JJ HO CAFE INTERNATIONAL NEWPORT UPDATE
JJ HO CAFE INTERNATIONAL NEWPORT SERIES

Currently I’ve edited this list over 757 times. I am constantly adding new restaurants I discover, updating the ones that have closed and expanding the descriptions below, so check back often for new updated information. In the four years since I published this list, it has received a million reads! That shows me how much people care about our vintage restaurants.

JJ HO CAFE INTERNATIONAL NEWPORT SERIES

The first two of my map series breaking down restaurants by type, location and description can be found here: The Oldest Surviving Mexican Restaurants in Los Angeles and That’s Amore- The Oldest Surviving Italian Restaurants and Delis in Los AngelesMore in this map series to follow soon. I’m hoping these will indeed reopen, but they have been moved to the bottom of the list until then. There are also a few restaurants still listed as “temporarily” closed: La Golondrina (1926), Walker’s Cafe (1946), The Magic Lamp (1955), Lucy’s El Adobe Cafe (1964), Marix Tex-Mex (1983), Newcomb’s Ranch (1939), Andre’s Pizza (1963), Maxwell’s Cafe (1972), Lascari’s (1983). Unfortunately the losses keep adding up, the most recent closures are: The Prospector (1965), Lupo D’Abruzzo (1966), Rod’s Grill (1957), Leo’s Mexican Food (1976), The Spot, (1977), Watson’s Soda Fountain (1915), Mexi-Casa (1965), Shibucho (1976), 94th Aero Squadron (1973), Raul’s Mexican Food (1978), Izzy’s Deli (1973), and Dhaba Indian Cuisine (1972). NOTE June 2023: During the covid crisis we lost at least 23 area vintage restaurants. These closures are found at the bottom of the list. Cheers, my dears, and bon appetit! Love, Nikkiįrom May 2015 to June 2023 we have lost 98 restaurants on this list due to closure. As of June 2023 the list is at 480 places, spread as far south as the bottom of Orange County, east to San Bernardino and north to Santa Clarita. I do my best to keep this list continually updated and add, subtract and make changes as needed. I’ve added a Yelp link for each restaurant, so you can check out hours and customer reviews of the food. The list includes all of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, but also the Inland Empire in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. You will find classic steakhouses, Googie diners, pastrami delicatessens, walk-up hamburger stands and more.

My criteria for the restaurants here is that they are at least 37 years old (1985) or older, although I have made a few exceptions, and that they are within about an hour’s drive from downtown L.A. I’m sure there are many holes in my research and would appreciate additions, updates and corrections in the comments section below.

JJ HO CAFE INTERNATIONAL NEWPORT UPDATE

After a lot of detective work I’ve compiled this “Master List” and plan to update it regularly. I often search the internet for authentic old-school spots in neighborhoods I visit and finding them is not always easy.

I pray that old places don’t renovate their mid-century or even mid-’70s decor. I’m a junkie for vintage architecture and old signs. I’m not as selective about a menu as I am about the ambiance, atmosphere and what I am experiencing. I’m a sucker for a joint with history, charm, character and stories. We are lucky in Los Angeles to have a lot of spectacular vintage restaurants, but we are still losing many every year to owners who retire, sell out for money or lose their long-held lease to nasty gentrification.

Jj ho cafe international newport