When a restaurant is recommended by random folks you meet at a bar, and by overhearing it being the best place to get a Cuban sandwich by a gift shop owner AND you walk by and it's got shiny chrome spinning stools around a countertop, you know you need to eat at the Puerto Sagua Restaurant in Miami Beach. Open in 1962, the original owners ha [...]

One of the most pristine and pleasant vintage diners we've ever visited is The Village Diner in Milford Pennsylvania. There are so many things to recommend this diner, I've created a list of 10 reasons you should go - now go visit! 1. IT'S AN AUTHENTIC VINTAGE DINER The diner was built by the Mountain View Diner company in 1956, and is so well k [...]

If  you want that authentic old-school Italian food, decor and experience, bump Sam's in Cobble Hill to the top of your list when in Brooklyn. We all know places like this are an endangered species! Opened in 1930 by Mario Migliaccio and his wife Rose, Sam's is still run by their son Louis. The family owns the building, which is probably wh [...]

5 & 10 Alert! Mod Betty is thrilled to learn of an authentic vintage 5 & 10 store to add to our list - Miller's 5 & 10 in Boonville, Indiana. Miller’s 5 & 10 was founded in 1958 by Leonard H. Miller and his son James W. (Jim “5 & 10”) Miller, Sr. Today the shop is still family-owned-and-operated by Jim Sr’s. gr [...]

Mod B usually leaves the coverage of wacky roadside attractions to the swell folks at Roadside America, as that has been their wheelhouse for years and they do a great job. However, if you happen to be in the Red Hook New York area, visiting Retro Roadmap worthy places like the Village Diner, A.L. Stickle's 5 &10 in Rhinebeck or the Elizavil [...]

Reflecting on the wonderful and wondrous places we’ve visited this past year, one shines brightly in our memories - Solomon’s Castle in Ona, Florida (about an hour east of Sarasota). Not only because it is covered in reflective silver metal sheets (reclaimed printing press plates!) but also that it exists for all of us to enjoy because of t [...]

Leave it to Mod Betty to end up eating at a Pennsylvania diner when visiting Miami Beach! But how could she resist the siren song of the stainless steel, especially a rare Paramount Diner, so similar in style to her neighbor the Vale-Rio? Both were built in Haledon New Jersey by Paramount, both in 1948, and both served the people of Pennsylv [...]

It's always Five and Dime time here at Retro Roadmap, so when I recalled that there might be a 5 & 10 still in Arlington MA, I used the power of social media to contact an pal of mine from college radio days to do some sleuthing for me. He lives in Arlington and scoped out Balich 5 & 10 for me this summer, sending this awesome photo. Thank [...]

Mid Century Modern design fans looking for a truly unique gift this holiday season take note! Acclaimed 92-year-old jewelry artist Betty Cooke is still designing timeless modernist jewelry as she has done for the past 70+ years, and you can buy these original pieces at her shop The Store LTD in Baltimore, Maryland. Mod Betty recently made [...]

Or should we call it....The Witch's House! Ah Halloween, my favorite holiday. The sense of wonder on the kids faces and the overabundance of free candy make it a joy. And unlike Christmas you don't have to deal with the stress (and crowds) trying to find the perfect gifts for everyone. Halloween also gives me the perfect excuse to transform th [...]

The Palms Motel neon sign in Portland OR is a must-see for any Retro Roadmapper visiting the city! Isn't that just fabulous?!!! So many colors of neon! Motor Hotel! Free TV! Neon Monkey! Breezeblock! Roses! (Mod Betty collapses...) Whenever I have a question about a sign, I consult the experts - and in the field of vintage signs my go- [...]

The story of the Milton Theatre is similar to the legend of the phoenix, but instead of rising out of the ashes, it rose out of the water. That would be the floodwater of the infamous 1962 Great Atlantic Storm that hit Delaware hard and is thought to be one of the ten worst US storms of the 20th century. The theatre was built in 1910 just alongs [...]

