Years ago, Norm's restaurant used to be the place to drop into for breakfast in WeHo.
There were fringe benefits, after all.
Just next door, a stream of hot body-builders flowed through Todd Tramp's gym for concentrated work-outs daily, then usually ended up at Norm's next door for a plate of chow.
Yes, the eye candy was enough to make the senses swoon!
Norm's is well-known for its breakfast combos - one of which, the Four Deuces - consists of two fluffy pancakes, two eggs (as you like 'em) and double portions of bacon strips (crispy!) and sausage links (real greasy, dudes!).
The T-bone steak 'n eggs special (teamed with a side order of biscuits and gravey) is a popular special, too, at reasonable cost.
Truckers, pensioners, and grunt workers pop in often - in part due - to the generous servings and a bottomless coffee jug (with the worst watered-down java in town).
Of course, the high-calorie vein-clogging bill-of-fare here, was always a no-no for the jocks and the lifters from Tramp's gym, especially when they were in training for an upcoming competition.
The fat-conscious buffed dudes were more inclined to gobble up scrambled eggs made with whites only, cottage cheese, fresh fruit of the season, and lean entrees that provided nutrition and energy.
Smart body fuel, in the final analysis.
Unfortunately, when Tramp's gym was shut-down, the passing parade moved on.
If a hungry dude saunters into Norm's Restaurant on La Cienega Blvd these days, he'll likely notice right-off-the-bat, the once-thriving fiftie's-style diner is a pretty dismal eatery to alight in during the course of the day and into the early evening.
After midnight, when nightclubs are in full swing up and down the club strip, things can still get frenzied and lively though.
Occasionally, when I am in Santa Monica, I'll drop in to the location on Lincoln Boulevard for a bite to eat.
My waistline can tolerate the food offered up provided it is not on a regular daily or weekly basis.
If you want to know what middle America is thinking, or are inclined to check the pulse of the common Joe, just listen in on one of the coversations going down at the counter at Norm's.
Yesterday, I sat there amused, as I took in all the banter these working stiffs were offering up.
"I know you're a democrat. So, 'ya won't mind at all if I knock George Bush," one dude chortled to a rapt audience hanging on every word.
"He belongs in jail," another quipped.
"And, not even a good one. One in Yemen," he added with a dash of glee as a ubiquitous gold chain caught the early morning sun and sent a million little rainbows this way 'n that.
In response, another rabble-rouser levelled an insult at the former President, too.
"Bush is a Nazi."
The diners roared in response.
I was quite surprised to hear one man admit that he actually voted for George W.
Americans smear Bush a lot, but rarely ever admit they put an x by his name, first time out at the polling booth.
Curious, because he got into office, didn't he?
Someone must have voted for the man.
"Reagan was just as bad. He ruined the Unions," another man piped in when the laughter subsided a tad.
The saviour, Barack Obama, did not escape criticism either.
After a brief conversation about Social Security and Benefits - and a spirited discussion about collecting SS checks early - one dude accused Obama of the unthinkable.
"He's dipping into Social Security to pay the bills. You'd better collect now because the money may not be there when you retire," another cynic joked.
Chances are if they continue to eat the high cholesterol blue-plate specials at Norm's, they'll keel over and die of a heart attack long before then.
I don't know if it was a tall tale - or an exaggeration - but one toothy overweight driver boasted that he was pulling in $110,000.00 a year (plus) delivering packages for UPS (or was it Fedex?).
Pretty good pay for unskilled grunt work, eh?
At this point, someone recognized me at my perch across the counter, and a little bit of whispering started up all around me.
As they grew silent (worried that I might quote them?), I realized I'd gleened all that I could for posterity's sake.
So, I headed out, with a grin on my face.
Yup.
Norm's, is a piece of Americana, where you can check the pulse of the heartbeat of the Nation.
The period architecture is worth taking a gander at, too.
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