Chow Time: Bun 'N Burger

I have fallen off the "Healthy Eating" wagon so often that I've determined my best bet is simply to tether my cankle to the wagon and just get dragged behind, hoping for the best.  Predictably, the knot in the rope seemed to slip a little when I saw the neon wonder of a short-order cook proffering a hamburger in one hand and a piece of pie in the other.

Situated on a bustling corner of Alhambra's Main St, is an under-appreciated institution of Southern California's wartime gastronomy.  Looking from the outside like something straight out of a Hollywood movie's "Main St," Bun 'N Burger (est. 1941), is just shy of its 75th anniversary of serving America's greatest taste sensation, the burger ('n the bun too).

Bun 'N Burger - Alhambra, CA

The angled corner entry, the awnings, and that marvelous signage are all so wonderfully stereotypical of a burger joint of its vintage.  After countless disappointing, after-hours drives-by (why am I always in Alhambra after dark???), I was excited to finally get a chance to experience what lay beyond the locked doors of Bun 'N Burger.  

The obligatory red booths and counter stools are set solidly in place before formica tables and countertops.
I immediately fell head over heals for the gleaming, stainless-steel fixtures including that monstrous exhaust hood.
I would thrill to see the two-tone green color story of the exterior brought under foot in the form of linoleum tiles.

Quiet, quick, and courteous, the service at Bun 'N Burger is top notch.  I was so lost in snapping photos that the waitress finally had to snap me out of it just to take my order.  

Oh darn, I just missed menudo....

Convinced that I was making a healthy choice by ordering a grilled chicken sandwich with no cheese and no mayo (I might be the last person on Earth that foolishly does not consider bread the enemy), I realized that the waitress probably felt sorry for me and brought my sandwich with a side of guacamole (healthy fat and omega something something, right?) AND a side of fries.

Waffle-cut fries!!!
There would be no saving room for pie...

As well as "Professional Waffle-Cut Fry Connoisseur," one of my many dream jobs would be "Make-Under Artist."  As frequently and as fiercely as I tout the ideology, "Too much is never enough," I often think that what old-fashioned eateries could really tolerate is a heavy dose of good, old-fashioned decluttering - particularly where totally-unrelated miscellanea is concerned.  When will retro diners/coffee shops/et al. realize that were they all landmarks on old Route 66, the"Mother Road" would've been a highly-circuitous eight-million-miles long!

At some point in its history, Bun 'N Burger created an additional dining room by expanding into an adjoining space - as much to accommodate more guests as to accommodate the growing collection of reproduction Coca-Cola memorabilia, I'd wager.  Is it so wrong that I just want to see the streamlined bones of a streamline-era restaurant?  All Bun 'N Burger needs is a fair bit of curation by someone with a level head and a keen eye.  However, there are definitely a few select collectibles that I think should remain; I mean, who can resist a taxidermied swordfish?!!

And this loving tribute to the King...there's always
room in a wacky tacky environment for black velvet.

"Hot Dog" - Elvis Presley

What goes better together than hot dogs and hamburgers, I ask you?

Bun 'N Burger
1000 E Main St
Alhambra, CA
(626)281-6777


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Bowl-O-Rama: Gage Bowl

"Shop in Huntington Park: More shops than a shopping center"

What every city needs is a catchy slogan that takes less to time to dream up than it does to paint on the broad side of a five-story reservoir.  "More shops than a shopping center???" - brilliant!  If only the Huntington Park, CA Chamber of Commerce would do the PR for wacky tacky, we would be well on our way to super stardom...or at least solidly on our way to our own city charter.

Exploring local cities that get easily passed over for their brighter, shinier neighbors is a favorite pastime that almost always yields always a wacky tacky treat or two.  Realizing we hadn't devoted any time to Huntington Park, CA, I made the short journey, drawn mostly by the promise of a lovingly-preserved bowling alley, Gage Bowl (est. 1960).

Gage Bowl - Huntington Park, CA

Having recently enjoyed an earthy, full-color facelift, Gage Bowl is the city's go-to destination for bowling leagues and birthday parties.  As with most of these mid-century alleys, the scoring technology has been modernized from overhead projectors to digital monitors and some of the decor/carpet/artwork has been "updated."  It may not have the grandeur of bowling temples like Covina Bowl, but the tidy 22-lane operation still offers a glimpse into bowling's heyday and provides an ideal place to reflect on the epicenter of consumer culture that is Huntington Park.

Bowling, billiards, a barroom, and breakfast, the amenities at Gage Bowl 

provide a cozy round-the-clock experience; we would never have to leave!

We love the vintage lockers and the cases of endless bowling trophies!

Thankfully, Gage Bowl has their signage on lock!
Starbursts, neon, and googie letter blocks are speared
together by a fluted, boomerang beam that has been
towering above Gage Blvd. for over fifty years!

Open 24 hours a day and serving the community for the better part of six decades, Gage Bowl makes me think that I've got a new one for you, Huntington Park; how about, "Bowl in Huntington Park: More bowls than a bowling alley!"

Gage Bowl

3477 E Gage Blvd

Huntington Park, CA

(323)587-3211

gagebowl.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Chow Time: Southern Kitchen Restaurant

Southern Kitchen Restaurant in New Market, VA is a veritable time capsule.  If one was so inclined, one could quickly dispose of the few and easily-removed modern adornments, making patrons feel like they have been transported to 1958, the year that Southern Kitchen first opened its doors.

We were led to Southern Kitchen by our good pal, Mod Betty at Retro Roadmap.  It was her review, and Southern Kitchen's location (directly en route to Washington, D.C.), that made it a must-see destination on our adventure.  From the stacked-stone exterior with its angled picture windows and gloriously-aged neon signage to the hearty portions and exceptional service, Southern Kitchen definitely gets the wacky tacky seal of approval!

I don't know what "ABC-ON-OFF" means, but there was plenty of on site parking.

I think if I had to choose a fraternal order to join,
it would definitely be the Knights of Pythias.
It's a funny name...and who doesn't want to be knight?!

Lately, I've had to reexamine what wacky tacky actually means.  Is it enough that a place is just "old?"  Is it enough just to have a cool, neon sign?  Is it enough to just have an unusual menu item?  Walking into Southern Kitchen I wasn't sure if one of these things was enough to qualify for wacky tacky status...but three out of three ain't bad!  More than just the age, the sign, and the menu, it is the spirit with which Southern Kitchen maintains its spotless dining rooms and serves its soulful menu that makes it a mandatory stop on the wacky tacky highway.

The formica front counter
Don't you love the display case of candies and the plant nook?

The beautiful, counter seating was a very tempting option
 especially with the two-tone, banded formica!

Y'all can keep your chrome dinette sets!  I would be more than happy to
take off with these bent wood, upholstered chairs with nailhead trim!

YES!

A trio of materials to love

Neatly tucked into our turquoise booth, I was taken with how pristine the entire restaurant looked.  The chrome was shiny, the furniture polished, and the formica was spic-and-span.  Even the faux foliage (faux-liage?) in the planters was dusted and well-chosen.  It is obvious that the folks in charge put a lot of love into their restaurant.  I could wax poetic over the well-waxed linoleum for days but we were there with a real purpose - to EAT!

It was high time to explore the menu.
My sister likes to maintain a certain level of ordering privacy.

Don't look at me like that!
Venison is NOT on the menu!!!
Taxidermy always seals the deal for Mr. Tiny.

One of Southern Kitchen's signature dishes is their "Peanut Soup," of which
our server was kind enough to bring us some samples.  More than the
soup, I wanted those dishes!

The soup, a Thai-like combination of peanut butter,
onions, and milk, was tasty but the sample was plenty.

Based on our charming server's recommendations, we made our selections and waited.  I used the opportunity to take some pictures.  Springing up from the table every few moments when I noticed something else that was in need of photo documentation, I got the feeling that the staff probably thought I was insane.  They were far too polite, however, to make comment.

The Fried Chicken Sandwich with Potato Wedges
I wanted to keep the plastic sword that speared pickles to bun!

