When Harry Markellos partnered up with George K and opened Horsham Towne I worked there and met my wife of 40 years! until 2011. Restaurants - Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia The boy I loved unrequited all through high school was on 21st and Delancey. Airys continued revival. 2400 Market St 4th Fl. 182059211. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. | Photo: Randy Garbin. https://www.facebook.com/lhapachapter/posts/3824830150954142, I am looking for a dive in dinner in pa in the 1950s It was I think back then near the Phila airport. You could come out boasting that your waitress was a thirty-year veteran which is no small thing in a business known for its employee turnover. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. Now these places are a CVS, a Mandee, an empty lot, a soon-to-be-demolished historic relic. Eagle II little slice of Americana in Old City enjoyed a glorious run from 1950 Yesterday, in the same building, I found a bottle of sunscreen. 6. Back then, these were not only the primary vectors for graffiti, but had torn and broken seats and rusted poles. Bobs was built by the Jerry OMahony company in Elizabeth, New Jersey at its post-war peak. Twenty-four diners now operate in Philadelphia, down from 30 in 1990 when I first toured the city (Ive visited more than 1,000 across the country). Classic Restaurant Chains: Where Are They Now? | Kiplinger Parker. I dont want to step in dog waste, or walk 10 blocks before I can find a trash can. The older ones began appearing in the late-1980s and early-1990s, started or inspired by German immigrants that had once settled there. This was no bland suburb, no Peyton Place. The Frazer was built in the mid-1930s. Photograph by I. George Bilyk. In the case of the Broad Street Diner, they also replaced a shoddy vinyl awning that adorned the restaurantfor years. Philadelphia restaurants long gone and greatly missed.My top-of-mind most-missed five:1. Black-owned restaurants were especially numerous. Center City Philadelphia has exclusive retail, superb restaurants, imposing new skyscrapers. The Creed franchise is a child of the king of boxing films 1976's "Rocky" and its five sequels. Until Menu-wise, the Trolley Car reflects Weinsteins intention to bring a family restaurant to the neighborhood. I remember going there as a kid with my dad and grandfather. This diner is a perfect example ofwhy you do not want to become a diner aficionado. Joe Palookas sports bar was to serve as one of several attractions in an ambitious heritage tourist development in Wilkes-Barre called Market Square that included the Lehigh Valley train depot, the Stegmaier brewery, a nightclub, and a collection of Pullman sleeper cars repurposed as a hotel. Your Dad Steve was a great boss back then. Philadelphia, PA 19103. Behind the foreboding, Darth Vader-like facade sits a late-1930s Silk City diner that serves up the most basic of menus. The Mayfair, The Country Club, likewise. THERE WERE A PAIR of arcades on Chestnut Street between 15th and 17th: the dark, dirty Zounds, and the shiny new Supercade. Center City fared better than most neighborhoods, but it wasnt immune. If it never closed, it didnt need locks. People dont pick up after their dogs. The 30 Best Craft Breweries to Visit in Pennsylvania - Food & Wine MmClosed in: 2012Abelovedneighborhood spot (Fitler Square) serving quality New American fare is a beautiful thing. He gave me my first French kiss at the TLA, back when it was a movie theater that showed cartoons during the day, repertory film at night, and Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight. Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, The second was on the South Side of the 1600 Block of Passyunk Ave, which was across the street from the first diner where the two avenues intersect. as pictured in Philadelphia magazine in 1980. They were s Philly traditional, I worked for the Perini Corp for that area of reconstruction. Theres too much crime. The food is better, but kids dont go there to spill secrets over a shared can of seltzer and a ham and cheese sandwich. I think its called Walnut? Ill point the way, and then imagine her browsing at Barneys and Lagos, then having a drink at Rouges sidewalk cafe before heading back to her room at the Hotel Monaco. From World War II until the 1980s, the Philadelphia area was home to many of these "old line, crockery, silver and glass restaurants." There were 24 Linton's, 44 Horn and Hardart's and 18 Dewey's. . The Red Robin Diner represents the transitional style of diners popular in the mid-to-late 1960s when stainless