Our guide Steve told us that it went up in the '40s, and nothing has changed since then. That seems to be about right.
Soft drinks are still served in paper cups, which feels like it goes back to the days when you got sodas at drugstores, but provided with metal stands so you can set them down.
Some cooking equipment has probably been modernized, but the old cash registers are still there, providing a good reason for the restaurant to be cash only.
Also, there is a classic feeling to the food. I have hamburgers every now and then, but it has never been followed by banana cream pie before. Actually, it's only the second time in my life that I have had banana cream pie, and this was much better than the one I had then.
Relatively small in size, the restaurant consists of a U-shaped counter (with old fashioned stools) surrounding the cooking area. That doesn't provide a lot of sitting room, and with good food and pretty reasonable prices on the burgers, they were quite crowded. They do a brisk to-go trade as well, which probably helps alleviate some of the crowding. (Soft drinks are provided in cans and bottles, so that is not a problem.) Still, I think you need to sit at the counter at least once.
We were pushing our luck with a party of five, but through patience we were able to end up mostly near to each other, which allowed my sisters and I to share fries and pie. I said the prices were reasonable, and compared to other restaurants in the area, that is true. At $7.75 for a Hickory burger with cheese, that isn't even too bad compared to some fast food prices, and for a better quality burger. However, it does add up, and given the portion sizes, three orders of fries and three pieces of pie would have been way too much food, but you still need to try them.
The hamburger and sauce were good. As you can see from the picture, it does have more lettuce than is really necessary, but extra lettuce can be removed - maybe this is how they accommodate people who love lettuce. The fries were fine, but the weakest part of the meal. Perhaps some hickory sauce on them would not have been amiss. The pie was excellent, generous with bananas, topped with a delicious cream that wasn't soggy or overpowering, and it was arranged beautifully. Try the pie!
This location opened in 1947, but I noticed menu items that referenced 1927 and 1945, so there is a sense of an even greater continuity. Beyond that I did eavesdrop some and one of the patrons was talking about when his father would come, and pointing out the cooks who had been there that long. This is a place of tradition, and it's kind of nice to find.
The Apple Pan is located at 10801 W. Pico Blvd, right across from the Westside Pavilion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Apple_Pan
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