Along with the cool vintage places to visit, it’s always a treat to find some retro fun - and Gidget’s Gadgets Retro Emporium in Rehoboth Beach is the go-to place for vintage goods, vinyl records and new retro collectibles. While the shop itself is barely into its teens, it has its heart in the past, thanks to the vision of owner and one-time m [...]

March 2018 update - I got to visit the re-opened Hearth today to grab a bite to eat and  I was more than satisfied! My gyro was delicious , the waitstaff super friendly, and my napoleon dessert that I took "to go" because I was too full from my gyro and fries was so good it didn't even make it out of Delaware, as I pulled the car over to devour it [...]

2018 UPDATE: Sad to report, the ChesDel suddenly closed February 2018 :-( http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/27/chesdel-restaurant-closes/ Original 2016 Post: Unless you’ve got the Retro Roadmap eagle eye like Mod Betty does, you might not know by looking at the ChesDel Restaurant that there is an authentic vintage diner hiding b [...]

There was a time when every town had a theatre, and Middletown Delaware is one of only a handful of towns lucky enough to still have theirs. The Everett Theatre is located in the downtown area, its colorfully lit marquee brightening up the streets on show night just like the good old days. Opened in 1922, The Everett is a 500-seat theatre de [...]

Summer's here and the time is right for (dancin in the street? Mod B ;-)) fun, sun and ICE CREAM! That treat that makes everyone happy (except the lactose intolerant.) And where is the best place to enjoy the chilly, creamy creation? No, not alone at home on the couch. That's just sad. The best place to enjoy a sundae, shake, banana split or si [...]

Mod Betty has found a new old sweet spot to share, courtesy of ardent Retro Roadmapper and swell guy Craig N, who invited us to join him at Eckels Ice Cream Fountain in downtown Mechanicsburg, PA. Easily accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Eckels is a must-stop for readers who love authentic vintage charm - with a sprinkling of Hollywood [...]

Our pal Grant at Marie Let's Eat shares Carl's Drive-Inn with us saying, "Try the Chicken Salad!" That's Dottie's Homemade Chicken Salad, thank you. Carl's Has: Chicken Salad Car Hops Cheesburgers Cash Only policy Carl's Doesn't Have: Real Pit Bar-B-Que Carl, who passed away a few years back Want to learn more abou [...]

Tucked away on a little side street in Wilmington Delaware you'll find Papa's Market. Don't let the residential location scare you off - they've got a parking lot across the street. And don't let the Market moniker scare you off, as Papa's is Much More than a Market. Papa's has been serving the citizens of Wilmington's Little Italy neighborho [...]

When driving through the Shenandoah Valley and jonesing to get off the highway and explore someplace more vintage and authentic, spend some time in Harrisonburg, Virginia and you won't be disappointed. This town is the county seat and has a number of colleges and universities in it,  but the thing that gets Harrisonburg on Retro Roadmap is t [...]

Mod B was flippin through her snapshots of a visit to Los Angeles and since she's not "goin back to Cali" any time soon, she asked West Coast Retro Roadmap Reporter Keith Valcourt to check up on Little Toni's for her. Thanks KV! Little Toni's: “That's Amore!” West Coast Retro Road Report by Keith Valcourt Old school Italian joints are ea [...]

Whenever we have out of town visitors we're often asked, "where should I go for the best Philly Cheesesteak?" and  finally now I have a recommendation for the Retro Roadmap types - Joe's Steaks on Torresdale Ave. It's not centrally located, and parking can be a bit of a hassle since it's all street parking, but the old school style and tasty s [...]

Being from New England I totally get the "function over fashion" reason that the Blue Benn diner has these oversized canopies photobombing this classic diner. No one wants to be sitting near the door when the wint'ry winds blow in! But don't let these awnings stop YOU from entering, as a fine meal in a vintage diner awaits you. (For a "prettier [...]