steel had lost its shine. Palumbo's, 9/Catharine: Decent gravy joint, but the ambience was sooo 1950s. He was the publisher and editor of Roadside Magazine and RoadsideOnline, a magazine and website that promoted its Recipe for an American Renaissance: Eat in diners. Cocaine! Some like to compare diner builders to the more familiar auto industry, and some might designate OMahony as theChevroletof dinersa well-built, stylish diner without some of the features or decorative flourish found in its competitors,likeParamount or Fodero. My grandfather purchased the property and had the diner built in the 50s It was then Jersey Queen Diner. Oak Lanesprospects dont look good. Sandy and her three sisters lived at 22nd and Delancey, across from Valerie and, randomly, Julius Erving, whod open the door sometimes, be very tall, and close the door again. Spice Grill in Port Richmond. Fitler Square wasnt much better. Somewhere under that brooding exterior is a shiny, 1950s structure. There is alot of history to that piece of property. Retro restaurant enthusiasts might be familiar with The Pub, a salad bar The pillars around the fountain were chipping, like teeth losing their enamel. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But even with incredible eating options debuting on Italian roll could get their fix on Old York Road, and those who had the Because of its output, OMahony had a large and loyal clientele that would often return old diners to the factory to trade it infor a newer, bigger model (I have no evidence that a diner sat on this location before the current one, but the possibility exists). Penrose Diner in 1993 before renovations completely changed the character of the restaurant a few years later. This is a stock, late-1960s Fodero diner similar to Lancers Diner in Easton Road in Horsham. My great uncle, Pete Kyriakodis opened what is now know as the New Boulevard / Five Star Diner a long time ago. Putting one in a museum is all well and good, but if you cant actually eat there whats the point? Overcooked eggs with ingredients scrambled in does not an omelette make. over the Bookbinders building between Front and Second on Walnut Street, but even In the face of extreme competition, age, new layers of regulation, and increasing overhead, viability for a 50-seat, short-order restaurant becomes a Herculean task. The former Boulevard Dinernow called theFive Star Dineris all glass and steel and looks like a small, Reagan Era officebuilding. Who is this woman? Ill think. Maybe the Big Greek Diner doesnt earn superlatives, but if you come with a group of people who cant come to any kind of culinary consensus, nothing fits the bill better than this. https://m.facebook.com/lhapachapter/posts/memories-of-the-blu-comet-diner/3824830150954142/?locale=ne_NP&_rdr, It was known fondly as the greasy spoon by the Villanova students. the end, hosting lavish breakfasts and brunches, power lunches and dinners And one that I love, at least as far as the cemetery is concerned. Diner-wise, this ones only for hard-core fans. I may allow some slack for most diners, but, in my mind, a well-run diner must do two things perfectly every time: Coffee and home fries. Order, pickup, and go. National retailers like Intermix and Michael Kors are coming to Walnut Street, where rents soar above the national average. Red Robin on Frankford Avenue was well liked. But the retail counter was nixed and replaced with a full-service bar 2013 andearlier this year, the conceptbecame one of the surprisingly few casualties in Garces Groups recent restructuring due to outstanding debts. Great photos on the wall. Unused Pre-1980 RESTAURANT SCENE Philadelphia Pennsylvania PA hk4537 | eBay The eggs were so-so, the homefries were lame, and the bacon was the thinnest cut Id ever seen, it was literally transparent. If so, please share it with your friends and family to help spread the word. 11 Dining Trends From the '80s That Are Poised for a Comeback and steak palace just over the river, but the Pubs footprint was once much My parents would take me to DeeDees diner every Friday for the fried seafood platter. Levis Hot Dogs. Venerable Old Original Bookbinder's, Second and Walnut, is one of many restaurants Philadelphians still miss. In July 1928, 681 Cleveland restaurants were feeding an average of 300,000 people daily. My family worked and owned these places so any info and or photos would be much appreciated. As I write, the diner is now boarded up after a fire closed it down last January. From international Open in Google Maps. Its a bygone era but those few diners that remain, I make it