I made a mini-roadtrip this morning to DC for some good old fashioned neon.
Clock Hands pointing down.
A&R Auto Parts. The neon appears it originally read something else.
1824 Bladensburg Road NE
Washington, DC 20002
http://www.aandrautoparts.com/
Ride With Safety – Yellow Cab Company.
Ohio Restaurant
1380 H St. NE
Now Closed
More pictures, including ones of the interior, can be found here.
Atlas Theater
1331 H St. NE
Built 1938
Architect John J. Zink.
S and S Shoe Repairing
1126 H St. NE
Storefront
New York Ave NE
Budget Motor Inn
1615 New York Avenue Northeast
Syd’s Drive In Liquor Store
2325 BLADENSBURG RD NE
Automatic Transmission
Former Roy Rogers?
Barn shaped building
Publick Playhouse
5445 Landover Road
Hyattsville, MD 20784
Opened 1947
Modern Dry Cleaning/ Electric Maid
Takoma Park, MD
Rayco Auto Seat Covers
7998 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Glenmont Arcade
Formerly home to “Tuffy” Leeman’s duckpin Bowling alley. Tuffy, a pro football hall of fame member, played for the New York Giants from 1936 to 1943. The duckpin alley closed several years back.
Diner Hunter 
The “barn shaped building” is a former Red Barn fast food place. The 1986 book “Orange Roofs, Golden Arches” by Philip Langdon (which I highly recommend) has a picture of a Red Barn on page 99. There’s also a tribute web site http://www.barnbuster.net/
If you are ever in the neighborhood, check out the sign for “Vet’s Liquor” on Route 1 just north of the Route 1-Powder Mill Road intersection (Beltsville). It’s a keeper!
This and other great Maryland signage can be seen at:
http://www.agilitynut.com/signs/md.html
Thanks for your work!
I think last time I was at vets they had red lightbulbs in his eyes.
Any top BBQ recommendations?
Howdy Dinerman – I like your style…
For fine barbecue not too far from DC, head south to Charles County, Maryland:
Dales Smokehouse on Rt. 210 (Indian Head Highway) almost down to the base is my current favorite – go for the ribs and I don’t think you can go wrong. Whole pork ribs, sauce on the side is hardly necessary, slices of white bread serve as your “napkin”!
T&J’s Barbecue on Route 225 not too far from La Plata (and Dale’s!) is an old favorite. Strong for ribs and excellent smoked chicken. Dining is “al fresco”!
http://www.tandjbbq.com/
Right on Route 301 near La Plata is an old standby – Johnny Boy’s Ribs – pretty darned good, but I think the other two joints are superior.
The three places I’ve listed can all be hit in one, stomach bending trip! In general, I think ribs are the strong suit for Southern Maryland places, but by all means, sample the whole menu!
Now do you want to talk Charles County crab shacks?
Enjoy…