Restaurants – Larry Johnston, Nostalgic Artist

Louis Lunch

January 2, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

Louis’ Lunch

Gainesville, Florida

I remember stopping in at Louis’ Lunch during our times at the Gainesville Art Festivals and talking to the owner and looking at all the historic pictures on the walls. Louis’ Lunch, was established in 1928 by Louis Pennisi. The building sat at the corner of SE Fifth Ave and SE Second Street.

His unique Burgers were inspired by his mother’s meatball recipe, which became a staple of the area, along with the milk shakes and fries. Louis sold the business to his son in 1952, where Freddie continued the tradition until his father’s death at age 104.

During a burglary attempt, Freddie was killed in 1993 and in 1995 Tom Pennisi reopened the business.

Louis’ Lunch, eventually closed because of the recession and the road construction in the area in November, 2010. The painting is now an icon in the History of Gainesville, Florida

White Castle

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

White Castle

Chicago, Illinois

The White Castle Restaurants started in 1927, as the first one opened in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first White Castle in Chicago was located at Wabash and Cermak, in 1930. The restaurant chain offered small hamburgers that sold for 5 cents until the 1940s. The American term for a small sandwich 3 inches across or smaller was called a “Slider”, which became a common term for a White Castle Burger.

The original Chicago building has become a landmark, as the building has been restored to the original design but is no longer a White Castle restaurant.

The painting was done in my early years, when I started exhibiting at the Chicago area shows. It was a popular item, especially in the Midwest area. It was also included in my set of 4 Chicago prints, along with Billy Goat Tavern, Superdawg and Hot Diggity Dogs, which were horizontal paintings. I added the Chicago Cubs panting later, but it was a vertical painting.

Steak n Shake

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

Nostalgia Painting Larry Johnston

“Steak and Shake”

St. Louis, MO.

While exhibiting in the area of St. Louis, I decided to see what they had in their area that was nostalgic. After some discussion with area locals, we found that the oldest Steak and Shake still in existence, was just off of Hwy 55, in St. Louis. Of course I had to check it out, along with some other possible places.

The Steak and Shake painting drew attention wherever I went. I put the cars into the painting to add to the time period of the building. Many people bought prints, some of the building and others for the classic cars.

I managed to do some of my painting at the shows, but customers kept me busy with questions. I liked the questions. The painting just drew the attention.

around the sides of the wood.

Mustard & Ketchup

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

The year was 2003 and the Number One Art Festival in the Country was the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in Miami, Florida. I had exhibited there once before. When I was accepted for this show, I was asked if I wanted to demonstrate my work at one of the schools in the Miami area.

Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon

Cape Coral, Florida

If you have not visited Bubba’s, you need to put it on your bucket list. Located just east of Burnt Store Road, you can find it at 2121 SW Pine Island Road, in Cape Coral, Florida.

The steakhouse was constructed from 90% recycled parts from old warehouses that were demolished. When you check out the decor in Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon, you will find all kinds of memorabilia, including an extensive Beer Can collection and license plates from all 50 States.

You can get in on the fun with their Karaoke and live entertainment. Call for times and dates.

While exhibiting at the Cape Coral Street Arts Festival, the owner approached me to paint a picture of his Steakhouse. I had a lot of fun, because there was neon everywhere and a parking lot full of cars. I put some special cars in the painting for him, including “Elvis”. The Cape Coral Festival was one of my favorites.

around the sides of the wood.

Billy’s on the Ritz

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

Billy’s Ritz,

Roanoke, VA.

For several years, in late 1980s and early 1990s, I exhibited at the Arts Festival, in Roanoke, Virginia. I might add, they put on a great event, especially the entertainment for the public. Since it was downtown, Roanoke, we were able to visit several restaurants, during our visit.

One of the restaurants, was “Billy’s Ritz”, located adjacent to the Roanoke City Market. It was housed in the previous site of the 60 room “Ames Hotel”, which was built in 1910, according to records. Billy’s Ritz, was an upscale American, Steakhouse, which operated for 27 years, before selling in 2008.

Several other paintings from Roanoke, that I painted, was “Texas Tavern”, “The Roanoke Wiener Stand” and “Agnew Seed Store”.