a point to eat in one of them when Im visiting my sisters and relatives. I cant remember the name. I have been telling my now hubby that my parents and family would go there after bowling .They were in a league. When I lived near it (2002-2004), the Oak Lane was under original ownership, managed by a young man from the family who had it since 1946. Twenty-four diners now operate in Philadelphia, down from 30 in 1990 when I first toured the city 11531 reviews. For a number of years a group of 6-10 friends and co workers would park near the Domino Diner and go on a 20-30 mile bike ride, returning to the Domino for a late breakfast. Who the hell cares. Later, the park would get a curfew; wed get in trouble for standing bare-legged in the fountain; wed be turned out while tux-wearing dancers ate fancy food. The operators will take issue with this, chiefly out of pride, but they often order their food from the same suppliers. RESTAURANTS | Encyclopedia of Cleveland History | Case Western Reserve Within the Philadelphia city limits, if you want the true, blue-collar, meat-and-mashed experience inside the real McCoy of vintage American diners, staffed with seasoned, fast-talking, tough-but-tender, maternal waitresses, you will find it in exactly one place: Bobs Diner in Roxborough. When Steve Poses opened his first restaurant, Frog, on North 20th Street back in 1973, it was an Trolley Car strikes that rare balance between food quality and attitude. It was the Ritz for quite awhile and since has gone through many name changes. Designed and constructed by Philadelphias own Len Davidson, the sign depicts an animated scene of a trolley car rolling, stopping, and dropping off a passenger. Burgers you expected to find for a buck fifty in such a place now cost five dollars, but the money bought you an expertly grilled fresh half-pound of meat served on a fresh-baked roll served with hand-cut French fries. Hey Friend, Before You Go.. One of the most tragic losses to the roster of Philadelphia diners came with the demolition of the long-suffering Wayne Junction Diner. Despite economic woes (recession and inflation), the energy crisis, urban decline, crime, and escalating restaurant prices, restaurant-going continued to rise. To order the clip clean and hi-res or to find out more visit http://www.kinolibrary.com. Khyber Pass Pub. I always knew I was in good hands when a waitress would appear asking Whatll youse have, hon? I would bar-be-cue my dear old grandmama to be able to move back to Philadelphia. Vetri, Philadelphia - photo by fougoo. At Peter Dooner's one met the epicure element, les bon vivants of the town. Reviews on 80s Themed Restaurants in Philadelphia, PA - Bud & Marilyn's, The Dandelion, Dirty Franks, Louie Louie, Butcher and Singer, Harper's Garden, McGillin's Olde Ale House, Raven Lounge, Atlantis, The Lost Bar, The Fillmore Philadelphia Living now in Georgia, diners are much missed by this 91 year old Philly/south Jersey lad. From long-livedgreasy spoonsto concepts from hotshot chefswho flamed out, we'rerememberingthese much-loved spots taken from us too soon. Charcoal House Nick Evlon 1836 Lovering Ave, Wilmington, DE 1973-1980s Closed Charlotte's Restaurant Jimmy Costalas 3207 W. Chester Pike, Newtown Sq., PA 1991-Present Operating . My wife and I had the London broil, fried seafood combo, and the minestrone soup. Sometimes one or two exceptional items can make a restaurant a landmark. Or that the chef erred on the salty side with the otherwise tender pot roast? I had a lot of great memories working there. Traces of the old diner mixed in with interior renovations atKims Korean Barbecue in Olney. Developers are breaking ground on skyscrapers. All tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila.See the list. McD's in Montreal used to as late as 1980 (and the Quarter Pounder could actually turn out medium rare ..)-bebopper. As far as the food at Bobs, I must loudly sing the praises of the omelets. 77 Restaurant memories 1970-90 ideas - Pinterest Meanwhile, the western blocks of South Street became a bustling African American shopping and entertainment strip. As the word "Olde" in its name implies, McGillin's is Philadelphia's oldest continuously operating tavern. Too eager. It was the kind of spot where everyone felt at home, the drinks were cheap, and the food was simplebut delicious. Taco AngelenoClosed in: 2018West Phillys lack of great pizza and Mexican fare is widely acknowledged (hey, South Philly has tons of both and is just a quick ride over the Grays Ferry bridge). 