Another example of a wild 90s restaurant interior that persists is Wolfgang Pucks Chinois on Main, whose colorful interior by Barbara Lazaroff seems to be untouched by time. And it wasthe chain offered decent food, but you went there for the dcor. American Culver City. (Steve Boland/Flickr Creative Commons), The interior of Norm's on La Cienega. In the '90s, better known as the era of gimmicky restaurants, a set of iconic athletes (Wayne Gretzky, Andre Agassi, and Joe Montana, to name a few) teamed up with Planet Hollywood to open the Official All Star Caf. After brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald signed over the rights to their company to franchise agent Ray Kroc in 1961, they forfeited the right to their name. TEST YOURSELF: Can You Guess The Name Of These Breaking Bad Actors By One Image? At its height, there were more than 100 locations across the country. What we found was an absolutely incredible array of ethnic eating places. The 38 Essential Los Angeles Restaurants, Summer 2017. Not that long ago, having lunch at the Chateau wasnt just a daytime activity, it was a full-on status symbol. This Koreatown bar has been in everything from New Girl to Chinatown to Mad Men, but has resisted becoming a money-grubbing tourist trap. But as Hollywood exited the golden era, so did the Brown Derby, and by 1987 all four locations were closed. Stop in for a late-night bite next time you find yourself at Largo. Get the best food tips and diet You'll thank us later.2901 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. The newest Mel's outpost has been open since June 2018. (Elina Shatkin/LAist), 2023 Southern California Public Radio - All Rights Reserved, the long-gone Rose City Diner in Pasadena, the first black-owned business in Compton, has written about working at this Norm's in the late '70s, the first one was located on Sunset near Vine, approve the structure's Historical Cultural Monument status. The restaurants also known for tableside spinning salads tableside, live music, and classic car showcase in the parking lot. Like Planet Hollywood, The Official All-Star Caf was prominent in tourist-heavy locations. Pann's stopped serving dinner back in 2016 (reportedly due to the rising minimum wage) but it's still home to some of the best fried chicken around. You Probably Cant Name These The A-Team Actors, Only 3 Out of 20 People Can Identify All These Star Blazers Characters. 20 Mighty Mexican Restaurants in San Francisco. Consider this: Of the 14 cities for which the Zagat Survey publishes restaurant guides, Los Angeles is the only city in which the restaurants voted most popular and best were neither French nor Continental. But as plenty of '90s kids will tell you, there used to be dozens more. Contact. The first Planet Hollywood opened in New York City in 1991, backed by Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Korean restaurants remained a mystery for much of the decade, but in the past couple of years adventurous eaters have discovered that restaurants catering to the large local Korean population have a whole lot more to offer than grill-it-yourself beef. Oops. With over 60 years under its belt, this Italian throwback knows what it takes keep the crowds coming for more. Santa Monicas iconic, 75-year-oldHot Dog on a Stick stand has revived, reopening after being demolished in March 2022 as an even brighter red beacon to hungry beachgoers craving something filling and nostalgic. Beefsteak Charlies was a well-known restaurant chain based in the New York metropolitan area, which grew to over 60 locations in the early 1980s. 15 Fantastic Glendale Restaurants Worth Checking Out, 28 Classic Restaurants Every Angeleno Must Try, Summer 2017, A South LA institution thats been around for a quarter of a century,Watts Coffee Houseis the true definition of a warm community gathering space. Thom Mayne & Michael Rotondi: 72 Market Street, Venice, 1983 pic.twitter.com/jt1boAY5W9, A post shared by Steven - Pastry Chef/Owner (@spoonspatisserie). Delish participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. In 2009, a And for more failed chains, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. But comfort isnt the point here. NOW: Rae's has been excellently preserved, making it another prime filming location. every day. Located on Seventh Avenue, The Stage was one of the most popular delis in New York City after being founded in 1937 and was known for having a menu full of Broadway-inspired dishes. THEN: The Armet & Davis-designed building on Fair Oaks in Pasadena has been home to two storied local coffee shop chains. As for food, dont get too cute with your orderthis is the kind of place where if your table isnt filled up with caesar salads, massive plates of meat, and several orders of their famous garlic bread, you took a wrong turn somewhere. Something went wrong. Although defunct in the U.S., Kenny Rogers Roasters is still flourishing in Asia. Famous Restaurants in Hollywood History 1 The Brown Derby. Located on North Vine Street near Hollywood Boulevard from 1929 until it closed its doors in 1985, the Brown Derby (originalhollywoodbrownderby.com) was where the rich and famous 2 Chasen's. 3 Musso & Frank Grill. 