Our History

Cafe 50's: A Nostalgic Journey

Cafe 50's is a dream born from nostalgia and a love for classic American rock and roll. Founder Craig Martin, discovered his passion for this timeless music genre while growing up in Germany. Late at night, he would secretly tune in on WOLFMAN JACK SHOW  on the U.S. Armed Forces radio network and the "Old Gold Retold”  which kindled his love for Classic American Rock and Roll. Did we mention this was on the radio, pre-internet! 

The inspiration continued to flow as he watched the iconic film, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, at the Rhein-Main U.S. Airforce base, where his dad was a school principal at the local American Elementary school. 

The movie depicted the essence of the '50s - diners, carhops, vintage cars, stylish attire, and the magic of high school teens cruising in their cars, Craig was mesmerized by all things Fifty’s as depicted in the film. 

Not to mention, it featured an electrifying Hot Rod car race and the legendary Wolfman Jack as a late-night radio DJ at an underground radio station. The film was directed by legendary George Lucas before his Star Wars fame. 

In the summer of 1962 while visiting relatives, The Martin family took  a drive on the iconic Route 66, further fueling Craig's passion for 1950s experience. 

The Martin Family made a pit stop at a roadside diner in Oklahoma. For Craig, it was a thrilling experience as he sat at a counter for the first time in his life.

Right in front of Craig’s seat was a Seeburg Wallbox and while they waited for Dad’s burger and fries, Mom’s coffee and pie a la mode Craig got to play three songs for a Quarter!  A bargain he thought, while he waited on his pineapple vanilla malt. Craig’s siblings all ordered classic cheeseburgers and fries while they shared a large Coca-Cola. 

Craig moved to California when he was seventeen and finished his senior year at Santa Monica High School fulfilling his goal of having a true American High School experience.

At twenty-four years old Craig opened his first restaurant in Northridge, California. 

Today, when you visit Cafe 50's in West Los Angeles, which also sits on Route 66, you'll experience a diner like no other on Route 66. Craig has captured the 1950’s diner

You can still enjoy 3 songs at our counter, table Wallboxes, and fabulous 1957 Seeburg Jukebox. It's a place where the magic of the '50s never fades, and the spirit of rock and roll lives on. Come experience the nostalgia at Cafe 50's.