This dripping-with-atmosphere night shot of Lawry’s The Prime Rib restaurant at 100 La Cienega Blvd in Beverly Hills is so pristinely lit that it almost looks like it’s from a movie. I love that backlit “THE PRIME RIB” signage, and how that car parked out front is in silhouette. From the circa 1937 Ford in the parking lot, I think we can safely say this shot is circa late 1930s.
** UPDATE ** – Here’s a Lawry’s menu, circa early 1940s:
** UPDATE ** – Joanabell says:
“Lawrence Frank and Ted Van de Kamp were partners in the early days in LA (1900s) when they both went into the food business. Eventually, Mr. Frank and Ted’s brother, Walter Van de Kamp, owned the restaurants, and Mr. Ted Van de Kamp owned the bakeries. They were related, as Mr. Frank was married to Mr. Van de Kamp’s sister! Both families were close to each other, as well as mine.
Soon after Lawry’s became popular, Mr. Frank opened two more restaurants on that street, nearby. One was called The Mediterrania (Mediterranean food)m and Richlor’s, which served the best “planked hamburger” on a wooden board. Also, while waiting for a table, one could order a delicious shrimp cocktail in the waiting room.
Mr. Frank invented the table-side heated cart where the roast beef could be carved to the patron’s liking. All the side dishes were kept warm, too. And of course he concocted Lawry’s salt!
A little story for you: Sometimes after the ladies played bridge, the 8 couples would go out to dinner. One time, Mr. Frank took them to Lawry’s and I, at about age 16 or 17, was invited to go with them. Mr. Frank took us back to the kitchen. I will always remember how all the servers were lined up for his inspection in their crisp uniforms! I still recall Mr. Frank telling us that if he ever caught a waiter with a napkin tucked under his upper arm, he would be fired. The napkins (or towels) had to be held over their lower arm!”
After a couple of moves, Lawry’s is back in their original location. These days, the signage is a lot more low-key (as in “blink and you’ll miss it.”) This is how it looked in August 2022.
The present day Lawry’s looks boring. Why no signs? As usual I go for the older look. Missed ya Martin Welcome back!!
I know, right? Put up a sign! Or better yet, keep the gorgeous one you had!
I recall reading somewhere that Lawry’s moved to what is now The Stinking Rose, then moving back to their original address, but in a new building.
As for the signage: I’m sure that the city of Beverly Hills has building codes that limit signage.
You are correct, pdq, about Lawry’s. In 1947, Lawry’s moved from its original location at 100 N. La Cienega across the street and a few blocks further south to a larger, strikingly modernistic building designed by Wayne McAllister at 55 N. La Cienega. In 1993, it moved to a new building, pictured above, on the original site at 100 N. La Cienega. And welcome back, Martin!
Sheesh! That sounds like a lot of effort to just end up where you started!
Welcome back from vacation, Martin!
I don’t think I’ve been to Lawry’s since I was in college, and that was a LONG time ago. On another site, someone from the UK was talking about how they don’t have prime rib there. When he was in Las Vegas years ago, he ordered the prime rib thinking he was going to get ribs. But he LOVED what he got, and now when visiting the US he always looks for prime rib on the menu.
Absolutely loved Lawry’s as a place that never disappointed and always seemed ‘ high-end ‘ as a place to be. We still use their seasoning products to this day.
Good to have you back and hope your time away was the best ever.
Nice picture,,i have a original menu of lawrys about the same era
In the past few years I’ve been to this Lawry’s three times, as a friend of mine likes it there. The first of those three times was my first time there so I ordered their signature Prime Rib of Beef. I just found it too much! I have to say I did not care for it all that much. So when I was asked to go again I had the salmon dish and I really loved that! Heh! So I had it the third time, too. The third time was in fall of 2020, possibly 2021, when they had a tent outside and masks were required. As tents go, it was very spiffy, high-end, and a lovely warm evening.