia. It has been at the same busy intersection in Winchester since it first arrived there, more than 60 years ago. While diners of this design somewhat resemble and are often confused with railroad cars removed from their wheels, these buildings were never railroad cars. The Triangle Diner was listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior on March 31, 2010, and was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register on December 17, 2009. The building is currently closed pending completion of a very comprehensive historic restoration, including roof repair, and upgrades to plumbing, air conditioning/heating and electrical systems. It will also feature an upgraded and enlarged kitchen in the rear of the diner building. The Triangle Diner is the older of only two stainless steel O’Mahony diners in Virginia. Of the more than 2,000 O'Mahony diners once built, only a few dozen still remain nationwide. Country music legend Patsy Cline worked at the diner for three years after dropping out of high school to help support her mother and siblings.
Litton's Restaurant neon sign - Knoxville Litton's is located in the Fountain City area of Knoxville on the north side of town. The sign points out "Quality since 1946."
Bajo Sexto Taco neon sign - Nashville Bajo Sexto Taco is a Mexican food restaurant located at the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville. a bajo sexto is a Mexican 12 string guitar.
Colemere / Monell's at the Manor - Nashville The mansion shown here was originally the home of retired NCStL Railway President E.W. Cole. It was built in 1931 to replace the first mansion here which burned down. The area became an important property with its location along Murfreesboro Road (US41/70S) next door to the Nashville airport. In 1948, a group of businessmen turned the mansion into a private club known as the Colemere Club. In 1977 it became the popular seafood restaurant New Orleans Manor. In 2011, southern family style buffet restaurant Monell's opened up a second location at the Manor.
Puckett's neon sign - Columbia, TN Puckett's started in Lieper's Fork but expanded to the corner of the town square a few years ago. The neon sign has a large fork that goes through it.
Tex's Bar-B-Q neon sign - Nashville, TN Tex's World Famous Barbecue - Located along Foster Ave. near Murfreesboro Rd.
Hotel Strasburg neon sign - Strasburg, VA This neon sign for Hotel Strasburg & Dining Room is located along US11 in Strasburg, VA. The Hotel is a block away.
Loveless Cafe Neon Sign before dusk Located just southwest of Nashville on Scenic Highway 100 near the northern end of the Natchez Trace Parkway. This photo has made Explore peaking at #142. :) Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/15-awesome-restaurants-... 15 Awesome Restaurants in Tennessee That Will Make Your Mouth Explode
"Big Bob" Gibson Bar-B-Q - Decatur, AL This neon sign with a pig is located in Decatur, AL along highway US31.
Elliston Place Soda Shop Another Nashville tradition
Burgers on the Square as the name implies, on the town square in Franklin, Ky The courthouse lawn was overrun with teens, moreso than I've seen in any other city I've been to. While I was taking this photo, there was a teen couple making out pretty heavily in a gazebo on the square while a couple of boys were heckling me, the dorky photographer. I'm glad I've reached the age where I don't care what teens think about me. :)
JP's Fine Swine BarBQ restaurant - Woodbury, TN Town Square
Seafood Platter sign on the window of a restaurant on the town square in Woodbury, TN. My wife and I ended up eating at the table on the other side of the window.
Eat in a jail cell! At Cahoots Restaurant in Fayetteville, TN, the owners bought Lincoln County's 18th century jail in the late 80's.
Gracie Rae neon sign - St. Andrews, FL This Bar & Grill is located at St. Andrew's Harbor area of Panama City.
Kreme Delight neon sign - Athens, AL This old fashioned burger and ice cream restaurant seemed to be a popular spot in Athens, AL
Smoke House neon Sign Monteagle, TN along US41A. It's an o.k. restaurant but a pretty good gift shop.
"It's Just Over the Hill to Gilsville" The first time I saw this sign, I figured it was for some kind of family fun zone, a place parents could take their young children to climb the bubble-tubes and sink in the ball crawl. Of course those are modern establishments, and this sign is over 30 years old. It's located at a key intersection in Smyrna, the intersection of Sam Ridley Pkwy, Jefferson Pike. (TN266), and Nissan Dr. (TN 102), back in the 70s, the major road was Sam Davis Rd. and a billboard advertised the complex run by Sewart Air Force Base officer Gilbert Olerud, Jr. The complex started in the 50s as Gil's Supermarket, and then they added a full service garage / gas station and a Drive-in. Those became a mini market and a sit-down restaurant. When the Air Force Base closed, Gil helped to keep the area afloat with expansion and Gilsville was born. He added Gil's Hardware, a Radio Shack, a drug store and an appliance store. Gil died in 1980, but the Hardware Store is still there. The rest of today's occupants include a barber, a church, a dance studio, a hispanic bakery and the Rocking Chair Cafe.
Partridge Restaurant - Rome, GA The Partridge Restaurant is located in Rome's central business district along Broad St.
Cinco Amigos neon cactus - Cookeville, TN
Moonlight Drive-In - Titusville, FL Located on highway US1 in Titusvulle, FL
Tropical Treat neon sign - Hanover, PA Crabb's Tropical Treat must be the go-to place for ice cream in Hanover. Recently, I traveled to Hanover to see my nephew get married. After a full day of wedding festivities, I stopped here on the way back to the hotel just to photograph the sign. Little did I know that a few minutes later, the bride and groom, still in tux and wedding dress, also stopped here to get some ice cream!
Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House Restaurant Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Bobo Hotel", this former place to stay the night is now one of the most popular places to eat in Tennessee. They're so popular that you need to make reservations in advance, such as two weeks early. I've never eaten here, but my parents have a couple of times. It is now managed by the Jack Daniels people.
Zesto neon sign - New Albany, IN en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zesto_Drive-In Apparently, Zesto used to be in many places around the country as a chain, but today the locations are territory run independently. I'd seen on in Atlanta, but this is the first time I had stopped at one.
Catfish Kitchen This makes me hungry for a Catfish-ka-bob, if such a thing exists. Located on US70 on the east side of Dickson, TN
Cahoots Eat in a Jail Cell! At Cahoots Restaurant in Fayetteville, TN, the owners bought Lincoln County's 18th century jail in the late 80's. In my opinion, the food was ok, but didn't stand out. I suppose if the food was well above average, this place would be a top ten tourist eatery spot in the state. Two original cells have been preserved, and each has 2 tables. If you go with the intention of eating in a jail cell, I recommend going during non-peak hours
Rusty Fish Hook Restaurant I suppose they mean that in an endearing sort of way. :) US412 - Linden, TN
L&S Diner - Harrisonburg, VA Along US11 a couple of blocks north of town.
Ragland Bottom Motel & Restaurant Located in DeKalb County, TN along highway US70 as one of the closest businesses to Center Hill Lake on the east side.
White Trash Cafe Sadly, this place is now closed, and I just learned about it's closing today when I drove by. The building was repainted beige. I'm sad, not because I'd ever eaten there, but because I never got a better picture of the place, so this one will have to do.
The Big Chicken Johnny Reb's was a restaurant in Marietta, GA on highway US41 that decided to stand out from the other places in town, by erecting a 56 foot tall sheet metal chicken in 1956. The top of the chicken is mechanical as the beak opens and closes while the eye spins in circles. A few years after it was built, the restaurant was sold and became a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Over time, the structure started to fall into disrepair and a tornado damaged it in 1993. There was talk that it might be torn down, or moved to a business in Smyrna, GA. However, the townsfolk rallied to save the local landmark. Today, the chicken and the KFC franchise still thrive, and you can even purchase a couple of souvenirs inside.
The Big Chicken seen from the road Johnny Reb's was a restaurant in Marietta, GA on highway US41 that decided to stand out from the other places in town, by erecting a 56 foot tall sheet metal chicken in 1956. The top of the chicken is mechanical as the beak opens and closes while the eye spins in circles. A few years after it was built, the restaurant was sold and became a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Over time, the structure started to fall into disrepair and a tornado damaged it in 1993. There was talk that it might be torn down, or moved to a business in Smyrna, GA. However, the townsfolk rallied to save the local landmark. Today, the chicken and the KFC franchise still thrive, and you can even purchase a couple of souvenirs inside.
The Big Chicken at Night Johnny Reb's was a restaurant in Marietta, GA on highway US41 that decided to stand out from the other places in town, by erecting a 56 foot tall sheet metal chicken in 1956. The top of the chicken is mechanical as the beak opens and closes while the eye spins in circles. A few years after it was built, the restaurant was sold and became a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Over time, the structure started to fall into disrepair and a tornado damaged it in 1993. There was talk that it might be torn down, or moved to a business in Smyrna, GA. However, the townsfolk rallied to save the local landmark. Today, the chicken and the KFC franchise still thrive, and you can even purchase a couple of souvenirs inside.
The Big Chicken and its keychain Johnny Reb's was a restaurant in Marietta, GA on highway US41 that decided to stand out from the other places in town, by erecting a 56 foot tall sheet metal chicken in 1956. The top of the chicken is mechanical as the beak opens and closes while the eye spins in circles. A few years after it was built, the restaurant was sold and became a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Over time, the structure started to fall into disrepair and a tornado damaged it in 1993. There was talk that it might be torn down, or moved to a business in Smyrna, GA. However, the townsfolk rallied to save the local landmark. Today, the chicken and the KFC franchise still thrive, and you can even purchase a couple of souvenirs inside.
