A night owl is a person who tends to stay up late at night and is still awake in the early hours of the morning. Hence, hundreds of American restaurants who served food 24/7 or had extended opening hours, have used this term – some shortening night to nite.

However, we think few restaurants or diners came up with a menu as charming as the Nite Owl restaurant in Glendale, California – with a parliament of owls (the collective term for a group of owls) illustrating the food offerings.

These charming little characters sample the coffee, carry a hot pie, round up a steer for the hamburgers and introduce the salads, fried chicken and breakfast specials.

The Nite Owl was owned by William K Deuel and Frank L Parks. We’ve found a mention of John M Dupy as the restaurant’s manager and chef in 1946. We also believe Frank was once involved in the movie industry.

Judging by the prices, this menu is from the 1950s – with coffee at 10c a cup.

If anyone has more information on Glendale’s delightful Nite Owl restaurant, please let us know. 

Courtesy Private Collection.