Here's What Downtown Legend Clifton's Cafteria Looked Like In Its Heyday

Since the legendary Clifton’s Cafeteria remains very much closed at the moment (despite the gorgeous neon signage now lighting up the front), Curbed thought it wise to wax nostalgic about its past.

Head right over to explore the wild, woodsy interiors of Clifton’s in its 1930’s and ’40’s prime. For those with a memory for such things, recall the multi-layered dining room interior, beset on all sides by large fake trees and faux rocky outcroppings. Bands would play in the corner, serenading diners as they moved from the cafeteria line to their seats.

Over at Collectors Weekly, there’s an even bigger Clifton’s Cafeteria deep-dive from last year, complete with photos, history and scans of old menus. It’s pretty fascinating stuff, as the absurd Clifton’s take winds from a 1938 car bombing assassination attempt (yes, really) to a now closed Clifton’s outpost at a West Covina strip mall. It’s all fascinating stuff, and hopefully enough to keep nostalgic diners at bay as they wait for the eventual reopening downtown.