In this circa 1950s photo, we’re looking from the driveway of Tiny Naylor’s drive-in restaurant, which stood on the northwest corner of Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Ave. It was one of the more popular LA drive-ins during the 1950s and it’s a shame that it’s no longer around. But what I like about this photo is that it gives us a glimpse of the sort of houses that used to line Sunset back then. By the way, in case you’re wondering, “Tiny” was Mr. Naylor’s nickname. He was, in fact, six feet four inches tall and weighed 300 pounds.
That same corner in April 2018: (disappointingly bland, isn’t it?)
Bland is an understatement.
I used to hang out at Tiny’s in the 50s, checking out the other hot rods.
If it were there today it would be a tourist attraction.
RE-posted on twitter @trefology
Aside from the building, it’s the environment with those odd looking cars.
When I went to the Vine street school (late ’50s) there was also a nice drive-in at a corner of Vine street & Santa Monica (1 other corner had a small grocery & paint shop, & another corner a surplus, where we had bought wire for an electric sort of cooker).
Odd looking prams, now. In the late 50’s when I went to the Vine street school, we used to stop at a drive-in, at the corner of Vine & Santa Monica. At 2 other corners there was a surplus shop where we had bought wire for a sort of cooker, and a small grocery shop (=sunflower seeds!) and a paint shop.
And that surplus store is still there!
Before they closed, they offered their menu at the 1960’s prices. I ate there for two weeks. They actually had delicious coffee shop food. 15 cents for a side salad with a rich and creamy bleu cheese, with giant chunks. I’m glad that I was there during that time. I don’t want to go back.
Lucky you, Linda! I wish I’d been able to experience it!
Yes, me too! It appeared to be the coolest place to eat and admire the cars. It would be an absolute dream, if it could be revived once again, as it was, and give something and some place worth the visit and trip. Now that would so much worth the effort and investment…who knows. Maybe, just maybe.
We used to go there after school sometimes (Hollywood High). They had really good food and really good bran muffins with raisins and pineapple, warm with butter, yum! It’s too bad it wasn’t preserved. It looks so wonderful there and the corner now looks so awful!
Hi Carole – bran muffins with raisins and pineapple, warm with butter, that does sound yum!
tiny naylors westwood village
hot cakes and cofee 1.69
Loved Tiny Naylors just pulled up and ordered amazing food service always wonderful, loved Chicken Noodle Soup and everything was good those were the days, early 70’s Purple Lyon next to Naylors a great Cabaret Club with amazing singers like Ann Dee who blew the roof off dinner shows were amazing, feel sorry for now generation who have nothing like we had to enjoy…
Hey Brad, I’m suffering from serious retro-diner-envy right now!
Does anyone remember Troupers Hall it was next door behind the house?
This was mine and just about all the students at Hollywood High school in the 1940s and 50s. Many, many wonderful memories.
This drive in was the number 1 hang out for Hollywood High school students in the 50’s and 60’s. Many, many wonderful memories of that place. I still have a large framed photos hanging on a wall in my home.
I lived on Naylor ave. in Westchester and I remember our neighbor saying that it was named after Tiny Naylor. Any truth to that? I’ve researched it and found nothing yet, still looking into it…(although beginning to think it’s not true since I haven’t been able to verify)
If here is any truth to that rumor, it’s the first I’ve heard of it.
Just visiting.
Yes Dona, I was an occasional visitor to Troupers Hall as a young somewhat psychedelic voyager. I remember the place was quite cool, with cool people inside, and cool people outside.
Not the Hollywood type, but seedy wannabe Hippies.
I actually came here trying to find the exact address Troupers.
As an aside, a song I wrote some years back about wishing I could record for A&M Records at the old Chaplin lot. The song takes place down the block at Tiny Naylors with our fella hoping to run into Herb Alpert.
I look forward to seeing you guys down at The Aware Inn on Sunset. Actually won in a divorce settlement from Jim ‘Father Yod “ Baker who then opened The Source, bean sprouts and all.
No. I’m not expert here. I went school with their son. Boy did WE tear it up!
Yes, me too! It appeared to be the coolest place to eat and admire the cars. It would be an absolute dream, if it could be revived once again, as it was, and give something and some place worth the visit and trip. Now that would so much worth the effort and investment…who knows. Maybe, just maybe.
Tiny Naylor’s at Sunset/La Brea was the favorite hangout for my close friends and me (mainly because I had a brand new 1954 Plymouth Convertible in bright yellow, continental kit, wire wheels, and a BERMUDE BELL!. The second space near the food service station was “my” spot. If it were taken we would wait behind the car parked there, and when it left, I would coast down into the space, carrying all the food trays on the car, and would then sound the Bermuda Bell. That would indicate we had landed, and bells and whistles, horns and other sounds answered my bell! Great memories!