Nickodell
There were two Nickodells at one time. The less-famous one, which closed before the other, was at Argyle and Selma in Hollywood. No one noticed when that one went away…but everyone in town lamented the closure of the one at 5511 Melrose Avenue, built into the side of a movie studio. The studio was at one time RKO Studios…then it became Desilu…then it assumed its present identity as Paramount. Whatever the studio was called, Nickodell was the place folks working on the lot escaped to for a mid-day cocktail, and many important deals were made at its tables. When I Love Lucy was casting and they needed someone to play Fred Mertz, Desi Arnaz got a call from an actor named William Frawley and they arranged to get together and discuss the role over drinks…at Nickodell Melrose.
Also right down the street was a studio with a lot of history. The building at 5515 Melrose started life as the Consolidated Film Studio and later became the West Coast home of NBC Radio. It went through a dozen tenants after that before becoming the home of KHJ channel nine, a local TV station which now broadcasts (from elsewhere) as KCAL. It was said that in the fifties and sixties, the KHJ News Crew practically lived at the bar at Nickodell and wrote their copy on its napkins.
I only ate there twice, maybe three times. The food was pretty straightforward American — steaks, chops, chicken — and you got the feeling that for most diners there, the cuisine was of secondary importance to the libations. But the meals were served efficiently by real, professional waiters (no aspiring actors allowed) and the whole place had a cramped, wonderful sense of Old Hollywood history.
Nickodell’s closed with some fanfare in November of 1993. News crews showed up the last week, as did everyone who’d ever eaten there and wanted a last meal and a souvenir ash tray. But then it suffered the ignominious fate of completely disappearing. Paramount just moved some fences around and suddenly, not only was Nickodell not there but you couldn’t even see where the building had been. When I drive by now, I think I know where it used to be…but I’m not sure.
10 Responses to Nickodell
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Do you remember the “Original Barbeque” at 8th and Vermont for many years? It closed in the early 1970′s. My family and I went there for many many years, we loved their Barbeque sauce. I think it was owned by the Nickodell family. Where would I look for the recipe for the barbeque sauce?
Nickodell was a great place to unwind after a tough day on the lot. The food was good and the drinks were serious. Totally agree with the sense of Old Hollywood. I was working at Paramount at the time that Nickodell went out of business. Many of us felt sadness at losing such a great hangout.
I was a waitress there in 1975, my first job after college. So many memories of the place, including an elderly waiter named “Benny” (had to be in his early 80s back in ’75) who worked there in the 1940s – 1950s, who talked about the days when “there was a star at every table.”
Just discovered this site. I used to got to the Nicodell’s, one block east of Vine, between Hollywood and Sunset; I think that was Argyle. Very nice memories. But Scandia was always my favorite. Had a favorite table there. Frascati’s on Wilshire very good too. And who could forget The Luau. Really enjoy your site. Thanks for the memories. T. Smith
I worked next door at KHJ-TV. In fact I started my TV career there. I used to go fetch dinner for the on-air technical director when we worked together. I recall it was the first time I had ever eaten a Monte Cristo sandwich. On Saturdays when the Real Don Steele show taped, afterwords we’d all go over and finish out the day in the bar.
I WANT MY NICK’S BACK!!! I had friends working at Paramount in the mid ’80′s I used to visit for lunch and dinner and drinks…what a great place, with genuine “old Hollywood” atmosphere, great drinks, and some of the greatest old-fashioned American dishes done better than any other place I’ve ever tried in Hollywood, including some things that you cant even get any place else….I Want my turkey Croquets back….(yes, just like Howard Johnson’s used to have, only fresh, not frozen…), best meatloaf I’ve ever had, every meal included real appetizers including marineded herring in sour cream, I’ve never seen anywhere else ever…WHO HAS THE RECIPIE BOOK??? My dream before I die, resurrect a NEW NICK’s, if I can find the magic book….(And dont get me started about MAISON GERARD’S)
I had many great meals at Nickodell. My favorite was always a Ceasar Salad made tableside by Mary. She taught me how to make a Ceasar but it was always better to have her make it.
Dinner at Nickodell then down the street to the Formosa for martinis by Lindy.
They closed Nickodell and Lindy died. Two big reasons why I’m not going back to Hollywood.
I’m looking for Nickodel’s clam chowder recipe - any ideas?
I will never forget the dark lighting and red booth seats. As a child my grandfather would take us here, and I would always order the spaghetti with meatballs and a Shirley Temple, and delightfully listen to all the Hollywood gossip of the day…
It was a very hot day, a friend and I got lost in the cementary . When we found our way out , we saw Nickodell , went in for a nice glass of something cold . Not looking our best , all hot and tired . Looked across the red booths to see walking in the back door by the kitchen . Who did we see , to our surprise was Michael Cole , Clarence Williams , Peggy Lipton .