This comprehensive body of work documents the fanciful and distinctive variety of signage, décor, construction and design to be found among these establishments. Each in its own way is quaint, funky, artistic and sometimes charming. Almost invariably one or more outside telephones are to be found within a few steps of either the service window or the sparse seating accommodations.

Some have noteworthy connections: "Irv’s Burgers" was pictured on the inner foldout of Linda Ronstadt’s "Living in the USA" album; "Sunset Grill" (demolished and replaced with a rather nondescript successor) was the subject of the Don Henley song of the same name and "Molly’s Burger & Hot Dog" was used as a backdrop for several movies, including "Busting" and "The Golden Child."

Los Angeles is a city in a constant state of flux; there can be considerable change in the short span of ten years. During that brief time, quite a few of these remnants of a vanishing part of Los Angeles history have closed, their structures abandoned or demolished, many just months after I had photographed them. (e.g., "Grandma’s Kitchen," "Los 3 Potrillos," "Chinese Kitchen," "Jay’s Jayburgers," "Mo Better Meaty Meatburgers," "Kosher Burrito," "Andy’s Kitchen"). Their existence is preserved in the photographs I have taken.

Others have undergone one or more changes of name and/or extensive renovation by virtue of having come under new ownership, in a last-ditch effort at self preservation or to accommodate the neighborhood’s change in demographics. Menus which featured hamburgers and hot dogs seem to have given way to those featuring tacos and burritos, while former purveyors of such Mexican fare now feature teriyaki and other Asian specialities. Thus, "Red’s of Hollywood" (while retaining the distinctive giant hot dog perched on its roof) is now "Thai Town Express;" "Orange Bee Jay" has been converted to "Machos Tacos;" "Rocky’s Famous Hot Dogs" now specializes in Asian food under the name "Sweet Home Grill;" "Grizzly Burgers" became "El Pollo Picasso" before becoming "LA Ribs, Inc.;" and the hamburger-serving "Grill on Hill" now operates as "KUKU Teriyaki."

While the clock inexorably runs out, these colorful local neighborhood purveyors of fast food continue to fill the orders of hungry Angelinos eating on the run.