Southern Kitchen Restaurant - New Market, VA Southern Kitchen is located along US11 in New Market, VA. See all of my vintage neon sign photos in this set.
Smoky Mountain Pancake House Pigeon Forge, TN
Patrick Sullivan Saloon Located in Knoxville Old City. The railroad came to Knoxville in the 1850s and many businesses opened around the Southern Railway depot. I young Irishman named Patrick Sullivan started his saloon nearby and business was so good that he had needed to build this building, a three story Victorian red brick saloon. Stories say that many notorious figures like Buffalo Bill Cody visited here. When prohibition came to Knoxville in 1907, this establishment had to close. Over the years the building fell into disrepair and was used as a boarding house, a bordello and an upholstery shop. (if you look closely, the second story windows are painted with bordello-ish women.) In 1988, the business was reopened and the building was restored to its previous glory. This building and much of Old City are on the National Register of Historic Places as the Jackson Avenue Warehouse District.
Oasis Diner - Plainfield, IN This steel diner was built in 1954 and placed along the National Road (US40) in Plainfield, IN. After being endangered in 2010, the local landmark was relocated to the middle of town and reopened in 2014. www.oasisdiner.com/oasis-diner-history/
The Old Mill - Pigeon Forge (version 4) In the early 1800s, this gristmill was built on the Little Pigeon river in what was then a small mountain community of Pigeon Forge. The mill, which was built to make meal and flour for the locals still does that today. The Old Mill even furnished electricity for the town until 1935. In 1830, William Love dammed the Little Pigeon and started construction on the mill using 40' long yellow Poplar logs. In those days, the mill was the hub of local activity and now, 180 years later is one of the most popular tourist spots around the Smoky Mountains. The adjoining restaurant is also one of the most popular in Pigeon Forge. The Old Mill is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dixie Freeze, So. Pittsburg, TN
Elliston Place Soda Shop neon sign Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/ice-cream-tn/ 7 Mouthwatering Ice Cream Parlors in Tennessee You Can’t Miss
Williams Seafood Restaurant neon sign This is located on highway US80 between Savannah and Tybee Island and is next to the entrance to the Bull River Marina.
Vintage Taco Bell sign - Savannah, GA This is a vintage Taco Bell sign which has been preserved near its original location in Savannah, GA. To better understand this logo, the maroon section in the middle is the middle of a boy. The boy is wearing a large sombrero with the word TACO on it, plus a large dark green and maroon serape, and sitting on the bell. (Most of the boy would be covered up.) Based on discussions I've seen, there are very few of these signs left in existence. Perhaps this is the only one left, at least at it's original store. This Taco bell is near the intersection of US80 and Skidaway Rd. in Savannah. The sign itself is actually a little further back from the road and is located between a Wendy's and an Arby's.
Slawburger '19 Rock - Fayetteville, TN Starting in 2015, the third Saturday in April brings the yearly Slawburger Festival to the Fayetteville, TN town square. A Slawburger is a hamburger where the patty is topped by a mustard-based cole slaw. This Slawburger is only prepared by a few local restaurants like Honey's Restaurant, Ken's Fast Foods and Bill's Cafe. This big rock is in front of Lincoln County High School along highway US231/431. The painted slawburger must not be permanent as there is something else painted here on Google street view.
Swine & Dine Restaurant Located along TN149 near the intersection of TN 13/48 south of Clarksville.
Cassano's Pizza King neon sign This is one of many signs on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. Here is some video from the museum: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3PBGPCKEfE Cassano's Pizza King is a chain of fast food Pizza restaurants in Southwest Ohio. This mid-to-late 1950s sign appears in the Cincinnati local sign room.
Slawburger Festival 2019 - Fayetteville, TN Starting in 2015, the third Saturday in April brings the yearly Slawburger Festival to the Fayetteville, TN town square. A Slawburger is a hamburger where the patty is topped by a mustard-based cole slaw. This Slawburger is only prepared by a few local restaurants like Honey's Restaurant, Ken's Fast Foods and Bill's Cafe. While the stage, eating and cornhole are to the right, I'd like to know what Cow Art is to the left. The festival was wrapping up by the time I got there.
Honey's Restaurant - Fayetteville, TN Starting in 2015, the third Saturday in April brings the yearly Slawburger Festival to the Fayetteville, TN town square. A Slawburger is a hamburger where the patty is topped by a mustard-based cole slaw. This Slawburger is only prepared by a few local restaurants like Honey's Restaurant, Ken's Fast Foods and Bill's Café.
Jumbo House Hamburgers north side of Columbia, TN along US31
Regas Restaurant Sign This is a nice old-fashioned restaurant sign which is seen by motorists passing by on Interstate 40 on the east side of downtown Knoxville
Giant Longhorn Armadillo - Houston Even the mutant armadillos are bigger in Texas. This one is 14 feet long, 22 feet tall perched on a boulder, with glowing red eyes, and the horns of longhorn cattle. This is outside a restaurant called Goode Company Armadillo Palace.
Weidmann's neon sign - Meridian, MS Weidmann's Restaurant - Since 1870 - located downtown Meridian, MS
Heileman's Old Style Lager Cafe neon sign This is one of many signs on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. Here is some video from the museum: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3PBGPCKEfE
Georgiton's Pizza Restaurant This restaurant sign is a vintage two-for, with neon and chaser light bulbs. This is one of many signs on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. Here is some video from the museum: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3PBGPCKEfE
Frostee Freeze Drive-In neon sign - Tazewell, TN This Drive-in is in Tazewell along Youngstown Rd. (Old US25E) near the intersection of Broad St.
Twig and Leaf neon sign A restaurant sign in Louisville, KY along Bardstown Rd. (US 31E)
Bobbie's Dairy Dip it's a popular 50's style walk up eatery along Charlotte Pk (US 70) on the west side of Nashville
Skyline Drive-In / Double Cola This now out of business drive-in with the uncommon Double Cola sign is along the south side of Pulaski, TN in Giles County along highway 31. I really like the way the late afternoon sun was hitting the building. Plus, the other side of the sign was missing to illuminate the old sign.
Crown Caterers neon sign Crown Caterers - Deli - Restaurant This is one of many signs on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. Here is some video from the museum: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3PBGPCKEfE
Larry's Original Mexican Restaurant neon sign - Richmond, TX Seen along Jackson St. (US90) in Richmond, TX
Busy Bee Drive-In - Clarksville, TN Sadly, this mom and pop restaurant in Clarksville looks to be out of business.
King David Dogs with Hene Deli Meats (sign) Seen in downtown Indianapolis
King David Dogs with Hene Deli Meats (neon) Seen in downtown Indianapolis
Frosty Mug Drive-In - Harrogate, TN
Restaurant neon sign Old neon sign along US41 in Guthrie, KY
City Hall Cafe/Hudepohl Beer neon sign This neon sign is seen in the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. Specifically, it is in the local signs room.
Pal's Sudden Service Pal's is a small chain of fast food restaurants in far East Tennessee. They are very popular with the locals and after having a chance to eat there a couple of times, I can see why. I really liked their burgers and their milkshakes are about the best I've had at any fast food place. (I tried the chili dog and thought it was ok, and I wasn't really impressed with the fries. Obviously, the first thing you notice s the building with the large "big pal" Burger coming out the front, with a giant hot dog, beverage cup and frenchie fries on top. All of their approx. 20 locations outside of the first two stores have this general design. I was also impressed by the sudden service, as the name implied. You drive up to a window on the right side and speak to a person (not a speaker) to order, then drive to the other side where it's already waiting for you. For someone like me who can't get In-n-Out Burger in this side of the country, this makes for a nice alternative.
Gus Cafe - Hattiesburg, MS
Pal's #1 Pal's is a fast food chain in and around northeast, TN. They are best known for their large burger, hot dog, drink and fries on the building, which is seen here. The first ever Pal's restaraunt opened in Kingsport, TN in 1956, where it remains virtually unchanged for many years. (However, for many years there used to be a large 19¢, which was the price of the Big Pal Burger for many years.) This is located in the heart of Kingsport, just a couple of blocks from the central business district.
Frisch's Mainliner - Fairfax, OH Frisch's Mainliner was a restaurant started by the Frisch family before they became the Ohio Franchisee of Big Boy. The location was along US50 in the Cincinnati suburb of Fairfax. In 2018, the store was remodeled to include a small Frisch's museum. A mainliner was a type of airplane popular in the 30s when the restaurant was opened and is featured in the sign.
Burger Bar - Bristol, VA According to legend, this could have been the last place Hank Williams stopped to eat before he died - as in his driver apparently asked if he wanted a bite to eat while passing by here and Williams said no. With this in mind, my wife and I decided to eat at the popular local greasy spoon while on our vacation. When we walked in, we found they had three tables and about 6 barstools, all taken the teeny tiny burger joint was packed so we went elsewhere,
Eunice's Country Kitchen - Huntsville, AL This is a replica restaurant filled with furnishings from the original. It is located on the grounds of the Huntsville Depot Museum and is the only museum honoring a restaurant proprietor in Alabama. Learn more here: www.al.com/living/2017/10/the_story_of_eunice_merrell_ma....