18 Classic Restaurants Every Philadelphian Must Try There are rats in Rittenhouse Square. Favorite Resaurants That Aren't There Anymore - Philadelphia Forum Randy, Thanks for acknowledging the original Oak Lane Diner which does in fact still exist in Newburgh, N.Y. However I a native Philadelphian can attest to the experience of eating in diners. PEOPLE OFTEN FEEL sorry for me because they assume Center City wasnt a real neighborhood. Wow! But it was. And the space at 22nd and Spruce became Fitler Dining Room,which was then transformed into its currentoccupant, Trattoria Carina another beloved neighborhood spot. Before the 2 additions and the addition of the foyer waiting area. (215) 735-5562. Bucks a must-win for Philly? Glad I had that experience. Front Porch Restaurant: 232 Philadelphia Pike, Bellefonte, 1980-2003 Destroyed by fire. Savoy But beyond that, this: Philly's dance-club scene set for a comeback. A lot of Center City has. It has been so long, but that name rings a familiar bell. December 10, 2014. Kullman would later become the first of the builders to produce retro-style diners on a regular basis, but before then you had diners like this one. Stuccoed into obscurity at Annas. DNA evidence linked Herman Lee Hobbs to the August 1980 death of 21-year-old Holly Ann Campiglia, the Solano County Sheriff's Office said in a statement this week. The Love. But tax issues forced the spot to close earlier this year, which is a shame Phillys Greek scene is in something of a shambles (though were optimistic about the upcoming Koukouzeli), so it was exciting to see a concept pushing the envelope. Djangos homespun chic vibe and killer cheese plate signaled what was to come. The point is, it was plenty neighborhoody. Another Michael Petrogiannis diner. My last visit for Sunday breakfast found the place busier than the OHare Airport at Thanksgiving, and the meals met with my partys expectations, except for the home fries. Recently, a seersucker-and-madras-clad man at a Mural Arts event I went to railed against graffitis cancerous, corrosive effect on Philadelphia. The current Case Del Mariso was old school diner. Not much left to see here except for the basic outlines of a classic 50s structure. I worked as a waitress at Bobs Diner for two summers when I was home from Penn State in the early 70s. My father and his partner owned the Domino Diner up until 1986. Does anyone remember the Leonards diner at cottman and torresdale ave. | Restaurant Rating System Thomas Hawk, Flickr // CC BY-NC 2.0. The last time I wandered in I found an angry looking man in a suit managing the place, and very scared looking waitstaff scurrying about everywhere. New Boulevard Diner, 11650 Roosevelt Boulevard, New Boulevard recently changed their name to the Five Star Diner. French Restaurants Continental Restaurants Restaurants. Being a Jersey boy, he has food memories that are rooted in the Garden State. Only bother to go here if youre a hard-core diner fanatic. with snapper soup on the menu, theres no way that this newish iteration last May, no late night in Rittenhouse Square was complete without a trip to this Moreover, many Hispanic immigrants from Central and South America have settled in North Philadelphia. Susan and Lizzy were on Panama, right across the street from each other, while Liz No. . Kyrie Irving added 40 and . But dinner there was a big treat when I was a child in the 60s. For some native Philadelphians like me, all of this is difficult to absorb. Every now and then, a well-dressed woman will stop me and ask for directions: Where is the shopping street? Easy parking. The diner was likely built by either OMahony or Mountain View, but, except for the terrazzo floor, youll find almost no features that would indicate pedigree. The Frazer Diner in Frazer is the only un altered Jerry O Mahony diner in existence.Built between 1929 and 1935 it was originally the Paoli but was moved to Frazer on Lancaster Ave, in 1957. Most of the time contractors use them to cover up the roof-top air conditioning units and to add additional height for increased profile. Fond memories. The Dom was a hub for the area for a long time. The boy moved to New York, which was sad (according to my diary), but I miss the old TLA more. Omakase, a style of Japanese dining where the chef selects each bite for the diner, is still relatively uncommon in Philadelphia. Lots of graffiti on everything, and a general fear of walking down the street late at night. Stephen Starr converted a mid-1960s Fodero diner and appropriately swanked the joint up making it one of the citys best known martini lounges. Podcast: Is Sixers' prime time game vs. Free shipping for many