Where to eat while enjoying the car culture of Los Angeles
Car-person looking for a tasty bite to eat? Here's a list of some of the great car-related restaurants around Los Angeles and Southern California.
By The Editors
Sun, May 9, 2021 11:11 AM PST
Editor's Note: This article was first published by Collin Morgan in the summer of 2020. Now, with the pandemic coming to an end (right?) we figured we all need to get out again and go to these restaurants... See you there!
Putzing through the same monotonous drive-thru restaurants or sitting in boring chain diners gets old. We should take notes from the Italians – eating is an experience, not a chore. Here in L.A., we have oodles of restaurants to choose from, but there are some that we particularly enjoy; the ones that have history with cars. So, the next time your stomach starts moaning and groaning, treat it to a restaurant with some automotive character, background, or side events. Here are some of our favorite car-related restaurants around Los Angeles and Southern California.
5. Ruby’s Diner
10109 Whittwood Drive Whittier, CA 90603
Ruby’s Diner is another fantastic nostalgic burger and shake restaurant - with locations all over SoCal. The Whittier location puts on a weekly car show on Friday nights from 5:00-9:00PM during an extended summer period. Classic American cars from 1979 and older pack the parking lot at the restaurant. Make sure to stop by for the cars and then end the night with a delicious shake.
4. Bob’s Big Boy
4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
This iconic LA eatery was built in 1949 and has been a Los Angeles staple ever since. Bob’s Big Boy was restored in 1993 and remains the oldest Big Boy in the country. Make sure to go on Friday nights after 5:30 to see the weekly car meet in the parking lot.
3. Neptune’s Net
Seated right on PCH, Neptune’s Net serves delicious food paired with ocean views. The drive to the restaurant is great, and the seafood is excellent. Neptune’s Net has been a setting for many big-screen scenes, most notably as the meeting place between Brian O’Conner and Dominic Toretto in ‘The Fast and the Furious’. That orange Supra was the perfect dessert.
2. Cook’s Corner
19152 E Santiago Canyon Rd, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679
The original building was constructed in 1884, and since then has become one of the largest biker gathering places in SoCal. Cook’s Corner has retained a nostalgic and classic bar atmosphere since becoming a restaurant since 1926. Large crowds of bikers flock to the bar, but everyone is welcome. If you’re a fan of motorcycles, this is the place to go.
1. Galpin Ford Horseless Carriage Restaurant
15505 Roscoe Blvd North Hills, CA 91343
The Horseless Carriage Restaurant might be the most unique place on this list. This diner is actually located inside the dealership with views of the newest cars Ford has to offer. The ranch-raised Buffalo steaks are delicious. The restaurant is comfortable and relaxed, so just enjoy the fantastic food and brainstorm about your next automobile!
