What's Your Favorite Roadfood Sign? (all across the USA)

Looking over a bunch of 35mm slides from Roadfood's early days, I realized just how compelling (and how much fun) restaurant signs are. Here is one of my favorites, from Lighting's Bar-B-Q, which I believe was in Arkansas. The pitmaster made some wickedly good sauce which we took away in a Jack Daniel's bottle (the only container he had on hand; and, I believe, one of the sauce's secret ingredients). The sauce, alas, was lost when our car was tail-ended by a gravel truck, splattering a whole trip's worth of great sauces across the highway.
 
If you have a favorite Roadfood sign, please post it here. We would love to see it.
 
BTW, I recently digitized several hundred vintage Roadfood slides and will be posting them in the forums (or with restaurant reviews, if the slides are still apropos). Next up: I will supplement the Arthur Bryant's review with a shot of legendary barbecue master Arthur Bryant at work in the kitchen of what he used to call his "Grease House."
 

 

Michael, I think you told the story about the guy filling up a not so clean Jack Daniel's bottle in Two For The Road.  I know it is one of my favorite moments in the book.  It is great to see the photo of where that took place and what a great sign they have.  The guy tackling that pig (it is a pig, isn't it?) is absolutely priceless!  Can we assume Lighting's BBQ is long gone?
 
So glad that you digitalized your photos and I can't wait to see them.  I have a couple of favorite sign candidates and will look for the photos.

porkbeaks-
Leonard's was one of the first ones I thought of.  And as good as it looks during the day, it looks even better at night!

A few personal favorites:

That last one is interesting. Must be a pretty classy place to have a couple condom dispensers next to the menu-board.

I bet that Coney Island sign looks great at night.

Psssst.


That's Tony's Living Room.

Cliff, I am assuming Lighting's indeed is long gone. That was about 30 years ago. Here's another sign from that era from a BBQ we found in Front Royal, Virginia. Earl's was in the original edition of Roadfood.
 

One of the all-time greats, for sure!

porkbeaks

This has to be one of my favorites

My visit to Bruce's Bar in Severance Colorado this past summer.

bill voss


Psssst.


That's Tony's Living Room.

No, we have a cigarette machine and charge for the knuckle sandwich

My favorite was a sign on an East Columbus place that is now a used tire shop. It read:
                GRACES TAVRN
             HOME COOK FOOD
 
And no, I did not leave out any punctuation marks or letters.

I'm very fond of this one, particularly because it was a childhood favorite of Lori's on her trips to Cook Forest. Unfortunately, the food isn't quite as splendid as the sign.

Maybe it's just me, but I have always been partial to this sign:

Two classics from out West.

The bucking bronco at The Mint Bar

and the spinning, futuristic design at Maddox Ranch House.

I suppose 3-D statues should be a whole other category, but my two favorite top-of-the-roof characters, Maurie and Flaurie, are Roadfood signs par excellence:
 

I love those dogs!

Here is another classy sign...and no Bill...this one isn't in my living room either...

WOW!
 
What a super thread this could be (or ALREADY is) for us old-timer road warriors.  I, for one, will copy and paste EVERY photo into a 'special album' on my computer (whether, or not, that is legal --- LOL).
 
During our travels, my wife and I have collected hundreds of photos of vintage eateries from coast to coast (and in Europe --- where there are some REAL doozies, especially of some of the pubs in Ireland and Scotland). 
 
I look forward to viewing and collecting copies of YOUR photos.
 
Thanks for the effort.
 

Seen on a diner menu in Arkansas years ago: Special today - Salad Bowel

In a Nashville BBQ Brew Pub in 2006 Poverty Pete pointed out this poster for a 'Charity Walk' to raise funds for training 'Sight dogs'. While a bit on the risque theme, It certainly attracted our attention while we ate !

buffetbuster


Two classics from out West.

The bucking bronco at The Mint Bar
 

This one reminds me of this place in Wyoming...
 

You know you are not in Kansas any more when you see this sign on a buckwheat farm at the northernmost end of Route 1 in Fort Kent, Maine:
 

The Mint Bar at night:
 

Here's a Milwaukee classic...

... and a classic in Toledo.

I LIKE THE WOODEN PAINTED PRETZELS ON THE ENDS OF SMITTIES PRETZEL LIGHTHOUSE AND THEY HAVE A BLUE NEON PRETZEL IN THE TOP OF THE LIGHTHOUSE ROADSIDE STAND- YOU CAN SEE IT GOOD AT NITE CAUSE ITS LITE ALL NITE. JUDYJACOBS

Attached Image(s)

How long have you been flacking for Smitties?

Everything is bigger in Texas!

 

All these signs are an absolute, hoot! Please, keep 'em coming!

Does anyone have a nighttime shot of the old Star Noodle Parlor (now closed) in Ogden, Utah in all its neon glory?  I have an old pre-digital photo, but unfortunately it's currently in storage.  It was in a Roadfood book at one time - Michael S, do you have one?  It may be the best neon sign ever.

