Saturday, November 17, 2007

Milt's Coffee Shop

A really good coffee shop can be a godsend while travelling the miles of asphalt that are collectively known as Highway 99. Milt's Coffee Shop in Bakersfield, California is just such a place. Located at 5220 Olive Drive, Milt's has been serving delicious down-home delights since the early 60's.

The back of this mid-sixties postcard invited passers by to "See our collection of State Plates". I'm happy to report that, as of 2007, this collection is still in place.


Well, Milt's has seen a bit remodeling over the years. In fact, the original building has lost it's mid-century stylings altogether. Once inside it's doors, however, one is delighted to find a vintage interior that still sports both booth AND counter service in most of it's original livery.

I recommend the roast beef and mashed potatoes, topped off with a peanut butter milkshake. My whole family recently voted to make a stop at Milt's one of our family traditions when travelling to and from our hometown and the golden magnet that is Southern California...


Oh, but what happened to that wonderful sign you ask? Well, the good news is that the original sign was saved and now presides at the edge of the property, where Highway 99'ers can be properly lured into the cozy confines of good ol' Milt's.



Happy travels to all of you...

4 comments:

Namowal (Jennifer Bourne) said...

Nice before and after pics. I think I like the bofore version better than the remodel. Glad they kept the old sign, too.

walterworld said...

Yes--I prefer the old look as well. What's so surprising is that the interior doesn't look as if it's been updated at all. Not sure why they'd get radical with the outside and not do the same to the outside...

And you're right, it's good to see the old sign still in service.

Take care and thanks for the comment Namowal!

Synthetrix said...

I guess first impressions count so they wanted to update the look and make it more inviting, but the old mid-mod look was pretty cool. The old sign is really cool and it's good that they saved that.

walterworld said...

Thanks Victor---

The weird thing is that the inside is still so vintage...When I visited for the first time I fully expected a modernized space but instead found a mid 60's wonderland...

Take care!