Happy Valentine’s Day! How beautiful and achingly perfect was the now shuttered home of Cupid’s Hot Dogs, in Northridge, California. I stopped by not long after it closed, leaving me with an empty stomach but a full heart. This store opened in 1964 and almost made it to its 60th birthday. (Forever 59, I guess.)

The family-owned chain itse…

Author Gary He sits down with The Retrologist to discuss his masterful 420-page book exploring McDonald’s around the world.

McAtlas: A photographer's global odyssey to document McDonald's in over 50 countries

Well said! It is funny how things like a phone ringer can take you back to a time and place. For me, it's the ringer inside a Western Electric Trimline, which my family had from 1977 to 1985 or so ... so of course, I have a Trimline (that works) in my home today!

Slicing into culinary history and pop culture on National Pizza Day

Oh goodness, I am glad you mentioned Heart Castle! God how I adore it! I've done two of the tours but have to go back for more. I'll add Morro Rock too to the list... and the old school Fosters Freeze still in town!

Bar fight over famous sign; 'Evil Clown' orphaned; Hellmann's commercial revisits 'Harry Met Sally' fake orgasm scene at Katz's Deli; Punxsutawney Phil's turf | Retrologist Roadside Roundup

Happy National Pizza Day! I present a meditation on Pizza Hut Classics and the origins of America's love of the humble pie.

Slicing into culinary history and pop culture on National Pizza Day

Amazing! One of my great regrets is missing the Hillside experience. While I'm grateful the sign survived, it will truly never be the same. (I could have added the Ferns Motel to the list -- the sign is there, or at least it was when I visited last year.)

Bar fight over famous sign; 'Evil Clown' orphaned; Hellmann's commercial revisits 'Harry Met Sally' fake orgasm scene at Katz's Deli; Punxsutawney Phil's turf | Retrologist Roadside Roundup

My latest newsletter is out! This Retrologist Roundup is bursting with news.

Bar fight over famous sign; 'Evil Clown' orphaned; Hellmann's commercial revisits 'Harry Met Sally' fake orgasm scene at Katz's Deli; Punxsutawney Phil's turf | Retrologist Roadside Roundup

On this snowy night, it was Delite-ful to see the warm neon of the Delite Bake Shop. A staple of Yonkers, New York, for over 80 years, Delite recently reopened after an electrical fire.

New newsletter out! (With some news about my new book!)

The LA fires and the 'erasure of heritage'; Wendy's says G'day; beloved diner imperiled; the 'Fat Boy sings'; Catskills history up in smoke | Retrologist Roadside Roundup