How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Mesa: estate, parlor)

[Donalumni]

I happened to see an International Scout (SUV neanderthal relative) and it reminded me of Powell International on Scottsdale Rd. south of Thomas Rd. (east side). Whew, memories but, what was the name of the restaraunt across Scottsdale Rd. from Powell that had a pig or something sitting atop the sign there? Help! It was a place of note in the area.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by Donalumni

I happened to see an International Scout (SUV neanderthal relative) and it reminded me of Powell International on Scottsdale Rd. south of Thomas Rd. (east side). Whew, memories but, what was the name of the restaraunt across Scottsdale Rd. from Powell that had a pig or something sitting atop the sign there? Help! It was a place of note in the area.

There was a place called the Steak Pit, is that it?

[observer53]

I think that's it, roosevelt!

[Donalumni]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

There was a place called the Steak Pit, is that it?

I believe that's it roosevelt! How do you do that? LOL. It's hard to believe now but there were a lot of empty lots along Scottsdale Rd. back in those days.

[desertratz]

Originally Posted by Donalumni

I happened to see an International Scout (SUV neanderthal relative) and it reminded me of Powell International on Scottsdale Rd. south of Thomas Rd. (east side). Whew, memories but, what was the name of the restaraunt across Scottsdale Rd. from Powell that had a pig or something sitting atop the sign there? Help! It was a place of note in the area.

Didn't the Steak Pit have a wagon wheel laid flat with a goofy looking steer sitting on top of it atop of the sign or am I thinking of another place?

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by Donalumni

I believe that's it roosevelt! How do you do that? LOL. It's hard to believe now but there were a lot of empty lots along Scottsdale Rd. back in those days.

I used to eat at a place called Grumpy John's BBQ when it was in a small building on Scottsdale Road with an acre of land. John said the owner wanted $50,000 for the whole thing and John said that was too much money! Later he had to move across the street to a new location that probably cost him that much just for rent the first year.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by desertratz

Didn't the Steak Pit have a wagon wheel laid flat with a goofy looking steer sitting on top of it atop of the sign or am I thinking of another place?

I don't remember what the sign was but sounds right. My favorite place was Betty Crocker's Tree House restaurant north of McDowell. Inside was like the Tiki room at Disneyland.

There were lots of places with animals on top of the roof before cities went conservative on their sign ordinances. The Cow Palace had a big black and white cow on the roof that teenagers liked to steal. The Igloo on 7th Street had a big bear in front that Phoenix College kids would steal every year.

[Donalumni]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

I used to eat at a place called Grumpy John's BBQ when it was in a small building on Scottsdale Road with an acre of land. John said the owner wanted $50,000 for the whole thing and John said that was too much money! Later he had to move across the street to a new location that probably cost him that much just for rent the first year.

Yes, I just remember some goofy animal sitting on top of sign there at The Steak Pit. I spent many a lunch at Grumpy Johns BBQ when it was in the old shack of a place on the west side of Scottsdale Rd. and after they moved across the to the newer place on the east side of Scottsdale. He played the character of being grumpy well and he had 2 or 3 sons who worked there also. I worked for a time as a teenager down the road at Jack in the Box and there was a pretty good LaFonda's Mexican food across Scottsdale in the strip center where we went to the movies to see "A hard Days Night and of course 007 "Thunderball" I think that Woolco was the anchor store and the strip center was called Hayden Plaza?

[AzSon]

Originally Posted by Donalumni

Yes, I just remember some goofy animal sitting on top of sign there at The Steak Pit. I spent many a lunch at Grumpy Johns BBQ when it was in the old shack of a place on the west side of Scottsdale Rd. and after they moved across the to the newer place on the east side of Scottsdale. He played the character of being grumpy well and he had 2 or 3 sons who worked there also. I worked for a time as a teenager down the road at Jack in the Box and there was a pretty good LaFonda's Mexican food across Scottsdale in the strip center where we went to the movies to see "A hard Days Night and of course 007 "Thunderball" I think that Woolco was the anchor store and the strip center was called Hayden Plaza?

That sounds like Hayden Plaza East , there was another , Hayden Plaza West at 35th ave & Indian School. Both had Harkins theaters when I was around Phx. Saw Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps at H.P.East.

[observer53]

La Fonda is still there, on the corner of the plaza... It's really not a true strip mall any more, a big chunk of the property is a Pure Fitness and a big Progressive Insurance office is on the back (Curry Road) side.