After a lot of detective work I’ve compiled this “Master List” and plan to update it regularly. I often search the internet for authentic old-school spots in neighborhoods I visit and finding them is not always easy.
I pray that old places don’t renovate their mid-century or even mid-’70s decor. I’m a junkie for vintage architecture and old signs. I’m not as selective about a menu as I am about the ambiance, atmosphere and what I am experiencing. I’m a sucker for a joint with history, charm, character and stories. We are lucky in Los Angeles to have a lot of spectacular vintage restaurants, but we are still losing many every year to owners who retire, sell out for money or lose their long-held lease to nasty gentrification.
