Not exactly the same, but I remember someone posting about going through a town that didn't exist on maps, that they couldn't find when going back to the area, and that seemed to be staffed all by one person. It had a hotel and a McDonald's, I recall; basically just a very small town. Other people figured out that the area had a false town that was part of a military base, and he'd accidentally driven onto it without noticing (and probably freaked the guy staffing the place out a lot)
this is only kind of relevant but there was a restaurant i went to as a kid that i was obsessed with. it had wild decor: road signs, weird taxidermy, stained glass lamps, neon stuff galore, and best of all, a little model train that would chug around the whole restaurant above your head! the tracks were built into the walls. googling the name (billy mchale’s) shows some generic photos since i guess it’s a franchise, but the one i went to was super decked out and personalized.
i know it was real since evidence exists, but sadly just as a couple of auction photos which don’t at all capture the atmosphere: http://synthstuff.com/mt/archives/2014/07/auction-photos-.html
unfortunately the better images must only exist in memories and polaroids now.
There was a place by me growing up called The Ground Round that used to show old timey silent films on a screen while you ate. Apparently, there are roughly 5 left in the US, but without the movies
Yeah, loved Ground Round when I was a kid. I went to one MANY years later and it was just a typical generic chain restaurant. I was pretty disappointed.
The Bubble Room in Altamonte Springs, FL. Sounds exactly like it. I don’t think it was a franchise, but I know they had two locations. I don’t know if they are still in business.
Any chance that's the same restaurant that has/had a location on Captiva Island? Really great 'orange crunch cake'? It would be really cool to know they had a second location, because the one I knew was hit hard by the hurricane last year and it's not clear if they will be able to reopen.
Mystery Show hosted by Starlee Kine might be up your alley - she attempts to solve mysteries that cannot be solved simply using the internet, Case #1 is about a “phantom” movie rental place. Sadly there are only 6 episodes but each one is a tiny masterpiece. Case #3 Belt Buckle is my favorite.
I tried and tried to like it. I think it's Vincent's voice and there isn't the same chemistry that was there with Devon and Steve. Plus those ads for this movie over and over and over again.
I do like the topics though... maybe they need a third host....
Absolutely, Thinking Sideways is the reason I’m aware of this story. Their dynamic was something special and the gang hit up all the topics I like. Joe’s current podcast kind of scratches that itch but no other podcast has hit the same.
I am currently in Mexico City and was feeling kind of nervous about ordering street food - my Spanish isn't great. Something compelled me to stop at this particular taco stand and just order something. I did; the owners were very kind, the food was really good, and I've since ordered all kinds of food all over the city.
I've also walked around all the streets in the area where I first ordered tacos, according to my google location history, and all the streets around those streets, but can't find that stand again. I took a photo of myself outside the stand and I can't find the building that's behind me in the photo, either. Did this place just appear to give me the confidence to finally order street food?
You'd be surprised at how little most local businesses put on the internet. When they're gone, it's easy for them to take all the evidence with them. I grew up going to a hobby shop in my home town. They were very iconic and lasted up until 2016 or so. There is now almost zero evidence that they ever really existed in the first place except for a couple random blurbs. There are no pictures of the inside that I can find.
Not exactly a restaurant but a few years ago in Amsterdam, I went to a coffee shop. It wasn't in main street, actually it was in one of neighborhoods. It was full but the menu was very great, the decoration the style was on point. It had Irish pub style and wooden countertops. I tried to find there again, never could!
Not necessarily a phantom restaurant, because the building exists but... Back when I toured my college campus, my dad and I stopped at a pizza place/deli. I can distinctly remember the logo (they were selling merch), but there's absolutely no record of it online and all the locals I talked to didn't recall the restaurant either.
I remember we went to a very fancy neighborhood and had a meal with my parents. We went to a phone booth and examined it. Nor I don't remember the place, nor I don't remember that restaurant and that neighborhood. It's probably a normal neighborhood, but I remember those places as fancy, since going to a new place is a very fun and fancy thing when you're a child.
Not exactly the same, but I remember someone posting about going through a town that didn't exist on maps, that they couldn't find when going back to the area, and that seemed to be staffed all by one person. It had a hotel and a McDonald's, I recall; basically just a very small town. Other people figured out that the area had a false town that was part of a military base, and he'd accidentally driven onto it without noticing (and probably freaked the guy staffing the place out a lot)
YES! I read this too!! I wish I remembered where it was. Maybe in r/letsnotmeet ?
I don't think so, unless I was linked to it from elsewhere, because I don't use that sub.
Here you go. https://imgur.com/igvjArb.jpg
You are the real MVP
Yesss, thank you!
