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Roadside Vernacular
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Ever cruise the street looking for a nice hot tamale to enjoy when you find a building... shaped like a tamale? Or how about orange juice from a stand that looks like an orange! Root beer from a root beer barrel? An Owl Cafe that looks like an owl? Well, here at Roadside Peek's Roadside Vernacular, taste a few tidbits of the roadside's best of the programmatic architecture still remaining!

 

"Shoe building"
Bakersfield, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Ever read Mother Grimm tales? If you're in Bakersfield, California and pass by this Shoe Building treasure, you just might think you're living it! Complete with shoe laces, the building interestingly sits next door to a residence. Check out this building at Roadside Peek's Roadside Vernacular Central California.

 

 

Tail O' The Pup
Los Angeles, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Want a hot dog from a hot dog? When the Tail O' the Pup ended having to move locations due to what some call big bad "progress" back in the 1980's, this little weenie originally found itself a new home along San Vicente. Unfortunately, the "Tail" ended up being evicted again and is currently looking for a new home. See this example of programmatic architecture from Southern California and others at Roadside Peek's Roadside Vernacular Southern California.

 

 

Kentucky Fried Chicken
Photo courtesy Don Whitten

Yes, it's a big chicken! Reconstructed from a Big Chicken Restaurant in the mid-1990's, this Kentucky Fried Chicken is sure to raise a few eyebrows for those that pass by this site (and sight!) in Marietta, Georgia. See this roadside delight and more at Roadside Peek's Roadside Vernacular Southeast.

 

 

Owl Cafe
Albuquerque, NM
Photo courtesy Dee Chew

If you're ever in the Albuquerque New Mexico area, check out the Owl Cafe. It's worth the drive just to check out the huge owl the adorns the rooftop. It's a "hoot!" (okay, okay) Check out more programmatic favorites from Arizona at Roadside Peek's Roadside Vernacular Arizona.

 

 

 

XXX Root Beer
Issaquah, Washington
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

Ahhh, root beer on a hot summer day from a real root beer stand shaped like a barrel. What could be better, other than an extra serving. In any case, XXX Root Beer is the place. See this place and other programmatic architecture favorites at Roadside Peek's Roadside Vernacular Pacific Northwest.

 

 

The Cup
Pottstown, PA
Photo and info courtesy Vicki Dransoff

Located in Pottstown, PA this cup-shaped building was built back in the 40's by a local dairy to sell milk, etc. Since the 60's, The Cup has been a landmark local diner, and home of the Texas Tommy hot dog. Check out other programmatic architecture from the East at Roadside Peek's Roadside Vernacular East.

 

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© Copyright 1998-2021 Syd Nagoshi. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the author.