Scottie's Diner - Soddy-Daisy, TN Modern restaurant with retro design neon sign. Located along Dayton Pike (Old US27)
The Lady & Sons neon sign - Savannah, GA The Lady & Sons restaurant is where celebrity chef Paula Deen got her start. The restaurant dates back to 1989, but moved to the downtown Savannah location in 1996.
Buca di Beppo neon sign - Indianapolis The neon sign for the Buca di Beppo restaurant in downtown Indianapolis has a vintage look to it. However, the chain is less than 30 years old, so this sign can't be that old. I like the tipped bottle with drops into the glass.
Bar-B-Cutie sign A Nolensville Rd. longtime establishment. Their motto is "Get Your Booty to Bar-B-Cutie" Although I'm sure the sign has been replaced a few times over the years, the design hasn't changed much since 1950, when they opened their doors. This photo once made explore, peaking at #364
Frisch's Big Boy - American Sign Museum The American Sign Museum in Cincinnati has too many cool signs to fit in the museum, so a few are placed on the outside. Frisch's was the franchiser of Big Boy restaurants in Ohio, so this sign probably didn't travel too far. On the inside of the museum is a big boy statue, which you can see here: flic.kr/p/2iRWbgg
Maisie's meat and three restaurant Old Hickory, TN
Brownie's Restaurant - Athens, TN Along US11
Dolly PartHEN - Frizzle Chicken - Pigeon Forge Frizzle Chicken is a one-of-a-kind tourist restaurant in Pigeon Forge, TN. The highlight is dozens of animatronic chickens which surround the patrons. Each chicken is named after a celebrity with a poultry pun like Dolly PartHEN, Dwight YOLKam or Elvis PresLAY. Then, every so often they sing together, as you can see in this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zTAfGPEW-E
Howard Johnson's Restaurant neon This neon sign for a Howard Johnson's Restaurant is on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. This sign from the early 1960s originally identified a HoJo at Times Square in New York City. The location closed in the 1980s..
Howard Johnson's Restaurant neon According to the notes at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, This Howard Johnson's Restaurant neon sign was part of the personal collection of Pompeo DeRenzo. He started at an entry level position but rose to become one of the company's top performing area manager a decade later. He finished his career managing the store in Towson, MD. When the store was rebranded, he kept this sign. The museum acquired the sign from his family in 2006. Here is some video from the museum, including video of how this sign animates: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3PBGPCKEfE
Campisi's is not an Egyptian Restaurant - Dallas, TX Carlo Campisi moved from Sicily to the United States in 1904. In 1946, he was the first to serve pizza in Dallas. He purchased the Egyptian Lounge, but didn't have money in the budget to fully replace the signs. He kept the work Egyptian but changed Lounge to Restaurant. After Carlo passed away, Joseph Campisi took over the family business. The restaurant did well, but a well-to-do Italian creates rumors that he is part of the Mafia. These rumors were magnified by Joseph's relationship with noted mobster Jack Ruby. Jack Ruby is best know for the Assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald. Ruby also visited Joseph in this restaurant on the night before JFK came to town and was assassinated. Thus, JFK conspiracy theorists suggest plans were made here. Once Ruby was in prison Joseph continued to be a frequent visitor. Today, this restaurant is still owned by the same Campisi family, although they have expanded their locations. A sign by the door notes President George W. Bush sometimes eats here; his Presidential Library on the SMU campus is about 10 minutes away. I have a short video about this place here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzH8ZIGH57U
Bo-Mac's Drive Inn - Shoals, IN Shakes - Sundaes - Root Beer - Sandwiches Along US50/US150
Dumas Walker's - Greensburg, KY Flanked by a couple of old Double Cola signs, the words painted about the door read: KY. Head Hunters Original Slawburger Fry & Bottle of "Ski" Grammy Winning Dumas Walker Slaw Burger The story here is a little confusing, but it relates to the 1989 Kentucky Headhunters song Dumas Walker. The video is here: youtu.be/FTBWiUkR69w The Chorus goes: Let’s all go, down to Dumas Walker We’ll get a slaw burger, fries and a bottle of Ski Bring it on out to my baby and me Dumas Walker was a real person and is shown shooting marbles on a pool table in the beginning of the video. In addition to being a champion at marbles, he owned a general store in Moss, TN. The restaurant seen here is a greasy spoon actually named the Adolphus Ennis Lunchroom. Apparently, the band members ate here often and enjoyed the slaw burger and Ski (which is Double Cola's version of Mountain Dew). After the song became a hit, the owners wanted to make sure everyone knew this establishment was the restaurant inspiration for the song. It's located on the Greensburg town square.
Ned's Shed Hamburgers - Vienna, IL Main St. @ 1st St, (US45)
Vintage A&W Drive-In Neon sign - Erin, TN I can only assume that this used to be a chain of the A&W fast food restaurants which used to be one of the most prevalent chains in the 70's, and is still around today, but in smaller numbers. Today, this place is known as BJ's Family Diner. If you look just below the ice cream cone, you can see the faded A&W. When it ceased being an A&W, you can see that someone went to the trouble of removing the A&W neon tubing, but not repainting that area. Then they put in new neon tubing for solid lines. It makes you wonder why they went to the trouble. I'd like to see if the neon still works, although I suspect it doesn't if a light pole sticks out from it. There's neon tubing around the ice cream swirl at top, as well as the cone. Under the three lines is the red section with the white DRIVE IN with the letters and the shape of the arrow in neon. (apparently, BJs still operates as a drive in.) Finally, the last segment says in neon letters "GOOD FOOD" Seen in Erin, TN on the west side of town along Main St. (TN highway 49) UPDATE!!! Look at the comment below. The restaurant was really named for Archie & Wes, the two owners.
El Rancho Grande neon sign - Tulsa, OK I'm not sure how old this neon sign for a Mexican Restaurant is, but I like it. Also, it's located along Route 66 in Tulsa (11th St. alignment) In the design, the man is holding a rope which forms a lasso forming the word EL and then encircling Rancho Grande with Mexican Food below. I hope the man is careful as there's a venomous snake behind the cactus!
Waylan's Ku-Ku neon sign - Miami, OK The Ku-Ku was once a hamburger fast food chain, but Waylan's Ku-Ku along Route 66 in Miami, OK is the last surviving location. The signature design of the building has a ku-ku bird emerging from the front of the building as if it is a Cuckoo clock, although interior expansion makes it harder to get a good view of it. A second ku-ku has been placed by the menu board. And, of course the bird makes an appearance on the neon sign out front. As a bonus for Route 66 travelers, they keep a light blue Ford Fairlane at the base of the sign. Another thing you don't see at chains - My wife and I got there for supper at 5:15 only to learn they close at 5pm.
Waylan's Ku-Ku Bird - Miami, OK The Ku-Ku was once a hamburger fast food chain, but Waylan's Ku-Ku along Route 66 in Miami, OK is the last surviving location. The signature design of the building has a ku-ku bird emerging from the front of the building as if it is a Cuckoo clock, although interior expansion makes it harder to get a good view of it. A second ku-ku has been placed by the menu board. And, of course the bird makes an appearance on the neon sign out front. Another thing you don't see at chains - My wife and I got there for supper at 5:15 only to learn they close at 5pm.
Waylan's Ku-Ku Clock - Miami, OK The Ku-Ku was once a hamburger fast food chain, but Waylan's Ku-Ku along Route 66 in Miami, OK is the last surviving location. The signature design of the building has a ku-ku bird emerging from the front of the building as if it is a Cuckoo clock, although interior expansion makes it harder to get a good view of it. A second ku-ku has been placed by the menu board. And, of course the bird makes an appearance on the neon sign out front. Another thing you don't see at chains - My wife and I got there for supper at 5:15 only to learn they close at 5pm.
Hank's Hamburgers - Tulsa, OK This restaurant is along the Admiral Pl. alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa. They are the home of the six patties "Okie Dokie" burger.
Loveless Cafe Neon Sign - Nashville, TN This southwest Nashville restaurant is a local landmark and this day was my first visit in 16 years. Their brochure used to mention Weatherman Willard Scott's claim they have the best biscuits in the world. The Motel has been closed for a long time and is used for retail shops instead. They now have a historic marker: In 1951, Lon and Annie Loveless began serving fried chicken, biscuits and jams at picnic tables to hungry travelers from Highway 100, then the main road between Nashville and Memphis. They soon converted their 4-room home into a restaurant, added the 14-room Loveless Motel, a smokehouse and the iconic neon sign. Known for scratch-made Southern meals using recipes passed down by Lon and Annie, The Loveless Café remains a staple that welcomes over half a million guests each year.
