Eat

Things were far less complicated and convoluted in the last century. Diners, restaurants and bars in the 1940s and Depression-era would hang out signs that said “Eat” or “Drink”…perfectly edited messages. What could be more explicit?

Many restaurants now appear to be vying with each other to come up with cute and ridiculous non-food-related names. For example, we have The Blind Horse, The Horse and Plow, The Black Pig, The Silver Fern, The Fat Seagull and The Chubby Seagull all in our vicinity.  Anyone who has ever observed real seagulls eating would not consider frequenting a seagull themed eatery.  

My husband and I love taking road trips and spotting aging restaurants with their oversized Eat signs. Here are a few that we have come across in our travels and recorded. I’m positive that hundreds more of these unsubtle yet concise enticements to indulge exist across America. They are out there just waiting to be photographed. I’m on a mission to take pictures of the ones we’re lucky enough to encounter.

If you would also enjoy a scavenger hunt for these antique signs and diners, please add your photos to this blog. You might even be brave enough to go inside and EAT.

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