CHOPiT! Get Kustomized!

I am not a car guy.  I have always appreciated the beauty of well-designed automobiles but, because my brain is not what one would call "mechanical," I have always felt completely ignorant when it comes to the finer points of the modern combustion engine, makes/models, and the great debate of stock vs. custom.  I just felt safer keeping my big trap shut and my interests elsewhere.  Don't get me wrong; I have been to more than my fair share of car shows but I never graduated from the "That looks so cool" school of auto appreciation.  Making friends with the fine folks at Chopit Kustom Hot Rods, I am not only learning a little something about cars, I am developing a more genuine interest in car culture.

On June 1, Chopit Kustom threw an open house/car show and we were privileged to get a full tour of the shop by the Chopit kids (and our pals), Nick and Fabian.  I am at a loss for any kind of proper camera right now so I caught just a few snaps of the day.

Nick & Mary

Fabian oversees Mary as she tests out the beautifully-grilled Chopit roadster.
If you see Mary, don't mention it to her that her legs were too long to fit
 on the driver's side...she's pretty sensitive about it and doesn't want anyone
to know.  For some reason she thought that if she fit, the car would be hers...

Do, however, remind her to follow instructions and read signs.
She practically created a crime scene's worth of finger prints on this one.

Jet Age hood ornament

A small fraction of the model car collection

Why is that new cars don't have after market propellors readily available?
It's a crying shame!

Dig that crazy headliner!!!
This will sound totally inappropriate but doesn't it seem like one would eventually
have to spend a good amount of time combing dingleberries out of that shag???

I appreciate the sentiment; if I found a car that I truly loved, I would never want to sell it.

And then there was the star of the show Chopit Kustom's very own Beatnik Bubbletop.  Built by Gary "Chopit" Fioto, the Beatnik Bubbletop captures the essence of every aspect of mid-century car culture - the high-end concept cars, the low brow "kustomization" of ingenious builders, the freedom of untamed hot rods.  Belonging now to Barry Weiss of Storage Wars fame, this feat of mechanical and design genius makes the rounds at all the biggest car shows.

I don't know how they dream all of this stuff up; I wish my dreams were this cool!

I guess that we fawned over it enough that we were invited for (read: practically strong armed ourselves into) a ride in the Beatnik Bubbletop.  The perfect opportunity for a ride arose in the Legend of Kustoms Cruise Night at Bog's Big Boy Broiler in Downey, CA.

What does one wear when riding inside a bubble?  It took me a fair amount of time to convince Mary that her idea of dressing like Glinda the Good Witch would be entirely inappropriate.  We decided to wear something relatively cool (temperature wise) because it seemed to me that riding in a bubbletop car would be akin to being an ant under a magnifying glass. 

Boy was I wrong!  Except for my noggin being a little close to the bubble, riding in this car had all the comforts of a luxury automobile.  Fully-functioning air conditioning keeps everything cool under a dome that is on record as the world's largest blown-glass bubble!

Nick & Mary in the Beatnik Bubbletop
I wasn't even in the car yet, but just to see it going down the street made me feel, if only for a
second, all of the optimism and wonder that mid-century concept car designers must have felt.

And I wasn't alone.  As you can imagine, the Beatnik Bubbletop is the
subject of much admiration.  It was hilarious to see all of the rubbernecking,
scrambling for cameras/phones, and near accidents caused by this car's very presence.
  Turnabout only seemed fair play so I snapped a photo of someone snapping our photo.

Chopit & Mary
All the freedom and visibility of a convertible without
the annoyance of lost porkpies and windblown hair.

A short video of our arrival at the Broiler.

Not my best camera work (which isn't saying much)

but if you have ears particularly sensitive to strong 

language, you might want to mute the sound.  HA! 

Mr. Tiny tries to out bubble top the bubbletop...fail.

The Beatnik Bubbletop after hours
The interior adopts a violet glow.

Got a light?

I think I have been converted.  Ever a late bloomer, I can now truly see the allure of automobiles (classic, kustom, and otherwise).  I am so grateful to the whole Chopit gang for giving me the otherworldly opportunity of riding in the Beatnik Bubbletop; it is as close to riding in a spaceship as I'll ever get!

Plus it is the only time in my life when I can earnestly and thankfully say,
"Been there, done that, got the t-shirt."  Thanks a million!!!

Mr. Tiny & Mary make like Elroy & Judy Jetson

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. Don't be too concerned if things are a little quiet on the wacky tacky front for the next couple of weeks.  Mr. Tiny will be, to borrow a phrase from his sister, losing his "West Virginity."  My sister, brother-in-law, and the cutest nephew in the world have left Southern California for all of the wonder of Appalachia.  I have never been to that part of the country so I am excited to explore and broaden my wacky tacky horizons.  I'm going HILLBILLY!!!!  I might have some time for blogging while I am gone...but I'd rather be on an adventure!!!  See you when I get back!

