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

Fruit-a-Face

After all of our Arizona adventures, I am left in a bit of a blogging lull.  Not to worry, I'll use the lull wisely by planning more adventure days, clothing designs, and kitsch-en kounter entries.  Until then, I leave you with a photo essay I will call "Fruit-a-Face" (a crowd-pleasing pastime that I certainly didn't invent but have tried to perfect over the years).  If ever I get the chance to create an awkward memorable moment in a restaurant, you can be sure that I'll take it!

Keepin' it classy on Catalina Island

Orange you glad you're not with me?

The By-Ways Cafe in Portland, OR.

A kosher dill at Canter's Delicatessen in Los Angeles, CA.

Time for some teeth whitening.
The Busy Apron in Anaheim, CA

I'm not a proud man

Orange slice at Joe's in Santa Barbara, CA.

Apple-slice dentures in the car on the way to Oakland, CA.

The old standby - an orange at Harbor House in Dana Point, CA.

Cantaloupe at Bob's Big Boy Broiler in Downey, CA

It all comes full circle - an orange at Jack's in Avalaon, CA

See, everybody thinks it's hilarious!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. We just created a Tiny & Mary Facebook page for our little, Western-harmony act.  Don't get a hitch in your giddy-up, go on over there and "LIKE" it, please.

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

Signs of the Times: Hot 'n Tot

Hot 'n Tot is the perfect example of not judging a book by it's beautiful, glowing sign.  That's the saying, right?  Hot 'n Tot has been around since 1946.  Certainly, the cool, atomic bow-tie, light box, and neon diamond sign is a little bit newer, but we liked it so much that we were ready to give the coffee shop the wacky tacky seal of approval without even trying the food.  On one of our adventures, we just happened upon this Lomita, CA landmark; the sign, coupled with the fact that we were feeling a bit peckish, lured us in for some dinner.  In retrospect, as passersby, we think that maybe we should have snapped a photo of the sign and continued passing on by.  The food isn't awful, but it is also nothing to write home (or even a blog) about; that is why this is a "signs of the times" and not a "chow time" entry.  Anyhow, we give major credit to any eatery that can weather the ever-changing culinary constitutions of Southern California eaters all the while maintaining a dreamy sign.

Hot 'n Tot at dusk, a beautiful sight.

Hot 'n Tot

2347 Pacific Coast Hwy

Lomita, CA

(310)326-9626

We just started a new Facebook page to accompany our little ol' blog.  Consider this an engraved invitation to join wacky tacky on Facebook!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Chow Time: Bob's Big Boy Broiler

Bob's Big Boy Broiler - Downey, CA

In the heart of Downey, CA now stands a monument to true "California Cuisine," namely, Bob's Big Boy Broiler.  Bob's "Big Boy" hamburger was the creation of Glendale's own Bob Wian in 1936.  After changing hands a few times over the years, the Big Boy corporate headquarters are now located in Michigan.  Bob's Big Boy restaurants are franchised, but the owners of the Downey location have done it right by acknowledging the history of the chain and the history of it's location - including all of the brilliant neon!

The BBB Broiler originally opened in 1958 as Harvey's Broiler.  In the 60's, the restaurant was sold and became the original Johnie's Broiler (subsequent Johnie Jr.'s opened around Southern California).

Harvey's Broiler
Compare this late 50's view of "The Broiler" to the new image at the
end of the post; they truly did a thorough and thoughtful restoration.
(Source)

Johnie's Broiler
In a nod to the restaurant's past, BBB has saved the Johnie
from the sign and has it displayed at the entrance to the parking lot.
(Source)

For decades, the iconic broiler signage heralded both savory and sweet delights for drivers on Firestone Boulevard.  In sadder days, the building languished as a car dealership and eventually, was partially demolished by an unscrupulous landowner before preservationists and concerned citizens intervened to save the landmark.  Fortunately, the BBB corporation stepped up and did a faithful recreation/expansion of the original building.  We're happy because the finishes are attractive, comfortable, and steer away from the ubiquitous red/white or magenta/aqua color combinations that plagued "retro" diners for so many years.

Beautiful signs abound!

The California landscape surrounding the restaurant is
beautiful but clearly, they need to do some weeding.

One of the early BBB uniforms.
In my opinion, the atmosphere could only be helped
 by having the wait staff wear these again.

I love those cantilevered, button-tufted barstools
almost as much as I love terrazzo floors! 

Cool light fixtures

Mr. Tiny is still on his crummy diet, so you'll have to be satisfied
 with a picture of Mary attacking her monster burger!

In terms of the food,  Mary thought it was better than the Burbank location.  The soda fountain treats must've been delicious because EVERY table in the whole joint ordered a brownie, fudge sundae (with the one exception ordering a banana split)!

BBB did a great job at restoring the broiler
building and maintaining the period details.
Heck, even the litter outside is old-timey! 

Our Downey adventure didn't begin or end with Bob's, we decided to drive throught the surrounding neighborhoods and check out more of what Downey had to offer.  After our New Year's experience, with the people and the parade float of Downey, it should not have come as any surprise that I liked what I saw.

I would never have guessed that my dream house would be found in Downey.
My favorite houses have always been ones that look like a child's drawing
of a house.  And while I have absolutely no political aspirations whatsoever,
 I dream of living in a white house.  True, the landscaping could stand a little
 revision and a walk up to the front door, but the basic symmetry, quaint
charm, and green roof really send me. 

We also caught a glimpse of this mid-century modern house that was painted
the most golden of goldenrod hues.  The garden was a beautiful mix of
tropicals and succulents.

In our travels we came across some sweet civic art in the City of Paramount.
I am a sucker for primary colors, but the undulating form of skewered pennants
 is what really sold me.

Bob's Big Boy Broiler

7447 Firestone Blvd

Downey, CA

(562)928-2627

www.bigboy.com

Bob's Big Boy Broiler on Facebook

Oops,  I almost forgot to include our Big Boy!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny