There was always a lot of food and drink, and no one noticed the kids whod sneak in and out, grabbing rolled salami off of linen-draped deli trays. memorable shutters. The diner was likely built by either OMahony or Mountain View, but, except for the terrazzo floor, youll find almost no features that would indicate pedigree. Tam O'Shanter in Los Feliz, which dates back to 1922, is one of the oldest restaurants in the city and is owned by the same family as Lawry's. Though the menu is very similar to the upscale Beverly Hills steakhouse, The Tam's aesthetic is somewhere between a medieval drinking tavern and the Seven Dwarfs' cottage. Photograph by Dick Swanson/The National Archive, The opening of Return of the Jedi at the SamEric theater, better known as the Boyd Theater, which is now slated for demolition. In Spain. See more ideas about memories, restaurant, howard johnson's. Our friend came out with big news: There was a baggie of cocaine in the room. The boy moved to New York, which was sad (according to my diary), but I miss the old TLA more. This was no bland suburb, no Peyton Place. The fact that so few pristine examples remain should give anyone with an appreciation for aesthetic and structural quality reason enough to at least go in one and get a cup of coffee on a regular basis. absolute game changer, forever shifting the trajectory of Philadelphia Meme posted that she thought it was a place called DeDes and I believe that was the one I was thinking of. The late 60s and early 70s in Philadelphia were pretty relaxed. Menu-wise, the Trolley Car reflects Weinsteins intention to bring a family restaurant to the neighborhood. I waitressed there for several months in the early/mid-1970s. The real estate developer Ken Weinstein loves Germantown Avenue. From long-livedgreasy spoonsto concepts from hotshot chefswho flamed out, we'rerememberingthese much-loved spots taken from us too soon. Another one i was sad to see go after only a few years of operation was Sams Diner. I was just starting to understand that Id have to become a grown-up, and I didnt really know what that meant. $$. But even with incredible eating options debuting on Polynesian-themed, date night spot on the 1700 block of Walnut Street. In its heyday, the . And for post-dining . Howard Johnson's is synonymous with 1950s and '60s dining. 1. In Philly, it was hard to tell what adulthood was. The Frazer Diner in Frazer is the only un altered Jerry O Mahony diner in existence.Built between 1929 and 1935 it was originally the Paoli but was moved to Frazer on Lancaster Ave, in 1957. They really dont build them like this anymore. At the end of the 1980s, the city was on the verge of bankruptcy. Horn & Hardarts 54th & City Ave. | 818 Chestnut by Craig LaBan. Our game holds from 2-14 players and is an awesomely fun thing to do in Philadelphia for ages 8+. THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Garden. It was launched by Howard Johnson himself in the 1920s as a soda fountain and lunch counter, and by 1954 there were 400 outposts in 32 states. Sandy and her three sisters lived at 22nd and Delancey, across from Valerie and, randomly, Julius Erving, whod open the door sometimes, be very tall, and close the door again. People might offer you drugs. Before the Four Seasons transitioned into the sleek, new Logan Hotel, the ground The children of the suburban boom became adults and had children of their own. The Golden Sword Diner is now a latin-themed night club. Days Deli. The city elected its first Black mayor in 1983, W. Wilson Goode, whose first administration was marred by the 1985 Move tragedy. Yes, I think that was it. I always make Bobs a stop on my 25-cent tour of Philadelphia. I worked as a waitress at Bobs Diner for two summers when I was home from Penn State in the early 70s. This is a diner built by Kullman Industries, which at the time wasthe oldest diner builders in the country. On Sun, 17 Sep 2000 19:33:55 -0400, Ruth Savitz interested in a peak at early aughts dining, the restaurants For fifteen bucks, do you overlook the fact that the mashed potatoes were instant? Someone must have noticed this, because Bobs signage highlights the proximity with the joke that dining there is a monumental experience. I was only passing through and didnt have time to stop, but the diner caught my eyemaybe it had something to do with the two giant billboards next to it? I may allow some slack for most diners, but, in my mind, a well-run diner must do two things perfectly every time: Coffee and home fries. (2) Midtown Diners THERE WERE A PAIR of arcades on Chestnut Street between 15th and 17th: the dark, dirty Zounds, and the shiny new Supercade. Back then, it was like there was no one on duty. I dont want to step in dog waste, or walk 10 blocks before I can find a trash can. I had a lot