Phil's Diner in NoHo to reopen with a modern twist

There was great mourning and moaning and gnashing of teeth (and more than a few carb-withdrawals) when Phil's Diner, a quintessential greasy spoon housed in a charming but crumbling  wood-paneled dining car, closed down in the 1990s. Now, with a new owner and some help from L.A.'s Community Redevelopment Agency, the much-loved diner (someone even stole the sign) is headed back to life. Downtown NoHo was one of the first with the news:

The CRA Board approved a plan for a new modern office building, a luxurious Laemmle’s eight-screen theater, and a restored and operating Phil’s Diner. The diner will be moved to the corner of Lankershim and Weddington –- across from the El Portal Theater -– where it will be restored to its 1920’s condition and reopen as a restaurant, and to become the centerpiece of the theater courtyard.

Today's Daily News has a bit more info on the new owner's plans:

Owner Casey Hallenbeck plans to reopen — and reinvent — Phil's at the NoHo Commons project, at Lankershim and Weddington Street.   

He promises that the reborn Phil's will feature the best of yesterday with a modern twist.   

"It is going to be like a classic piece of Route 66 memorabilia," Hallenbeck said.   

But far from the greasy burgers and fries and heavy blue-plate specials, the new Phil's will include organic salads, locally harvested produce, and biodegradable takeout containers.

No greasy burgers? Then it's not really going to be Phil's.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Diner History Staff]

We have mentioned your article in our blog post about Phil's here http://dinerhistory.blogspot.com/2008/08/phils-to-be-restored.html. For more information about classic diners we invite you to visit our blog at http://www.dinerhistory.com.

[NoHoKid]

Phil's Diner - but NO hamburgers?
What ... Tofu & Sushi?

Com'n - it's a burger joint!!

22 miles away from Route 66 (in Santa Monica)