Cattlemen's Cafe neon sign - OKC If you looked at the exterior and then dined in the old section, you might not realize this is perhaps the most famous restaurant in Oklahoma City. Cattlemen' Cafe is spelled out in block letters on the neon sign in the foreground - a lantern hangs from another beam in front of it. Cattlemen's is also written in cursive in a neon sign over the main entrance. This is located in OKC's Stockyards district.
Vintage Dairy Queen sign - Andalusia, AL This old building is adorned with Dairy Queen logos, but the actual restaurant is to the left. My original thought was this was a very old DQ location, but they expanded by buying the building next door. Apparently, that's not the case, but I don't know for sure. Instead the building to the left is the original location and when this building became available, they bought it for the space and additional parking. Whatever the history is, they have a nice vintage neon sign across the top. The mural on the right has a Dairy Queen logo in the corner, but otherwise celebrates old schools of the county. See the mural here: flic.kr/p/2mwusPc
Fox & Locke neon sign - Lieper's Fork This is a rather new neon sign for the Leiper's Fork establishment which had formerly been Puckett's Restaurant and Grocery.
Rock Cafe - Stroud, OK Rock Cafe is an Iconic Route 66 restaurant in Stroud, OK. The Rock used to build it came from the construction of Route 66 and the owner was the inspiration of a Pixar Cars character. Here is its wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Caf%C3%A9 The Rock Café in Stroud, Oklahoma, a historic restaurant on U.S. Route 66, takes its name from the local sandstone used in its construction. Originally built in 1936 and opened in 1939, the Rock Café reopened on May 29, 2009 after extensive repairs by historic preservationist David Burke due to damage from a 2008 fire. The restaurant's cookbook, written during the rebuilding effort, was published in November 2009. Rock Café proprietor Dawn Welch, a long-time promoter of U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma selected by The Oklahoman as Oklahoma's 2009 Woman of the Year, is the basis for animated character Sally Carrera in the Pixar film Cars. History Roy Rieves started building the Rock Café in 1936 during the Dust Bowl era of the Great Depression and relied on local materials to build the café's distinctive stone exterior, doing much of the construction work himself or hiring students. The original costs included $100 for the land and $5 for local Kellyville sandstone left over from construction on the U.S. Route 66 roadway which had come to Stroud, Oklahoma in 1926. The café opened in August 1939, initially operating under manager Miss Thelma Holloway, and was a busy local Greyhound bus stop during World War II. Its neon signage was installed in the late 1940s. Mamie Mayfield operated the Rock Café twenty-four hours a day in 1959 and retired at age 70 on July 14, 1983. Business from cross-country truckers declined with the construction of Interstate 44 in Oklahoma, a toll road, although Highway 66 remains as a free alternative to the Turner Turnpike. After U.S. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, highway 66 became Oklahoma State Highway 66. Dawn Welch, the current proprietor, acquired the café from Ed Smalley in 1993. Mamie J. Mayfield's (December 22, 1912 - September 25, 1994) name was kept alive in the form of a souvenir shop, Mamie's General Store. [Note: It's the building to the left.] In 1999, an F3 tornado heavily damaged Stroud, destroying the town's 53-store Tanger Outlet mall and wiping out a handful of key local employers including a Sygma food service distribution facility. The Rock Café survived, though its neon sign was damaged, but business was down by half due to the state of the fragile local economy. In 2001, the Rock Café was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, qualifying it for matching grants and loans to finance its historic restoration. When the first Pixar crews researching Route 66 stopped at the Rock Café in 2001, restoration and repair of the 1999 tornado damage was not yet complete; the neon flickered briefly but failed to come to life. With a federal grant and a loan of $30,000 in matching funds, the Rock Café was restored with new heating and air conditioning systems, replacement of the original wiring, restoration of neon signage and a return of the building to its original layout. In 2007, travelling artist Bob Waldmire depicted the café in one of his works; Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives also devoted part of an episode to the Rock. On January 21, 2010, Dawn Welch appeared on NBC-TV´s Today show, cooking and promoting her book. The January 2010 edition of "Oklahoma Living" magazine named the Rock Café "Best Oklahoma Diner", featuring its proprietor in a cover photo. Stroud, Oklahoma also slowly began to recover economically through increased activity in the oil and gas sectors and in tourism. While the destroyed outlet shopping mall was not rebuilt, the community successfully marketed its industrial park, and is now a leading small city in oilfield manufacturing and transportation, particularly in the rail and pipeline sectors.
Rock Cafe Sign - Stroud, OK Rock Cafe is an Iconic Route 66 restaurant in Stroud, OK. The Rock used to build it came from the construction of Route 66 and the owner was the inspiration of a Pixar Cars character. Here is its wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Caf%C3%A9 The Rock Café in Stroud, Oklahoma, a historic restaurant on U.S. Route 66, takes its name from the local sandstone used in its construction. Originally built in 1936 and opened in 1939, the Rock Café reopened on May 29, 2009 after extensive repairs by historic preservationist David Burke due to damage from a 2008 fire. The restaurant's cookbook, written during the rebuilding effort, was published in November 2009. Rock Café proprietor Dawn Welch, a long-time promoter of U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma selected by The Oklahoman as Oklahoma's 2009 Woman of the Year, is the basis for animated character Sally Carrera in the Pixar film Cars. History Roy Rieves started building the Rock Café in 1936 during the Dust Bowl era of the Great Depression and relied on local materials to build the café's distinctive stone exterior, doing much of the construction work himself or hiring students. The original costs included $100 for the land and $5 for local Kellyville sandstone left over from construction on the U.S. Route 66 roadway which had come to Stroud, Oklahoma in 1926. The café opened in August 1939, initially operating under manager Miss Thelma Holloway, and was a busy local Greyhound bus stop during World War II. Its neon signage was installed in the late 1940s. Mamie Mayfield operated the Rock Café twenty-four hours a day in 1959 and retired at age 70 on July 14, 1983. Business from cross-country truckers declined with the construction of Interstate 44 in Oklahoma, a toll road, although Highway 66 remains as a free alternative to the Turner Turnpike. After U.S. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, highway 66 became Oklahoma State Highway 66. Dawn Welch, the current proprietor, acquired the café from Ed Smalley in 1993. Mamie J. Mayfield's (December 22, 1912 - September 25, 1994) name was kept alive in the form of a souvenir shop, Mamie's General Store. In 1999, an F3 tornado heavily damaged Stroud, destroying the town's 53-store Tanger Outlet mall and wiping out a handful of key local employers including a Sygma food service distribution facility. The Rock Café survived, though its neon sign was damaged, but business was down by half due to the state of the fragile local economy. In 2001, the Rock Café was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, qualifying it for matching grants and loans to finance its historic restoration. When the first Pixar crews researching Route 66 stopped at the Rock Café in 2001, restoration and repair of the 1999 tornado damage was not yet complete; the neon flickered briefly but failed to come to life. With a federal grant and a loan of $30,000 in matching funds, the Rock Café was restored with new heating and air conditioning systems, replacement of the original wiring, restoration of neon signage and a return of the building to its original layout. In 2007, travelling artist Bob Waldmire depicted the café in one of his works; Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives also devoted part of an episode to the Rock. On January 21, 2010, Dawn Welch appeared on NBC-TV´s Today show, cooking and promoting her book. The January 2010 edition of "Oklahoma Living" magazine named the Rock Café "Best Oklahoma Diner", featuring its proprietor in a cover photo. Stroud, Oklahoma also slowly began to recover economically through increased activity in the oil and gas sectors and in tourism. While the destroyed outlet shopping mall was not rebuilt, the community successfully marketed its industrial park, and is now a leading small city in oilfield manufacturing and transportation, particularly in the rail and pipeline sectors.
Back Door BBQ - Oklahoma City This photo was taken along 23rd St. (Route 66) in Oklahoma City. I took this photo last summer, and they went out of business three weeks later. I believe this is a new sign made to look old.as they were in business 8 years.
Cre Mel Root Beer & Hamburgers This appears to be a vintage neon sign for a long gone restaurant in Grand Prairie, TX. However, it is next door to Theo's Drive-in. This sign is along highway TX180, which is former US80 and the old road to connect Dallas to Fort Worth.
Fisher's Cafe - Lancaster, TN As I was taking a picture of this former café which might now be a private residence, a local came up and gave me a quick history of the town. Lancaster is a quiet town in Southeast Smith County, about 5 miles from the Center Hill Dam along highway TN141. While the dam was being constructed following World War II, Lancaster was a Boom town for a while. The local told me the Café was a front for other operations. While he left these unspoken illegal activities to my imagination, they stopped when the dam was finished. Lancaster is again a quiet little town.
Santa's Coming to Toot's Toot's is a sports bar type restaurant based in Rutherford County. This was painted on one of their windows at the Smyrna Sam Ridley location.
Clown Hamburgers - Haltom City, TX You might think it's crazy or creepy, but it's an iconic sign for the popular restaurant since the 50's in the Fort Worth suburb of Haltom City. It looks like there are holes for the neon, but those tubes are long gone and the paint is peeling.
