Chow Time: Pie 'N Burger

No holiday recaps here, we're getting right back to monkey business as usual...

Pie 'n Burger is like an Instagram (find us at wacky_tacky) dream come true.  Time and thousands of satisfied customers have already imbued this burger paradise with soft edges and an amber haze; this Pasadena, CA landmark can instantly be hash-tagged "#nofilter."  Every corner of the small restaurant seems locked in a potential state of serving as a location for a very special episode of All in the Family - one where Archie becomes a "flaming liberal" after being brought for a life-changing burger by none other than Sammy Davis, Jr.

wacky tacky adventure team members
Cynthia, Nick and Mary
darkening the doorway of Pie 'N Burger -Pasadena, CA.

Opened in 1963, the name of the restaurant is no accident.  Pie 'n Burger is exactly what it says - delicious pies and burgers.  Indeed, some of my favorite wacky tacky eateries are the ones where there is no pretense whatsoever, just simple food prepared well in a welcoming environment.  The only reason Pie 'n Burger even qualifies as wacky tacky is because little has changed since 1963.  There are no dazzling mid-Century light fixtures.  There are no beautiful terrazzo floors.  There are no tufted barstools covered in naugahyde.  What they do offer is an incredible hamburger!   

I am a burger lover, but with addictive tendencies, I have to restrain myself from eating burgers for every meal of the day.  I once went on a weekend-long burger bender and after my concerned family members and friends held an intervention, I have seriously revised my burger intake.  Pie 'n Burger is a rare and special treat - always special, never ordered rare, however.

Luckily, it is ALWAYS burger time at Pie 'n Burger!!!

The only menus you'll find at P'nB are the menu boards on the wall.  If anyone has ever ordered a pot pie, a quiche, or strip steak, I have never been witness to it; everyone orders the burgers!  Yes, everyone orders the burgers, even vegetarians (having one in our midst, we learned that the veggie burger is quite delicious).  What they NEVER order at Pie 'n Burger is cheese enchiladas...

The hand-painted menu boards

Cynthia, now affectionately referred to as "Cynchiladas," had never been to Pie 'n Burger before.  Traditionally the service is efficient, if a little curt at times.  We decided that she needed to be initiated by telling her that regulars will order things that aren't on the menu and that Pie 'n Burger is famous for its cheese enchiladas.  Ever the trusting one, she ordered first and the first thing out of her mouth was "I'll have the cheese enchiladas."  The look on the waitress' face was priceless and after stifling it for the set-up, we couldn't stop from erupting into fits of laughter.  I honestly don't know if it was one of those "you had to be there" moments or not but as juvenile as it was, we found it completely hilarious.  Fortunately, the waitress was a good sport and indulged our inanity.  Shenanigans aside, we were there to eat and could hardly wait to be served.

Under an interior shed dormer, the chefs de cuisine at Pie 'n Burger earn every bit of their wacky tacky 5-Star Rating.

Fair enough, neither the people nor the food at P'nB may be extraordinarily photogenic, but believe you me, there are some seriously tasty things happening on those plates.

I think they were a little perturbed that I told them they had
to wait to eat until I took a picture.

Mmmmm.  Serious mmmmmmmm.
With all due respect, it's like what In-N-Out would be
 if it were as good as everyone thinks it is.

Ashamed of how much he enjoyed it,
Nick took a self-imposed time out
behind the cool decorative screen.

It wouldn't be Pie 'n Burger without the pie.
Okay, actually it would.  We were so stuffed, there was no pie ordered by
 anyone in our group.  I think Cynthia wanted some but after the enchilada
fiasco, she was a little gun shy about ordering anything. 

Truly, Nick liked it so much he bought a t-shirt!

If Mr. Tiny could have taken a souvenir, it would have been the lovingly-
rendered replica of Pie 'n Burger in birdhouse form.

I hate to make such a broad pronouncement in writing, but for my money, a Pie 'N Burger burger is one of the (if not the) best hamburgers in the greater Los Angeles area.  It is nothing out of the ordinary.  In actual fact, it is a little less than ordinary - it doesn't even have tomato!  There is something, however, in the unique assembly of the standard ingredients that elevates a P'nB burger to something very special.  If you're wandering around aimlessly after the Pasadena City College Swap Meet in need of a burger fix, then wander no more; go to Pie 'n Burger!  You'll thank me and curse me for your new addiction.

