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Best Jukebox
Little Anthony's Diner
READERS' PICK: Little Anthony's Diner is beloved by readers (and future readers--see Best Catered-to-Kids Restaurant.) Our readers had oodles of praise for L.A.'s jukebox. Unfortunately, it hasn't been in working order for several years. It is a real looker, though. So basically, Lil' Anthony's has much to recommend it...but count the jukebox out.
A REAL SCREAM: A while back we pumped quarters into a Waffle House jukebox and chose nothing but songs about, yes, Waffle House. The national chain's jukeboxes aren't completely narcissistic--there are a few country/western standards in there somewhere--but who needs Hank Williams when you've got Eddie Middleton rockin' to the "Waffle Doo-Wop"; Alfreda Gerald crooning "I Feel Good (at the Waffle House)"; or Mary Welch Rogers rhetorically chirping, "Why Would You Eat Your Grits Anyplace Else?" Downright perverted is "Waffle House Hashbrowns (I Love You)," in which Billy Dee Cox sings, "You know I long for you/You melt in my mouth/I'm crazy about you/Pretty golden hashbrowns." What's really great about Waffle House jukeboxes (four locations citywide) isn't the bizarro songs, though; it's the psychotic reactions they inspire in the restaurant's staff members. A late-night fry cook who was hosing down the floor threatened to spray us if we selected any more songs about waffles.
A REAL SCREAM: You can count on the jukebox at The
Wooden Nickel Tavern, 1908 S. Country Club Road, for a rocking
and rolling night at the bar. It always happens this way: You're
sipping your first whiskey, chilling to Dire Straits' "Sultans
of Swing," when a lonely looking lady challenges you to some
fooz-ball. But she's not your type, so you calmly ward her off
with Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe." Then, across the bar,
you see her: The woman of your dreams. Time to act! Like a true
"Juke Box Hero," you spin the Beatles' "Oh! Darling,"
to show her you'd never do her no harm. She smiles. Yes!,
you think, and with startling overconfidence you rush back to
the jukebox and select "Let's Spend the Night Together,"
by the Stones. It's a "Communication Breakdown," though,
because the woman of your dreams reacts by slapping you with the
force of a Led Zeppelin. Ouch! Plunging into despair, you play
Roy Orbison's "Mean Woman Blues" and order several rounds.
Five tequila shots later, the Wooden Nickel is swirling out of
control faster than the fiddles in "The Devil Went Down to
Georgia." You pass out. Hours later, consciousness returns
and the bartender plays Santana's "Hope You're Feeling Better"
to aid your recovery. Whew, what a night. Whew, what a jukebox.
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READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: The Pink Motel, 3226 E. Speedway.
This hip video-store and café has been a favorite ever
since it popped up in the strip mall across the street from the
Loft Cinema on East Speedway. While the video store specializes
in silent, vintage and '50s kitsch, the Motel's Java Juke Joint
features ice cream and espresso drinks and a FREE jukebox. Classics
like Dean Martin, Petula Clark and Glenn Miller go head-to-head
with '80s pop sensations from Culture Club to Men Without Hats.
This heady mix will get you giddy as you down that triple espresso
and try to find all the films starring Tor Johnson. Every other
Saturday, the Java Juke Joint also plays host to the Atomic Lounge,
deejayed by Kidd Squidd, who's one of the Old Pueblo's most genuine
and knowledgeable spin doctors.