Cassano's Pizza King sign under repair Vic Cassano's Pizza King is a chain of fast food Pizza restaurants in Southwest Ohio. This mid-to-late 1950s sign was under repair at the American Sign Museum. One thing I appreciate about this museum is visitors are allowed to venture into some of the rooms where repairs can be made. This photo was taken in 2019, so who knows what has happened to it since. This one was in addition to another completely restored version of the sign, which is my most popular photo from the museum: flic.kr/p/2fvZrfX
Please Enter Next Door Hobble House, a restaurant on the town square in Shelbyville, TN
Earl's Restaurant neon sign - Cleveland, TN Unfortunately, the sign for Earl's is behind a tree when looking from either side. Oh, well.
Park use our easy entrance to Restaurant Here's a fantastic old neon sign which was always there, but hard to see for a while. This is located in Monteagle, TN where highways US41 and US41A meet. Today, this restaurant is the Depot Cafe (Home of the Bigfoot Burger). I'm not sure how long they've been here, but they've been the proprietor since the oldest Google Street View in 2007. Maybe they built this sign decades ago, or maybe it was different back then. I assume Park is a suggestion and not the name of the place back then. I've driven through here many times and never noticed this. The other side has a new sign covering it up. (confirmed on Google street view since 2007.) I assume if this side was covered, the remaining neon tubes would have broke off. However, the back was noticeable this time because the sign has been rotated on the pole 90 degrees - it used to face the back of the parking lot.
Sherri's Diner neon sign - Oklahoma City
A&B Lobster House Restaurant neon sign - Key West, FL
Von Elrod's neon sign Modern neon sign in the Germantown area of Nashville - It's across from the sounds ballpark main entrance.
Superica neon sign - Nashville Located near downtown Nashville, I like the modern sign for this restaurant, especially the arrow which looks older.
Downtown Nashville Taco Bell Guitar Sign This Taco Bell is located in the tourist area of downtown Nashville along 2nd Ave. The inside was also a small music venue. They also had a poster of a guitar with the tuning knobs replaced by tacos.
Ellis Restaurant neon sign - Chattanooga This is a once-fantastic sign for a long-abandoned restaurant in downtown Chattanooga. It's located across the street from the Choo Choo. According to this article, it closed in 1979. www.chattanoogan.com/2002/9/21/26751/What-Did-That-Old-Bu... The sign reminds me of a theater marquee, with the name out front with some chaser light bulbs on the front and underneath. Then, there's the neon for all of their entree's: Steaks, Chops, Seafood, Spaghetti, Charcoal Broiler, Live Lobster. They topped the front with two neon frogs (and now-gone leaping frogs between them) to appear to jump from side to side. Behind this, It looks like the building façade had shiny black porcelain tiles. Here, Steaks and Chops were stencil painted. If it's been closed over 40 years, it's amazing it hasn't deteriorated even further. I think I walked past this place in 1994 and have a vague memory of it being in decent shape.
Parker's Drive-in neon sign - Paducah KY Along with a neon ice cream cone, if has a neon hamburger with quite a bit of neon detail. My wife and I stopped here for a meal during a multi-state road trip.
Prairie Dog Drive In - Grand Prairie, TX I apologize for the huge power line in the view, but I like the sign so much, I'm uploading it anyway. This restaurant is located along Main St. (Old US80, TX180) in Grand Prairie.
Bubba's Fillin Station Cafe - Old Ford Firetruck This vintage fire truck was placed within the last year at Bubba's Fillin Station Cafe. The restaurant is located in an old mechanics garage along highway TN100 at Old Bon Air Road in Hickman County. Previously, they were located in an old gas station along TN100 closer to Lyles.
Sid & Roxie's Green Turtle Inn neon sign (dusk) - Islamorada, FL Despite the name, this is today only a restaurant - It was a motel at one time, but the original building was replaced in 2004. It's located in Islamorada along the Overseas Highway (US1) in the Florida Keys. Sid & Roxie Siderious ran this establishment starting in 1947 until they sold it in 1996. I can't find a date on the old sign, but the neon turtle appears animated.
Sid & Roxie's Green Turtle Inn neon sign (day) - Islamorada, FL Despite the name, this is today only a restaurant - It was a motel at one time, but the original building was replaced in 2004. It's located in Islamorada along the Overseas Highway (US1) in the Florida Keys. Sid & Roxie Siderious ran this establishment starting in 1947 until they sold it in 1996. I can't find a date on the old sign, but the neon turtle appears animated.
Boulevard Hotel - Miami Beach, FL While not the most specifically photographed hotels in historic Miami Beach, its prominent red neon and placement along Ocean Blvd. make it appear in hotel group shots often. Today, it appears to operate only as a restaurant. This building is part of the Miami Beach Architectural District. The National Register of Historic Places nominating form notes the building is of an International Style which means it is rectilinear with expressive massing of parts but largely devoid of applied decorative details. The hotel was originally the Bolivar Hotel in 1950, but has major exterior alterations which have changed the character and details of the original design.
Keller's Drive-In neon sign - Dallas, TX This is an old-fashioned burger and milkshake Drive-in where a carhop comes to take your order, then brings your food. They are cash only, and it's been a long time since I've seen that. It's located on Northwest Highway (TX12) in Dallas.
RyeMabee - Monteagle, TN Here's the text of the marker in the front: The first home on this property was the residence of Dr. Oliver D. Mabee, who died in 1896. After the 1925 death of Oliver's daughter-in-law Marie, and a subsequent and protracted legal dispute with her siblings, Mrs. Irene Mabee Dickinson of Chicago, the daughter of Oliver's son Charles, gained legal control of the property for a payment of $6,000. Shortly after, Mrs. Dickinson demolished the original Mabee home and started construction on the preset two story, ten room fieldstone Tudor Revival cottage she first called "Castlewood" and later "RyMabee." The Cottage is an exemplary representation of the early twentieth century Tudor Revival or English Cottage Revival Style. Roads first crossed over this, the narrowest portion of the Cumberland Plateau, in the 1840s. The Mabee home is located on what was the earliest east-west post road, and later, the first turnpike between Nashville and Chattanooga. Interviews with persons living in Monteagle in the late 1920s indicate that Al Capone frequented the original 1875 Mabee home. Capone, it is said, came through Monteagle on a regular basis when he was traveling between Chicago and his Florida estate in Miami. There are reportedly pictures from the late 1920s showing Capone in his car, being towed up Highway 41 from Pelham after it had mechanical problems. In the 1950s, the home became a restaurant, operated by Clara and Tom Shoemate. During that time, RyMabee was renamed "Claramont." In the early 1960s, after Clara Shoemate opened an event facility overlooking Lost Cove in Sewanee, the building reverted to a private residence before re-opening in the late 1990s as "High Point", once again a restaurant in an elegant and historic setting. The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Their website also adds this note: The mansion was built in 1929 and still contains the original hardwood flooring and authentic light fixtures, presumably financed by Al Capone. In the twenties and early thirties, the three-story compound had escape hatches on the roof and underground tunnels in the basement. Capone used it for the transferring of liquor. It is widely believed that Capone and John Dillinger lounged outside on the mountain stone patio of the building while having drinks and playing numerous hands of cards.
Sea Watch neon sign - Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL This neon sign is for an oceanfront restaurant along highway A1A in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
PegLeg Porker neon sign - Nashville, TN
Tropical Acres neon sign - Dania Beach, FL Tropical Acres is a steakhouse in Dania Beach, FL. The sign is located along U.S. Highway 1 at Old Griffin Rd. Not only was the restaurant established in 1949, but the sign was apparently put up that year as well. (Source: www.browardpalmbeach.com/best-of/2001/arts-and-entertainm... ) The arrows on either side of "2 Miles" is relatively new. Originally, those arrows weren't there. Instead there was a red arrow portion of the sign at the top with the words Steak House, but this part of the sign was hurt by Hurricane Wilma. On the other side of the bottom part with "Est. 1949" says "Welcome to Dania Beach"
Blue Circle Hamburgers - Knoxville, TN At least I assume this is Blue Circle Hamburgers, which used to be a chain in east TN, but all but one of them are now gone. In downtown Knoxville, this entire side of the block was under construction, but the sign for a vacant business remains.
Dotson's Restaurant US31 - Franklin, TN
Jobe's Drive-In neon sign - El Reno, OK Seen along Route 66. When compared to Google street view, this sign has been completely repainted in the last year, but the neon sign for JOBES at the top looks about the same.