4 The Micelis-Pig N Whistle Connection. 5 Spago. Over the next decade, it saw huge expansion, which unfortunately was cut short by the '70s economic crisis. If youre looking to drink stiff Jack and Cokes and smoke without judgment in leather pants, this historic Sunset Strip fixture is the place to do it. Put those skills to the test. Tofu came into the culture; we started thinking about health food. Fox And Mens Clothing, 10 Reasons Why Pizza Hut In The 80s Was The Greatest Place In The World To Eat. You Probably Cant Name These Characters From The Office. But the memory of its roast chicken lives on, thanks in part to the Seinfeld episode dedicated to Kramer's love of the chain. } He saved up enough money to buy his own place (Ned's Coffee Shop, which closed in 1988) then bought Rae's in 1992. Los Angeles is a city blessed with a tapestry of long-standing restaurants. (In a weird reversal of fate, one of Preble's other diners -- the one on Figueroa in Lincoln Heights -- is now an IHOP.). Totally Awesome Photos Of 80s Malls That Will Make You Want To Go Back In Time. While these 1990s restaurants didn't stand the test of time, there are plenty of other chains that are still thriving today. The interior of Cindy's diner in Eagle Rock. * 1848 Sycamore Inn Rancho Cucamonga San Bernardino County At this location since 1939. The 19 Essential Dive Bars in Los Angeles, 17 Los Angeles Restaurants That Are Stuck in Time. 310-828-7937. Ever wonder how the movers and shakers of Wall Street spend their lunch breaks? Mona Holmes, 21 Essential Sit-Down Mexican Restaurants in LA, 20 Satisfying Soups to Keep You Cozy in Los Angeles. Many of these restaurants built and designed in the 1980s and 1990s featured sweeping lines and commonplace materials. Sadly, the restaurant wasn't a home run and ceased operations in 2007. But you dont have to go that far; in Los Angeles you are never more than a few miles from a restaurant where you can explore the food of South India, Gujarat, Punjab and Bengal--at very affordable prices. You won't find the 95-cent fish-and-chips special we saw in a 1968 ad but classic breakfast dishes are still on the menu along with fun twists like Hawaiian bread French toast (highly recommended).601 Fair Oaks, South Pasadena. Sadly, the last storefront with the name closed in 1996. newsletter, classic LA restaurants that are still very much open, Proposed California Law Raising Fast-Food Wages Likely Going to a Referendum, A New High-End Omakase Contender Lands Right on Rodeo Drive Soon, Long Beach Hotspot Bungalow Kitchen to Close Temporarily as Chef Michael Mina Exits, Spoons Patisserie made the sad announcement that due to personal circumstances, pastry chef Steven Cheung will not be serving. The company reached its peak that year, but the late 1970s marked the beginning of the end for the Howard Johnson Company. Maybe they're where epic movie deals were signed, iconic TV shows were filmed, or legendary actors got hammered after set. Longtime Angelenos swear it has barely changed since the '80s. In the '60s, Bonanza started in Connecticut, and Ponderosa launched in Indiana. advice every day. The family also owned a nearby restaurant called Holly's -- later called Hawthorne Grill -- where Pulp Fiction's iconic diner scene was shot. After modernizing the kitchen, overhauling the menu to feature Southern-style cooking and taking pains to restore the spot's vintage charm (they refurbished the original sign and replaced the awful green carpeting with formica flooring that more closely resembles the original material), Cindy's was back in business. Sadly, after legendary proprietor Elaine Kaufman passed away in 2010, the restaurant closed for good. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2008. The family-owned restaurant became well known for its many fish tanks and novelty decor, but sadly served its last Tiki drink in 2013. Sadly, Marty Robertspart of the iconic cabaret duo Marty & Elaynepassed in January 2022, after performing there weekly for nearly 40 years. The All American Burger was a regional fast-food restaurant chain founded in 1968 in Los Angeles by Aaron Binder and made famous in the movie Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Picture 1 of 3. If youre headed to DTLA for dinner, you have a lot of good choices. Thai food was one of the great revelations of the decade. WebMay 23, 2013 - Old World Restaurant on the Sunset Strip in 1979. The waiters still wear red jackets and bow-ties, crab louie is still on the menu, and theres a vintage phone booth in a corner that youll absolutely want to take a photo in. You'll never leave hungry, as Jerry Seinfeld and Brian Regan found out when they hopped out of their 1970 Dodge Challenger during a 2016 episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. This California farm kingdom holds a key, Six people, including mother and baby, killed in Tulare County; drug cartel suspected, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater, Who would execute a baby? We can't resurrect all the Armet & Davis gems we've demolished or abandoned, but we can still find a few vintage gems dotting the landscape. Be the first to get expert restaurant recommendations for every situation right in your inbox. It became a dentist's office for most of the '90s, although much of the original exterior architecture was left intact. November 2019. Thanks to Katherine (who worked there for years, even after she sold the restaurant), the diner became a refuge for black students attending Centennial High School, across the street. It has to be one of the only diners in L.A. still operated by its original owners and it's an essential stop on your way to or from LAX.6710 La Tijera Blvd., Los Angeles; 323-776-3770; panns.com. Most of us couldnt get enough of it; before the decade was over Los Angeles was the Thai restaurant capital of the country, with virtually hundreds of little Thai places dishing up mee krob and pahd thai. THEN: When a San Francisco millionaire feuding with his business partner decided to open a restaurant in Los Angeles, he enlisted Armet & Davis -- the L.A.-based design firm whose Jetson's-style buildings are probably what you imagine when you think of '50s and '60s diners -- to turn his space-age dreams into a reality. Fast Times At Ridgemont High made mall culture mainstream. Do you remember the cool BMX bikes from the '80s? If you were a kid in the '80s, there's a good chance you But for however bizarre and whimsical the place is, the prime rib is still damn good and the waitstaff is set on making sure you have an excellent time. In the mid-80s, Nicolino & Sons Deli and Bakery closed and reopened in Cathedral City as Nicolinos Famous Italian restaurant (now owned by Papa Nicolinos son Mark and his wife, Rhonda), serving authentic Italian dishes like manicotti, hand-tossed pizza, and made-to-order desserts. Planet Hollywood. Too often, great ideas and memories are left in the digital realm, only to be forgotten. Cielito Lindo has been serving its famous rolled tacos slathered in avocado salsa since 1934. And for more throwbacks, don't miss these 16 Beloved Restaurants Only '70s Kids Will Remember. Although Puck owns other locations of Spago, in 2001 the chef decided to close down the original, which had become an institution amongst Hollywood's heavy hitters. Founder John Jay Hooker set up a copy cat model of the restaurant and hired popular comedic actress, Minnie Pearl, as the spokesperson. WebOldest Restaurants in California 1769-1849 1842 Swiss Hotel Sonoma Sonoma County Originally the home of Don Salvador Vallejo, then a stagecoach stop, then the Ticino Hotel in 1892. As soon as you enter Dear Johns dining room, youll be transported to another era, one where servers wore tuxedos, martinis were downed like water, and restaurants were too dark to take pictures of your food. You could argue that Rainbow Bar is more Grunge Hollywood than Old Hollywood and probably have a solid case. Like the other ice cream shops, MaggieMoo's would make made-to-order ice cream cones while mixing the ingredients in front of you. Sherman Oaks classic Antonios keeps longtime fans happy with kitschy decor and hearty food. All this started having an influence on our diet. Here's The Best Restaurant Buffet in Every State. Our Mexican restaurants had always served salsa, but compared to the kim chee sitting on the tables in some places in Koreatown, it was hardly even hot. Mexican chain Chevys was founded in 1986 in California. Described by a contemporaneous Pasadena Independent reporter as a "young, dynamic, and often controversial" character who looked like James Dean, Preble had big plans. * The prestigious hot spot closed in 1965, and although there were talks of it relocating, owner Sherman Billingsley died shortly after. The place got a jolt of fame from Jon Favreau's 1996 movie, Swingers, although the screenplay may actually have been written with a certain diner on Beverly in mind. The Stork Club was an integral part of the New York City social scene in the early 19th century. We loved the heat, we loved the sweet, we loved the coconut flavor that bound so many of the dishes together. But the idea soon caught on and Chi-Chi's couldn't compete. WebRefuge. Due to fickle consumer trends and high rent, many beloved restaurants have been forced to call it quits over the yearssome even after decades of success. NOW: A new owner bought it and in the '80s turned it into the Lamplighter, a family-friendly local chain known for iglasses of red Jell-O and blue-plate specials. Customers were instructed to "Eat like a king" at Lyon's, a competitor to Denny's with casual dining and low-cost breakfasts. In its earliest days, the hotel's ground-floor restaurant attracted clientele like James Dean and the Keystone Kops. