There’s just something about night shots with all those shadows, especially at drive-in restaurants where the bright lights bounce off the polished paint jobs on the cars. Tiny Naylors was a very popular place that stood at the northwest corner of Sunset Blvd and La Brea Ave. This photo was taken in 1949, which is the year the place opened, so everything here was brand spanking new.
This is how that corner looked in February 2021. I know which one I prefer…
Yeah, certainly ugly now but look at the sign…they’ve rewarded everyone with yet another Wendy’s. Nothing gives you that warm feeling like repetitive box lunch packaging ala corporate edict.
Been there, done that
A club night hangout back in the 50’s
A friend of mine in high school 1968 or 1969 was taking a photography class, and she took me with her to take a picture of this same location. Hers wasn’t quite so atmospheric!
Looks way better and cleaner back then
I was born in 1960 and this fills me with nostalgia for a saner time. Check out the prices on the menu from back then. Now rapacious greed has settled on the U.S. like mist on a marsh.
I frequented the Tiny Naylor’s near (but not actually in Marina del Rey) when I lived in Venice in 1974 and 1975. I was a waiter in Brentwood and when I got home around 11PM I often found that I was famished. My girlfriend, who is now my wife, would head over to Tiny’s for a late night breakfast or lunch. The toaster on the table and jars of Knott’s Berry Farm jam were a welcome sight and of course the patty melt. Who knows, maybe the Tiny’s experience explains why she stuck with me all these years.
Ships used to have toasters on the table, too! I really miss their shipshape burger.