Party Will Celebrate Refurbished Diner

Celebrating a unique eatery and the bygone American era it represents, North Hollywood residents will gather Saturday to mark the official reopening of the refurbished Phil’s Diner.

The longtime owners of the homespun, 14-seat restaurant made famous by movie shoots and album covers, had to close it last fall, saying tunneling for the MTA’s Red Line subway project had kept customers away.

Casey and Anita Hallenbeck, owners of the nearby Hallenbeck’s General Store, later bought the diner and reopened it on the same site on Chandler Boulevard between Lankershim Boulevard and Vineland Avenue.

Casey Hallenbeck, who has designed sets for Hollywood films such as “The Firm” and “Conspiracy Theory,” gutted the dilapidated interior and gave it new luster while preserving the old look--and menu.

Because the diner has been open again for several months, Casey Hallenbeck said Saturday’s block party is not just about cheese steaks and vintage Coke bottles.

“Part of the day’s motif is marking North Hollywood and the community itself,” he said. Classic cars and antiques will be on display and country band Outlaw Black will perform. Inside, Phil’s classic diner fare will be served and outside, party-goers can sample barbecued foods.

Eventually, the Hallenbecks plan to move the diner to a location that can better maximize its nostalgic appeal. They are considering four sites.

“We want to create a tourist landmark in North Hollywood,” Casey Hallenbeck said.