Hello!

 

We’re chugging right through summer and if you haven’t visited Hollywood yet, please stop by for some of our upcoming tours. If you’re visiting or even a local looking for an authentic Hollywood experience while you’re here, we put together a list of some classic restaurants for lunch or dinner after your tour—Dearly Departed style.

 

 

Boardner’s

1652 North Cherokee Ave.

Hollywood, CA 90028

This bar, nightclub and late-night eatery has been servicing Hollywood locals since 1927 (during Prohibition the front was a “hair salon”). Scenes from LA Confidential and Ed Wood were filmed here because it’s like stepping back in time—no set decoration needed. There are rumors that Elizabeth Short (AKA the Black Dahlia) drank here but there are rumors that she drank everywhere so those stories are dubious at best. Naturally, with a building this old in Hollywood it’s haunted. They are always haunted. Always.

 

 

Dan Tana’s

9071 Santa Monica Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

Although famous for being a hangout of the Eagles in the 1970s, this Italian restaurant is also where the downward spiral of Phil Spector began on February 2, 2003. Phil was hanging out here before leaving at 1:45am and took off for the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. There he met Lana Clarkson and the rest is history.  Well, she is anyway.  Any restaurant that cab boast Angie Dickinson and Dabney Coleman as regulars is okay by me.

 

 

El Coyote Café

7312 Beverly Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90036

El Coyote has been open since 1931 and has become a landmark restaurant here in Los Angeles. They are known for cheap food and (very) stiff margaritas. For our purposes, this is the restaurant where Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger and Voytek Frykowski ate their last supper. Contrary to popular belief, there is no known “Sharon” table and she wasn’t waving to people as she walked through the restaurant. Police know they were there because Jay’s name was written down when he requested a table. But hey, this is Hollywood …

 

 

Vitello’s

4349 Tujunga Ave.

Studio City, CA 91604

This is where Robert Blake and his, uh, wife where dining on the night she was “mysteriously” murdered. He came here so often that he had a dish named after him. Anyway, when he ran back inside to grab the gun he forget at the booth (as you do) Bonnie Lee Bakely was shot on one of the side streets. How fortunate Robert wasn’t there! The restaurant has since been remodeled but it’s still in operation so you can pay tribute.

 

Buca di Beppo

17500 Ventura Blvd.

Encino, CA 91316

Not to be confused with the 478903894790 branches of this chain, we’re specifically talking about the Encino location. You know, the one that is literally within walking distance of where Phil Hartman lived (past tense). This is where is wife Brynn was drinking on the night of May 27, 1998, when she got ripped on booze and coke. In the early morning hours of May 28, she shot Phil and then killed herself. Their two small children were in the house. Because that’s what good moms do.

 

 Dupar’s

12036 Ventura Blvd.

Studio City, CA 91604

After being present at the Wonderland Murders on July 1, 1981, porn star and drug addict John Holmes was placed into protective custody with his estranged wife Sharon and (really) young lover Dawn Schiller. After refusing to spill his guts to police about drug lord Eddie Nash’s connection to the murders, John, Sharon and Dawn were all cut loose and left to fend for themselves. That’s when John hatched a brilliant plan to ask Eddie Nash for a loan because, you know, they were homies and John had proved his loyalty. In his infinite wisdom, he decided to pay BFF Ed a visit to his Studio City home and left Dawn sitting at this Dupar’s to wait for him. Her instructions were to call the police if he didn’t return within an hour. Well, John returned but without the money. After a goon held a gun to his head, threatened his life and force John to get on his knees and beg forgiveness, Eddie graciously said he’d think about it. To be fair, Eddie did think about it and decided to send John half of what he had asked for. Because he’s cool like that. Despite John Holmes heart being broken over not getting the full amount of money he asked for, it was time to hit the road and skip town with Dawn. Eventually, Dawn did escape the clutches of the drug fiend with the big dick, but not without enduring physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

 

Barney’s Beanery

8447 Santa Monica Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

Barney’s Beanery has been a Los Angeles staple since 1920 when it opened as a roadside diner. Six years later in 1926, the original Route 66 opened and Barney’s had the good fortune to be sitting right on it. Good fortune smiled on Barney’s again because eventually this unassuming roadside diner became a celebrity hangout. In addition to patrons over the years like Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minelli, Bob Dylan, Jack Nicholson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane’s Addiction, the Beanery is most noted for its association with Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. Janis was a regular here when she was in town recording Pearl—ask to see the table top where she carved her name into the wood. It’s preserved on the ceiling.  She ate her last shot of Southern.  The next day she was found dead of a heroin overdose in her hotel on October 4, 1970. Jim was also a regular because he lived in the ‘hood. He stayed at both the dumpy motel on the corner and stayed part-time with his girlfriend Pam down the street in her apartment (that he paid for). He wasn’t much of cook so he frequented restaurants in the area and Barney’s was one of them. One night after a little too much beer, he had to pee (we’ve all been there) but instead of the long trip to the bathroom just a few yards away, he whipped it out and relieved himself on the bar. He was kicked out and blackballed from the establishment but today Barney’s exploits celebrates their history with Jim and you, too, can sit at the bar and read the plaque now embedded there in his honor.

 

If you’d like to join us on a tour, here is our upcoming schedule:

Tragical History Tour: Daily

Helter Skelter: Most weekends

The Doors Tour: August 13

Marilyn Monroe: September 10 and October 8

Nasty Nellie Oleson:  October 17

 

Hope to see you all soon!

Love,
Scott and the Dearly Departed Tours Team