Most of the vintage photos of L.A. that I come across were taken by professional photographers using high-end cameras. It’s nice to find one looks like it’s been taken by a regular Joe using his Box Brownie. This particular Joe had probably just enjoyed a meal at a McDonnell’s Drive-in restaurant. They had at least 8 locations around L.A. I believe this one was on the northeast corner of Robertson and Wilshire Blvds, but if you think I’ve got it wrong, I’d love to hear from you. Also McDonnell’s was spelled with two Ls, but the sign-writer who did the sign over the clock spelled it with one L. You’d think they’d get him to do it over, wouldn’t you?
In 8 convenient locations around Los Angeles, offering “the best fried chicken in the world.”
This is how the northeast corner of Robertson and Wilshire Blvds looked in February 2021. It’s a nice enough building, I suppose, but it ain’t no McDonnell’s!
It’s surprising that most, if not all, of these franchises were located in a relatively small area – or at least that’s how it appears to me. Not as surprising as the sign painter misspelling the restaurant name, but still.