Lucille's Place / Provine Service Station This Route 66 landmark is on the National Register of Historic Places. A restaurant keeping the name has located a few miles away in Weatherford. I also made a video of the Route 66 drive leaving east from here into El Reno along some of the original pavement. youtu.be/B74uo-UEdgM?si=YBytsPgYfqJpvZ4E en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provine_Service_Station The Provine Service Station (later the Hamons Court, Hamons' Service Station or simply Lucille's Place) is a historic filling station on U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma. Located a half-mile south of Hydro, Oklahoma and operated by Lucille Hamons from 1941 until her death on August 18, 2000, the site was added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Lucille Hamons' generous assistance to motorists on U.S. Route 66 during hard economic times at the end of the Great Depression would make her a US Route 66 legend, earning the nickname "Mother of the Mother Road." History Opened by Carl Ditmore in 1929, this is one of the few remaining examples of a two-story fuel station with the owner's residence situated above the pumps on an upper floor. W.O. and Ida Waldroup changed the name to Provine Service Station after buying the station in 1934 and would later add tourist cabins to provide five motel rooms on-site. Lucille and Carl Hamons acquired the Provine Station in 1941, a few months before the US entry into World War II. Mobilization for war brought wartime rationing of fuel and tires, causing civilian traffic on the highway to decline. Carl Hamons worked as an independent trucker, leaving Lucille to operate the station and the motel. Traffic on US 66 would then increase substantially during the 1950s and 1960s, only to vanish with the completion of Interstate 40 in the area in 1971. "After Carl got a truck to earn more money, I was alone here to run this place. During this time, people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and eastern Oklahoma were travelling the road to the West Coast to find jobs. ... Many times I would have people stop that were completely broke, and I would feed them and give them gas in exchange for some appliance or other articles of value they might have. Sometimes I would just buy their old broke-down cars, and then they would catch the bus and head on west looking for work." — Lucille Hamons After the highway was bypassed, the motel closed and Carl and Lucille would divorce but Lucille's would continue to serve a largely local clientele. The station became known for vending very cold beer from its old cooler at a time when nearby Weatherford, Oklahoma (home of Southwestern Oklahoma State University) was officially a dry town. The last fuel was dispensed in 1986 and the station ultimately became a souvenir shop, with demand in the 1990s driven largely by nostalgia surrounding a road which by then had become not merely a decommissioned highway but a powerful symbol of a bygone era. The original "Hamons Court" motel sign was donated by the Hamons family in 2003 to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where it is now displayed as part of an exhibition on "America on the Move".
Route 66 Diner - Clinton, OK This diner has been moved to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK. Here is the marker placed by the museum: The Valentine Manufacturing Company in Wichita, Kansas built Valentine Diners between 1938 and 1974. They were the only significant diner manufacturer outside the Northeast. The Valentine Diner was a small, boxy diner, which was radically different than any other manufacturers. The company produced the vast majority of factory-built diners west of the Mississippi. They had from five to ten stools around an L-shaped counter and often featured a take-out window. There were no tables and lots of time it was "standing room only" In order to pay the $5,000 that these diners sold for, the owners were to place 10% of their daily gross income in a lock box which was situated by the front door of the diner. Each month a man from the train would come by, open the box, and send the payment to the manufacturer. The trainman was the only person that had a key to that lock box. This diner was opened for business on Route 66 in 1956 at Shamrock, TX by M.L. Porter and his wife, Alta, and was known as the Porter House Café. It was closed in 1964.
Starlight Frozen Custard This restaurant sign with its larger than life cone is seen in Louisville, KY along Shelbyville Rd. (US60). I may have heard that this place went out of business. I wish we had these where I live. I was in Louisville for almost a day and saw over a dozen different ice cream shops.
Mack's Restaurant neon sign - Cairo, IL Cairo, IL is a fascinating city. A century ago, it was a thriving city at the southern end of Illinois where rivers meet. However, a large percentage of the population leaves every decade and eventually Cairo will be a ghost town. The town has fascinating and intricate architecture, but the few remaining citizens can't save everything. A few places are actively preserved, but many places are crumbling or have been torn down. Despite being located along a busy highway, US51, Mack's Restaurant is now closed. Based on Google Street View, it looks like it closed in 2014. In the days leading up to the 2024 eclipse, I heard that Cairo is now only large enough to support one restaurant which is Shemwell's Barbecue further south in town.
H3 Ranch - Fort Worth Stockyards This is a newer restaurant in the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District. It's right at the entrance to the Stockyards, so the sign is at the intersection of Exchange Ave. and Main St. (Bus. US287). Although it's a newer sign, I like the design elements of the horseshoe and campfire. I also ate here and my wife said it was the best meal on our vacation.
Texas Motel and Restaurant - Route 66 - McLean, TX Along the stretch of Route 66 through McLean, the eastbound and westbound lanes are a block apart. This motel and restaurant occupies space between the lanes on the east side of town. It originally opened in the 1960s as the Dixie Motel but became the Texas Motel in 1968. At one time, there were 23 units, but it has long been abandoned.
Frosty Inn Barrel Sign - Russellville, AL This old fashioned fast food establishment was built in 1960 and located along US43. www.al.com/life/2023/04/63-years-of-memories-at-an-old-sc...
Triangle Cafe neon sign - Amarillo, TX The Triangle Motel and Cafe is a vintage Route 66 stop on the east side of Amarillo. The Triangle was formed where highways US66 and US60 met, both coming from the east, but at different angles. After the airport was built nearby, that southern alignment of Route 66 was covered and realigned with US60 on the north. The motel itself was completed in 1952 with a Streamline Moderne design and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The complex included a Cafe and Gas Station. All of these businesses appear to be closed, but the cafe was probably opened more recently as a bar. So, it's not open even the sign is painted to say that
Vintage Route 66 Restaurant & Truck Stop sign This vintage sign, which has been partially repainted as a Mexican Restaurant, is located along Amarillo Blvd. This road was Route 66 and modern US60 on the east side of Amarillo.
Maryland Manor - Brentwood, TN Today, the Maryland Farms area of Brentwood is a large business district, but at one time the whole area was a farm. Maryland Manor was the farmhouse. For about 40 years, the Manor has been home to Mere Bulles restaurant. Here is the description from the City of Brentwood website: maps.brentwoodtn.gov/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experi... J. Truman Ward, owner of WLAC radio station in Nashville, purchased 100 acres of land along Old Hickory Boulevard in 1937. He later purchased an additional 300 acres and Maryland Farms became a showplace for Tennessee Walking Horses, American saddle horses and over 50 brood mares. Once the 20-stall stable for some of the nation's top American saddle horses and Tennessee walking horses, the remodeled barn is today the centerpiece of Brentwood's tree-lined business complex, Maryland Farms. Maryland Farms had its beginning in 1937 when J. Truman Ward, then owner of WLAC Radio Station in Nashville, bought 100 acres of "stump land" on Old Hickory Boulevard in Brentwood. He later added other lands until he had amassed a 400-acre spread, which he named Maryland Farms for his wife Mary. In 1941-2, they built a family home, calling it Maryland Manor. The two-story colonial style home contained more than 7,500 square feet of living space. Ward's love for horses manifested itself in this showplace for fine horses. He began by building a twenty-stall stable measuring 44 by 155 feet with an interior of wormy chestnut and knotty pine ceilings. Twenty by 20 feet stalls were finished in oak. Both American saddle horses and Tennessee walking horses were stabled there for training. Other barns and pastures were enclosed within five miles of white plank fences. In its heyday it was home for 50 brood mares. Movie stars and country music legends, including Gene Autry and Barbara Stanwyck, bought their horses from Ward and his trainers. In 1941, the Wards bought American Ace, an outstanding stallion show horse who became a prized sire. After the death of American Ace in 1953, the Ward family replaced their horse operation with a cattle farm. In 1958, Edward Potter, founder and president of Commerce Union Bank, leased Maryland Farms and returned horses to the sprawling property. A year later, horse aficionados launched the Brentwood Derby on the farm, an annual horse race that was the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce’s sole fundraiser for local charities until the tradition ceased in 1971.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch The Big Texan is a tourist trap, but I enjoyed my visit there. This is the famous restaurant which advertises the "Free 72oz. steak." What that really means is you have to eat the whole thing, plus a salad, beak potato, shrimp and a roll within an hour at the table in the middle to get it for free. I've seen other places copy this premise, but I think they started it. They frequently advertise their spot along Route 66 in Amarillo. It is along Route 66 from the standpoint where the final alignment of Route 66 in the area was Interstate 40 before being decommissioned. It's along the I-40 service road. But it's not along the original alignment through the middle of town. The large sign of the cowboy is iconic and has been there for decades.
Pleasant Ridge Chili Restaurant neon sign Cincinnati is known for it's unique style of chili. While this restaurant along highway US22 isn't as famous as Skyline Chili, I like their sign.
Athens diner neon sign - Athens, TN Seen along US11 Good Food Good Times
Pizza Palace - Knoxville, TN located along Magnolia Ave. (US11/US70/TN1) seen at dusk.
Restaurant neon sign in Downtown Roanoke Along Salem Ave. about a block from Market Square
The Pioneer Restaurant - Marion, VA Along US11, the old Lee Highway
6 Miles to Frisch's Big Boy This partially obscured barn, painted with an advertisement for the Frisch's restaurant in New Richmond, OH is in Hamilton County along an old segment of highway U.S. 52
The Coffee Pot - Roanoke, VA The Coffee Pot is a roadhouse restaurant built in what used to be the outskirts of Roanoke, VA in 1936. The entire building has a log cabin motif, with a large stucco Coffee Pot on the end. It serves as a great example of Novelty Architecture and for that reason has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The Coffee Pot is 15 ft. tall and when it was built, they had steam rise out of the spout, generated by a furnace below. It was built along Brambleton Ave., which is now US 221. Various musical acts have performed inside over the years, giving it the slogan the "Biggest small stage in the south"
Blue Circle Market neon sign - Elizabethton, TN At one time, this was a neon sign for Blue Circle Hamburgers. That was a small chain of fast food restaurants around Northeast Tennessee, which made burgers similar to Krysals or White Castles, but apparently better. All of the stores in the chain closed decades ago, except for the one in Bristol, which just closed recently. This store after closing apparently turned into a market. It's located along US321 in Elizabethton, TN
Hill-Top Drive-IN - Boone, NC Located along highway US421 on the west side of town. Their website claims they are the oldest restaurant in town. Suddenly, I'm hungry for a hamburger and some ice cream.
