Places That Recapture Food, Styles, Furniture, Fashions of Nostalgic Era
The latest wave of nostalgia has started a trend to return to the ‘50s. Sock hops, flattop haircuts and burger hangouts are but some of the memories when one thinks of the postwar period when optimism prevailed as the country settled into the modern American dream. “I Like Ike” buttons were everywhere as people celebrated the end of the war with glass and steel architecture, Sputnik-inspired furniture and a dramatic new look in fashion.
The Covina Community Resources Department is furthering the nostalgia trend with “Family Festival--Celebrate the ‘50s and ‘60s,” a four-day event beginning April 9 at Covina Park, corner of 4th and Badillo streets in Downtown Covina. Telephone (818) 331-0111, Ext. 271, for details.
Following is a list of 10 year-round places where we in the ‘80s can relive moments from the ‘50s:
Cafe ‘50s, 838 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, (213) 399-1955; 4609 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 906-1955, and opening later this month at 140 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, (213) 374-1955. Hours in Venice and Hermosa Beach: Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 7 a.m.-1 a.m. Sherman Oaks facility open Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m.-midnight, Fridays and Saturdays 7 a.m.-1 a.m. This replica of the original burger hangout of the ‘50s has everything from vintage Coca-Cola signs on the wall to waitresses in ‘50s-style uniforms and saddle shoes. Walls are plastered with posters and magazine covers featuring movie and television stars of the era--Jackie Gleason, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Jerry Mathers from “Leave It to Beaver” and Ronald Reagan and Doris Day, the “winning team” couple. The jukebox plays only ‘50s music. Besides egg creams and burgers, the menu features period sandwiches: the Fats Domino Triple Decker Delight, the Peggy Sue, Ike and Dick’s Favorite and Wolfman Jack’s Midnight Snack, along with cherry and vanilla Cokes, root beer floats and black-and-white milkshakes.
McDonald’s, 10207 Lakewood Blvd., Downey. Open daily 6 a.m.-midnight, (213) 869-6212. Built in 1952, this authentic McDonald’s was the second one constructed and is now the last building still standing with the ‘50s design. Although still affiliated with McDonald’s, this franchise is independent, which means that in addition to the regular McDonald’s fare, the menu features a wider selection, including soups and salads. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and with much of the original equipment still in place, continues to make its own sauces, root beer floats, shakes, malts and sundaes. They use ice cream, not ice milk, for sundaes, and they have pins, hats and post cards for for sale as well as T-shirts that read, “I ate at the oldest McDonald’s in the world.”
The Hop, 5201 Clark Ave. (Lakewood Center Mall), Lakewood, (213) 630-2228; 18774 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, (714) 963-2366. Open nightly; $3 cover charge, except Sundays when it’s $5 and during Monday-night concerts (call for ticket prices). Hours: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Owned by the Righteous Brothers, this ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll spot features dancing to ‘50s (and some ‘60s) music, concerts with ‘50s stars and a diner with ‘50s decor and food served by waitresses dressed like cheerleaders. “We do play ‘60s music,” explained Butch, manager of the Hop, “but we never play acid rock from that period.” And if you don’t believe Butch, check with the bartender, Spike. The Righteous Brothers appear in concert about once a month, and other concerts feature groups, such as the Lettermen, who sing for a crowd that often finds flattops on the men and the women in poodle skirts. The diner has the obligatory jukebox, and the menu includes hamburgers, hot dogs, onion rings and ribs to keep you going between dances.
Warp, 4019 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 667-1492. Open most days 1-6 p.m., but call first. This shop is a jumble of ‘50s memorabilia from sectional sofas to “designer” Melmac dishes. You’ll locate hard-to-find ‘50s paintings, lamps, clocks, signed pottery art and even Oriental furniture and lamps. Warp is organized by decades, with the ‘50s at the front, the ‘40s in the middle and at the back of the store is a smattering of things from the ‘30s.
Chuck’s Barber Shop, 2208 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, (818) 249-2858. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Chuck Heinzelman, owner of Chuck’s Barber Shop for the last 30 years, says a significant number of his customers are people returning to the look of the ‘50s with the flattop and other, shorter, above-the-ear haircuts. “I do a lot of flattops,” says Heinzelman, who is also known as the “flattop doctor.” Heinzelman has been at this location since 1957, and today a flattop will cost you $9.
Charlie’s, 4017 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 662-4744; open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m. “I carry Atomic Age couturier clothing,” explains owner Charlie Galaviz. You’ll find his shop stuffed with clothes: skirts with drop waists, balloon skirts, skirts with peplums, poodle skirts, blouses and sweaters, beaded tops, stiletto-heel shoes, handbags and jewelry made of fashionable ‘50s metal, plastic or rhinestones. There’s a full line of men’s clothing as well, including hats. Downstairs, 3,000 square feet of ‘50s furniture includes dinettes, free-form sofas, blond wood and wire furniture.
Harry’s, 148 S. La Brea Ave., (213) 938-3344; open Monday-Wednesday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-6 p.m. This store’s dedication to the ‘50s as an art form owes its success to artist-designer-owner Harry Segil, who claims to be the “doctor of the bored rooms.” Segil takes original ‘50s furniture and re-covers it in fabrics from the period. His relacquering of original ‘50s tables could be described as beautifully bizarre. Bette Midler, Jeff Goldblum and Madonna are reported to have shopped here. This is the place for the unusual, original ‘50s furniture and home accessories, as well as for small gift items.
Rae’s Diner, 2901 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Open daily 5:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., (213) 828-7937. This vintage ‘50s hash house has the slanted roof and classic ‘50s neon sign, which was such a part of ‘50s coffee shop moderne design. Rae’s is a little worn around the edges but draws an eclectic crowd that can include truck drivers, auto mechanics, businessmen and young trend setters. You won’t want to overlook the blue Formica counter, turquoise ceiling and the buttermilk biscuits with country-style gravy. Breakfast is always served.
Ship’s, across from MGM Studios at 10705 Washington Blvd., Culver City, (213) 839-2347. Open 24 hours a day. A pure ‘50s Space Age neon sign points the way to the parking lot of this coffee shop, built in 1956. On your way into the restaurant, you can pick something to read from the 18 news racks lined up outside. Once inside, you’ll find little has changed since the place was opened more than 30 years ago: Toasters on each table and the menu includes chicken-fried steak, chicken pot pie and beef stew. For dessert, there are ice cream sundaes, and Ship’s makes its own hot-fudge cake.
Astro Restaurant, 2300 Fletcher Drive, Silver Lake, (213) 663-9241. This neighborhood hangout has operated continuously since it opened in the ‘50s. Its cantilevered roof resembles two cosmic arrows on their tips and is typical of ‘50s architecture. The menu provides something for everybody--American, Chinese, Mexican and even Greek food.
Contributions to this article were made by Ronald Reed and the ‘50s Task Force of the Los Angeles Conservancy.
