Stars Drive-In serves up Hollywood ambience

Richard Zamora Roundup Reporter

From its weekly Friday classic car shows to the life-size Elvis Presley that sits on a stool with guitar in hand that greets customers as they enter, Stars Drive-In on Sherman Way in Winnetka models itself after a 50’s style dinner.

The menu contains typical dishes one might expect to find at a diner such as burgers, hot dogs, and root beer floats, but also has a small selection of Mexican food and a gyro sandwich.

Breakfast options include steak and eggs, and pancakes with bacon and sausages among others and any dish can be ordered all day and all items are fair in price so money shouldn’t be an obstacle in making a decision. A garden burger is also available.

The gyro sandwich was filled with savory and tender meat, fresh diced tomatoes, and an overly generous amount of red onions. The onion rings were hot, crisp and maintained the onion flavor without being too overpowering. The fries that came with the cheeseburger combo were lightly seasoned, the perfect balance of crispy and arrived fresh enough to feel the heat radiating off of them.

The cheeseburger itself came on a bun toasted on the grill and was well done but ultimately didn’t stand out among the many burger stands and stops that can be found in Los Angeles.

What does set Stars DriveIn apart is the atmosphere. Red and White Coca-Cola umbrellas shade the outside seating area. Headshots and posters of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean hang on the walls, but also featured are actors and actresses who unjustly don’t often get the same level of attention nowadays such as Joan Fontaine, Gary Cooper, and Errol Flynn.

Indeed it’s the little things sprinkled throughout the restaurant that gives Stars Drive-In its charm. Each table has a mini jukebox connected to the restaurant with song choices from Chubby Checker to Vicente Fernandez and Bootsy Collins, and of course Elvis. influence.

In a small, perhaps neglected corner dedicated to arcade games, a pinball machine is still in working order. Small tiles of Hollywood stars with the names of some of the dishes that are served hang above the counter, and these are made to look just like real Hollywood Walk of Fame stars.

The glass bottles of ketchup on the tables make for the amusing, gravity-defying struggle of applying the sauce to a dish.

More than just a meal, Star Drive-in offers a place to discover interesting pieces of Hollywood history. It’s the kind of place to go with a friend, take some quarters for the juke box and spend some time immersed in the entertaining environment.

“But we also aren’t afraid to get heavy,” Atlas said. “We do know how to bring the mosh.”

“That’s always fun. Being able to have two completely different sounding sets,” Tallman-Rogantini added. “We’ll play an indie show so we’ll bring out all of our lighter stuff, all of our dancy stuff and then we’ll go to a metal show and just throw everything against the wall.”

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Antique boutique brings crowd

Vintage Market o cials host more than 25 vendors at event

years. Love the fact that everything is old,” attendee Shanit Nissan said. Fashion was a prominent subject for most of the vendors, although some included clothes and artwork.

Out with the new, in with the old.

On Sunday, a large crowd came out to the Vintage Market which is held every fourth Sunday at Pierce College.

The Vintage Market officials hosted more than 25 vendors at the event, some catering food while others promoted fashion.

Different vendors who attended the event displayed jewelry, furniture and even classic albums.

Sol De Cobre, a jewelry business vendor, showed off there and made items that attracted a few stragglers.

“Its good, we make handmade jewelry and we come every fourth Sunday,” said Felipe Dorantes, owner of Sol De Cobre. “The material we use on the jewelry are leather, string and copper wire for our products.”

With the admission price for the market being $2, many wandered from vendor to vendor looking in the different tents.

Jenette Jessop is a vendor who made her own professional soaps that had various flavors and aromas.

“These are handmade soaps from the bottom up. Soon it’s going to be organic,” said Jessop’s husband Tony Jessop. “We also take personal requests if someone wants to create any combination of fragrance.”

The name of the Jessop’s business is Spirit Spa. Some of the customers have dedicated years to coming to the Vintage Market.

“I love it. Every month I have been attending, for a couple of

Most of the vintage items were classics and throwbacks that are unique and not commercialized by mainstream stores.

The Vintage Market will take place again on May 25 in the Parking Lot 7 near the science building.