Vintage roadside

[Matt Crunk]

Just saw a term applied to (mostly) roadside attractions built to look like something else, such as buildings made to look like boats, teepees, hot dogs, ice cream cones, etc. The term is Mimetic Architecture. Makes sense to me.

 

[dh66]

Matt.....great pics of some cool looking places! I'm glad to see you back posting, and it looks like you are enjoying checking out Indy. There ought to be plenty there to keep you busy for awhile. Fountain Square is a really neat place. I guess the duckpin bowling on the top floor is still going. The little diner on the corner is cool, and the main theater is really something. You should check out an event there sometime. I don't know if Radio Radio is still open, but I've seen some cool shows there, too. You also need to cruise up the road to Fairmount if you get the chance, and check out James Dean's hometown. There's a bunch of really cool antique and vintage shops there, too, so you can rip through some cash if you want to. Lounge member Hoosier Daddy lives out there, look him up, he can probably show you around or tell you when some cool JD events are happening.

 

[BobHufford]

Here are some pics from a recent trip west to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

First a few from Shamrock, Texas. Very quick run in and out.

 

[BobHufford]

We always make it a point to pass through McLean, Texas.

 

[BobHufford]

The portal at the Palace of the Governors on the Plaza in Santa Fe. I bought a bracelet from one of the Native Americans selling jewelry on the portal.

More from downtown:

Breakfast at The Pantry.

More neon signs from Cerillos Road.

Carport next to the rooms at King's Rest.

Some of these were taken on the move ...

A little yard art.

Gotta love a Santa Fe thrift store.

 

[BobHufford]

A side trip to Chimayo.

 

[BobHufford]

Looping around to Espanola. The western store was on its last leg. Tuxedo rentals were the only thing keeping the doors open.

These pics aren't mine. I couldn't get my wife to turn the car around as we were trying to get to a museum before closing time. A couple of Espanola neons.

 

[BobHufford]

One final one of the Vinita, Oklahoma McDonalds that is over I-44 as we head home.

 

[dh66]

Awesome pics Bob!! Hope you had a great trip and found some killer cowboy boots in Santa Fe.

 

[BobHufford]

Awesome pics Bob!! Hope you had a great trip and found some killer cowboy boots in Santa Fe.

No such luck I'm afraid. The prices of the ones I liked were sky-high and I pretty much blew the budget with a jewelry purchase.

 

[Bamaboots]

Lotsa great pics, Bob. Looks like a fun trip.

 

[BobHufford]

Thanks Bama! We had a great time.

 

[1mach1]

Great pics Bob. Looks like fun was had!

Winchester, VA

 

[Matt Crunk]

Went out on another vintage diner run on Sunday, this time to The Oasis Diner in Plainfield, IN.

A 1954 Mountain View diner, The Oasis Diner was also known as the U.S. 40 Diner and simply The Diner, located in Indianapolis. It closed in 2009 due to structural problems and health code violations. In 2010, the diner was donated to the city of Plainfield. In 2014, it was moved to downtown Plainfield, meticulously restored and reopened as the Oasis Diner. The rooftop sign was restored and the original Oasis Diner and palm tree signs were replicated.

I had the Original Tenderloin Sandwich with sweet potato fries. It seems to be the meal around these parts by which local eateries are measured, and this was one of the best I've had. The tenderloin itself was about the size of a small hubcap. Even after cutting it in half, it still overlapped the bun by a good inch all around. It tasted as good as it looked, which was pretty darn impressive.

You know you're in a Fedora Lounge kind of place when the guy in the next booth over is reading The Life of Raymond Chandler. I swear I didn't set this up. Pure happenstance.

 

[Zombie_61]

JEEZ that tenderloin looks good!

 

[dh66]

That place looks great, Matt!

 

[1mach1]

Awesome, Matt!

 

[1mach1]

Richmond, VA

 

[dh66]

Good one Harv!! Hard to beat the giant boomerang/arrow thing. Just a classic.

 

[Touchofevil]

Went out on another vintage diner run on Sunday, this time to The Oasis Diner in Plainfield, IN.

A 1954 Mountain View diner, The Oasis Diner was also known as the U.S. 40 Diner and simply The Diner, located in Indianapolis. It closed in 2009 due to structural problems and health code violations. In 2010, the diner was donated to the city of Plainfield. In 2014, it was moved to downtown Plainfield, meticulously restored and reopened as the Oasis Diner. The rooftop sign was restored and the original Oasis Diner and palm tree signs were replicated.

I had the Original Tenderloin Sandwich with sweet potato fries. It seems to be the meal around these parts by which local eateries are measured, and this was one of the best I've had. The tenderloin itself was about the size of a small hubcap. Even after cutting it in half, it still overlapped the bun by a good inch all around. It tasted as good as it looked, which was pretty darn impressive.

You know you're in a Fedora Lounge kind of place when the guy in the next booth over is reading The Life of Raymond Chandler. I swear I didn't set this up. Pure happenstance.

Food looks great. Diner looks great. Life must be great.