I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…

Hot Dog King

Billy’s on the Ritz

Texas Tavern

Agnew Seed Store

Texas Tavern

January 1, 2015February 22, 2021 Admin

Texas Tavern

Roanoke, Virginia

One of the stops on my Arts and Festival Tour was Roanoke, Virginia. They knew how to put on a festival, complete with great entertainment. Since the festival was just blocks away from the Texas Tavern, which we had heard about, we just had to check it out.

The nostalgia of it all was more than I could hope for. The diner was established in 1930. They claim that it seats 10,000 people (10 at a time). Famous for their Chili, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Cheesy Westerns. I noticed, while sitting at the counter, even the metal pipe that you rest your feet on, had been completely worn through to the middle.

By the readers of the Roanoke Magazine, Texas Tavern was voted the best for: Chili, Hot Dogs, Local Hamburger and Late-Night Diner. If you’re ever in Roanoke, stop downtown at 114 Church Ave. They are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. You will be glad you did!

Other Roanoke, Virginia places I have painted are: The Roanoke Weiner Stand; Agnew Seed Store and Billy’s Ritz.

I love Roanoke and could live there! It is such a cool town. Here are a few of my favorite places around town…

Roanoke Weiner Stand

Billy’s on the Ritz

Texas Tavern

Agnew Seed Store

Skyline Chili #2

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Skyline Chili

Cincinnati, Ohio

Founded in 1949, the first Skyline Chili on Glenway Avenue, in Cincinnati, Ohio is an area now known as Price Hill. The building is no longer there, however around the corner at 3714 Warsaw Ave (above painting), is a combination restaurant and drive through Skyline Chili.

Famous for their special chili, coney dogs and my favorites, the 3-way, 4-way and 5-way which offers a combination of Spaghetti, topped with their special Chili, covered with cheese. Onions and beans can be added.

While exhibiting in the Cincinnati area Art shows, we discovered Skyline Chili and soon after, I painted two versions of the restaurant on Warsaw Avenue. In the first version, I painted the first wienermobile in the painting, as it was leaving the restaurant. (Click to View). I guess the driver was craving a Skyline coney dog. A couple, I met at an art festival, wanted me to paint the painting without those vehicles and wanted theirs in the painting instead. I have personalized other paintings over my career, especially at their favorite restaurants or places they grew up around.

around the sides of the wood.

Skyline Chili #1

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Skyline Chili & Wienermobile.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Skyline Chili is well known around Cincinnati, so while in the area exhibiting in several shows, I decided to paint one of their locations. Actually, I painted 2 Skyline paintings, one commissioned by a customer, to include his car in the painting. (View)

The painting above was the closest to the original restaurant, which has since closed. Since they were famous for chili dogs, I included the original Wienermobile in the painting. I didn’t know what brand of hot dogs they used, but the Skyline Chili Restaurant with the Wienermobile was quite a popular painting.

around the sides of the wood.

24” x 36” ………. $1,295.00 Original Painting

Whistle Stop Cafefried

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

The Movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” became a classic and was filmed during a time when I lived in Georgia. Last week in History of a painting, I highlighted the Whistle Stop Depot. This week I’m showing you the painting I did of the Whistle Stop Cafe, in Juliette, Georgia, the location where the movie, “Fried Green Tomatoes” was filmed. The painting is acrylic on stretched canvas. The owner of the restaurant purchased the panting and then had me paint another one without the gas pumps. The pumps were movie props and went back to the movie lot, when the film was completed. If you visit the Whistle stop cafe, you get fried green tomatoes with every meal. They’re pretty good to. I painted four paintings related to the movies, then put prints of them in a frame as a set of 4 matted and framed prints. The print sets were very popular, especially in the Atlanta area. One of my favorite shows was just east of Atlanta at Stone Mountain, called the “Yellow Daisy Festival”. It ranked in the top for shows in the country and several times #1.

Here are links to the other 3 paintings from the town of Juliette. (That is the town of Whistle Stop.) Whistle Stop Depot, Fried Green Tomatoes Church, Fried Green Tomatoes (Threadgood) House.