A Taste of the Fabulous ‘50s

Feel like a blast from the past?

El Mocambo, 8338 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. (213) 651-2113. Style: A bit of pre-Castro Cuba. Setting: Tutti-frutti. Recommended dishes: Corn chowder; tostones ; Americano loco steak. Cost per person: $15-$30.

Elks Lodge 672, 400 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (818) 449-6010. Style: No-nonsense Midwestern. Setting: Time capsule for ‘50s revivalists. Recommended dishes: Thursday’s corned beef with cabbage; Tomato Imperial (tomato filled with tuna salad); breaded veal cutlet. Cost per person: $6-$15.

Hard Rock Cafe, 8600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 276-7605. Style: Burgers for brat packers. Setting: ‘50s American recast to British specifications. Recommended dishes: Chili; watermelon ribs; hamburger. Cost per person: $6-$20.

Rose City Diner, 45 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. (818) 793-8282. Style: ‘50s revival diner for the tensomething set. Setting: Jukebox, chrome and pink leatherette. Recommended dishes: Meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy; chicken pot pie. Cost per person: $6-$15.

Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12833 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 984-0202. Style: ‘50s Continental resembling a miniature golf course. Setting: Trees, ponds, waterfalls, bridges. Recommended dishes: Veal Romano; trout. Cost per person: $15-$30.