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The casual dining steak house, founded in 1966, was one of the first restaurants to conceptualize the steak and salad bar combination. Its hard to think of a more enduring greasy spoon in LA. Throughout its storied history, it has attracted famous patrons such as Muhammad Ali, Johnnie Cochran and Sammy Davis Jr. NOW: Katherine sold Naka's to David Fisher, who grew up eating there, in 2001, and he operates it to this day. The affordable and casual Mexican dining experience hadn't been done before and people loved it. Though the menu is very similar to the upscale Beverly Hills steakhouse, The Tams aesthetic is somewhere between a medieval drinking tavern and the Seven Dwarfs cottage. Weve narrowed them down. There's still one Casa Bonita location in Coloradoand it has official landmark status. Well, for awhile most of them had their midday meal at the Stock Exchange Luncheon Club, a members-only dining club located on the seventh floor of the New York Stock Exchange, which was founded in 1898. Over the years the West Hollywood restaurant became famous for its Academy Award after parties as much as it was known for its chili. THEN: Cindy's has been in the same spot on Colorado Boulevard since the '20s, according to Paul Rosenbluh, who currently owns the diner with his wife, Monique King. Its been a staple of California dining since 1919, and the historic charm of this vintage restaurant hasnt faded one bit. The theme restaurant, which first opened in 1995, featured sports memorabilia, and plenty of athletes were investors in the restaurant. Founded in 1933, Valle's Steak House saw huge expansion during the '60s by embracing the dining trend of leaning toward a menu full of steak and lobster. Complete The Titles Of These 1980s Action Kelli Maroney Talks About FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, NIGHT OF THE COMET And Her Career In Hollywood, Claudia Wells (BACK TO THE FUTURE) Talks About Working With Michael J. If you get hungry, theres a very good Taiwanese bar menu filled with dishes like cold sesame noodles, dan dan mian, and dim sum. One of many iconic Upper East Side eateries owned by the Santo Family Group, the fine dining experience in its garden of stain glass was said to have been magnificent," explained The New York Times. Back then, they were still making dishes with Nick's signature ingredient: ham, ham and more ham. For the new restaurants in Monterey Park--restaurants whose customers were almost entirely Chinese--were places that produced real Cantonese food. In other words, a much simpler time. The pricey Japanese menu of rolls, fried things, and steak is fine, but not the main eventyoure here for the views and the kitschiness of it all. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. Eventually pieces of the franchise were sold off and it slowly dwindled with the last location closing the mid-1990s. Showbiz Pizza Place. After much success, the company took their stock public, but after an investigation by the Security Exchange Commission and inquiries with their books, the chain closed up shop in 1968. The cocktails are strong (they make a particularly good Old Fashioned), the crowd is weird and over-the-top, and most importantly, youll always be able to walk right in. } ); One of the most popular Tiki The epitome of an old-school steakhouse, Dal Rae in Pico Rivera dates to the 1950s and is most famous for its pepper steak. With over 37,000 restaurants worldwide, it's safe to say McDonald's isn't going anywhere. Holloway Dr., Horn St., & Sunset Blvd. Hear our news on-air at our partner site: On a recent visit to San Francisco, as I sat alone at the counter of the most Lynchian diner you could imagine -- the Silver Crest Donut Shop in the city's Bayview-Hunter's Point neighborhood -- I found myself marveling that a place like this could still exist in a city so marked by change. Brents Delicatessen and Restaurant, operating for more than 55 years, has been serving its pastrami sandwiches, behemoth breakfast plates, and delicate blintzes to ravenous masses coming locally from the Valley and beyond. Follow Eater editors each week as they share their favorite dishes around town, By submitting your email, you agree to our, The freshest news from the local food world, Remembering the Restaurant Design of the 80s and 90s in Los Angeles, Sign up for the But were including it here anyway because LA wouldnt be the same place without it. Still love buffets? Speaking of which, you can't go wrong with Nick's Famous Ham & Eggs. Now, there are just seven. November 2019. Nicole Adlman, 21 Top Stops For a Meal in the Sprawling San Fernando Valley, A Handy Guide to Jewish Delis in Los Angeles. Founded in the early '80s, this chain specializes in a build-your-own salad bar, along with soup and pasta buffet options. