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Roadside Peek
will take you on a roadside journey in time. Travel the road along the old routes across America. See the old motels, bowling alleys, drive-in theatres, neon signs, petrol pumps, googie sites, tiki villages, and other roadside treasures, even Route 66. Content is updated regularly so don't forget to stop in often!

Although this web site is based in Southern California, the majority of content on Roadside Peek is from locations outside of the area. The content is sectioned both by category and region, so don't forget to pay a visit to all of the site.

So, stop in, grab a beef jerky and take an adventure in time to see the old treasures of the road as they still survive... or at least tried to.

LATEST PHOTOS

May 5, 2008

Today's photo contributors are Bill Herzog (BH), DJ Panda (DP), Jodey Elsner (JE), John Eng (JE), and Richard Weiss (RW).

Roadside Peek Arizona
Other Roadside Motels (JE)

Roadside Peek East
Roadside Diners (DP)
Ten Pin Alleys (DP)

Roadside Peek Southeast
Burger Joints (RW)
Fast Food Joints (RW)

Roadside Peek Southern California
Johnie's Broiler (JE)
Other Roadside Motels (BH)
Other Roadside Signage (BH)
Neon Eateries (BH)
Roadside Liquor Stores (BH)
Roadside Taverns (BH)

April 28, 2008

Today's photo contributors are Adriene Biondo (AB), Doug Harvey (DH), John Eng (JE), Kenny Kanosh (KK), Richard Weiss (RW) and RoadsidePeek (RPK).

Roadside Peek Midwest
Ghost Signage (DH)

Roadside Peek Rocky Mountains
Ghost Signage (KK)

Roadside Peek Southeast
Auto Dealerships (RW)
Drive-in Eateries (RW)
Grand Theatre (RW)
Petrol Pumps 2, 4 and 5 (RW)
Roadside Diners (RW)
Roadside Water Towers (RW)
Ruins and Relics (RW)
Snacks and Stuff (RW)
Swinging Retro (RW)

Roadside Peek Northern California
Ten Pin Alleys (RPK)

Roadside Peek Southern California
Historic Sites (RPK)
Johnie's 50th Anniversary (AB, JE)
Neon Signage (RPK)
Neon Theatre (RPK)
Other Road Signage (AB, RPK)

April 14, 2008

Today's photo contributors are Richard Weiss (RW) and RoadsidePeek (RPK).

Roadside Peek Nevada
Roadside Men (RPK)

Roadside Peek Southeast
Sit Down Restaurants (RW)

Roadside Peek Southern California
Covina Theatre (RPK)
Neon Eateries (RPK)
Fast Food Joints (RPK)
Golden Gate Theatre (RPK)
Other Grand Theatre (RPK)
Roadside Dairy Signage (RPK)
Sit Down Restaurants (RPK)

 

MORE UPDATES


LATEST INFO

April 28, 2008

Today's info contributors are Cathie Miller (CM) and Nancy Warner (NW).

Roadside Peek East
Roadside Diners (NW)

Roadside Peek Great Plains
Roadside Diners (CM)

Route 66
Oklahoma (CM)

 

MORE UPDATES

LATEST NEWS

Coming Soon: Many more photo and info updates from across the country will be here very shortly. Don't forget to check out SPOTLIGHT FROM THE ROAD for various roadside features.


Johnie's 50th Anniversary Celebration a Success

04.20.08 Downey, CA - From a first hand account, the 50th Anniversary Celebration was a success. The new owner of the coming Bob's Big Boy Jim Louder, Adriene Biondo Chair of the MODCOM, as well as many friendly folks from the Friends of Johnie's and locals joined in the celebration of both Johnie's 50th Anniversary and the recent good news that Bob's Big Boy has signed a long term lease. According to Bob's owner Jim Louder, every attempt will be made to keep as much of the huge landmark marquee intact while the change over to Bob's Big Boy signage is made.

See photos from the celebration here.

