Bill's Hamburgers
Santa Maria, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Cruising through Santa Maria, check out the old time sign for Bill's Hamburgers. The little neon chef appears to be running atop the sign, though he's probably not going to get too far up there. This is the sort of roadside find that calls for a quick stop, especially when a burger sounds pretty good after a day on the road.

Also known as Bill's Take Out, this walk-up stand has been serving hungry travelers and locals since the 1950s. Salvador and Beatrice Barragan bought the place in 1974, and the burger joint became a longtime family business. The sign is a throwback to the days when the neighborhood hamburger stand was the place to grab a bite and hang out awhile. No need to get fancy when there's a burger window and a neon chef pointing out the stop.

UPDATE: Bill's reopened in June 2024 after a three-year closure, with siblings Armando and Elizabeth Barragan carrying on the family business. Billy Burgers, deep-fried burritos and weekend menudo are among the familiar offerings. The old sign also got some attention, heading off for a full restoration before returning with fresh paint and working neon. Check out the little chef getting his legs moving again. 09-26

Burger Spot
Tehachapi, CA
Photo courtesy John King

Here's a good reason to take a little detour through downtown Tehachapi. Check out the Burger Spot marquee with its neon lit up for the evening. This burger joint is worth a stop, even if it's just to get a look at the sign as you travel through town. Of course, once you've parked for a few photos, a burger and shake might start sounding pretty good. Funny how that works. 09-10

The Burger Spot dates back to 1956 and has also been a gathering place for classic car fans. A few old cars parked out front would fit right in with this roadside scene. And for something a little different from the usual hamburger stop, the place has been known to offer an ostrich burger. Really, an ostrich. That's one way to change up the roadtrip lunch routine.

UPDATE: The Burger Spot remains open on Tehachapi Boulevard, with its vintage neon sign still standing out front. Seventy years after getting started, the burger joint is still a stop to keep an eye out for while rolling through town. 09-26

Andre's Giant Burgers
Bakersfield, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Heading through Bakersfield, the colorful sign for Andre's Giant Burgers makes a welcome sight along the roadside. Check out that big green arrow sweeping down toward the drive-in. And yes, the emphasis on this particular stop was on “bite.” Portions fit for a ... 'er ... hamster. At least the sign went giant.

The original Andre's opened on Niles Street in 1955, with this Brundage Lane location following in 1957. According to the restaurant's history, the Andre family even got some advice from Mac and Dick McDonald before getting started. Check out the sweeping supports over the ordering lane and the kidney-shaped patio tables while you're here. A little space age flair to go with lunch.

Burgers weren't the only things getting the big treatment. Andre's introduced the Big Boy Burrito in 1968, though a threatened legal challenge from Bob's Big Boy prompted a change to Big Burrito. Apparently the burrito could stay big, just without the boy.

UPDATE: Andre's continues to serve customers on Brundage Lane, where Sam and Sun Choe took over from the Andre family in 2004. The big arrow sign still catches eyes from the road, while another vintage Andre's sign from a former location has found a home at the Kern County Museum. 09-26