22 Comments
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mary mocine's avatar

Here’s one from Silverlake that is before your time, Evan. It was on Glendale Blvd. Just at intersection with Silverlake Blvd, across from the Mixville Market. I don’t recall the name of it. We used to order flour tortillas with butter and cokes.

Evan Kleiman's avatar

I remember a tiny hut of a place just near that intersection that made the greatest burgers. It's imprinted that mustard, not ketchup is correct on burgers for me.

mary mocine's avatar

I don’t know it. The place I recall was spacious though not large. I just have a sense of a booth with lots of light and other booths.

BTW, it’s called Mixville because Tom Mix studio used to be there.

Muhlyssa's avatar

Nat’s Early Bite Coffee Shop and Diner. Sherman Oaks/Van Nuys.

http://natsearlybite.com/about.html

Cathy K's avatar

Came here to shout out Nat’s too.

Beau Baker's avatar

Vivian’s in studio city! La Rochelle in NoHo!

Muhlyssa's avatar

There was a deli/diner on Pico just east of Overland, I think it was called Sheps (it was not Ships). We used to go there a lot when I was growing up in Mar Vista. This would have been back in the 70's/80's. The thing I remember most about it was the host was transitioning from male to female and each time we went, we'd further see their transition. This was my first ever experience with a trans person. Considering the era, they were definitely a trailblazer

Evan Kleiman's avatar

I remember Shep's. And every time we drove by I thought it was a misspelling.

Allen's avatar

Hey Evan! Wanted to share a diner owned by Korean Immigrants that felt very connected to the community. Whenever I have to get my car serviced nearby, I walk over just to read/noddle around on my laptop with endless coffee. https://maps.app.goo.gl/UHSbYNnimd7dw8et5 Country Touch Cafe.

Evan Kleiman's avatar

That menu! Could it be more iconic?

Intima Journal's avatar

This took me back to that time, Evan -- especially the Thrifty Drug Store spot. But ya know, my dad, Fred, didn't love diners. He was all about dining out at the fancy-schmancy spots like Lawry's Prime Rib when he won big at Santa Anita.

Evan Kleiman's avatar

I didn't get to Lawry's until i was an adult. My another one of our classmates, an old friend had parents who dined at Musso's for celebrations and I was often invited. My early introduction to clams and sand dabs.

Intima Journal's avatar

My mom loved to take us to Musso's for lunch, then C.C. Brown's for ice cream after. No wonder Katherine called me Chubbs!

Evan Kleiman's avatar

CC Browns! I used to steal the roasted almonds off the sheet pans in the back as I walked to the restroom.

Mara Leppaluoto's avatar

For those of us in the SGV, Le Roy’s https://www.leroysmonrovia.com/ and Nano Cafe https://www.nanocafemonrovia.com/ in Monrovia are both excellent diners that my family and I frequent.

Simone's avatar

RIP Bob’s Big Boy in Glendale and their giant chocolate shakes served in tall silver cups!

Barbara W's avatar

As one of your high school mates doing questionable things together, the part about going out to eat at all hours is a blur, but if we did I'm sure it was at the Pantry. I do remember Sarno's and House of Pies as go to's.

B

Evan Kleiman's avatar

What a life we led!

Ken Concepcion's avatar

Incredible piece here

Ruth Stroud's avatar

I had the waffle at Max and Helen’s on our visit last month and agree the maple butter was divine. We ate outside, so we didn’t get the same diner experience as sitting at the counter or in a booth, but it was a lot of fun . We also dropped some cash at nearby stores. Thanks for sharing the memories of dining with your mom and the suggestions of other iconic L.A. diners to visit. I can’t wait to try some of them!

Pamela Warren's avatar

I found the counter seats at Max & Helen’s very uncomfortable as well. Other diners: Bobby’s in Woodland Hills; Cabbage Patch in Moorpark. Does Apple Pan qualify?