Can you tell that I'm trying to get all my bad food in before the end of the year?  I'm not one for resolutions, but the new year will find me back on the "stop eating so much junk" wagon.



Pie 'n Burger
913 E California Blvd
Pasadena, CA
(626)795-1123

www.pienburger.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Christmas from Outerspace

Trying to recapture just a smidge of the holiday spirit that we felt as children, we have been doing a lot of driving around looking at Christmas lights.  My favorite part of residential displays is that everyone gets to embrace wacky tacky, if just for a season.  With few exceptions, there really is no such thing as a "tasteful" use of life-size reindeer and Santa legs sticking out of the chimney top.  Our street, a cul-de-sac with absolutely nothing to prove to passing motorists, has always been a bit lackluster when it comes to ostentatious light displays.  Nary an inflatable Grinch nor blow-mold snowman bedecks a single yard on our street (our house included).  Fortunately, there are plenty of neighborhoods around that aren't so resolutely "Bah, humbug!"

Even in neighborhoods resplendent with holiday cheer, there is always that one guy.  The one who takes things to a new level of fantastic, electricity-sucking light pollution that is so spectacular I'm almost positive that his contribution to yuletide excess can be seen from outer space!  

(Source)

Recently we went with our pals Emily and Jesse (Emily of The Silver Screen Affair fame) to check out a house in Hesperia, CA that has become such a tourist attraction that it makes the local news every year and even has its own website. 

Welcome to the winter wonderland;
this is only the beginning.

With at least an acre of land, this property boasts more light bulbs per square foot than Disneyland (according to my rough calculations).  What it might lack in Disney's finesse, it makes up for in colloquial charm...

When was the last time you saw Santa peeking from
behind the outhouse door looking for more toilet paper?

I don't know if they still do it, but my elementary school always had Santa
arrive in a helicopter the day before we left for vacation.  This light fixture
left me feeling a little nostalgic.

One of the tunnels of lights

Pink flamingoes, palm trees, and a ribbon.

The Peanuts Gang

Despite the popular verse, I was indeed able to catch
The Gingerbread Man!

I hope so!
A bit of patriotism amid the Christmas splendor

A winter fountain

I like this part of the decor best not only due to its large scale (Mary is 6' tall to give you some perspective), moreso
because in a world plagued by hatred, war, and natural disaster, the simple message of "Peace on Earth" is one that I hope more people (myself included) will embrace through their words, behavior, and treatment of their fellow men.

Action shot!  ACE ON EAR indeed!

Every building on the property was used in show.
Straight from the North Pole, was that dynamic duo, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus

The real deal!

Mary & Emily on Santa's lap.
It looks like everyone's Christmas wish is coming true!

I love that, much like well-maintained yards and houses, a similar sense of homeowner pride is exhibited in the neighborhoods that adopt these over-the-top displays.  This was definitely the house with most extensive, elaborate display that we visited, but our encounters with extreme holiday showmanship were both frequent and far flung!

This maison of yuletide merriment had a working ski lift that carried elves and snowmen
to the top of the roof/slope and flailing legs of a skier stuck in a snowbank. 

I have a particular fondness for this house because it tried to appeal to EVERYONE.
Of course they hit the traditional marks with Santa's workshop and the Nativity. but do you also see
The Teletubbies, Woody, Winnie the Pooh, Bananas in Pajamas, and the stars of the Twilight Saga?

This house had a light spectacular that synchronized the lights with its own radio broadcast!

Have you seen any outrageous displays this season?
Are you "that guy/gal" with the out-of-this-word holiday lights?
(Source)

Here is one more wish that all of you wacky tacky turkey necks have a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and Happy New Year!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Crazy Crafty: One More Holiday Craft for a Special Birthday

I love handmade gifts - both given and received.  When contemplating gift options for the "person who has everything," a homemade present is really the only way to ensure that the gift will be unique.  I have been the recipient of some truly spectacular handmade gifts from beautiful paintings to printed t-shirts to one-of-a-kind ceramics.  These are gifts that I truly treasure both for their aesthetic and sentimental value.