of great memories working there. The city's vibrant restaurant scene has grown tremendously in recent years. | Photo: Randy Garbin. Updated on Nov 18, 2019, 5:00 a.m. Thanks to a tip by someone who grew up in the Olney neighborhood I managed to find this diner which, up until that point, existed on no one elses list. You can still find at least a half-dozen examples of their diners built between 1948 and 1954. Heavily remodeled 50s-style diner that currently serves Asian food. It was replaced with a stainless chrome and larger diner about 1949-50. Also now gone. The next event in Phoenixville Public Library's co-sponsored "Community Gardening around the Village" series will take place on Sunday, March 5, from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Not much left to see here except for the basic outlines of a classic 50s structure. My last visit for Sunday breakfast found the place busier than the OHare Airport at Thanksgiving, and the meals met with my partys expectations, except for the home fries. closure took with it the title for worlds largest indoor lobster tank and a retro | Photo: Randy Garbin, When the Kubach family owned the Melrose Diner they managed to build up something of a one-diner empire. So why do I miss the dirty, second-rate downtown I grew up in? Map. Its likely thatno other builder constructed more diners than Jerry OMahony. Do remember the Diner on Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr called the Blu Comet around late 1950s till 1972. On the other hand, dont count on it being there forever. For those The older ones began appearing in the late-1980s and early-1990s, started or inspired by German immigrants that had once settled there. It's RADICALLY different from all the others: It's a Pure Energy, bubble gum pop, super charged, time-travel thrill! Not sure if they serve diner fare besides the chinese menu. | Photo: Randy Garbin. Sad on both counts. Hiroki. ONE BOY WHO accompanied our Bellevue wanderings was the son of a South Street fortune-teller. His marketing calls it a 50s-themed diner, but you wont see a Marilyn Monroe cutout greeting you at the door and you wont get barraged with Chubby Checker on the overhead sound system. You can see this on the builder tags still affixed over the door, and on that tag youll also find a serial number 5907 which tells you that it was the seventh diner built in 1959. As late as the 60s, they were all over the northwest suburbs in Montgomery county: Hatboro, Horsham, Willow Grove, Glenside, and many others. I live around the corner from the Oak Lane Diner. Frisco BBQ restaurant raises $33K for boy with rare blood cancer . Its dirty. Throwback Thursday: A fond look back at long vanished South Bend restaurants. I visited the site of the former Aramingo, and it looked like about the only thing left to it was the foundation, so I chose not to include it in this list. At each visit, I had good, serviceable comfort food, and except for that run-in with the brutish manager I experienced friendly, efficient service. Often overlooked for inclusion in the Philly diner pantheon, the Dining Car on Frankford Avenue in the Northeast nevertheless continues to get plenty of love from the neighborhood, and for good reason. It has been so long, but that name rings a familiar bell. If so, please share it with your friends and family to help spread the word. What Austin, Texas looked like in the 1970s Through These Fascinating Photos, Fascinating Historical Photos of Portland from the 1900s, Stunning Vintage Photos of Hicksville, New York in the 1960s, What El Paso, Texas, looked like at the Turn of the 20th Century, Rare Historical Photos Of old Mobile, Alabama From Early 20th Century, Fascinating Photos from the Notting Hill Carnival of 1981. The current Case Del Mariso was old school diner. The Kubach family, for whatever reason, apparently had a long-standing no photography policy in-or-outside of the diner. The Big Greek Diner typically gives you a lot of food for the money. The Broad Street sat closed for many years beginning in the early 2000s, and one report had Stephen Starr interested in reopening it. A visual blast from the past. (This suspicion of nice things began early.). Gus Tsionis Steak House Gus Tsionis . From a design perspective, the Dining Car represents something of a diner industry anomaly. Love Your article and thank you for doing the research. But Taco Angelenosstraightforward, L.A.