Work That Bib
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of AMPM. All opinions are 100% mine.
Speaking of restaurants…we have just learned that its classy to wear your retro duds to the Brown Derby and other establishments that were hallowed in days of yore. but what are we going to remember about the time we are in right now in the future. Some folks won’t remember groundbreaking improvements in the food industry, but will remember where they stopped every day.
The folks at ampm are doing something that is either genius or are entering into the realm of Things My Brother Would Do When He Was Fifteen which is alternately making me nostalgic for his teenage concoctions or making me wish for a simpler time, like college where I had a stint where I ate iceberg lettuce 24/7. For those of you not familiar with ampm, ampm is a quick stop type of establishment with a variety of hot items and drinks not limited to individual pizzas, nachos and hot dogs. On Facebook, they encourage their fans to both create secret menu items under a secret menu tab for friends to discuss as well as revealing a different secret menu item everyday.
What is a secret menu item? Well, it appears that one takes things that are offered in their regular form and creating a mashup hybrid or perhaps Frankenstain sort of offering. For example, the Tower of Torta, where you stack three Tortas on top of each other. Then, of course, there is the idea to take a regular hot dog and mix it with nacho cheese and jalapenos. I guess I would certainly have a story to tell the grandkids about the day I strode into battle without Tums. After I have kids first, of course. No, not Tums after kids, but meaning I won’t have grandkids unless I have kids first.
You can discuss, create and share secret menu items with your friends. It is a virtual way to clog a few arteries with your imagination, or you can decide to walk into an ampm and try out your inspiration for yourself.
What would one wear to an establishment such as this? You are probably traveling, either to a faraway destination or on a long work commute. Driving loafers would be choice. But if you plan to partake of more than just the greens, you might want a bib. I haven’t seen them on the runway…yet.
LA Time Machines: Where to Be Seen
Los Angeles Time Machines is a site that we have been watching for awhile that we think our readers would enjoy. It focuses exclusively on pre-1970s restaurants and bars that are still in their original state. Occasionally, there are updates on when folks can make a big difference in saving a historic vintage landmark so stay plugged in!
It mainly focuses on the many sites in Los Angeles, California, but has extended to includes spots in Nevada, Maryland, Arizona, Washington and beyond. So, go look up a historic place and show up in your vintage clothing! It would make a great retro photo! I usually try to look up places along every route I am planning more than a two hour car drive, just in case I should come across something classy or outrageous.
http://latimemachines.com
Stay Unique 
San Francisco Time Machines
As I mentioned before, there are many things to do in Los Angeles to satisfy your craving for midcentiry history. However, it is not the only city on the west coast that still has thriving retro haunts. Instead of going to a place like Madame Tussauds to see history captured in models, you can take a pub crawl through some very historic places who have had literary greats darken their doors on a regular basis.
John’s Grill has been around since 1908. Inside, the interior looks exactly the same as it did back in the day when Dashiell Hammett hung out there. Okay, it is the same except for some memorabilia that is now on display that gives a nod to The Maltese Falcon and old San Francisco. In fact, some first editions are on display here. I wonder if you sat on Mr. Hammett’s stool, a gumshoe novel would start to percolate in your brain. Add it to your list of stops and find out.
If you are thinking about heading west, sign up for the Trusted Tours Newsletter and enter to win a $150 iTunes gift card. They are the folks with the nifty online travel guides. If you win, you can prep yourself by filling your Ipod with a soundtrack that will get you in a ragtime, big band, beat, or groovy frame of mind.
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