 

In addition, here's a link to yesterday's KPCC 89.3 Off Ramp broadcast. Adriene Biondo is interviewed announcing the news about Bob's rebuilding Johnie's. http://www.scpr.org/programs/offramp/

Johnie's Broiler Celebration Cruise Saturday April 19th

04.17.2008 - The Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern Committee, together with the Friend's of Johnie's and the Coalition to Rebuilt the Broiler, has announced a classic car cruise to celebrate Johnie's 50th anniversary and the news that Bob's Big Boy is coming to town. Please see the flyer below for more details.

Thanks to Adriene Biondo for information. modcom.org


Johnie's Broiler to become Bob's Big Boy

04.10.2008 - The news is official that Johnie's Broiler in Downey, CA will now be replaced by Bob's Big Boy. A long term lease has been agreed upon between Bob's Big Boy and Johnie's owner Smyrniotis, 15 months after a saga that began when Johnie's was illegally partially demolished by a lessee. A historic preservation consultant has been hired to determine what pieces of Johnie's are still salvageable, including the fat boy sign. More information can be found at the Press Telegram's article.

Good news and many thanks from all Harvey's and Johnie's Broiler fans to those who helped make this happen and keep the spirit of Johnie's alive, including the Friends of Johnie's, the Coalition to Rebuild Harvey's, and the Modern Committee of the Los Angeles Conservancy.

Many thanks to Adriene Biondo for the alert to this update as well as her tireless efforts working with the local preservation groups, city officials, and the public towards this successful outcome.


Palm Desert Lodge Shuts Doors

04.09.2008 - According to the Desert Sun, the Palm Desert Lodge closed its doors for the last time on April 1, 2008 and will soon be demolished to make way for redevelopment and a Longs drug store. The marquee has now been listed on eBay. The Palm Desert Lodge dates back to the 1950's.


Stan Kite's Restaurant to Reopen as The Waffle Factory

04.08.2008 - The Stan Kite Restaurant in Los Angeles is another great example of Googie Coffee Shop architecture. However, the Kite has been closed and the building has sat vacant for over a decade. Over time, the distinct kite shaped marquee disappeared off the roof and the building appeared to be headed for oblivion.

For once there is good news on the coffee shop front. Instead of mourning yet another loss of a roadside treasure, the news is the former Kite restaurant building is still intact and will be reused as a new 24 hour restaurant.

According to Adriene Biondo who happened upon the new owners of The Waffle Factory while they were installing a gigantic granite countertop, the two owners were very proud that they're contributing something positive to the community and wanted to preserve the uniqueness of the architecture, yet adapt it to work for the community.  The one owner is also a general contractor and said he was raised in Inglewood and has invested in property there. It seems they're using high quality materials throughout.  Take a look at the bathroom sinks.

The plans are for The Waffle Factory to open between April - May 15th of 2008. The place appears to be worth a visit and hopefully will be a fixture in the community for many years.

Many thanks to Adriene Biondo for update on The Waffle House.

 

MORE NEWS


RECENTLY LOST

The Thomas Restaurant was destroyed on Thursday May 18, 2006 when a grease fire in the kitchen got out of control.

Fall 2005 was the last season for Bob's Root Beer located off the main highway in Fallon, NV.

The Swan Motel is just one of many Wildwood NJ treasures that have been destroyed in recent years.

CALIFORNIA CORNER
ENDANGERED

Jack's Salad Bowl Disappears - Jack's Salad Bowl off of Whittier Boulevard in Whittier, CA is now an El Pulpo Restaurant. As of August 11, 2006, the plastic panels on the marquee that used to display Jack's Salad Bowl now fully displays the new restaurants name.

 

La Puente Lanes Demolished - The old La Puente Lanes bowling alley was recently demolished. After closing, the old alley had been fenced in and became run down over time.

McNamara Pontiac
Orlando, FL

Mearles Drive-in
Visalia, CA

Metro Diner
Tulsa, OK

 

Mooney Drive-in Theatre
Visalia, CA

 


If you have any comments, suggestions, prospective photos, or ideas... or just want to say hi, please email me here.

 

 

 

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Page Last Updated May 4, 2008