I don’t know who Ken was, but between his hamburgers, his ice cream stand, and his Dinner Bell restaurant, he must have been a busy guy. I could find no information on this photo or on any of Ken’s businesses other than they were somewhere in California. But in a way, this photo is kind of timeless, like a scene from a film noir where a schmo meets a femme fatale and tomfoolery ensues.
Gregory H. of Facebook found this terrific advertisement for Ken’s Hamburger drive-in restaurant, Bixby Knolls, Long Beach, California, 1952:
Newspaper article about Ken (Kenneth McConnell) from 1958
Is this Bixby Knolls? There was a Ken’s in Long Beach that apparently was a big local hangout.
Yes, it was. David G managed to identify it when none of the sites I found this photo on could ID the location.
There was one in Bixby Knolls at Long Beach Blvd. and Roosevelt, and one in Lakewood on South Street off Bellflower Blvd. The picture is the Bixby Knolls location.
Fairly datable since the extra signage under the hamburger price reads, “We’re Sure to do a Million in ‘52”. Wasn’t much longer when everyone began to competitively focus on the 19-cent priceline for a common single patty. Nothing like getting change back on your two dimes. At least you can decorate those penny loafers a week from next Friday night.
Love those “schmo meets a femme fatale and tomfoolery ensues” movies. I thought the same thing about the look of this place, wondering if it might have been used as a movie location at some point in time before it disappeared. Lovely find Martin!
I think this photo can be dated. Look under the “18c” where it says “WE’RE SURE TO DO A MILLION IN ’52.” So it must be 1951 or more likely 1952. Also, 18c is about the right price for 1950’s fast food burgers. This predates and may have inspired McDonald’s “OVER A BILLION SOLD” etc.