Vintage Restaurants to Enjoy on Route 66 in Los Angeles County

Travelers heading through Glendora who are craving sweets have excellent options! Justly famed is the Donut Man, founded in 1972 by Jim Nakano and beloved for its seasonal fresh-fruit donuts (such as strawberry and peach). With its handmade pastries both traditional and unique, this walk-up stand is truly a niche food experience on Route 66. Also in this foothill suburb is a midcentury ice cream shop (part of California's Fosters Freeze chain) that still utilizes walk-up windows.

Long-lasting restaurants in Pasadena, CA: Andy's Coffee Shop, a breakfast-and-lunch spot, has a vintage interior - including a horseshoe-shaped counter. Andy's can be seen in pop culture like Mad Men and 2009's Fast and Furious. Meanwhile, the Cherng family opened a sit-down Chinese restaurant, Panda Inn, in Pasadena in 1973. After its success, they launched a national fast-food chain, Panda Express, in adjacent Glendale in 1983. The family still owns both the Panda Express chain and Panda Inn.

Other South Pasadena restaurants with history: The 1946 Gus's BBQ is a local barbecue institution that has launched two more locations (including in a converted citrus packing house in another Route 66 town, Claremont). Nearby is Shakers, operating since 1973 in a 1965 building designed by famed Googie architects Armet and Davis for the local Preble's chain. Meanwhile, Twohey's opened on Route 66 in Pasadena in 1943. After several moves, in 2020 it returned to Route 66 in this adjacent suburb.

Classic Italian restaurants in L.A.'s Eagle Rock neighborhood: The Martorana family opened Casa Bianca Pizza Pie in 1955 and runs it now. With its neon sign, checkered tablecloths, and cash-only status, this nighttime-only pizza place is old school! It has appeared in period pieces, like Clint Eastwood's film version of Jersey Boys, a Broadway musical. Nearby is the 1954 Columbo's Italian Steakhouse, an upscale Italian restaurant (with a bar and live music) that is also a family-owned throwback.

Googie-style restaurants in L.A.'s Eagle Rock area: Cindy's, a 1948 coffee shop with a vibrant, vintage interior (including counter seating), is a time capsule! It offers diner favorites, including Southern cuisine (like grits, black-eyed peas, etc.). Farther west is The Oinkster, a "slow fast food" joint in a midcentury, A-frame structure (built as part of the local Jim's Burgers chain). In 2024, the National Trust for Historic Preservation gave it a Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant.

More vintage Eagle Rock restaurants: L.A.'s Eagle Rock neighborhood offers many classic dining choices. Coffee shops include the 1962 Armon's and the longstanding Pat & Lorraine's (where Quentin Tarantino shot a Reservoir Dogs scene). Meanwhile, burger joints operating for over 50 years include Pete's Blue Chip; Original Tommy's (1972, the chain's third location); and The Bucket. The latter's 1935 building, a bucket-shaped example of L.A.'s iconic programmatic architecture, still stands.

Historic restaurants on Broadway in L.A.'s Chinatown: What is now the New Chinatown Historic District was founded in 1937. A year later, Phoenix Bakery opened in New Chinatown's Central Plaza. Phoenix moved to another Broadway location in 1977; it still bakes Chinese and American pastries (seen on the left). On the right is Yang Chow's dining room. This Chinese restaurant opened elsewhere in Chinatown in 1977, then moved here. More Yang Chows have opened since - with one on Route 66 in Pasadena.

Vintage Silver Lake restaurants: In L.A.'s hip Silver Lake neighborhood, on the stretch of famed Sunset Boulevard that was once part of a Route 66 alignment, some legacy businesses operate. The dining counter above is at the 1967 Millie's Cafe, in a building that has held a restaurant since 1926. It now offers vegan options, specialty coffees, etc. Another longstanding operation is Cafe Tropical. It has served Cuban dishes and pastries (like its popular guava cheese pastelitos) since 1975.

Restored West Hollywood icons: The 1933 Group has bought and rehabbed multiple beloved institutions in the L.A. area. Their award-winning projects include Tail O' the Pup and the Formosa Cafe. A 1939 Cantonese restaurant with an attached trolley car, the Formosa is famed for its cocktails, vibrant interior, and longtime use as a celebrity hangout. Tail O' the Pup, a hot dog-shaped, 1946 hot dog stand that sat in storage for years, is an iconic example of car-centric, programmatic architecture.

More West Hollywood restaurants with history: In its homey building, Dan Tana's has been serving Italian cuisine to patrons - including many celebrity regulars - since 1964. West Hollywood also boasts two classic hamburger joints - one being the 1972 Astro Burger, with its emphasis on homemade ingredients. Meanwhile, Irv's Burgers began in 1946 as a walk-up stand; now an official city landmark, the stand became part of Arden Restaurant. Irv's later moved to this larger location down the street.

West L.A. restaurants: Carmine Competelli Sr., a bartender at the Crown House Restaurant, transformed it into Carmine's in 1972. His friends, the Rat Pack, quickly became regulars; Sammy Davis Jr. held weekly poker games there. Carmine Jr. operates the Italian restaurant today. Farther west on Route 66, Cafe 50's has thrived for about 40 years as a retro throwback. Customers appreciate its nostalgic atmosphere, late-night hours, diner-style blue plate specials, and huge selection of milkshakes.