The f'n end of F&M

A Farmers & Merchants Bank in North Long Beach closed in December. In the world of online banking, ATMs, and mini-branches inside supermarkets, I suppose a local bank has no use for a 12,500 square foot space.

Nice design...from 1962...

Burritus maximus

You see that impatient guy? What a loco...he couldn't stand waiting in the drive-thru line any longer and decided to roll over the sidewalk and squeeze between two parked cars.

Hate to admit it, but I do eat way too many BRC burritos at the Loco. I typically order two and smother each with pico de gallo and avocado salsa. I used to scoff at the drive-thru, but these days I like catching up on my reading while idling in the queue.

I'm sure I've lost all credibility at this point with my adventures in corporate chain fast food, but let it be known that I'm still on the hunt for an outstanding veggie burrito in Los Angeles.

Save the Bucket

How did the Save the 76 Ball phenomenon catch on? I haven't heard of any similar campaigns to keep the Kentucky Fried Chicken buckets alive and spinning. Those larger than life signs are historic. (Hey, anyone remember the Leave it to Beaver episode when the Beav gets stuck in the teapot billboard that actually emits steam? How about Fast Times at Ridgemont High when Rat interrupts Damone watching the same Beaver episode to get him to bring the wallet to the restaurant?) The days of the old buckets are numbered, and most cities have zoning regulations that keep a new giant bucket permanently locked out.

Here's a KFC in North Long Beach (Artesia & Downey) that still has the old Colonel...not the updated one with the silly apron...up high on a bucket.