products! I enjoyed the article. The diner has its own history that stretches back to the 1870s when food vendor Walter Scott in Providence, Rhode Island modifiedhis horse-drawn freight wagon into something akin to modern day food cartsand trucks seen all over Center Citya small vehiclefrom which hot meals are dispensed. While the the iconic Melrose and the Mayfair, both currently owned by Michael Petrogiannis, remain, the vast majority are gone. Silk City Diner Bar & Lounge, 435 Spring Garden Street, Silk City exemplifies the vintage diner that has successfully adapted to contemporary tastes all while retaining its original charms. The restaurant had been rated America's finest French restaurant, and the Mobil Travel Guide traditionally awarded it five stars. People from Vietnam settled here in the 1980s and 90s, an influx that gave rise to hybrid French bakeries such as Ba Le (606 Washington Avenue) and noodle parlours like Pho 75 (1122 Washington . At one time, the mere word diner meant among other things that it never closed. Photograph: Courtesy Vetri. The Rise And Fall Of Philadelphia's Diners - Hidden City Philadelphia Shame it sits the way it does. Now he owns the big, Mediterranean style structure of undetermined ancestry. There was the Duck Lady (who quacked); the Pigeon Lady (who stood for hours with pigeons all over her); the Wow Bum, who just yelled, Wow!; any number of bag ladies whod walk through the Square laden with belongings; the men who exposed themselves. a particularly damning review from Craig Laban, not even a change in ownership in 2012 could save the grand dame of From there, unfortunately, it was all downhill. Photograph by I. George Bilyk interested in a peak at early aughts dining, the restaurants It did have Oak Lane Diner on the front in Art Deco style. Casa Del Marisco is a sports bar on 5th Street. Philadelphia Restaurant Brings the 1980s to Life | FSR magazine Diners in center city that have vanished since 1990 Talula's Garden, opened in 2011 at Washington Square, is an upscale restaurant inspired by locally produced ingredients, prepared in sync with the season. Facebook/McGillin's Olde Ale House. I am too an avid Diner lover tho. and suburbanization through the 1980s, restaurants from the 1990s into the early decades of the twenty-first century played a major role in the region's economy and signaled a . Thanks for this article. Bookers has filled the soul food void in the neighborhood with its upscale take, but theres nothing quite like enjoying a Citywide alongside a platter of top-notch fried chicken, collards, and candied yams in a dark bar withyour neighbors belting karaokein the background. About 6,000 were built; today, some 1,800 remain with roughly two thirds still in food-service operation. PDF List of Diners & Restaurants - The Greek American Heritage Society of The Frazer is certainly one of the oldest examples of a pristine OMahony, but I could probably list at least a half dozen others that are in similarly pristine condition. Today, the Dining Car still keeps those traditional hours, but it attractscompany infewer and fewer numbers. Children playing in the Art Museum fountains in August 1973. My father owned the diner from 1981- 2000. the menu had a nice selection at great prices of salads,omelettes and sandwiches with also a speciality. Often overlooked for inclusion in the Philly diner pantheon, the Dining Car on Frankford Avenue in the Northeast nevertheless continues to get plenty of love from the neighborhood, and for good reason. The late 60s and early 70s in Philadelphia were pretty relaxed. In 1998, with diners at the peak of their resurgence, Ken tossed the idea into mix, and the hunt commenced. Specialties: Escape the 1980s is the largest & highest-rated escape room game in Philadelphia! memorable shutters. We were reminiscing about our favorite restaurants and realized that many are no longer there. Patty Brett, the owner of the uniquely unchanging Doobies at 22nd and Lombard, remembers packs of wild dogs running loose in the area: There were many abandoned churches and gas stations in our neighborhood. Those children of the 1970s and 1980s grew up in and around the suburban malls. I feel like I cant truly enjoy a vacation or visiting a town without going to a local diner. The Domino suffered a major fire eight years ago and has yet to reopen. The award-winning restaurant's unique dining style is a collaboration between celebrated restaurateur Stephen Starr and Aimee Olexy. The first was on the North Side of the 1600 Block of Snyder Ave. The Best Restaurants in Philadelphia | January 2022 | OpenTable My grandfather, Peter, built the heritage diner and then my dad, Steve, changed it to Sophias Diner and Stacys Pub. In fact, during the diners golden age, owners of freshly minted diners would have grand opening ceremonies that featured the cutting of the keys. Its likely thatno other builder constructed more diners than Jerry OMahony. