What do you call a happy picketer? Is there a title for the exact opposite for protestor? A contestor, maybe? Whatever his job description, this guy refused to be ignored as he took the concept of a sandwich board to new heights. It was a good thing that we were already on the side of this proud ensign bearer; in fact, the very first thing we did when we pulled into the city limits, was visit one of Phoenix's most-beloved watering holes (and the reason for his masterfully hand-painted sign), MacAlpine's Restaurant & Soda Fountain.
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| A tad premature (and immature), Mr. Tiny arrived before the neon "Open" sign was illuminated. PHOTO OP! |
Opened in 1929, MacAlpine's isn't just a static relic of its more-than-eighty-year history. Instead of being a period-perfect museum, it is the genuine article - a living document of depressions, recessions, wars, and advancements of society and technology. The restaurant is filled with memorabilia reflecting every one of the ten decades through which it has operated. Heck, they even have a Facebook page!
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| Pardon me, do you have Prince Albert in a can?* |
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| It was still early in the day, but after having driven for five hours, we were ready to get our grub on. |
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| It being a soda fountain, we opted for counter service right where the mix magic happens. |
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| But the booth seating offered some pretty stiff competition. Beautiful!!! |
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| The mirrored bar back was the resting place for the myriad flavors of MacAlpine's famous fountain specialties, not the least of which is the old-fashioned ice cream soda. |
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Not content with the extensive menu, Mary invented
a new one - pistachio ice cream and rum-flavored soda.
She said that it was delicious...
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| The cheeseburger and homemade coleslaw. The secret to MacAlpine's signature slaw is pineapple! |
As seasoned road trippers and inveterate junk-food junkies, we can say that we have definitely enjoyed a tastier burger (it looked much better than it tasted). However, we've never done so with such superior service in a facility that has been operating since the dawn of the Great Depression that also happens to be a VINTAGE STORE!!!
That's right, combining two of my most abiding passions, MacAlpine's is both a hash house and a rich repository of vintage clothing, accessories, housewares, and furniture. A combination of road trip weariness and an overexcitement at the prospect of stuffing my face AND shopping for used goods all under the same roof left me too frazzled to take many pictures!
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| I wish I could've afforded to bring this guy and his sister lamp home! |
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| I am always swept away by the romance of vintage kitchen tools but can never get past the idea that they're old and rusty and probably not particularly sanitary...or maybe I'm just Howard Hughes-ing. |
If you're ever in Phoenix, then hop in the old jalop' and head to the malted shop! Make sure that you stop at MacAlpine's to get yourself a treat - of the frosty or fabric variety - or both!
"All the Cats Join In" - Benny Goodman
MacAlpine's Restaurant & Soda Fountain
2303 N 7th St
Phoenix, AZ
(602)262-5545
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
*Then you'd better let him out. I couldn't let the joke go unfinished.
Remember, we are dangerously close to 200 official followers. When we reach that pinnacle of success, we will be hosting a major giveaway! Spread the wacky tacky word, won't you please? THANKS!!!
What a great place! I do believe that the booths are the prettiest that I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely charming, right? The combination of the wood-paneling and benches with the chrome-trimmed table and the sconces is magic!
DeleteYay for MacAlpine's! :)
ReplyDeleteTotal yay! The servers were all really nice too!
DeleteSo cool! Good food, plus thift store?! I'm in.
ReplyDeleteWell, in all honesty, the food was just okay, but the building and shopping and soda fountain is more than enough to get our recommendation!
DeleteThis is probably my favourite of all the restaurants that you have visited and shared with us here on Wacky Tacky! What a cool looking place (and the food looks and sounds yummy too)! I love that mirrored bar with all the soda fountain goodies, and in fact the whole interior looks beautiful. The addition of a vintage shop gives it an even higher score in my book!!! I think I will have to return to AZ at some point - maybe you should create a Wacky Tacky guidebook? :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a wacky tacky guide!!! I need to travel and adventure so I can compile a more comprehensive lit of places. Until then, I am going to try and organize posts so people can look at all the "chow time" posts, "signs of the times" posts, etc. if they are looking for particular points of interest. Thanks!
DeleteSaw your plea for official followers and bumped ya up a notch - since I already had you on RSS subscription ...
ReplyDeletethriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
Thanks TVZ!!!
DeleteThere is another meaning to "Prince Albert"; anybody who is into body piercing knows what I am referring to...somebody in fact gave me a "Prince Albert" can as a joke. As a former body-piercer I have inflicted numerous "Prince Alberts" in my day! *evil grin*
ReplyDeleteHahaha!!! I didn't think about that one. Either way, if you have Prince Albert in a can, it is probably best to let him out at some point.
DeleteOh I love vintage kitchen tools. My mom buys them, and I trust her because she knows clean and is super picky. For anything aluminum like that sifter, chuck it in a pot of boiling water for peace of mind. Something like a colander can just be scrubbed down real good, not many places to hide on something like that. Cast iron and be re seasoned in a super hot BBQ, and wood can be sanded down and soaked in mineral oil to make it good as new! My vintage madeline tins were my favorite kitchen find so far.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I know, I tend to overthink this stuff a bit, but with all of your helpful hints, I'll have a kitchen full of old-timey gadgets!!!
DeleteSuch beauty to behold! Love the food porn, too :) This reminds me to travel more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Van! I wish that all I did was travel from town to town finding the wacky tacky! What a dream job that would be!
DeleteI am living in the wrong state!
ReplyDeleteMe too!! All of these Arizona posts are taken from just two ays in the Phoenix area. Although we shouldn't really complain; I am in Southern California and you are in New York (it doesn't get much better than that).
DeleteI am in Phoenix, and darn it, I wish I could have met you there! (Even though we don't know each other in real time...LOL!) MacAlpine's is one of the few truly cool things in Phoenix that hasn't been taken over by ironic hipsters. Monica, who owns the place, is really nice. I agree about the food, but the service is really good and it's fun to look around. Next time you are in Phoenix, send me an email! I could introduce you to my friend Marshall Shore, who is Phoenix' unofficial HIP Historian, like your Charles Phoenix. He knows all kinds of funky stuff you guys would dig! :-) Jenny
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to have you as our Phoenix tour guide. We saw so much great wacky tacky in Phoenix (and surrounding environs) that we are sure to be back before too long!!! Next time for sure!
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