The Open-Faced Pot Roast Sandwich

Southern Kitchen's famous Fried Chicken
I was assured that the taste was far superior to the presentation!!!

For all of its 55 years of service, Southern Kitchen seems to have aged not a single day.  In Southern California it is a regular sight to see a 55-year-old fighting to combat age by any means and at any cost.  With Southern Kitchen, its youthfulness is refreshingly effortless.  I'm thinking that the fountain of youth just might be fried chicken!!!

Thanks Mod Betty for sending us in the right direction!  If ever I am in the area again, I will absolutely make my way back to Southern Kitchen.

Southern Kitchen Restaurant
9576 S Congress St
New Market, VA
(540)740-3514


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Bowl-O-Rama: La Habra 300 Bowl

I had this blog backlogged and thought I would bring it to you while I finish editing all of our pictures from Barcelona.  I have left you good people without decent reading material for long enough and I can't countenance one more day without a post...

Have you noticed that contemporary buildings have become so utilitarian by nature of their design that the only discernible difference between a shopping center, a suburban home, and a jail in Communist Russia is the generally good humor of the Russian inmates.  This was an abstract concept for me until they started building a new strip shopping center near my house.  As each new building went up, it was impossible to guess what would go inside the stucco, taupe-colored boxes.  Frankly, it could be anything - Taco Bell, auto parts store, bank, dentist office, shoe store, market.  I guess the idea is to make it as generic as possible so that when businesses cycle through, the only real change that would need to be made is switching out the outsized, plastic sign.

Don't get me wrong, I love the convenience of Target.  I love the abundance of food choices and the idea that with new construction comes new jobs and new opportunities for businesses to thrive.  But would it kill architects/contractors to give these buildings a little personality?   More than just boring, these buildings fail to serve as the landmarks that I so desperately need when driving or giving directions.  I live near and work in a certain community that is famous for being "beige" in every aspect.  I get lost there all the time because not only do the streets meander (I'm a firm believer in the grid), but when someone says turn left at the tan building, you could be driving in circles for hours without ever reaching your destination.  I say all this not to bemoan the foibles of modern society, but only express my deep appreciation for the masterminds that created the wonderful 20th Century bowling alleys that are still plentiful and ready to be enjoyed not just for their leisure activities, but for the distinct figure they cut in the skyline.  One such bowling alley is La Habra 300 Bowl in La Habra, CA.

La Habra 300 Bowl is so old-school that they don't even have a website (editor's note: as of December 2012, La Habra 300 Bowl has a website), so you'll just have to take my word as gospel on the information I provide you.  Situated just a few miles east of Friendly Hills Bowl (our last featured bowling alley), LH300 is just as famous for its unusual coffee shop as it is for its gleaming lanes.  Consider this, the most popular items on the menu are, if you can handle this, Chinese food!!!  Chinese food, albeit of the American variety, seems like an unlikely style of cuisine to be proffered in the coffee shop of a bowling alley, but it's true and every regular in the place told us that we had to come back for some Egg Foo Yung.  I think it's a fiendish plan by the management; everybody knows that when you eat Chinese food and then bowl, you'll just be hungry for another frame of bowling an hour later.

I think we had just eaten, but there's something about a
bowling alley coffee shop that makes Mary HUNGRY!!!

The nice folks featured in the center of this photo gave us a strange look
 when we walked in and promptly started snapping photos.  However,
when they realized we were bowling alley enthusiasts, they practically
 invited us to share a late breakfast with them.  The gentleman assured us that
 it was neither a special occasion nor was he being favored as a regular when our
eyes got as big as saucers looking at the humongous, 27-egg (or thereabouts)
 omelette that was set before him on the squeaky-clean formica table.  

My favorite thing in the world is authentic, vintage wallpaper from the 50's...
at least there weren't life-size cut outs of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe

My usual coffee shop favorites are still in place -
barstools, terrazzo, original fixtures and display cabinets, and a
pretty stellar color story of black, gray, and pinky salmon

Maybe not the best example, but don't you love the light-box,
"cocktails" signs with the block letters?

The 13th Frame is the bowling alley's bar/lounge and has
an entrance from the inside and outside.