-style tacos flavorful slow-braised meats, a simple toppings bar of chopped onion, radish, cilantro and curtido, and seitan for vegetarians this is West Philly, after all filled that void. 2023 BygonelyPrivacy policyTerms of ServiceContact us. One of Philadelphia's most historic neighborhoods The History Northern Liberties is as old as Philadelphia itself, founded by Philadelphia's founder, William Penn in 1682. nest and fried wontons with complete with a mysterious dunking sauce. a seafood-centric menu, heavy on the truffles and Champagne. cheeky menu full of gems like sweet n pungent pork Tahiti and barbecue Great article !! It is a true-and-tried diner. Enjoying our content? In its last incarnation, old heads from the Leroys Showcase Lounge days drank alongside members of the queer punk bands playing shows upstairs. Your email address will not be published. There were so many: the Eric Twin Rittenhouse at 19th and Walnut; Sams Place and the SamEric at 19th and Chestnut; Erics Place at 15th and Chestnut; Erics Mark 1 at 18th and Market; the Goldman Theatre at Broad and Chestnut; the Roxy (when it showed films from odd places like Canada); more Im not thinking of. (215) 735-5562. Diners in center city that have vanished since 1990 My top three (almost a three-way tie) are: 1. Rundown of Eateries Opened from 1875 to 1986. Even though it's been serving beer and pub food for over 150 years, you can still count on McGillin's for a good time. South Philadelphia was ravaged by Mafia warfare, gangs invaded the slums, and the murder rate skyrocketed. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The Creed franchise is a child of the king of boxing films 1976's "Rocky" and its five sequels. 12 Restaurants That Define Philadelphia Dining. Trolley Car strikes that rare balance between food quality and attitude. Required fields are marked *. Im sorry you cant agree with a simple fact, but Ive been listening to this sentiment for more than thirty years. I recall the interior being quite well preserved with lots of old details; it reminded me of the pre-Michael Mayfair diner actually. | Photo: Randy Garbin. Finally, I go because I know that, especially within a vintage diner, I will sit in a space of uniquely American quality, craftsmanship, ingenuity, and exuberance. It was great fun. cash only, after-hours spot for a hangover fighting something or other from The Mulhollands also performed some minor renovations in the 1980s. The point is, it was plenty neighborhoody. This diner is a perfect example ofwhy you do not want to become a diner aficionado. I agree that eating at a diner is more of an immersive experience in that neighborhood. Stenton Diner after rehearsals and shows at La Salle Music Theatre, eating liverwurst and Bermuda onion on a Kaiser roll way too lateoh, maybe a buttered toasted cinnamon bun and a cherry coke to wash it down. NBC10 hires Fred Shropshire to replace Jim Rosenfield as weekday evening anchor. For many of us, home fries are a litmus test of the whole experience and every diner should make their own undeniably great version. and suburbanization through the 1980s, restaurants from the 1990s into the early decades of the twenty-first century played a major role in the region's economy and signaled a . The big DeRaffele diner featured soaring folded-plate roof line, expansive plate glass windows, and a space-age interior that restaurateurs in places like New York and San Francisco spend a small fortune to recreate. A Slice of the 80s is located at 19 Congress St, Bradford, PA 16701. And chef Kevin Sbraga's new Philadelphia restaurant is all-out '80s-themed, . A hole-in-the-wall with the best Chinese food in Philadelphia. I moved into the neighborhood only a few months before it burned. Great memories! There was also Jersey Queen Dairy who began delivering milk in the city by horse and carriage. 11 talking about this. My father worked as a manager at Whitney & Patterson Paper Company at 5th & Bristol in the 70s into the 80s. Clearly, someone at Bobs Diner paid very careful attention in omelette making class. Click here to go to the official Facebook page of A Slice of the 80s. he helmed one of Walnut Streets swankier turn-of-the-century destinations. My lastvisit did nothing to change that general impression. Ithelped put Girard Avenue on the citys dining radar a decade ago, and that highly affordable,Best of Philly-worthytasting menu was a crazy good deal (and just crazy good). Revolution House, but for 60-plus years, this Second and Market corner was From there, unfortunately, it was all downhill. Yet again, it could have been much worse. Closed in: 2016. Where to Have a Blowout Birthday Dinner in Philly, Where to Go When You Want Your Meal to Feel Like an Activity, The Philly 15: Philadelphias Most Exciting New Restaurants, This search result is here to prevent scraping, Gilda, a Homey Portuguese Cafe, Opens in Fishtown on March 3rd. Zounds was rough. That beautiful buildings courtyard was the kind of place you either avoided or walked through as quickly as possible, dodging mysterious puddles and smells, with soot or something like it crunching beneath your feet. No telling if they will survive and fade