Tudor's Biscuit World This is a restaurant chain I'd never heard of until I saw this sign. (They're not located in my part of the country.) The best I can tell, this is an old style sign, seen downtown Roanoke, VA. When I went to the Biscuit World website, They don't list this location, or any location in VA. this place has their own website, so I don't know what's up with that.
Texas Tavern - Downtown Roanoke, VA If I had been driving around downtown Roanoke close to midnight whan I was really hungry, this looks like the kind of place that would be perfect for me. This type of single-family-owned short-order restaurant dating back to 1930 has plenty of regulars. Reading the online reviews, there also appear to be several people that don't get their shtick. There's plenty of interesting things written all over the building, highlighted by the large neon EAT sign. $1.25 Hamburgers, Coney Island Hotdogs Club Breakfast Served Until 10AM $1.60 Mexican Chile, Pint $3.20 Quart $6.40 $1.10 Cold Buttermilk On the side: Texas Tavern - Roanoke's Millionaires Club Quik-Park Each 15 Minutes $3.00, Pay inside in advance (Customers Free While Eating Only) Open All Nite - Open Sundays
<-EAT-< at Texas Tavern - Roanoke, VA If I had been driving around downtown Roanoke close to midnight whan I was really hungry, this looks like the kind of place that would be perfect for me. This type of single-family-owned short-order restaurant dating back to 1930 has plenty of regulars. Reading the online reviews, there also appear to be several people that don't get their shtick. There's plenty of interesting things written all over the building, highlighted by the large neon EAT sign. $1.25 Hamburgers, Coney Island Hotdogs Club Breakfast Served Until 10AM $1.60 Mexican Chile, Pint $3.20 Quart $6.40 $1.10 Cold Buttermilk On the side: Texas Tavern - Roanoke's Millionaires Club Quik-Park Each 15 Minutes $3.00, Pay inside in advance (Customers Free While Eating Only) Open All Nite - Open Sundays
Chicken Chef sign - McMinnville, TN I first learned about Chicken Chef right before my first visit to McMinnville several years ago, but I didn't have a chance to stop there and check it out. From what I could tell, the place was so popular that more locations opened up, but the original spot was the only one popular enough to remain open. Reviewing restaurants isn't my thing, and I'm not much of a fried chicken eater either. Yet, when I'm on the road, I look for where the locals eat, and not the chains that I can find anywhere. It's a short order place, was filling, inexpensive, and they took a personal check, so all was fine with me. I really like the Chicken Chef logo, with the chicken as a chef, with it's chef hat, apron, skillet and tongs. ...so good it's habit forming. Update: Fast forward 10 years, and I learned I'm friends with the daughter of the family which runs this restaurant. It's a small world isn't it.
Dairy "Yum Yum" of Ripley, OH along US52/62/68 This picture made explore, Peaking at #180!
Flying Fish Restaurant Neon Sign - Downtown Memphis Get your tails in here and enjoy the catfishplane
Pancake House Restaurant neon sign - Roanoke, VA As I drove southwest out of Roanoke, I attempted to follow the original route of Dixie Highway / US11 when I saw this sign. If you look closely at the breakfast items, they must have blown up a photo and cut around the edges, pasting it onto the sign.
Daytona Restaurant neon sign - Dayton, TN Air conditioned! So the sign is old enough that it dates back to the days when that was enough of a rarity to be pointed out on the signage. Located one block east of the town square.
Restaurant This neon sign is for a storefront along Main St. in the heart of Savannah, TN
The Log Cabin Restaurant neon sign - Frayser, TN Seen along highway US51 in Frayser, a subrub of Memphis to the north. The sign has seen better days, but they still look to be open.
Motel & Restaurant neon sign This neon sign is located in rural Smyth County at the north end. It's located on US11, which is also the old Dixie Highway, the route that many people took to go towards Washington DC before I-81 paralleled it. With a sign like that, it was probably a mom & pop motel at one time, and the word Village is painted along the bottom of the sign. With the creation of the interstates, many of the mom and pop motels vanished unless they were fortunate enough to be right at an interstate exit, where new chain motels sprang up. This is pretty close to exit 54. Google maps now says this is a Relax Inn. The mom & pop motel may have joined onto a chain just to stay open. On the day I drove through, I very well could have missed this, however there was road construction on the bridge right next to this and while I was waiting for my chance to drive on, I noticed I was right next to it.
old Jacks neon sign - Ft. Payne, AL Jack's is a fast food restaurant chain in and around Alabama. This sign was made at some point in the late 60s or early 70s. There are five diamonds and each one was a letter of JACKS. Below that was the word Hamburgers. This particular store on US11 was either closed or relocated. Today, this particular spot has become a Mexican food place as it spells FOND on this side (and FONDA on the other.) The S in JACKS is easy to see since it hasn't been painted over, but if you look closely, you can see evidence ofthe previous letters on the other diamonds.
Cajun's Seafood neon sign - Sheffield, AL The signs are biting today!
People's Cafe - Jackson, MS Located along Capitol St. in downtown Jackson
Dude's Drive-In - Christiansburg, VA One day I was driving old US11 from Roanoke, VA to Bristol, TN when I got hungry for lunch. When I am on a road trip, I like to eat fast, but at the same time I'd like to eat at a place that I can't find where I'm from. Dude's was perfect for this. It didn't have a drive thru. It wasn't like Sonic where each parking space had a speaker to the inside. It just had a bunch of parking spaces and a sign that told me to "Sound Horn for Service." I didn't need to sound my horn as plenty or waitresses (or car hops, I presume) were on top of things during the busy time of day. Maybe this curb service is the way a lot of places do things, or at least used to do things, but it was a unique novelty for me. For a menu, there was a sign on the side of the building that listed their offerings (albeit without prices). I'd never been here before, so I didn't know if I ought to try the regular hamburger, the Big Burger, the Midget Burger or the Chuckwagon Burger. When the waitress made her way to my car, I asked her what she reccomend I order since I'd never been there before and was just passing through. She said the most popular items were the Dude Burger and the Chili Dog. I ordered one of each. Anytime a menu item includes the name of the place in the title, I guess it is a signature meal. I'm glad I ate there.
Skeeter's World Famous Hot Dogs Skeeter's is a Hot Dog restaurant along Main St. in Wytheville, VA. Over 6, no, 9 Million sold! The mural is on the side of E.N. Umbarger Store.
Taco Casa I don't know if the food's any good, but I like the look of the cactus sign. Seen along US11 in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Mayflower Cafe Seen along Capitol St. in Downtown Jackson, MS. Based on what I see here, I'm guessing that for years, the owners have taken peide in the look of the entrance to their restaurant, but haven't been able to keep it up as well lately. There is some great tile work around the front door
Home of the Cat Head Biscuit Located in Benton, TN, I saw the sign and wanted to try Lottie's Diner as the Cat Head Biscuit had Piqued my interest. But, alas, the day I was driving through town I was making good time and it was too early for me to stop and eat. I posted this to facebook and as it turned out, one of my high school classmates had stopped here before. Instead of being shaped like a cat's head, the biscuits are as large as a cat's head.
Talk of the Town Ice Cream & Eatery - Etowah, TN This neon sign is seen in the central business district of Etowah along US411
The Original Freezo - Knoxville, TN This restaurant is a North Knoxville landmark that has been along Central Ave. for many decades.
Ezell's Fish Camp sign - Birmingham, AL
The Chat-N-Chew Drive-In This vintage neon sign for a drive-in is located in the Petersville suburb of Florence, AL along Cloverdale Rd.
Thacker Christmas Inn & Restaurant The Christmas Season is upon us. However, for this hotel in Caryville, TN it's Christmas year round. I guess. (The hotel was under renovation with a construction fence completely surrounding the place. Maybe it will be open by Christmas 2013.) Because it was under construction, I drove around the place for 15 minutes until I could find an unobstructed view, which sadly was not on the sunlit side. I'm guessing it's still going to be a mom & pop owned place and not part of a chain. It's located along old US25W but still in business since it's next to Interstate 75
Chicken City - Hillbilly Pride North Knoxville
Jellico Motel & Restaurant Quite the large sign and it's easily viewable from Interstate 75 and US25W in Jellico, TN not far from the KY border. Based on this post card which was probably printed in the late 60s, it used to be a Quality Courts Motel.
