Des Moines lost one of it's coolest buildings back on Sept 21st. Porky's Diner on Douglas Ave. was torn down to make way for a new grocery store.
The building was built in 1959 & I think it was originally known as "Boots Western Drive-In". In '79 or '80 I think it was a bar for a while, then it was turned into "Pistol Petes Video Arcade" for a few months, maybe a year.
In 1982 it opened as Porky's Tenderloin and quickly became THE place to go with your cool car. They had car cruise nights every Wed & Saturday night & if the weather was nice, you either got there early or you had to park way in the back (if you could even get in). After a while they added motorcycle nights on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Demolished, Buildings - Novelty / Interesting, Buildings - Retail and Dining
Links: www.jalopyjournal.com
By: Parabellum