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. Remember when farm-to-table was an exciting new thing rather than a Portlandia punchline? Labor contracts signed by city employees during the Rizzo administration contributed to the citys financial crisis that Green and Goode could not prevent. I recall the interior being quite well preserved with lots of old details; it reminded me of the pre-Michael Mayfair diner actually. Click here to go to the official Facebook page of A Slice of the 80s. | Photo: Randy Garbin. His new old-style diner came by truck in six sections, pieced together on site. Today, I can get stopped at the doors of an upscale hotel or silently ejected from a fancy boutique with an icy glare. Turf, i.e. The diner takes its name from the company that built it. What looked like the longest, stainless steel diner on the planet (which was actually a very long diner married expertly to an existing cinder-block, stainless-clad addition) welcomed you inside with nothing but superlatives. The children of the suburban boom became adults and had children of their own. | Advertising There was always a lot of food and drink, and no one noticed the kids whod sneak in and out, grabbing rolled salami off of linen-draped deli trays. legendary carrot cake. When my sister and I were kids, we always looked forward to a meal at Littletons. the well-worn griddle. For those Sat Dec 05, 2015 | 12:00pm. No thank you, when Ive been out all night and Im hitting the diner on the way home, I want a friendly face and some solid breakfast. The Big Greek Diner typically gives you a lot of food for the money. Growing Up in Philadelphia: The Lost City . Just for the nostalgia and reminiscing those good old days. Campiglia was from New Jersey . Period. In February, when Lonely Planet named Philadelphia the best U.S. travel destination for 2016, the city's tired reputation for cheesesteaks, Rocky movies, corruption, and blight-cliches of 1981 or thereabouts-seemed finally put to rest. Quaker Diner in Five Points on Rising Sun Avenue. Now home to the trendy Mexican restaurant Lucha Cartel, Philadelphia Fish & Co. was a staple in Old City. Though, waiting around for a seat is a form of torture, especially for anyone trying to shed a muffin top. No, I dont consider Bobs a family restaurant. Ithelped put Girard Avenue on the citys dining radar a decade ago, and that highly affordable,Best of Philly-worthytasting menu was a crazy good deal (and just crazy good). Escape the 1980s - Escape Room Game - Philadelphia, PA 1617 Spruce St. Philadelphia, PA 19102. Petrogiannis put his own stamp on things with a silly turret-like roofline to raise the diners profile. GQ wrote, Philadelphia has more going for it now than ever.. Yet again, it could have been much worse. The first Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant opened in downtown Minneapolis in 1975 and was one of the breakout restaurants of the year; by 1986 a whopping 237 locations had been opened, with 42 opening in 1985 alone. The diner was originally built by Fodero of Bloomfield, New Jersey. In fact, I miss all the movie theaters of my youth. That beautiful buildings courtyard was the kind of place you either avoided or walked through as quickly as possible, dodging mysterious puddles and smells, with soot or something like it crunching beneath your feet. A History of the Food Court | Mental Floss Thank you. It isnt constructed on-site, but rather brought to a semi-permanent location. Many of the mentioned ones, I have the privileged to say, I ate there. I give the food here very high marks, and youll find items on the menu you dont expect to find in a traditional diner which always works for me. A full ten years before the culture rediscovered the vintage diner, Joe Morozin wanted his new diner to look like something out of the 1930s, but at about six times the size. Chain Restaurants We Bet You Forgot Existed - The Daily Meal Of those, around200 were built before 1965 and are still in original condition. Silk City, currently owned by restauranteur Mark Bee, has diversified its revenue stream with the night club and bar which frees it from relying upon the weekend breakfast trade that so many smaller diners live or die by.
philadelphia restaurants in the 1980s