FLASHBACK – De-Best of Ed Debevic’s
“If you’re really a good customer… you’d order more.”
Behold the magic of the internet… one click of the mouse and Ed Debevic’s Restaurant (which sat on the heart of La Cienega Restaurant Row from the mid-1980s up until the revolving doors were put out of motion in 2003) still exists. The clip after the jump features sights and sounds that will make you smile with recognition if Ed’s was ever a part of your life… from the little details in decor down to the steady merriment of lip-synced dance numbers, it’s the same ol’ Ed’s.
Ed Debevic’s was a fun place to bring visiting guests of all ages and group sizes (my dad *loved* it), gather for a birthday, or just hang out when you were feeling down. For a long time, it was the location of choice to commiserate when my friends and I broke up with boyfriends… we found it difficult to wallow in self pity after experiencing a few hours of girl talk, abject silliness (with dashes of pure stupidity) and comfort food (a huge bowl of mac and cheese works wonders). We each had our favorite waitstaff, and they knew us. Ed’s felt like (a very dysfunctional but fun) home somehow.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7180881846253184198
Note: I think my favorite performance in the video is the Vicki Carr tribute at 32:35
The folks at Ed’s *always* had something wacky going on. My friend Adri and I ate there on Election Day in 1988 and were surprised to see a makeshift boxing ring set up in the middle of the room. About a half hour later, two guys wearing Bush/Dukakis masks and boxing gear suddenly ran into the room and proceeded to beat each other up while diners were encouraged to cheer. Good times. Speaking for myself, I thought the food was pretty good, too… I loved the chili cheese fries, burgers and pie. I found their coffee strangely salty though, I must admit, which always confused me… how does one even make salty coffee?
A Japanese restaurant called Gonpachi now stands where the streamliner once was. Salty coffee aside, I miss the craziness of Ed’s, though… trends change, but I’m sorry it’s gone. There are more than enough Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles. We need more choreographed dance numbers.
P.S. – If you would like a memento of Ed’s, you can still buy one of their famous pickle pens online.
13 Responses to “FLASHBACK – De-Best of Ed Debevic’s”
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Ed Debevics…just saying that name again is like whispering a holy word.
amen!
Never went to the one at LaCienega, but loved the one on Hawthorne Blvd, in Torrance. The food was good, the wait staff was fun and you could always have a good time there. Loved the Chili-Size and the World’s Smallest Hot Fudge Sundae!
Used to take my Girl Scout troop there every year. We LOVED Ed’s and their YMCA schtick. I miss it.
ACTUALLY there still is Ed Debevic’s….and I agree….it was the best of the best! Of course the one that’s still around is in Chicago I believe. Travel Channel just did a show featuring them. So sad that Chicago should have them and not us. I heard there’s a place called Dick’s in SF that’s the same kind of idea though lol.
You are correct about the Chicago location – on Wells Street just south of Chicago Ave. It was the original Ed’s that opened in 1985. Got to go there, and the one on La Cienega after moving back to LA. Sad to here it’s gone.
NEVER had a good meal there (La Cienega Blvd. location ) and took my kids there for
so many events. Tried to order the Blue Plate Specials, hoping that they could at least
get something right, in the kitchen, but to no avail. Their fried were tired, the hamburgers had no life or flavor. Believe me, we tried to support this place. It always seemed crowded and the servers were outstandingly campy, but people will not tolerate mediocre food.
Great food and great fun everytime!!!! I wish it was still around so my kids could enjoy it like I did!!
The Green RIvers and World’s Smallest Chocolate Sundays were the best!!!! I miss it!
Great article. I get depressed watching this.
I’m returning to L.A for the first time since 1991 and just found out this sad news.It was indeed a lively place. I remember our waitress in 50′s get-up and 3ft beehive hair with bee’s in it :¬) She was a star.
As a Brit it was my first taste of chili fries, malt shake, corn mash so sweet and buttery my arteries creaked for days.
Great memories of ED’s and L.A.
Looking forward to going back to C.A surf but will miss Ed’s.
J.Daugherty where are you ?
Luggz
all i can say is why, why, why?…come back to cali plz!!!!
Some of the funnest times were spent at Ed’s – I miss the Hand Jive most! Come back Ed, we miss you!