Sometimes a building’s architectural style is so identified with its original business that it’s hard to shake the association, even when the business is long gone. Here’s a photo gallery of bad building conversions around Indianapolis. Let me know about the ones you’ve spotted around town…
This Indian Restaurant on east 38th Street doesn’t disguise its former existence as a Pizza Hut very well. Pizza Hut
Woo hoo! Let’s go to the Taco Bell Dentist! Taco Bell Dentistry
Peggy’s Restaurant can try all it wants, but it’s no Lums Restaurant. Lums
It’s not really that obvious at first, but if you look at Rancho Grande Restaurant near 86th and Ditch, you can see it used to be a Chinese Restaurant Rancho Grande Chinese Buffet
The Fox Photo at 86th and Ditch is now Joey’s Produce. They should probably take down the digital services sign to make the complete transformation. Produce Fox Photo
Jen’s theory that this lighting store on 38th Street might be a former Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips is close, but I think it might not be the case after comparing the signs. (Update – it was a Laughner’s Cafeteria!)
Treachers Lantern?
Arthur Treachers
They tried adding some Asian design adornment to the windows, but it’s pretty obvious that Tokyo Joe’s started life as a Noble Roman’s. Tokyo Joes
However, they do have a great “Lunh Buffet.” Lunh Buffet
I’m not certain, but I think this Pawn shop used to be a Steak place. Pawn Shop/Steak
Indianapolis residents were devastated when the Roslyns Bakeries all over town closed, and even more upset when their classic “googie” style signs were converted to Cash and Go signs. Roslyn’s Bakery/Cash N Go
This former Ponderosa on east Washington now serves up Chinese food Ponderosa China Buffet 2
As does this one on 10th and Shadeland. Notice the nice Ponderosa landscape image still in place. Ponderosa China Buffet
This Long John Silvers ended up being an auto service place/tax preparer. Long John Silver’s Auto Repair & taxes
The Blockbuster sign doesn’t quite hide that this building used to be a Papa John’s Restaurant. Blockbuster Papa John’s Pizza
I recognize the original building as a restaurant, but can’t quite put a name to it. It wasn’t a Napa Auto Parts, though. Was it a steakhouse? Denny’s Napa Auto Parts
Yep, Roselyn’s is on our list of pictures to take. There’s also a great Dentist’s office/former Mexican restaurant on east Washington that’s just dying to be included here.
Jen was suggesting that the Indiana Lighting Center on 38th and Lafayette might be a former Arthur Treacher’s but I think it’s slightly different.
Jennifer January 15, 2006
Be careful not to judge an eatery by it’s outery! Have you been inside and given Tokyo Joe’s a try? The external package disguises one of my favorite places to drop in for some really great food, service, and atmosphere.
(I love the “digital produce” pic, by the way — I never noticed that detail, even though I drive by all the time!)
Lisa February 23, 2007
Stumbled upon this website after googling Tokyo Joes for their number. I busted a gut. Thanks for the laugh. The Pizza Hut building is frightening at best, but the food is better than Benihana and the people twice as nice.
Oh, and the lunh was great too.
Sabrina March 14, 2007
Don’t let the building discourage you if going to Tokyo Joes. They have the best food and friendliest service of any establishment of their kind.
There’s a great website of photos like this from around the country at the website called “Not Fooling Anybody”
http://www.notfoolinganybody.com/
How about all those check cashing places that used to be Roselyn’s?
Yep, Roselyn’s is on our list of pictures to take. There’s also a great Dentist’s office/former Mexican restaurant on east Washington that’s just dying to be included here.
Jen was suggesting that the Indiana Lighting Center on 38th and Lafayette might be a former Arthur Treacher’s but I think it’s slightly different.
Be careful not to judge an eatery by it’s outery! Have you been inside and given Tokyo Joe’s a try? The external package disguises one of my favorite places to drop in for some really great food, service, and atmosphere.
(I love the “digital produce” pic, by the way — I never noticed that detail, even though I drive by all the time!)
Stumbled upon this website after googling Tokyo Joes for their number. I busted a gut. Thanks for the laugh. The Pizza Hut building is frightening at best, but the food is better than Benihana and the people twice as nice.
Oh, and the lunh was great too.
Don’t let the building discourage you if going to Tokyo Joes. They have the best food and friendliest service of any establishment of their kind.