out of our existence or I fade out since Im an elderly person. In July 1928, 681 Cleveland restaurants were feeding an average of 300,000 people daily. As an added bonus, a seat at the counter gives you front-row access to the action. I mean, Ive been singing Phillys praises since I was a kid, but the moniker Filthadelphia (and its concomitant reputation) was so widespread, it was the first thing a new friend brought up to me when we met during my semester abroad. Reviews on 80s Themed Restaurants in Philadelphia, PA - Bud & Marilyn's, The Dandelion, Dirty Franks, Louie Louie, Butcher and Singer, Harper's Garden, McGillin's Olde Ale House, Raven Lounge, Atlantis, The Lost Bar, The Fillmore Philadelphia Not because of the food, especially, but because we would each get a lollipop with a face on it at the cash register. Jackson Mahomes, the brother of two-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes, is being investigated for allegedly shoving a waiter and forcibly kissed the female owner of an Overland Park, Kansas, restaurant last Saturday. In part, its basic childhood nostalgia. It isnt constructed on-site, but rather brought to a semi-permanent location. . for the luncheonettes griddled cheeseburgers or hand-scooped milkshakes, this And one that I love, at least as far as the cemetery is concerned. Labor contracts signed by city employees during the Rizzo administration contributed to the citys financial crisis that Green and Goode could not prevent. We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. About 6,000 were built; today, some 1,800 remain with roughly two thirds still in food-service operation. The Farm & Fisherman Closed in: 2016Why wemiss it: Josh and Colleen Lawlers petite Washington Square West BYOturned outelegant farm-to-table, snout-to-tail fare they famously had no walk-in refrigeration, meaning that fresh ingredients were constantly coming into the restaurant. ChifaClosed in: 2013At Chifa, Jose Garces focused on the relationship between Peruvian cuisine and its Cantonese influence,puttingyuca fries, lomo saltado, soup dumplings, and scallion pancakes all on one glorious menu. Talula's Garden. Although Perrier announced in July 2010 that he planned to close the . Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Serving food at this scale involves choosing your battles carefully, as you cant make everything from scratch. But the jewel in the restaurant groups crown was Pub Tiki, a | Photo: Randy Garbin Oh, what about Middletons Diner? Photograph by I. George Bilyk. As other restaurants opened up I just think they failed to adapt. In its place first came the colonial style diner, then the Mediterranean style diner complete with Doric columns, the modern design and its glassy glitz, or some unfortunate melange of all three. | Photo: Randy Garbin. . I like how Starrs designers paid loving homage to the Mad Men era by stripping away some of the diners original colonial-style trappings. Like a big diner should, it greets all customers at the door with a barrage of baked goods. Was there a Galaxy Diner located on Erie Ave. below I Street back in the Sixties / Seventies ? Pizza with Duck Sausage wins quick stardom. Country Club Diner, another one under the Petrogiannis umbrella, still adheres to its Jewish-American menu established by the Perloff Family. as pictured in Philadelphia magazine in 1980. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. Du Bois (1868-1963) documented life in this densely packed neighborhood in his seminal 1899 study, The Philadelphia Negro. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut , Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. Steel's, Finelli's and Dooner's were among the exclusive drinking resorts of the early eighties. More often than not, the grill goes cold and a suburban chain moves in. Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I suppose the diner and billboards are merely *adjacent* to the graveyard, but it still makes for an odd juxtaposition. Great article thank you. Philly has been in the midst of a long-lived restaurant boom that shows no signs of slowing. Every now and then, a well-dressed woman will stop me and ask for directions: Where is the shopping street? | Content Licensing, Copyright 1996-2023 GAYOT All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms of Use GAYOT (pronounced guy-OH) The Guide To The Good Life. The Trolley Car Diner was built by the Mountain View Diner Company of Signac, New Jersey, which seemed to do extremely well selling diners in the Wyoming Valley up into the Binghamton, New York area. Oak Lanesprospects dont look good. Taco AngelenoClosed in: 2018West Phillys lack of great pizza and Mexican fare is widely acknowledged (hey, South Philly has tons of both and is just a quick ride over the Grays Ferry bridge).