I'm reluctant to paste someone else's photo over here, but here's a link: http://farm1.static.flick...4973650_2cdce79b01.jpg

This is a place on the Indian River in Sebastian, Florida.

i also like the isaacs deli signs. judy 

I aint flaking for smitties- I also posted about fast eddies pit beef in north east md-- guess you did not see it.  judy
 

Michael Hoffman


How long have you been flacking for Smitties?

 Some really great signs. I've seen some really great ones all across this country. Vista View Drive-In, Manhattan KS comes to mind. The original Bill Johnson's Big Apple in Phoenix AZ. The Cheese and Stuff Deli sign also in Phoenix.

David O.

I never can resist a giant animal. This is the elephantine chicken at Mr. D's in Henderson, Kentucky:
 

Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle


Does anyone have a nighttime shot of the old Star Noodle Parlor (now closed) in Ogden, Utah in all its neon glory?  I have an old pre-digital photo, but unfortunately it's currently in storage.  It was in a Roadfood book at one time - Michael S, do you have one?  It may be the best neon sign ever.

I'm reluctant to paste someone else's photo over here, but here's a link: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/70/154973650_2cdce79b01.jpg

I did have a photo of it, probably still do. But where? As I recall, I was seriously photomaniacal in those days and probably was using a 2-1/4 camera, so it's likely a big transparency that's a PITA to scan.

 
 
Bliss' Route 101 Restaurant  in Florence, Oregon:  the whole building is a sign.  And you should see the INSIDE!  I took a lot of photos, but they obviously do not belong in this post.  By the way, Bliss' has some of the BEST roadfood one could want. My wife had a chicken fried steak and a root beer float, and I had fish and chips with a cold beer.
 
PS:  See the turquoise blue '57 Chevy (third from the right)?  A Bel-Air hardtop, exactly like the very first automobile I owned (a birthday gift from my parents), except that mine was the whole car  .
 
   
  
 

Here's another favorite of mine, located in Morristown IN...

DocChuck,

I didn't get it.  Now I feel like such a Hooplehead.

jrp

Since Doc Chuck opened the door to bar signs, I'll post the famous National Liquor Bar sign, now at the Heaven City Restaurant.  The sign is beautiful at night, as the lights cascade into the shot glass, filling it.

JRPfeff


Since Doc Chuck opened the door to bar signs, I'll post the famous National Liquor Bar sign, now at the Heaven City Restaurant.  The sign is beautiful at night, as the lights cascade into the shot glass, filling it.

What kind of roadfood do they serve at the Heaven City Restaurant?  Do you have a 'night' photo of that intersting sign doing its thing?

It appears that the NLB had everything from breakfast to a fishfry.  They qualify as a Roadfood restaurant.  Heaven City not so much.



I tried taking picture at night and it didn't turn out.

Ok, I whittled it down to five... 5! So I'll post smalls since it's really too many I think. The first is just a cool sign from Nashville.

Followed by two places you will have to guess - both great favorite RF places.
(I know one says its name, but you'll have to say where it is!)

Then a sign I just really liked.

And finally a weird (but real!) sign from North Dakota.

Cheers & thanks for the cool thread Michael!

Yes, Michael DOES know how to start an interesting post, that's for certain!
 
And my wife and I REALLY appreciate it.

One more, because I cannot believe no one else has posted it yet!

Just a few of my favorite signs.  

The neon cheeseburger from the Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien Hotel, NYC.




Bonus points if you can guess which Roadfood restaurant this is!


How about this one?


J.P. Licks Ice Cream Jamaica Plain, MA


Lexington Candy Shop Upper East Side, NYC Excellent egg creams and chocolate malteds.


Kane's Donuts Saugus, MA. Home of an insanely large and most tasty coffee roll!


The Village Smokehouse Brookline Village, MA


Sahara Restaurant Brooklyn, NY


One of my favorite signs! From the Hallo Berlin Wurst cart on the corner of 54th Street & 5th Avenue, NYC. You are missed, Rolf.

And another one from Hallo Berlin. Such a great sense of humor.

Anyone guess this one? One of Tony Bad's favorites!
[

Big Booty Bread Co. in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC. Great Red Velvet cupcakes.


Brook's House of Bar-B-Q Oneonta, NY. Love that Cornell-style chicken!

Brook's House of Bar-B-Q Oneonta, NY
Who would refuse this offer from Brook's?


The Neptune Diner Oneonta, NY. Great home fries!

Not a from a Roadfood establishment, but an sign advertisting a classic Roadfood food, Hofmann hot dogs!


Voss Bar B-Q Yorkville, NY. Quite possibly my most favorite Roadfood establishment. Amazing BBQ sandwiches and chili dogs!


The now closed Doc's Little Gem Diner in Syracuse, NY


The sign for the sides menu at Hill Country Barbeque and Market in NYC.


