Operable words are seedy and cheesy, but that’s part of the Formosa Café’s charm. This eatery is rich in Hollywood history and dates back to the early 30s, in fact the rear of the restaurant was fashioned from an old trolley car from the Pacific Electric Railway.

A long line of stars have dined at the Formosa, from Bogart to Elvis. More recently, The Formosa Café served as the backdrop for the Lana Turner scene from the modern film noir L.A. Confidential. Today the Formosa serves up their version of Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim cuisine – but go for the drinks and atmosphere, not the food. And if you really want to get your Hollywood on, order a boxcar or a mai-tai and melt into the shadows of this dimly-lit, former hot spot.

A recent remodel has stripped the Formosa of some of its history. Too bad.

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  Photo by Steven Damron
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  Photo by Steven Damron
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  Photo by rcrex
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  Photo by Steven Damron
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  Photo by bcgrote
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  Photo by Steven Damron