Last night we attended the birthday party of our pal, Charles - here is a guy for whom it is impossible to shop (not because he isn't incredibly gracious).  I had a few ideas rolling around in the vast wasteland that is my brain but I was intimidated because my skills can be so easily outclassed.

One dare not bake anything for Charles because he is a gourmand and somehow
manages to elevate the art of mile-high cakes to even new heights!  Here he is with
his (I forgot to take notes on the name) peppermint, mint-chip, junior mint, 5-layer cake!

Obviously a bespoke jacket of woven, brightly-colored, South American fabric would
have been a wardrobe redundancy - so that was out. 

Cookies are clearly out of the question because he, of course, has a friend
who bakes/designs/decorates incredible portrait cookies. 

A pinata seemed ideally wacky tacky and fun, but we were beat to the punch on that one too.

I finally realized that this "King of Kodachrome" needed something related to vintage slides that didn't involve a projector, carousel, or advance button.

A Kodachrome Kabin

The love-child resulting from of the clandestine affair between a shimmering putz house (who could resist her glittering charms?) and a cozy gingerbread house - the kind we made in elementary school out of empty milk cartons and graham crackers - was the best I could do.

I'm not sure if it qualifies as a wacky tacky craft unless tinsel
or glitter is involved, preferably both - obviously. 

I'm sure people who have birthdays close to or, heaven forbid, on Christmas must eventually resign themselves to receiving the dreaded "combo gift" or, at the very least, holiday themed presents for their birthdays; I say that there are certainly worse things in life but I for one am glad I have a little distance between my big day and the big day!

I included a couple of electric tealights that illuminate the slide house from within.
The slides I used were of changing leaves and poinsettias - apropos but not too
precious.

Nevertheless, Charles seemed to like his little Kodachrome Kabin set in the winter woods.  I had a lot of fun making it and we had a blast at his birthday bash.  As socially awkward as I am prone to be, I met a lot of amazing, interesting, talented people and I don't think I embarrassed myself too much.

Mary & Charles
Find it in your heart to forgive her for the dress repeat.
There are so few opportunities to wear a Christmas-
themed squaw dress throughout the year, that I
 made her wear it again!

Well, tell me, are you ready for the big day?  Are you making any homemade gifts this year?  If you are on the "nice list" what would be your ideal present under the tree?  Ponder these things as you enjoy the true meaning of the holiday - COOKIES!  It is cookies, right?!  Merry Christmas!!!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Sew What?! Christmas on the Patio: A Holiday Squaw Dress

(Source)

Living in Southern California leaves us fairly immune to "weather" (boasting? why, yes, I am).  Here we must rely on the traditional colors of Christmas as the only major indicators that the season is upon us.  You know, the classic palette of gold, orange, brown, and yellow...GOLD, ORANGE, BROWN, and YELLOW?!?!?!  Okay, question my orthodoxy if you must, but wouldn't you take a second look if whilst browsing the second-hand store you came across 9.5 yards of this crazy, Christmas-themed trim?

There are times in life when even $1.91 is too dear to waste on something frivolous - good thing I don't consider 9.5 yards of woven, lamé, Christmas trim a frivolity.  I'm sure people much smarter and more clever than I could have figured out myriad ways to employ the trim.  To me, however, there was only one option - a Christmas squaw/patio dress.  What better way to celebrate both the holiday and our temperate winter weather than Christmas on the patio?

Even a tree going up in blaze isn't enough to faze Mary.  What a trouper.
p.s. My camera stinks.  Any suggestions on a good, moderately priced replacement?

If you have never made a squaw dress, I recommend against it.  It takes an unholy amount of ric rac to achieve the desired look which translates to hours spent in front of the trusty, old Bernina (which actually gave out halfway through) applying the dang blasted stuff!  And then there are the gathers!  $1.91 for the trim may not have been too dear but $100 for a proper gathering foot for the sewing machine was.

I'm still having PTSD-induced nightmares about miles of gathers and ric rac!

And then there is the fully-lined bodice in which one must sew a total of twenty darts - twelve of them at the elbows!  The ELBOWS!  Never able to leave well enough alone, I also made a matching belt with covered buckle.

It was a good excuse to use this vintage Jiffy Buckle.
Warning: 50+ year-old adhesive from an iron-on
 "Magic Pattern" is best left "un-ironed-on."

