1940sChili John's(2018 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank) opened in 1946, serving a limited menu of chili dishes topping spaghetti noodles. The diner-style layout has a U-shaped counter, orange vinyl stools and a rustic mural of mountains and sky. With a similar U-shaped counter,
The Apple Pan (10801 W Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles) opened in 1947 and has an equally small menu consisting of hamburgers, fries and pies.
Steak 'N Stein Inn(9545 E. Whittier Blvd., Pico Rivera) is a kitschy steak house with a circular stone fireplace, dark colors and plenty of stained glass. It was opened in 1946 by a trained Shakespearean actor who was also responsible for the over-the-top Magic Lamp in Rancho Cucamonga and Clearman's Northwoods Inns in San Gabriel and Covina.
Langer's Deli(704 S Alvarado St., Westlake), known for its pastrami and matzo ball soup, was opened in 1947 by a New Jersey transplant. It's kept its original appearance with vintage signs, multi-colored tile behind the deli counter and knobby wood room dividers.

The Apple Pan )Nikki Kreuzer)
1950sThe Hat(1 W Valley Blvd,. Alhambra) opened in 1951 as a small corner burner stand selling 25? hamburgers, 5? cups of coffee and massive pastrami sandwiches. Almost demolished in 1981, it was rescued and has expanded into a small local chain of 11 restaurants.
Remnants of Eagle Rock's Italian past still exist in
Colombo's (1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock), opened in 1954 and Casa Bianca (1650 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock) opened 1955, both serving gooey Italian deliciousness. Colombo's is dimly lit with red leather booths, wood paneled walls, iron chandeliers and live jazz, while Casa Bianca has amazing vintage neon and a casual family vibe.
Dal Rae (9023 E. Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera) is the place to try some of those classic 1950s menu items that you've only heard of: oysters Rockefeller, sauteed frog legs, duck a l'orange or flaming cherries jubilee. It was opened in 1958 when an ashtray on every table and a martini with lunch were the norm.
Chez Jay (1657 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica) was opened in 1959 by a struggling actor from the East Coast. With red leather booths, wood paneled walls, porthole windows and saw dust on the floor, it became a hangout to Richard Burton, Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joe DiMaggio, Judy Garland, the Beach Boys and Jim Morrison.
1960sCasita del Campo (1920 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake) was opened in 1962 by dancer Rudy del Campo who played, one of the Sharks in the film version of
West Side Story. Serving Mexican food, its romantic dining room consists of knobby wood and red leather booths.

Tamarack Inn (Nikki Kreuzer)
The Tamarack Inn (9257 Slauson Ave., Pico Rivera) is a rustic old-school tavern opened in 1962. Its cabin-like building is completely made of dark wood ? from ceiling to walls to floors to bar to tables. Serving a menu heavy on burgers, steak and BBQ, the decor includes snow shoes on the ceiling and stained glass windows to let in small shafts of colored light.
La Dolce Vita(9785 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills) was designed in 1966 by famed art director Lyle Wheeler, winner of five Academy Awards and responsible for set design on 361 films, including
Gone With the Wind,
The Seven Year Itch and
The King and I. This fancy Italian spot was frequented by Frank Sinatra, George Raft, the Kennedys and the Reagans.