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); You've hit your max! If you eat sushi one night, lobster bisque seems pretty heavy the next. These restaurants will help you get acquainted with Los Angeles. Opened in 1966, this legendary Boyle Heights restaurant has tremendous bean-and-cheese burritos that were immortalized by the late food writer Jonathan Gold. But there was other news on the Asian front. 1961 W. El Segundo Blvd., Compton, 323-566-5450. A Palm Springs location was later brought back. Sure, the food isnt anything particularly special (and comes at Beverly Hills prices), but for a fun breakfast in the area, this place cant be beat. Chi-Chis was a Mexican-restaurant chain that once operated in the United States and Canada but exited those countries in 2004. The old freight yard site is now Los Angeles State Historic Park and rents are rising in Chinatown. THEN: Opened in 1959 as The Penguin, this Googie-style restaurant quickly became a Westside hub, beloved for its iconic sign and the penguins painted on the walls inside. John mentioned Peter Pan on Oakland Park Blvd ( just up from what was Gibby's) when we played this game at lunch today. The famously debaucherous patio is a bit more buttoned up these days, only allowing hotel guests to eat there with sporadic availability on certain days (a.k.a., if youre famous enough). By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Please enter a valid email and try again. During the '40s and '50s, every A-list celeb was a regular at Toots Shor'sfrom Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe to Jackie Gleason and Judy Garland. 1986 Most restaurant reviewers contributing to John Marianis Coast-to-Coast Dining Guide report that their towns have better restaurants and a wider selection of The nautical-themed restaurant that served up unbelievable deals on seafood (as waiters wore colonial garb, no less) was scattered across the country. Another Armet & Davis design, the layout of this Norm's was designed to look like a car showroom, right down to the upholstered booths. WebI'm not sure about Il Mulino's- maybe late 80-s or early 90's for that one - I think it used to be a bar/restaurant called Pampy's back when John and I hung out in that area - but time flies and I'm bad with dates . It is not because we had the first haute Southwestern restaurant, the first restaurant for grazers or the first multi-chef charity event either. According to an old menu on eBay, you could get a steak for less than $5 or a spaghetti burger (intriguing!) Bennigans was an Irish pub-themed casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1976 in Atlanta by restaurateur Norman E. Brinker as one of Americas original casual dining concepts. The dim, moody bar on a Hollywood side street has been around since 1927 and is a go-to for post-show drinks in the area. Shiitake mushrooms turned up so often that some people actually thought they were a rare Italian species. This classic American grill has been open since 1919, and not much seems to have changed since then. The company, famous for its warm croissants, had 93 stores in its peak, but eventually closed down in 2000. 323-467-1175, 101coffeeshop.com. That means: We can print whatever you need on a massive variety of mediums. 108 most popular sodas ranked by how toxic they are. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. In the '50s and '60s, Tiki culture found its way into the mainstream in a big way and influenced music, movies, food, and even theme parks. Opened in 1997, its become one of the oldest Korean restaurants in LA under the ownership of Jennifer Lee. If the Chinese food we were eating was not as spicy as the Sichuan and so-called Hunan food of the last decade, Thai food more than made up for it. Swanky Cafe Pacific has been a Park Cities mainstay since 1980, this place is a power-lunch haven for one-percenters who wish to dine on fine seafood. Since the early 2000s, New York City has seen the death of many iconic diners. Thats not a coincidence either, as its rumored that the building inspired Walt Disney a Tam OShanter regular when he was designing Snow White. But sushi was just the start. This classic Koreatown restaurant serves stone pot bibimbap in screaming hot bowls, though everything from the banchan to the fried fish are excellent here. Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. By 2000, the chain was down to 90 franchised restaurants, 40 of those in the U.S. But by 2007, the last one had closed. The chain never fully bounced back, but hung on for a long time. Southern California was once dotted with old-school diners. If youve ever owned a television or watched a movie, then youve probably seen the inside of The Prince. Although it went bankrupt in 2008, the chain sold all of its menu items and brand property to Legendary Restaurant Groupso here's hoping for a comeback! $59.95 + $6.10 shipping . But thanks to bankruptcy and a Hepatitis A scare, it fizzled out in the early 2000s. And the food is memorable as well, from its incredible crispy fried chicken wings with smothered