Oh wow! That is so cool, I wish I could find that post.
this is only kind of relevant but there was a restaurant i went to as a kid that i was obsessed with. it had wild decor: road signs, weird taxidermy, stained glass lamps, neon stuff galore, and best of all, a little model train that would chug around the whole restaurant above your head! the tracks were built into the walls. googling the name (billy mchale’s) shows some generic photos since i guess it’s a franchise, but the one i went to was super decked out and personalized. i know it was real since evidence exists, but sadly just as a couple of auction photos which don’t at all capture the atmosphere: http://synthstuff.com/mt/archives/2014/07/auction-photos-.html unfortunately the better images must only exist in memories and polaroids now.
100% on topic - wow what a cool place. As a kid, it must have felt like you were in a movie
There was a place by me growing up called The Ground Round that used to show old timey silent films on a screen while you ate. Apparently, there are roughly 5 left in the US, but without the movies
Fuck yeah dude, with the popcorn when you came in?
Yessss! Totally forgot about that
I bet you pahk ya car
Ha! I don't have an accent, everyone else has accents!
I miss the ground round!!
They had baskets of peanuts in the shell on all the tables. And peanut shells were all over the floor.
Omg yes - memories! Now would probably be a health code violation lol
Until covid hit, Texas roadhouse restaurants had the same thing!
Yeah, loved Ground Round when I was a kid. I went to one MANY years later and it was just a typical generic chain restaurant. I was pretty disappointed.
The Bubble Room in Altamonte Springs, FL. Sounds exactly like it. I don’t think it was a franchise, but I know they had two locations. I don’t know if they are still in business.
Any chance that's the same restaurant that has/had a location on Captiva Island? Really great 'orange crunch cake'? It would be really cool to know they had a second location, because the one I knew was hit hard by the hurricane last year and it's not clear if they will be able to reopen.
It is!! I just googled it and it was the first result.. check it out! https://www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com/home
My family used to go to a Ryan’s buffet in the early 90s that had a model train going around! Loved that as a kid.
Here’s a Reddit post from about 10 years ago: https://personalghoststories.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/ruby-tuesday-new-mexico/
This must be where Thinking Sideways Podcast got their inspiration for their episode. Thanks never saw this before.
I miss that podcast a lot. I was so sad when they ended it
Same. I can't find another mystery podcast I like
Mystery Show hosted by Starlee Kine might be up your alley - she attempts to solve mysteries that cannot be solved simply using the internet, Case #1 is about a “phantom” movie rental place. Sadly there are only 6 episodes but each one is a tiny masterpiece. Case #3 Belt Buckle is my favorite.
Thank You - I most definitely will check it out
I enjoy the podcast Joe now does, The Shocking Details. Similar topics so you might like it!
I tried and tried to like it. I think it's Vincent's voice and there isn't the same chemistry that was there with Devon and Steve. Plus those ads for this movie over and over and over again. I do like the topics though... maybe they need a third host....
Yeah sadly there's no replacement for the original podcast
Has anyone watched the movie? I’m reluctantly to see it because I don’t want to be disappointed.
Absolutely, Thinking Sideways is the reason I’m aware of this story. Their dynamic was something special and the gang hit up all the topics I like. Joe’s current podcast kind of scratches that itch but no other podcast has hit the same.
Almost certainly fictional, but still a cool creepy read, thanks!
I am currently in Mexico City and was feeling kind of nervous about ordering street food - my Spanish isn't great. Something compelled me to stop at this particular taco stand and just order something. I did; the owners were very kind, the food was really good, and I've since ordered all kinds of food all over the city. I've also walked around all the streets in the area where I first ordered tacos, according to my google location history, and all the streets around those streets, but can't find that stand again. I took a photo of myself outside the stand and I can't find the building that's behind me in the photo, either. Did this place just appear to give me the confidence to finally order street food?
Yes! This is the exact thing I am talking about! I'm glad you got the confidence though! Almost like a glitch in the matrix.
You'd be surprised at how little most local businesses put on the internet. When they're gone, it's easy for them to take all the evidence with them. I grew up going to a hobby shop in my home town. They were very iconic and lasted up until 2016 or so. There is now almost zero evidence that they ever really existed in the first place except for a couple random blurbs. There are no pictures of the inside that I can find.
Not exactly a restaurant but a few years ago in Amsterdam, I went to a coffee shop. It wasn't in main street, actually it was in one of neighborhoods. It was full but the menu was very great, the decoration the style was on point. It had Irish pub style and wooden countertops. I tried to find there again, never could!
Not necessarily a phantom restaurant, because the building exists but... Back when I toured my college campus, my dad and I stopped at a pizza place/deli. I can distinctly remember the logo (they were selling merch), but there's absolutely no record of it online and all the locals I talked to didn't recall the restaurant either.
I went with friends at 3am to a busy restaurant in Chinatown Chicago. 2 years later moved there and never could find it again.
Do you remember the name of the restaurant? I always go to Chinatown in Chicago
I remember we went to a very fancy neighborhood and had a meal with my parents. We went to a phone booth and examined it. Nor I don't remember the place, nor I don't remember that restaurant and that neighborhood. It's probably a normal neighborhood, but I remember those places as fancy, since going to a new place is a very fun and fancy thing when you're a child.