Drive-in Restaurants – Larry Johnston, Nostalgic Artist

Azar’s Big Boy

October 14, 2020February 22, 2021 Admin

Azar’s Big Boy

South Bend, IN

Azar’s Big Boy was a typical 1950s Drive-in, complete with Car Hops. It was right next to another Drive-in called Bonnie Doon. The back of the drive-ins was an alley, so it became a way to go in one and drive to the other and exit back to the street, around the block and do it all over again. This was called the “Merry-go-round”. Also popular in the 1960s, when I was in High School were motor scooters. The 2 pictured are the Cushman brand. The one of the left is like the one my brother drove. It even had a stick shift. Another popular scooter at the time was the Allstate. It had bubble type fenders with a storage compartment on one side, unlike the red Cushman with the storage compartment under the seat.

This painting was one of my first paintings when I started featuring classic cars.

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.

Bonnie Doon, Lincolnway West

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Bonnie Doon,

Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, Indiana

While traveling around the country exhibiting at Art Shows and Festivals, several were close to home, so I painted some local places. Bonnie Doon was one of those places. The Ice Cream Chain covered South Bend and Mishawaka, with 5 Drive-in locations. Other locations I painted were Bonnie Doon -South Michigan St, South Bend…. Bonnie Doon – US 31 North, South Bend….. Bonnie Doon, 4^th St., Mishawaka 1940 …..Bonnie Doon, 4^th St. Mishawaka 1950s. Another location was Lincolnway West at Bendix Drive, South Bend, which I Have not yet painted.

This location was on Lincolnway, in Mishawaka. It is the only location still operating but has a different owner, but Bonnie Doon ice cream is still popular. The ice cream plant was originally within the 4^th Street building and later located in Elkhart and could be purchased at retail outlets in the area.

The panting highlights the neon with the 1956 T-Bird, showing the era of the business. On the opposite side of the building, there was a drive-up with car hops and the traditional ordering through a speaker from your car. I even included my wife Evelyn in the painting inside, complete with the Juke Box. She is not the one with the baseball cap!

around the sides of the wood.

Dog & Mug

December 31, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Dog & Mug Root Beer

Mishawaka, Indiana

As an artist, I am always looking at things differently than most. I have painted several nostalgic businesses around the country. This painting is a combination of two photos. The building, Dog ‘n Mug, once a well-known Root Beer car hop drive-in, closed and eventually became Dog ‘n Mug. It was in operation for a few years, was sold and is no longer an eating establishment.

This painting was commissioned by the owners when they first opened and requested some changes to the painting, which included put their his and hers cars in the painting.

around the sides of the wood.

24″ X 36″ original painting on canvas not available.

Jimmy’s Hurricane

December 30, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Jimmy’s Hurricane

Miami, Florida

Jimmy Ellenburg, was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2000 as an outstanding quarterback and halfback at Miami High School. In the three years that he played, he had two State Championships and graduated in 1935. Years later, Jimmy opened up the restaurant in Miami, Florida. He and his wife operated the restaurant from 1950 to 1966. Since I painted nostalgic places, I was told about a restaurant that was famous in the area, so I started doing some research. The restaurant no longer exists and Jimmy has since passed away, but the memory of his accomplishments and his famous restaurant remains.

around the sides of the wood.

24” x 36” ………. Original Painting on stretched canvas not available.

Big Chicken

December 27, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

“The Big Chicken”

Marietta, Georgia

I was told by an Eastern Airlines Pilot, many years ago, that when flying into Atlanta, Georgia, when he saw the big chicken, he knew when to start his descent into Hartsfield Airport. The Big Chicken was 68 feet high. The eye rolled around and the tail feather on the back of its head went up and down. It was called “Johnny Rebs, Chick, Chuck and Shake.” You can just about guess what they served.

When I arrived in Marietta, in 1983, the building was occupied by Kentucky Fried Chicken. Many years later, when the mechanisms no longer worked, they decided to tear the building down, but the community response convinced them to rebuild the chicken. The building now is just slightly shorter, but now everything has been rebuilt and updated into working order. They even have a spiked roof, so the birds wouldn’t perch on top of it. You can see the building at the corner of Hwy 41 and Roswell Road, in Marietta, Georgia.

When I painted the picture, I had already taken photos of the original Big Chicken, so I decided to use that version to paint.

around the sides of the wood.

11″ x 14″………. $148.82

16″ x 20″ ………. $204.72

16″ x 20″ ………. $375.00 Original painting on stretched canvas

Angels Diner

December 26, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

Angels Diner,

Palatka, Florida.

Established in 1932, Angels Diner is the oldest diner in the State of Florida. Palatka is located 44 miles east of Gainesville and is open 24 hours. They even serve breakfast at any time. Besides up to one-pound hamburgers, they are also known for their freshly made Onion Rings. (Not Frozen). You can also order Hot Dogs, Fried Chicken and Catfish. The diner also has outside covered seating.

Gainesville has several big Street Art Shows per year, which I exhibited at both. Angels was a big hit after I painted and unveiled it for the shows. The locals recognized it as their own favorite historic place to eat.

around the sides of the wood.

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

A & W Drive-in

December 26, 2014February 22, 2021 Admin

When exhibiting at Art Shows and Festivals, I tried to have a painting that the locals could identify with, so I would scan the area after the shows and take pictures of interesting places. I had been in the show in Wyandotte, Michigan for years and painted several places near there. One of the places I painted, was the A & W Drive-in, located in Taylor, Michigan. It was a typical design for that restaurant in the 1950’s that I remembered. It was a 24″ x 36″ painting, on stretched canvas. With a little humor, you will notice the driver of the corvette is parked in a no parking zone and the car hop is paying more attention to him, instead of the customers.

Other A & W paintings that I have done: A & W Root Beer Barrel, South Bend, IN

around the sides of the wood.

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