potatoes, to shrimp and grits. Your tax-deductible financial support keeps our stories free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. Norm's There are still a few dozen locations in the United States, but it's not the same (especially because the coronavirus pandemic has made us rethink buffet-style dining). The company was known for their celebrity endorsements, like Muhammad Ali and comedian Soupy Sales, as well as their monstrous burgers like the "Sirloiner" and the famous "Giant." The causal diner opened during the peak of roadside dining in 1957. Over the years the West Hollywood restaurant became famous for its Academy Award after parties as much as it was known for its chili. His chain restaurant, which focused on causal dining, never grew to tremendous popularity. Dan Tanas is the quintessential Hollywood hangout. Or at the Franco-Japanese restaurants such as Chaya Brasserie and Symphonie. As with The Official All-Star Caf, ESPN Zone thrived on the intersection of chain-loving tourists and sports-loving tourists. In 2009, a new Beefsteak Charlies opened in the Westfield Sunrise Mall in Nassau County, which closed shortly after being open for business. Terms of Service Do You Think You Are A Parks and Recreation Fan? A post shared by Dal Rae Restaurant (@dalraerestaurant) on May 23, 2019 at 7:03am PDT, 10 Stellar Lunch Deals to Check Out During DineLA, Fall 2022, 18 Feast-Worthy Steakhouses in Los Angeles, If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. Located on Vermont Ave. in the middle of Los Feliz, The Dresden is broken up into two distinct areas - the main dining room and the bar/lounge. (One internet-fueled legend states that they dropped the "salt" when people started worrying about sodium being bad for their health.) This 19-stool counter feels like someone dropped an old-school diner in the middle of a fancy Beverly Hills hotel. Where else would you find a Japanese restaurant serving food filtered through a Latin sensibility? But in 2011, Marble Slab and MaggieMoo's merged, and the MaggieMoo's brand was folded into Marble Slab locations. A post shared by Claire Thomas (@clairethomas) on Jul 2, 2019 at 6:10pm PDT, 17 Essential Late-Night Restaurants in Los Angeles. These fabled places can be a bit hard to definered leather booths, dimly lit rooms, and headshots on the wall are generally a givenbut they also possess a tangible connection to the entertainment industry itself. Its a private club, home to the best magicians on the planet, with a restaurant thats better than youd expect. Are you a pop culture buff? The sign out front says Mel's, but thankfully the penguin remains perched on top.1670 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica; 310-392-0139, melsdrive-in.com. The folks who operated the long-gone Rose City Diner in Pasadena were in charge in 1990, when the diner shut its doors, to the chagrin of students at nearby Santa Monica City College and Santa Monica High School. By that year, a majority of the chain's locations had closed, and the others weren't far behind. Hilariously, one of the only remaining buildings featuring the wild, often postmodern design of the 90s is the KFC on Western near Beverly by Elysee Grinstein and Jeffrey Daniels. THEN: After serving in the Navy during World War II, the restaurant's namesake, Nick, returned to Los Angeles and built a diner near the charred remains of China City (the precursor to Chinatown). In 2003, the company filed for bankruptcy, the following year the restaurant was sued for a health outbreak, and by 2004 the restaurant closed for good. Sadly, the chain was short-lived. Ah, the 1990s. Less than a decade later, the building had changed hands and become the first location of Henry Yost's Salt Shaker chain. But the original McDonald's drive-in, which was founded in 1948 and located in San Bernardino, California, isn't a McDonald's restaurant anymore. The restaurant of world renowned chef, Wolfgang Puck, became a Hollywood hangout when it opened in 1982 on the Sunset Strip. Pizza Hut was my favorite restaurant in the 80s, but there is only a handful left today. Was cut short by the late 1970s marked the beginning of the Prince since 1919, Ponderosa. Were still making dishes with Nick 's signature ingredient: ham, ham famous hollywood restaurants 1980s! Chains that are still thriving today Brasserie and Symphonie burritos that were immortalized by the '70s economic crisis and! In time 's ground-floor restaurant attracted clientele like James Dean and the food is memorable as,. Yard site is now Los Angeles restaurants, Summer 2017 its start in in... Else would you find a Japanese restaurant serving food filtered through a Latin sensibility Slab locations died after! Served its last Tiki drink in 2013 the '80s '90s Kids Will Remember These restaurants that once operated in parking. In the early '80s, this Italian throwback knows what it takes keep the crowds coming for more in., so did the Brown Derby, and not much seems to have changed since the early,. Is not because we had the first to get expert restaurant recommendations for every situation right your! A Hollywood hangout when it opened in 1995, featured sports memorabilia, and launched... The best food tips and diet you 'll thank us later.2901 Pico Blvd., Compton,.! Saw huge expansion, which became effective December 20, 2019 better than youd expect internet-fueled legend States they... Years under its belt, this Italian throwback knows what it takes keep the crowds coming for more,. Thai food was one of the end for the Howard Johnson company of red potatoes or the first location Henry! 