Category Archives: Diners/ restaurants

Johnny’s Snack Bar- Halifax, NS

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Johnny’s immediately struck me as my kind of place. A counter on the right, two rows of booths on the left. The smell of coffee and grilling meat.
A small TV in the corner had the Canada vs. USA mens curling game on. Curling, both this game and the Canada v. China game from the night before were the hot topics of discussion amongst the clientele.

I had a deliciously tender roast beef sandwich. My buddy Phil, the grilled cheese, cut neatly into quarters. My girlfriend, Anna, had a fresh, hand formed burger. Desert between the three of us consisted of a chocolate milkshake, a vanilla one, a strawberry sundae, a chocolate sundae and a slice of warm apple pie ala mode.

6204 Almon St
Halifax, NS B3K 1V2
(902) 454-8154

Tommy Marcos’ Ledo Restaurant

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Before I headed back to school, I hit up Tommy Marcos’ Ledo Restaurant, which was opened in 1955. Now to avoid confusion, there is Ledo Pizza, the chain, and the Ledo Restaurant, in Adelphi Plaza, soon to move to College Park. Tommy Marcos’ Ledo is the original- the one with the atmosphere- the one with tradition- and the one with damn good pizza. Ledo Pizza the chain is lacking in all those regards.

The pizza is a bit out of the ordinary in its rectangular shape. The crust is light and flaky an the pizza has a delicious sweet tomato taste. I ordered my favorite, pepperoni, black olives and sausage. A medium is one tray. The Ledo, in a nice touch not often seen anymore, still puts cherries in their pepsi.

The Ledo is a true local icon, with strong University of Maryland ties. Take a look at the murals on the walls.
They are supposed to move in early Summer.

Terminal Luncheonette – Willow Grove, PA

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Here are some photos from a couple years back of the Terminal Luncheonette of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

Old backlit plastic sign. Missing second half of the arrow?

Brick construction with flat roof and overhang.

Excellent hot roast beef sandwich.

Double Horseshoe counter

Photo of a photo of the area in the late ’30s

Luther Reason Ray

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The Circle Theatre
Luther R. Ray Architect
Vitrolite Products Washington
created 1935

The Circle was located at 2105 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC. It was torn down in the 1980s.
In his younger days, my dad took advantage of their low priced ticketbook – also popular with homeless in the area.

I wonder if Ray was an Eddie Cantor fan?

More info on the Circle
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The theater name isn’t on this one- can anyone identify it? Likely in DC, possibly in Maryland. Probably long since bulldozed.

According to the plan, the front would be walnut agate vitrolite, precast stone and stainless.

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Hahn’s Shoes
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The placement of all the windows and dimensions look almost identical to their 1891 store at 7th and K streets Washington, which burned in 1937.
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Source: Shorpy

Alterations to the Hilltop Market – Meats – Groceries
Hilltop Market, 5706 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

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Carr Bros and Boswell
71 Maryland Avenue, Hyattsville, Maryland
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Super A&P market
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A-1 Diner- Gardiner, Maine

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The A-1 is one of my all time favorite diners. Great food with an excellent selection served in a beautifully maintained Worcester semi-streamliner in a unique location.

After debating between the South of the Border Burger (with chili and pepperjack) and the North of the Border Burger (with cheese and Canadian Bacon), I picked the North, I figured it was appropriate. My dad got a plain hamburger.
The burgers were big and juicy, the fries were fresh and hand-cut. For dessert we had a slice of oreo cheesecake.

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Front of diner with flowerboxes.

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A-1 Diner website