The sign for the Gianelli and Dinosaur tent at the Great NY State Fair in Syracuse, NY. Going to see RUSH perform there this summer and will most definitely be making a stop here! Like the Sterns say, a dancing pig is a sign of good eats!


 

 

A snack shop / video store / dry cleaner / tanning s'alon in West Virginia for tho'se who collect misplace'd apostrophe's:
 

The sign for the Longhorn Grill in Amado, Arizona, is pretty nice, but the framing of the doorway beats all:
 

Are you going to Maine, one of our very favorite States in America?   GOOD!   Then follow DocChuck and wife (Doctor E.) along Route 1 as we spot (and explore) some of the best RoadFood signs across America:
 

 
Here we stop at Wild Blueberry Land in Columbia Falls, Maine, billed as the 'World's Largest Blueberry'.  We enjoyed some fresh hot coffee and perhaps the very best fresh-baked blueberry pie on Planet Earth.  Oh, yes, we bundled up a bunch of "Blueberry" delicacies to take back to Maryland with us:  cookies, cakes, scones, chese, jellies, jams, etc. 
 
Movin' on ....
 

 
We spot Raye's Mustard Mill and Pantry Store here in Eastport, Maine, AFTER we passed it.  A quick U-turn, and we are BACK at the famous mustard dispensary that has been featured on television food shows and blogs all over the American airwaves.  We stocked up on a dozen or so jars (assorted varieties) of the BEST mustards (especially the jalapeno mustard) on the planet, some mighty good snacks and a couple of great sandwiches for our continued adventure along the famous ROUTE 1 coast highway in Maine.
 
 

 
YES, here we pull our trusty Optima into the parking lot of the famous Mike's Clam Shack in Wells, Maine, and parked underneath one of our favorite RoadFood signs.  Unfortunately, the food did not measure up to the absolutely wonderful ambience found inside the restaurant.  The lobster rolls were cold, the lobster rubbery, and very possibly the WORST lobster roll we have ever had (the $13.95 Lunch Special).
 
Maybe they were having a bad day.
 
Movin' on  ........
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
Does this image qualify as a 'RoadFood Sign'?  I'm not certain, but permit me to tell you why I think it might qualify:
 

 

 

Eastport, Maine, is a small town --- perhaps similar to the town featured in the movie, 'The Perfect Storm' where folks live and die in an attempt to earn a living (often, somewhat meager) by furnishing all of us RoadFooders with great king crab, fish, lobster and various other seafood delights.
 
So, YEAH, I personally think it qualifies as a "RoadFood Sign", but that's just my humble opinion, and I am pretty certain that someone will disagree with me, chastise me, or send me to the woodshed for misbehavin' newbies. 
 
Here's a wonderful 'RoadFood' stop in Eastport that ekes out a living serving some of that wonderful, hard-earned seafood that Maine's tourists (and Roadfooders) love to enjoy:
 
 

 

 
By the way, their Lobster Rolls are culinarily orgasmic!

 

   
   
 

Perhaps the sign on this wonderful RoadFood restaurant holds the BEST memories for me and for Doctor Elizabeth during our travels over the last three years.
 
When you are visiting the Mt. Rainier National Park, as we do as often as possible (twice in the last three years), PLEASE do NOT miss the historic Copper Creek Inn which is located only 2 miles from the Nisqually Entrance to the park.  I can assure you that the breakfasts at the CCI are as good as they get in the shadow of the potentially-killer volcano (and I mean SHADOW, literally!)
 

 
 
The CCI is just a couple of miles down the road from the lodge where we hole-up when in the area:
 

 
Trust me, you will NOT want to miss the Copper Creek Inn on your RoadFood travels.
 
Carrion, please.

cecif
 

 
 
Elliston's in Nashville?

A Classic Neon Pig, overlooking Beale Street in Memphis.

For simplicity and rustic charm, I love the Family Pie Shop in Arkansas.

 

What seeker of Roadfood would not stop at this sign, outside the Woodyard in Kansas City, Kansas?
 

Ahh, Cliff, that is one of the greats! I like this sign on the way into town, too:
 

 

buffetbuster


For simplicity and rustic charm, I love the Family Pie Shop in Arkansas.

 

Here is daytime picture of one of my favorite types of signs (ice cream)

 
Here is another type of roadfood like place

 
 
Here is a nice evening picture with neon of a place where I didn't eat but it looks cool.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Michael-
I've never noticed the nice "Welcome to De Valls Bluff" sign.  Most likely because I was too busy speeding by in anticipation of great 'que and pie!

Two of my favorite weather beaten signs are from Coursey's in Arkansas

and from North Carolina's Skylight Inn.

WHAT A GREAT COLLECTION! tHIS COULD BE A COFFEE TABLE BOOK!
 uNFORT MY CONTRIBUTION IS FROM MEMEORY ONLY....SIGN FROM A SMALL DINER ON ROUTE NINE IN TOMS RIVER NJ (SINCE DEMOLISHED)..EAT HERE OR WE'LL BOTH STARVE