Since 1949, Bob's Big Boy—with his all-American grin, red-and-white-checkered pants, pomade curl and ever-present burger—has kept a place in Southern California's heart(burn).

This is the original, outfitted with a black-and-white tiled floor, window-seat booths and a 70-foot-tall sign with pink and white neon letters. In 1993, California designated the restaurant a state point of historical interest because of its mid-century modern architecture. The menu hasn't changed much since it opened; the restaurant serves breakfast 24 hours a day, double-decker burgers, chili, spaghetti and milkshakes so thick it's hard to get them through straws. On Friday nights from 6pm to 10pm, classic car fans gather in Bob's parking lot to show off their hot rods. In keeping with the American Graffiti atmosphere, the restaurant reinstated its carhop service on Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm to 10pm. Just don't try to re-enact the drag race from Grease.