Peter N' Rae's Cafe

Zingo's Cafe
Bakersfield, CA
Photo courtesy Jimmy Bowman

Check out the neon sign pointing the way into Zingo's Cafe in Bakersfield. That big arrow calls for a stop, whether for something to eat or a few roadside photos. Just don't block the trucking area unless you're looking to get dusted.

Opened in 1965 along Highway 99, Zingo's became a familiar stop for truckers and travelers making their way through the valley. Merle Haggard was also a regular customer. A little Bakersfield Sound to go with the cafe's roadside neon.

UPDATE: After closing in March 2023, Zingo's reopened under new operators about six months later. The interior got a refresh, while the familiar signs stayed put. 09-26

City Cafe (Gone)
Fresno, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out the sign for the City Cafe in Fresno. With a name like that, it sounds like a good place to pull off the road for a bite. No word on how the food stacked up, but the sign alone was enough to catch the eye. Among the shops and restaurants along Blackstone Avenue, this cafe had a little roadside character of its own. Maybe a cup of coffee and a look at the menu would have been in order. 03-05

UPDATE: The cafe later operated as Central City Cafe before closing. The building has since been remodeled and repurposed as Alhadara Restaurant, serving Middle Eastern and Yemeni food. So there's still a place to stop for a meal here, though the menu has taken a different turn. The old City Cafe sign has been removed. 09-26

Tecalote Cafe (Closed)
Fresno, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Cruising through Fresno, check out the old script sign for Tecolote Cafe on Tulare Street. This is the sort of find that makes wandering the downtown streets worth a little extra time. Get a look at the lettering before heading down the block. There always seems to be room for one more sign photo. 02-06

The Tecolote sign is believed to date from the 1940s or 1950s, and neighboring La Fiesta added another neon attraction to the scene. About that dancing mentioned in the original caption: the animated neon dancer belonged to La Fiesta next door. Its moving arms and legs did the entertaining, while Tecolote's script lettering pointed out the cafe. Two signs close together, giving the camera a couple of reasons to stop.

UPDATE: Tecolote Cafe is closed, but the storefront and weathered sign remain. The neon no longer lights, so this one's a stop for the daylight photo rounds. Look for the old cafe name while making your way along Tulare Street. 09-26

Kelcy's Restaurant
Tehachapi, CA
Photo courtesy John King

Check out the old roadside sign at Kelcy's Restaurant in downtown Tehachapi. How's a hungry traveler supposed to pass this one without thinking about a bite to eat? A stop for the sign can turn into a stop for lunch pretty quickly. Originally captioned here as Kelly's Cafe, the name on the sign is Kelcy's. 09-10

The restaurant dates back to the 1960s, with booths and local historical photos adding to the old cafe atmosphere inside. Biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak, and a slice of pie fit right into this sort of roadtrip break. Best leave a little time between photographing the sign and getting back on the road.

UPDATE: Kelcy's remains open on Tehachapi Boulevard, with its familiar signage still in place. A garden patio adds an outdoor spot to take a break, along with occasional live music and car shows. A few more reasons to linger downtown awhile. 09-26

Forty One Cafe (Rem.)
Lemoore, CA
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

Heading along Highway 41 near Lemoore, check out the Forty One Cafe and the little burger guy up on the roof. He's holding a hamburger and a frosty mug, making a pretty good pitch for a food stop. Just don't expect him to climb down and take your order. 12-10

The rooftop fellow is a Teen Burger statue from A&W's Burger Family, which promoted the chain's menu in the 1960s. Somehow he found another job greeting travelers at this roadside cafe. Years out in the weather left him with a noticeable lean, though he kept that burger and mug aloft.

UPDATE: The Teen Burger statue was reportedly purchased by a private collector and removed around 2018. The Forty One Cafe continues operating along the highway, but the rooftop burger greeting is gone. 09-26