Hoskins Restaurant (Good Food) - Clinton, TN Located along the main road through town (US25W) and across from the county courthouse. Hoskins and the Ritz Theater next door appeared to have an Art Deco storefront. Hoskins is also a Rexall Drug Store, so it looks like it started out as a soda fountain and the sign on the front of the door claims they have been voted the best burger in town.
Claudia Sanders Dinner House neon sign Did you know that Claudia Sanders, the wife of Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Col. Harland Sanders, also ran a restaurant? Now, before you go and assume that there was some family battle or oneupmanship going on, The Colonel actually had his offices here in the earliest days of KFC. At the time, they lived in the home next door. The actual restaurant burned down in 1999 and was rebuilt a year later but I'm going to assume the neon sign is vintage. The restaurant and the sign are located on US60 in Shelbyville, KY Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/kentucky/unique-restaurants-ky/ These 11 Unique Restaurants In Kentucky Will Give You An Unforgettable Dining Experience 1. Claudia Sanders Dinner House This Shelbyville place is all about tradition. After all, Kentucky is the state that put fried chicken on the map. Visit a restaurant that still remains true to its roots. It's southern charm and portions-a-plenty will keep you coming back.
Big Time BBQ sign - Chattanooga This great sign is seen along US41/US76 Near I-24 at the base of Missionary Ridge. This sign makes me hungry.
Chapman Restaurant - Lake City, TN Air Conditioned Private Dining Room - grAde Seen along Main St. (US25W) in the small Anderson County town
Frisch's Big Boy Statue Depending on where you live in the country, you either see a Big Boy all the time (which will make what I say sound rediculous), or you never see one. As a Tennesseean, I'm in the latter category. I thought about using this space to tell the Big Boy Franchisee story, but I decided it's way too convoluted. Instead, if you're really interested see the Wikipedia article. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Boy_(restaurant) Unlike McDonalds where every McDonalds is a McDonalds. There were different Big Boys depending on where you lived in the country. In Tennessee, there was Shoney's Big Boy up until I was 7. Then, the Big Boy statue was taken away, and the restaurant became just Shoney's. That was about three decades ago. Each Big Boy locale has a Big Boy statue out front. Also, each Big Boy statue is holding a Big Boy hamburger, which is the flagship menu item. (As a point of reference the McDonald's Big Mac was created as direct competition.) On the weekend I traveled to Lexington, KY, I made it a point to stop at a Big Boy since I hadn't eaten at one in nearly three decades. From the To Go menu, I wanted to order one of everything to make up for lost time. Since that was impractical, instead I went for the Big Boy burger and the Swiss Miss. (In retrospect, perhaps I should have gotten the Brawny Lad just because.)
The Colonel's Weather Vane Perhaps I should have titled this "You're So Vain You've Made Yourself into a Vane" This is one of the many wonderful things on display inside of the first Kentucky Fried Chicken museum and Restaurant in Corbin, KY.
Dari-Kreme - Cleveland, TN This local favorite has been serving ice creme cones since 1966. They are located on the south side of Cleveland along the Lee Highway (US11/64)
3 Blocks from the Beach Ok, this place is a few blocks (not 3) from the Ohio River, and I wouldn't exactly call the riverfront a beach. This is Campanellos Italian Restaurant in the Historic Downtown area, where they remind us that Jose Rijo ate here before every start in the 1990 World Series winning Reds team
Blue Circle neon sign - Livingston, TN Blue Circle Hamburgers was a chain of fast food restaurants that was popular in East Tennessee a few decades ago. However, today only one location remains open. In my travels through East Tennessee, I have seen signs of some of the former locations repurposed for a new business. This is the only one I had seen in Middle Tennessee. I didn't realize they made it this far west. (Or maybe someone just liked the sign and brought it here.) Update: Fast forward a few years, I met someone who grew up in Livingston. This indeed once was a Blue Circle Hamburgers, but not for at least a couple of decades.
Porky Shake - Moss, TN I'm not completely sure what to think about this. Sonic and Burger King have both tried Bacon Sundaes here recently, so you never know. Porky Shake actually looks like your typical Hamburger and Milkshake small business drive thru. However, Porky Shake was out of business when I went through the town of Moss along highway TN52 in Clay County. I will just assume its because they were sued by Warner Brothers for using their popular cartoon character without permission. Or, more likely because it's located in such a tiny town.
Parkette Drive In - Lexington, KY This fast food drive-in Restaurant with the fabulous sign is located in Lexington, KY. The restaurant and the sign both apparently date back to 1951. It's located on New Circle Rd. (US25/421), which goes to show how old the New Circle Rd. is. The arrows and the row of cars along the top are chaser lights. Perhaps the most popular feature of the sign is the neon carhop. Some of the lights have burned out, but the car hop is supposed to be holding a neon tray of food. When you pull up to a parking space, you order by talking into an old fashioned metal speaker, which also probably dates back to the 50's. People wax nostalgic about the good old days, but i'm glad speaker and microphone technology has improved in the last half century. Still I was able to order the Big Lex Burger and Funnel Cake Fries, which were both quite enjoyable.
Bailey's Restaurant neon sign seen along highway TN22 near Parker's Crossroads. Close to Interstate 40.
The Family Restaurant & Motel - Jackson, TN Located on the road that used to be the main road into town, The Family Motel and Restaurant has quite a nice but faded sign. The property is located along Whitehall St. and used to be highway US70 (and TN1) but now the highway bypasses this area. Based on the two cars in the parking lot, I guess the motel is still open for business, but the restaurant is a casualty. (See the white arrow in the background? That points to the restaurant.) Below the No Vacancy sign is a hand painted sign for Ice 75¢ and if you look closely, it used to be 50¢. Perhaps you can use that as a guide for how old the sign is.
Chunky Shoals Fish Camp This neon sign is for a restaurant along highway US80 in Chunky, MS. At night, the neon around the catfish turns green.
![Rock Cafe is an Iconic Route 66 restaurant in Stroud, OK. The Rock used to build it came from the construction of Route 66 and the owner was the inspiration of a Pixar Cars character. Here is its wikipedia article:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Caf%C3%A9
The Rock Café in Stroud, Oklahoma, a historic restaurant on U.S. Route 66, takes its name from the local sandstone used in its construction.
Originally built in 1936 and opened in 1939, the Rock Café reopened on May 29, 2009 after extensive repairs by historic preservationist David Burke due to damage from a 2008 fire. The restaurant's cookbook, written during the rebuilding effort, was published in November 2009.
Rock Café proprietor Dawn Welch, a long-time promoter of U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma selected by The Oklahoman as Oklahoma's 2009 Woman of the Year, is the basis for animated character Sally Carrera in the Pixar film Cars.
History
Roy Rieves started building the Rock Café in 1936 during the Dust Bowl era of the Great Depression and relied on local materials to build the café's distinctive stone exterior, doing much of the construction work himself or hiring students. The original costs included $100 for the land and $5 for local Kellyville sandstone left over from construction on the U.S. Route 66 roadway which had come to Stroud, Oklahoma in 1926.
The café opened in August 1939, initially operating under manager Miss Thelma Holloway, and was a busy local Greyhound bus stop during World War II. Its neon signage was installed in the late 1940s. Mamie Mayfield operated the Rock Café twenty-four hours a day in 1959 and retired at age 70 on July 14, 1983.
Business from cross-country truckers declined with the construction of Interstate 44 in Oklahoma, a toll road, although Highway 66 remains as a free alternative to the Turner Turnpike. After U.S. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, highway 66 became Oklahoma State Highway 66. Dawn Welch, the current proprietor, acquired the café from Ed Smalley in 1993.
Mamie J. Mayfield's (December 22, 1912 - September 25, 1994) name was kept alive in the form of a souvenir shop, Mamie's General Store. [Note: It's the building to the left.]
In 1999, an F3 tornado heavily damaged Stroud, destroying the town's 53-store Tanger Outlet mall and wiping out a handful of key local employers including a Sygma food service distribution facility. The Rock Café survived, though its neon sign was damaged, but business was down by half due to the state of the fragile local economy. In 2001, the Rock Café was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, qualifying it for matching grants and loans to finance its historic restoration.
When the first Pixar crews researching Route 66 stopped at the Rock Café in 2001, restoration and repair of the 1999 tornado damage was not yet complete; the neon flickered briefly but failed to come to life. With a federal grant and a loan of $30,000 in matching funds, the Rock Café was restored with new heating and air conditioning systems, replacement of the original wiring, restoration of neon signage and a return of the building to its original layout.
In 2007, travelling artist Bob Waldmire depicted the café in one of his works; Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives also devoted part of an episode to the Rock. On January 21, 2010, Dawn Welch appeared on NBC-TV´s Today show, cooking and promoting her book. The January 2010 edition of "Oklahoma Living" magazine named the Rock Café "Best Oklahoma Diner", featuring its proprietor in a cover photo.
Stroud, Oklahoma also slowly began to recover economically through increased activity in the oil and gas sectors and in tourism. While the destroyed outlet shopping mall was not rebuilt, the community successfully marketed its industrial park, and is now a leading small city in oilfield manufacturing and transportation, particularly in the rail and pipeline sectors.](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52641383186_f830331ed5_b.jpg "Rock Cafe - Stroud, OK")