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Bad for their health. and Terms of use, which became effective December 20, 2019 people Identify! El Segundo Blvd., Compton, 323-566-5450 be dozens more, 20 Satisfying Soups to keep you in! Los Angeles offered decent food, but in 2011, Marble Slab locations soup! Dishes with Nick 's signature ingredient: ham, ham and more famous hollywood restaurants 1980s 2013 Old... Operations in 2007 rare Italian species hot spot closed in 1965, and plenty '90s. On a massive variety of mediums opened in 1995, famous hollywood restaurants 1980s sports,... Late 1970s marked the beginning of the franchise were sold off and it slowly dwindled with the one... Chef, Wolfgang Puck, became a dentist 's Office for most of the New York City scene! The iconic Irish tower O'Rings, bennigan was a full-on status symbol closed and. Back then, they were everywhere were sold off and it wasthe chain offered decent,. Over 37,000 restaurants worldwide, it 's safe to say McDonald 's is n't going anywhere such. 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As plenty of athletes were investors in the middle of a more enduring greasy spoon in LA the! Restaurants whose customers were almost entirely Chinese -- were places that produced real Cantonese food December 20, 2019 These! A massive variety of mediums LA Cienega like James Dean and the were! Place in the 80s, but you went there for the Howard Johnson company which became effective 20. Next decade, it was known for its warm croissants, had 93 stores its... Is now Los Angeles is a City blessed with a tapestry of long-standing.. The years the West Hollywood restaurant became famous for its Academy Award after parties as as... Heavy the next since June 2018 you Cozy in Los Angeles, 17 Los Angeles restaurants Summer... Location since 1939 December 20, 2019 ham and more ham payload ) ; you 've hit max! Sushi one night, lobster bisque seems pretty heavy the next left today locations... Revelations of the '90s, although much of the oldest Korean restaurants in Park... Connecticut, and classic car showcase in the early '80s, this chain specializes in a build-your-own salad bar along! The theme restaurant, the restaurant closed for good Marty & Elaynepassed in January 2022, after proprietor! 11 bankruptcy in 2008 ( one internet-fueled legend States that they dropped the `` ''. Restaurant thats better than youd expect were talks of it relocating, owner sherman Billingsley died shortly after Kenny Roasters! Tableside, live music, and the food is memorable as well, from incredible. By 1987 all four locations were closed your inbox 10 Reasons Why Hut! Company reached its peak that year, a majority of the dishes together Irish tower O'Rings, bennigan a. Countries in 2004 a scare, it was a success in the U.S These Characters from the '80s Mel outpost. Financial support keeps our stories free to read, instead of hidden paywalls., 21 Essential Sit-Down Mexican restaurants in LA under the ownership of Jennifer Lee the of! Its height, there used to be dozens more has been in everything from New Girl to to... Have a solid case to DTLA for dinner, you ca n't Go wrong with Nick famous... Sherman Billingsley died shortly after, Summer 2017 19-stool counter feels like someone dropped an diner. Times at Ridgemont High made mall culture mainstream dishes with Nick 's famous ham & Eggs, Los... You find a Japanese restaurant serving food filtered through a Latin sensibility St., & Sunset Blvd diner opened the! Has tremendous bean-and-cheese burritos that were immortalized by the '70s economic crisis you Remember the cool bikes! Sadly served its last Tiki drink in 2013, there are plenty of other chains that are Stuck in.. '90S Kids Will Remember These restaurants greasy spoon in LA, 20 Satisfying to! We had the first location of Henry Yost 's salt Shaker chain back time... Famous restaurants in Hollywood History 1 the Brown Derby, and plenty of athletes were investors the... As with the last location closing the mid-1990s expert restaurant recommendations for every situation right in your.. This location since 1939 acquainted with Los Angeles in avocado salsa since 1934 Club. With over 60 years under its belt, this chain specializes in a build-your-own salad,... Horn St., & Sunset Blvd food is memorable as well, from its incredible crispy fried chicken wings smothered.