Chow Time: Steak Corral

I am not an expert in anything.  A natural penchant for laziness combined with an inherent boredom, leaves me knowing only enough on any given subject to be dangerous.  I do, however, spend an inordinate amount of time seeking out things that replace laziness and boredom with a childlike wonder and unbridled enthusiasm - namely funny parks, perfect hills for rolling down, curious landmarks, neon signs, strange fashions, thrift stores, and delicious/offbeat restaurants.  That's why it's great to know that even wacky tacky super-sleuths like us can be introduced to entirely new culinary experiences.  When we get a tip or recommendation for a new place to go, it is truly a gift from one wacky tacky lover to another.  We have a few friends who hipped us to the the Steak Corral in Whittier, CA, and we finally made the time to go over there and check it out.

Horseshoe bedecked shutters?  Sculptural steer?
I was a happy camper before we even set foot inside the door.

The Steak Corral was a small chain of restaurants that began with its first store in 1961.  The last remaining Steak Corral, opened in 1965, stands on Washington Boulevard in the heart of Whittier and it welcomes customers with the friendly smile and unspoken "Howdy" of a seven-foot-tall, fiberglass cowboy. When I asked if he had a name, I was told, "We call him Bob's Big Boy."  I hate to say it, but I think he might even be cooler than Bob's Big Boy!

He done lassoed himself a prize heifer.

The succulents, the covered patio, the summer sky - I'm ready to move in!

Steak Corral is a semi-counter service joint and the only reason I love the operation is that it is so counterintuitive that it is charming.  Guests are greeted by menu boards hanging from the ceiling and a host/hostess who welcomes them to the restaurant and takes their orders.

With a few exceptions, most of the menu items are incredibly inexpensive.  I mean really, why would anyone go to the Steak Corral for fish, anyhow?  Just for the Halibut, I guess.

Instead of a computerized system or a microphone that conveys the orders to the back of the house, the host hand writes the orders, hands the guest a block of wood, steps behind the Conestoga Wagon salad bar and scurries down to the kitchen where the cooks receive the order and begin preparation.  Meanwhile, guests who choose the salad bar (who at $1.95 wouldn't?) create the salad of their dreams and are met at the end of the wagon train to be charged for their food and beverages.

Mary takes her tray at the chuck wagon!

A longer view of the wagon train

Mary's salad...

One taste of the croutons will put you over the edge; they're deep fried.

Instead of a number, each party is given a block of wood with the name of a 

prominent Western figure.  We were "Doc Holiday."  

I wonder if Doc Holliday would mind the primitive paint job?

Guests then seat themselves in a dining room that is a western wonderland of wacky tacky.

A corner booth

I really love the interior, shingled roofline.

Of course, there are the obligatory long horns...

But these taxidermied longhorns make the consumption of steak a little eerie.

My obsession for light fixtures continues, not just with the interesting
hanging yoke/lantern arrangement...

But also with the stagecoach...

And prairie schooners that were lit from within!

There are two words in the English language that when combined create such a beautiful harmony, their individual definitions are rendered completely meaningless by comparison.  Those words are - if you're ready - Toppings Bar!!!

Why yes, that is a 10 pound vat of butter next to a 10 pound vat of sour cream.
The ice cream scoops beg just one question.
Where are the hot fudge and sprinkles?
Answer, right behind you at the ice cream toppings bar!!!

Other toppings include, but are in nowise limited to, barbecue sauce,
grilled onions and peppers, gravy, cheese sauce, and something called
 "steak relish," which to my refined palate tasted suspiciously like ketchup
and relish mixed together.

After salads have had a moment to settle, the same host/cashier/server trades your wood block for your entree.  Okay, so it was obvious that Steak Corral is not five-star dining, but where else can you get a multi-course meal for two for under $20?

Mary's Hamburger

BBQ Chicken Sandwich

As with most wacky tacky eateries, the ambience outweighs the food and the food is just a fraction of the story.  We were happy to talk to the manager (whose name I failed to get) and hear a little bit about the rest of the Steak Corral story.

After years of running restaurants, the original owner of the Steak Corral chain became more interested in investments and commercial property.  Slowly Steak Corral restaurants began closing with the most recent closure in Covina just a short time ago.  Even though he is no longer interested in the food service game and his children are set to inherit the property on which Steak Corral stands, the owner has, in his will, guaranteed the future of Steak Corral by leaving the restaurant (and provisions for multiple leases) to the manager who has worked there since his high school days.  If not just for the affordable food, the great western atmosphere, and the fiberglass cowboy, I will continue to patronize Steak Corral to support the new family that will perpetuate its five decades of history.

Were we the kind of fatties who also ordered a slice of fresh strawberry pie for dessert?  It is impossible to prove, because there is absolutely no photographic evidence.  I always like to get photographic evidence of funny restroom signs, however.

At first I thought that the washrooms were only for the likes of Elmer Fudd.

Coincidentally, we ran into one of our wacky tacky amigos during our visit to Steak Corral; he was fixin' to get some vittles too. Once you're in the know, it's hard to stay away from this place!  If you're in the general vicinity of Whittier, CA and you feel like rustlin' up some grub, well then get along little doggies and get to Steak Corral.  Be sure to tell them Mr. Tiny sent you.  They won't have a blessed idea what that means, but you should do it anyway.




Steak Corral
11605 Washington Blvd
Whittier, CA
(562)692-7129

Open 7 days a week!

p.s.  No, I did not make a butter/sour cream hot fudge sundae...but I could have if I wanted to!


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