There is a diner in Northville Mi. I've only been there once... I forget the name of it.. Damn it!... I'll ask the wifey when she get's home from work..
Remember the 50's- when diners had a ton of dumb, self-referential **** on the walls? I used to eat at Ships in Culver City that really was a 50's diner, it got closed down- right at the same time as all these fake ones with all the corny stuff on the walls were flourishing... (I think that's irony, but I'm not gonna go out on limb...)
I've always felt that Arnold's restaurant in Happy Days would have been a really good place to hang out, with its 'feel good' atmosphere and its fifties style. If I had the cash and the know-how, I'd be keen to start one up in our town. Sadly, the closest thing we have to a hot rod themed restaurant here is Hungry Jacks, which has the nice plastic 50's style seating. What do they call that fabric? There are a few fifities posters on the wall, some number plates and a juke box, but, you just don't get a sense of being able to sit back and have a chat in the place with your friends. Maybe its me, but when I go to Maccas or burger king etc, I just want to eat it quickly and get away from the noise. They are not place that invite one to sit back and chill out. More like sit down, stuff yourself full of calories, feel ill and try to make the car without barfing... I'd love to see more hot rod restaurants here.
I'd be interested in that place, not too far from home for me. There is also an A&W in Dexter that does a pretty good job without going overboard on the 50s theme stuff.
True, that's why I built one in my garage, The Hot Rod Grille. Yes, the soda fountain is fully operational with all the syrups and "real" carbonated water to make drinks like you remember. The ice cream cabinet is stocked and the toppings are on the fountain syrup rail for the soda jerk to make anything from a bananna split to a New York egg cream. The jukebox is stocked with 45's and plays 3 songs for a quarter from the remote selector "wallbox" on the bar. The food is great, the service is fast and it's in my own back yard! It's never too late for a happy childhood. Jim
That is fantastic! I could probably find Winfield... Your place sure brings back the memories! Do you ever have open house or gatherings there? Great job!
Thanks guys for the nice comments! Yes, I host several "hot rodder" gatherings each year in the garage. I usually have 35-40 folks at my annual Christmas party and around that number at the spring and summer gatherings, but the place can open anytime any of you guys are in the area! If you plan to be in WV, PM me for directions and stop by for something from the soda fountain, some rock & roll, a few games of pinball and some "bench racing". Hope to see you! Jim
I really like the "Old Style" or original Drive Inn's...like this one... which has a lot of cruise in's...it is awesome !! Cheers... http://www.gussdrivein.com/index.php Here is a picture of mine taken earlier this year..
Wow, it has always been said that West Virginia people are down home folks, I would love to stop by if in the area, thank you! As for 50's themed restaurants.......our area has none and I always thought we needed one but it would have to have the right location, a little rural with a nice backround for just hanging out in 50's fashion. There was talk of some weathy car guys here joining up and opening one but it is a dedicated commitment and a lot of times people are too cheap to spend money to support the cause.
I've been thru Winfield many times, I take 35 thru WV when going to North Carolina to visit relatives. I will certainly make an effort to stop by next time I head down yonder. Thanks for the invite!
Not really any "Hot Rod" themed resturants around here that I know of ... closest is "Quaker Steak & Lube" which is Motorsports themed, although it seems whenever you go in there the TV's have Golf, Football, Baseball etc, and hardly ever "motorsports" on. I go for the Pretzels and Wings ... the atmosphere is incidental. ScottV
The Broiler isn't a Hot Rod themed restaurant, but it did become a Hot Rod & Custom hangout. It was built with respect to all incarations of its previous lives and it has included an icon of the past for its present incarnation. It involved the HAMB in its save and serves real ice cream for its deserts w/its metal cups for shakes and malts. It has a 1958 Juke box that plays blues to pop. There are no wierd street rod pix on the wall and no poodle skirts. The drive-in canopy is there and if people would support it, the drive-in function would be full time, but people and tastes change. Cobb,Chef and Taco Salads seem to be what people order these days and the days of greasy burgers seem to be more of and In-Out thing. No one really wants to eat in their car, but they sure like to take home the trays as souveniers. I personally dig the whole Googie scene and eat in a 1941 built restaurant daily. I don't mind being around something that I feel so pasionate about,such as Hot Rods,cool eateries, clubs that give back to this way of life. Lots of very cool places out there!
I kinda liked the one that was in the movie Pulp Fiction. Maybe it wasn't as much "Hot Rod" as it was a 50's theme but the booths were cool.
There use to be one in a small town up north in nz called cadillac cafe but has since closed as of last time we went through also another one about half hour from my house called route 66 dinner which is quite cool but is still abit tacky tbucket on the roof it ok though
I love the good ones. Don't care too much for the cheesy ones though. I also like the Hard Rock Cafe. I remember a really cool nostalgic 50's style Cafe in Michigan City In. I remember listening to the Mamas and the Paps on their old Jukebox. Really cool memories! I havn't seen a good 50's style diner in quite awhile.
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