14 Comments
May 21Liked by Rolando Pujol

So glad to hear Clifton’s cafeteria is coming back – do you know the fate of the neon they found in the wall a couple years back? ( Can’t seem to find anything anything online about it) It’s one of my favorite Neon stories – just wondering if it’s still lit🤞

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2151843/Clifton-Cafeteria-Neon-light-left-77-years-discovered-Los-Angeles-restaurant-renovation.html

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author

I have the same question! Will inquire!

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May 13Liked by Rolando Pujol

Red Lobster does seem doomed to me. They can't afford to go upscale in these days brew house causality, and I don't see how any such chain goes down market without becoming plain old nasty. I'm ambivalent. Not a shell fish guy. As for scaly fish I'll spend more to get fresh stuff with a clear provenance, and it seems that's a trend too, at least in cities.

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Good points! I agree the outlook is not very good. I generally dislike all cooked fish but yet LOVE sushi and sashimi, so there you go!

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May 13Liked by Rolando Pujol

Hi Rolando! I left a comment of a mansard left in San Diego on your Threads post with some photos. It’s not this style of Mansard roof, but a yellow, red, and white location with a play place! Located in Spring Valley, CA. One of my many childhood McDonald’s.

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Just saw your pics! What a beauty -- and incredibly rare now!

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Fabulous! Maybe I can get there. I will be in San Diego briefly on Wednesday!

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May 13Liked by Rolando Pujol

Oh hopefully you’ll be able to check it out! The parking lot is a little hectic at times, good luck!

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author

Thanks again for the tip! Timing could not be better!

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May 12·edited May 13Liked by Rolando Pujol

Darden saw the writing on the wall of changing market conditions, and got out. The private equity firm that they sold it to drove a stake through RL's heart when they sold the real estate out from under the stores, leasing the stores back , saddling many locations with unsustainable leases.

Perhaps if Darden had sold to another company familiar with running restaurants and with a vision, it could have been saved.

Another classic American brand ruined by private equity. Sad.

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author

Very sad. Thank you for the perspective. What a grim outlook alas.

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Just got to check out S&P Lunch last month! Their tuna melt is delightful.

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Yum! Good tip! I haven't actually eaten here in years, an oversight I will correct soon.

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Hope you enjoy LA. In case you haven’t seen Los Feliz neighborhood, you’ll love Tam O Shanter’s (disney model for sleeping beauty house) with 2 nice neons nearby on the Blvd. Glendale has the Neon Museum, and Wako bookstore has an amazing storefront. https://www.wackola.com/

And Forest Lawn Glendale is worth a visit. Museum and world’s largest painting.

Enjoy!

Vincent

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