Button-tufted oxblood leather, brass nailhead trim, beer pennants, stained-glass
 lanterns - it's such a totally different world than the coffee shop, but I'm so glad
these two worlds exist under one extremely-sloped roof!

The private party room is adjacent to the bar and reminds a little bit of
The Regal Beagle from Three's Company.

The hand-painted figure seemed to indicate that this alley was full of real music enthusiasts.
  The bar actually would be a great place for shows.  Hmmm...maybe I need to
 add booker/promoter to my resume and include La Habra 300 Bowl as a venue!  

You read that right, that's a pin-full of "Ball Polish."

I think my snickering at the ball polish combined with the consistent flash of my camera finally brought about the inevitable - a confrontation by the management.  We're always so distracted by our excitement over neat stuff (and taking pictures of said stuff) that it never occurred to me that anyone would question my motives.  Nevertheless, after a brief interrogation by the manager, where I told her that my intentions with her bowling alley were quite chaste, we were back in action.  Although, given her grimace, I'm sure I left her unconvinced that we weren't just weirdos with a camera.  Heck, I haven't even convinced myself of that.

It's become a bit of a bad habit, but I keep forgetting to remind you that these bowling alleys do indeed offer bowling services.

Just a question, before I let you go.  Is "300" a perfect game in bowling?  That is my guess as to the significance of the name, but maybe someone out there can clarify this small detail for me.  Oh, and one more question; who determined that a strike in baseball is a bad thing but a strike in bowling is the best?  Until I find out the answers to these, life's greatest mysteries, I wish you turkeys all the turkeys I can spare.

Hardy har har!!!

La Habra 300 Bowl
370 E Whittier Blvd
La Habra, CA
(714)526-2058

www.LH300Bowl.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Bowl-O-Rama: Linbrook Bowl

Apologies for the complete radio silence - I have been BUSY!  The kid sis has gone legit and is a bonafide performer!  She will be playing the Wild Records pre-show at Viva Las Vegas 15.  In turn, I have been commissioned to make an entire wardrobe of clothes, so the only electronic device I have seen in the last week is my sewing machine.  I'm pretty excited about some of her get-ups so posts with those will be sure to follow.  Until then, I hope you enjoy yet another one of Southern California's premier bowling alleys.

I am so enamored with the glory of Linbrook Bowl's sign that I feel it alone is reason enough to stop what you're doing and wherever you are in the world, find your way to Anaheim, CA.  All the other pictures in this post are purely informational; they exist simply so you can understand that bowling is actually provided at Linbrook Bowl, but really, come on...the sign!!!  I haven't even mentioned yet that the pin spins, have I?

1958 seems to have been a magic year for bowling alleys.
You might remember that our last Bowl-O-Rama entry,
Palos Verdes Bowl, also sites 1958 as its year of birth

One of the other amazing features of Linbrook Bowl is the original coffee shop.

Apparently, the coffee shop is the "Cheers" of Anaheim.
If "sometimes you want to go where everybody knows
your name," then head to Linbrook.  I can't endorse their
 Friday fish special, but I can guarantee that it will be
packed with friendly regulars.

The coffee shop could stand some minor restoration,
 but Mary seemed to enjoy her milkshake in the
orange, vinyl booths.

According to some very reliable sources, the Kopa Room at Linbrook Bowl
hosts some of the best karaoke in Orange County!  The bar was too dimly lit
for me to get any good pictures, but don't you want to make plans to meet
at the Kopa?

Every table in the bowling alley features old pen & ink drawings about
Victorian bowling history

Strangely enough, I forgot to get a picture of the lanes, themselves.  Again, I assure you, Linbrook Bowl is a place for bowling; they have 40 lanes!  I just can't get past the sign.  Every time we drive by it, I want to stop and take more photos.  Neon, twinkle lights, a giant, spinning bowling pin - who could ask for anything more?

Linbrook Bowl

201 S Brookhurst St

Anaheim, CA

(714)772-2253

OPEN 24 HOURS!!!

linbrookbowl.com

"Ten Pins" - Sesame Street

Bowl and learn about subtraction!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny