UPDATE July 2012: Retro Roadmap Reader Louis writes “Bad news, the Ed’s steakhouse sign was taken down last year because it was in bad shape! they just threw out!
Also the hill crest hotel is closed but the food sign is still there.”
On the rainy night of our 2003 stay in Bedford PA , the fabulous vintage sign of Ed’s Steak House shone like a beacon. How could we not want to eat in a place that had such a Vegas-like sign in the middle of Pennsylvania?I’m a sucker for the martini glass motif, so in we went. We had a warm meal on a cold night, and left satisfied.
During our return trip through Bedford this summer we decided to give Ed’s another visit before hopping on the turnpike. The signage looked just as appealing during the day, and the place was bustling with activity.
While waiting in the lobby I saw a photo of Ed’s from when it first opened up in 1954. Alas the restaurant has been redecorated a bit since then and doesn’t look nearly as cool as that double storied windowed gem in the faded photo. But they do still have the lounge area, where you can relax with a martini while waiting for your dinner – we’ll sit there next time for sure!
I thought Mr. Toast would like this mini loaf of bread that was served before our food!
Our meal was fine, and filling. But, as I said to Retro Roadhusband after we ate, “the food was fine, but I really like the sign”.
Check out the other cool martini sign near Ed’s -
Though I didn’t get a stellar picture of it, you also should check out the sign on the hotel behind Ed’s ( I didn’t catch the name of the place and not sure if it’s the Econo Lodge that Google shows, but you can’t miss it if you’re at Ed’s) The place looked a bit dubious, but it has a great old neon sign:
I snapped a quick photo from the car, trying not to disturb the folks lingering outside in the sun talking on their cellphones. We noticed when we were driving away that the sign actually flashed, changing the word FOOD to GOOD. GOOD FOOD, I love it.
So if you happen to be in the Bedford area, snap a photo of these gorgeous signs- day or night they’re a sight!
Ed’s Steakhouse
4476 Business 220
Bedford, PA 15522
(814) 623-8894
View PA – Pennsylvania Retro RoadMAP in a larger map
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Great signs. I always feel like it’s our civic duty to patronioze places with good neon!
Gunnar I agree with you! If they have a cool old sign, it means they’ve been around for awhile, and also had the good sense not to demolish the sign. I always try to mention to someone that the sign is what drew me in, to reinforce to them that the sign is something worth keeping.
Your description of “FOOD to GOOD. GOOD FOOD” totally reminded me of this restaurant in Toronto in its Beaches neighbourhood.
Take a look at this photo to see what I mean: http://www.lifeintoronto.ca/images/goof.jpg
Four letters have burned out and what’s left? Goof!
Jonathan that is excellent! Thanks for sharing the photo, cracks me up for sure.
Those old neon signs make me wonder how they go about restoring them…or is the same one still flickering along after all these years with no need to clean or replace the bulbs? I know, I should be thinking more about the food…but still makes me wonder.
Chris, I don’t know 100% for sure, but I am thinking that there are sign companies out there that still have the knowhow to fix and maintain signs like that. The sad part of it would be if there wasn’t someone who knew how to work on them, and the sign had to fall into disrepair because of it. I hope that knowledge gets passed down and around, so there will be people able to keep those signs going for years to come!
There is a painted/billboard type sign for Ed’s along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. One time, I was driving by, and nearly pulled over to the side to take a picture… there was a herd of cows grazing under the sign. Talk about perfection in advertising, huh? Although, if cows could read, I bet they would have left that patch of grass alone!
Theresa, that is hysterical, like a real life Chik-Fil-A ad gone wrong! I’ll have to look for the painted sign next time we’re headed out that way- is it on the Eastbound or Westbound side? I recently took a photo of a motel sign stopping on an offramp to do so- not the wisest thing to do, but how else was I gonna get the shot?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/3960579920_5695b5db01_o.jpg
Thanks for stopping by!
Modbetty,
The Ed’s sign is heading eastbound on the turnpike. It’s been a while since I’ve traveled that way, and now I’m not certain which side of the road it’s on.
Yup, I am a tried and true “Quick, pull over and take a picture of that!” kinda gal. I did it just the other night, in fact. However, on the turnpike, you really have to be careful.
One of my fave’s was passing a Chinese buffet at night. It was the Dynasty Buffet, with huge red lit letters… except the “D” and the “y” were burned out. What’s that spell?? “Nasty Buffet!” How could I pass that one up?? LOL!
~Theresa
tee hee! That’s excellent. Our very fave Chinese restaurant near us is called Han Dynasty, but if you move the space it can be Handy Nasty!
Bad news, the Ed’s steakhouse sign was taken down last year because it was in bad shape! they just threw out!
Also the hill crest hotel is closed but the food sign is still there.
Oh no! That is such sad news, Louis! Thanks for telling me, but what a bummer
At least the Good / Food sign is still there, but I wonder for how long. Guess that’s why we need to enjoy these places while we can – you never know when they’ll be gone – Thanks for being a Retro Roadmap Reporter!
My Dear Retro Roadmap Readers –
In an effort to reduce comment spam by bots on my site, I’ve closed the comments on this post.
But the last thing I want to see happen is that it stops the conversation on this topic, especially if you have something you want to add!
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Thanks for understanding!
Your hostess, Mod Betty