Again, I leave it to much smarter/more clever people to just go out and buy ready-made clothing - especially when said clothing is for your crummy kid sister!!!

The living room of our pals, Bobby and Amber, was the perfect backdrop for a photo of Mary in the new dress.

It may not be red, green, and white -  or even blue and silver - but it was fun to turn the traditional, tri-color, Christmas color story on its elfin ear.  I honestly thought that Mary would receive a bit of good-natured ribbing at the unexpected color combination but everyone seemed to really like it!  Did you make or assemble a cool holiday outfit?

I only left myself enough time to clip on my vintage "Merry
Xmas" colonel tie.  Fortunately, I was in great company with
 our pal, Dave, and his "Season's Greetings" neckwear.

Boy, oh boy, I have a lot of holiday themed posts that I wanted to do but I'm running out of time.  Christmas is very much just around the corner.  Here's wishing you and yours a very joy-filled holiday!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

TLC is TCB: Wives with Beehives

Several months ago, I shared this photo of a
Marimekko outfit that I made for Mary, remember?

If you recall, I mentioned that it was for a top secret project.  Well, the cat is finally out of the bag.  If you read The Hollywood Reporter or subscribe to some of the same blogs that I follow, like Ranch Dressing with Eartha Kitsch, you may have already heard about a little reality special called, Wives with Beehives, that will air on December 27 on TLC.  Mary and I were asked to be guests at a pool party scene they were filming and you might just catch a brief glimpse of us (no promises) in the show.  While the name, Wives with Beehives, doesn't quite accurately describe the women on the show, it is a catchy title and we will surely be watching - mostly because three of the four stars are our friends!

LESLIE

Leslie as Santa's helper

Leslie Buckley, one of the four featured wives, is already like a celebrity in our neck of the woods.  Statuesque and gorgeous are really the only two words to describe her and she is instantly recognizable.  She is a devoted wife, a mother, and a businesswoman.  Stay tuned for more on Leslie as it appears TLC will be running multiple trailers that feature each of the wives.

DOLLIE

Dollie DeVille, The Rockabilly Socialite doing her thing!
(Source)

If you follow any vintage lifestyle blogs, then you are probably more than familiar with Dollie DeVille, The Rockabilly Socialite.  Dollie, is a wife, cook, crafter, blogger, and working woman.  Her awesome, 50's prom-themed wedding was featured here on wacky tacky and we know that she and her husband, Zack will win everyone over with their commitment to the vintage lifestyle. 

I know it's not about me, but you can see my feet dancing at 0:02-0:02:005 Hahahahaha!!!

AMBER

Amber & Mr. Tiny jumping for joy

You might remember Amber Foxx from being featured a million times on our blog.  Amber Foxx is the preeminent rockabilly songstress of Southern California and has toured the world (most recently returning from a two-week engagement in Australia) with her band.  

Amber & the boys (Chris, Tommy, and Bobby)
(Source)

wacky tacky has featured her pink dressing room, her cowgirl/boy birthday party, and the epic desert adventure day we enjoyed with Amber and her husband, Bobby.  We love spending time with these folks and are always welcomed with open arms when we unexpectedly (and frequently) drop by their house.  We told them that they had better get their coattails reinforced because we will most definitely be riding them!  HA!

Aren't they particularly lovable?

We are lucky to count these gals (and their respective husbands) among our friends; I hope that when they become big television stars, they will remember us!  I'm sure that they will give you no reason to do otherwise, but please be kind in your reviews of the show.  Remember, while reality shows may be slightly enhanced versions of what is "real," the people on the show are very REAL with REAL friends who will give you a REAL bop in the kisser if you're crummy about 'em.  I'm so happy for my friends' success and I truly can't wait to see how it all comes together on December 27!  I should mention that there is a fourth wife named Shelby; she can be seen in the first trailer featuring Dollie & Zack.  I don't know her, nor have I ever met her, but I do look forward to getting to know her along with the rest of the viewing audience on December 27.

The whole gang (l to r)
Bobby, Dollie, Zack, Leslie, Amber, Melissa, Nicole, Mary, Bud, and Ben
(Mr. Tiny was playing cameraman)

Wives with Beehives will air on TLC on Thursday, December 27 at 10pm - check your local listings (never thought I'd get a chance to say that)

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny