We appreciate that if you’re reading this, you appreciate a well-crafted restaurant welcome sign that is witty, pun-tastic, or just flat-out hilarious. So let’s dive deep into the funniest restaurant welcome signs that people have stumbled across and shared on social media over the years. Here are some more that are going to water your tastebuds and tickle your funny bones.
Don't Worry Bud, it Will Catch On
Ed's Real Scoop in Leslieville is asking the tough questions and coming up with the hard answers. The man who pioneered lifting your hand to slap it against another raised hand might have had a hard time spreading the word about this new technique, but he can relax in the knowledge people all over the world do it on a daily basis.
But who was it that invented the high five? Some sources say it was none other than famous basketball player Magic Johnson, while others say it was baseball players Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke. Still, others say it was a relative nobody named Derek Smith.
It's the Obvious Choice
Walking down the street when you see this sign should have you stopping in your tracks. It offers a simple binary choice: you can hang a left and stop in for some great drinks and fun, or you can keep going. What happens when you keep going? Just ask Bob “Eaten by a Bear” McGillicuty.
Ever wonder what happened to him? You're a smart one, we think you can figure it out. Of course, the sign doesn't say it knows what will happen if you pass it by, it just offers an option. One that is, by far, worse than having a seat and relaxing for a spell.
Drink DEEP
If you're a man or woman with a lot of foes, keep one step ahead of them, and never let them beat you down. Defeat them at every turn, and eventually, they will have no comeback except to weep delicious, delicious tears. Come in today for a bowl of that thirst-quenching liquid.
It will fill your belly like nothing else. No enemies? No problem? Get the empty bowl, head outside, and chuck it at a random person. Once you get away, bring the bowl back in and fill it up. We wonder what else this forthright establishment sells. We could go for fajitas.
Just Throw Away the Calendar
If you can never go outside, whether it's because you live in a snowy wasteland, in a boiling desert, or for some other, unnamed reason, it can be hard to keep things straight. Don't worry, everybody's favorite funny sign restaurant is here to help you figure out exactly when it is.
We just got past Octember, which means the corn is about to grow and the apple trees are about to drop all the apples at once. Don't worry, the month-long festival that is Danuary is just around the corner. Everybody get your hockey sticks out for the big parade!
Soup of the Day
The soup of the day at any given eatery is usually based on whatever is seasonally available and what the chef's creativity can conjure. Think a creamy tomato, pumpkin, or mushroom soup. Or anything along the lines of an ordinary vegetable soup.
You don't really expect a sign to say that the soup of the day is an alcoholic spirit, but here we are. This little restaurant which we are guessing has an allocated bar area, is serving whiskey for the soup of the day. Perhaps they are not here to nourish the tummy but more for you to drown your sorrows.
Unprecedented Savings
There's nothing like knowing you're getting a good deal when you stop in for a drink. This bar is ready to cut costs to benefit you, the consumer. All you have to do is order the special two-for-one, and you're going to be drinking your fill in no time.
A savvy establishment knows that deals are essential for bringing customers back, and for attracting new ones, as well. There's nothing that does the trick to get people interested in giving your place of business a try like the word “free”...even if it's a bit of a smokescreen. Still, it looks like a fun place.
Unsuspecting Food Items
Greek and Italian food is epic for a quick on-the-go snack but can also be enjoyed for a sit-down meal. Both of these cuisines have also spread all over the world for their simplicity and fresh and diverse flavors that are easy to source and do pretty much anywhere.
Usually, the foods associated with these two cuisines are foods like pizza, pasta, gyros, seafood, mezze plates and the like. These are all great options, but what you don't really expect to see on a sign at such an establishment is "Oh! We Got Balls." Not sure what this Canadian restaurant in Ontario means by this, but we're hoping that it's just some ordinary meatballs.
Answer the Call
When this pops up on your phone, you know it's time to quit working and head to your favorite watering hole. There's nothing like answering a call from a good friend, and what is beer if not a friend? Sure, it's a friend that might get you in trouble a little bit, but it will always be there for you.
Your phone is a tool to help you, and while a lot of the time it ends up distracting you with apps or – hold on, I have to check something...what was I talking about? Oh, I just got a call.
Talk About Advertising
Apparently, this restaurant is home to a poet. There are lots of ways to describe biting into a hot dog – both good and bad – but a “thunderous pop” is a new one to us.
Pink flesh is a bit of an odd choice since that could so easily equate to eating fellow humans to a lot of people, and “saline tang” might be even weirder, since saline is a word not many use frequently, and there are probably plenty who don't even know the meaning. It means salty, for the most part, and we guess that does make sense.
Encouraging Customer Turnover
If you've ever run a business, no doubt you are aware that customers are your lifeblood. If you've ever run a restaurant, you know that serving people who come in quickly, so that they can leave and give the spot to someone else, someone who will pay you more money.
This establishment, Bob's Grill, has a down-home and folksy way of making sure people don't linger too long, and that's putting their feelings upfront. This isn't a place to gather with friends and take up a table for a few hours, this is a place to shove some grub down your gob and move on.
Better Call Soon
If your girl or guy wants to feel like royalty when you take them out on February fourteenth, then there's no place better than a beautiful restaurant like White Castle. Don't delay – no doubt this place will fill up fast on the night of romance.
Get all dressed up in your stylish suit and tie, or your best Valentine's Day dress, and enjoy a bucket of sliders with your loved one. Pick up that phone and dial no matter what time of the year it is, or you might miss a chance at taking your significant other to a place where he or she can feel truly loved.
It Speaks the Truth
We have no idea what kind of restaurant puts up a sign like this, but you can't deny that it brings a certain amount of wisdom. A diet is eating the right kind of food in the right amounts – eating too much or too little of something will throw your entire life out of whack.
But the most important part of your diet is the fact that you do, in fact, have to eat food. We know! We know it might come as a shock to some. But you do have to eat food in order to have a diet.
Check the Right Box
Valentine's Day offers people around the world an important choice. Do they try for lasting love, or do they pick up the closest bottle and say farewell to their sobriety? This sign gets down to brass tacks about it, but they know the correct answer.
With tequila, you know exactly what you'll get – a kick in the tongue, a warmth in your stomach, and a pleasant, buzzing feeling in your head. You might also get those things if you go out on a date, but you might also get a lot of other things, such as a kick in the head, a bowl of soup in your lap, and a headache.
We Like Big Subs
There used to be a time when six inches was enough to fill anybody up. But times have changed, and this Subway knows that people need more these days. If you're trying to fill a hole inside you, then there's really only one option: head to your favorite sub shop and get a full twelve inches.
It doesn't matter what kind of footlong you're craving, you can make it perfect, just for you, when you go to the most famous sub shop in the world. But we all know it isn't about the size – it's all about the service.
Could Have Fooled Us!
There's nothing like a little bit of broken English to make a restaurant sign memorable and funny. It's hard to tell where this sushi restaurant has been set up, but it looks like it's both in a country that speaks English and has been set up by someone who might have needed a little bit more help coming up with the right title.
But these little hole-in-the-wall places always have something great to offer. Japanese sushi and rolls are a treat for everyone, especially if you want something a little exotic, or you need to enjoy food from your home country.
Now That's an Advertisement
At Sherrill's, you can get everything you need, and we mean everything. Not only can you fill up your stomach, but you can fill up in other ways, too. Of course, whether or not you bring your car with you, you're going to get plenty of gas when you shop in Tipton, Indiana.
What else could Sherrill's offer? Toys and games? Those are gas. What about something to fill up your party balloons? Helium is a gas. No doubt this is the kind of sign that the kids in the town of Tipton love to point out and laugh at.
Hope You're Hungry
Picking a name for your restaurant can be tough sometimes. Most people go with something like the founder of the store – like McDonald's – or the founder's daughter – which is how we got Wendy's. Then there are your characters, like Popeye's, Burger King, or Dairy Queen.
And then there are some places that take a different route entirely, such as this restaurant, which is called “Lick-A-Chick.” We shouldn't really be surprised to find out that this chain isn't exactly national, since it probably attracted the wrong kind of clientele. Maybe the chicken is really great, who are we to judge? But the name just isn't appetizing.
Get Them While They're Young
When parents are driving kids around, they have to be in control of the vehicle at all times. If the kids had the wheel, they'd be pulling through every drive-through they could, especially those that dish out delicious treats like a Dairy Queen.
The sign attached to this advertisement not only has the phone number for the store but also a tip for the kids – scream! Scream for ice cream! Scream until the parent or parents in the car have no choice but to stop and get everybody a blizzard. But here's the secret: The parents want a reason to stop too. It's a win-win-win!
Keep It Down
It looks like this establishment is tired of the police showing up every time someone tries their frozen treats. If you want a cup or cone, please try to fill your mouth with ice cream before you start screaming. It tastes so good, this sign tries to tell us, that once you eat some, the only thought on your mind will be the next bite, and not screaming.
A hot, fresh burger followed by some ice cream is a meal that will hit the spot no matter what you're looking for. People come here grumpy, but they leave happy – as long as there are no cops involved.
You Aren't Fooling Anybody, PJ
Papa John's Pizza says a lot of things these days that are actually lies, such as claiming that they sell pizza and not old cardboard with old shredded yellow crayons on top. At the top of the heap of falsehoods, however, is the idea that their dough is actually fresh.
This sign takes it another step further, claiming that they can even beat the Fresh Prince himself, Will Smith, in a contest of freshness. Please, John, your “dough” couldn't beat a sack of rusty Model T bumpers when it came to freshness, much less Will Smith. After all, Papa John's Pizza really slaps!
Yes, This Exists
It's tough to believe, but yes, this is an actual sign at an actual restaurant in someone's actual hometown. We're not sure where this restaurant is situated in the world, but it's bound to give visitors and locals passing by a good ol' laugh. They have made it pretty clear that they are not Burger King.
Also, the customer is only 'rite' sometimes, among a whole list of other customs and rules that are sure to have anyone in stitches. It's funny because most of the guidelines are rather outlandish with their spelling mistakes, or they simply just don't make sense. We just hope that the food that they serve is more reasonable than the sign they have.
We Never Said They Were Attractive
Most restaurant or bar signs mention something about the kind of food or drink you're going to get when you stop in, but some of them know that there are other things to offer as well. Of course, you have to be...special places to offer that kind of...advantage.
This is why this sign did a little bit of font trickery to highlight a few specific words while leaving the rest of the information hidden, yet still perfectly readable. Of course, the sign says nothing about what kind of bartenders they have, as well as whether or not you'd actually want to look at them while they aren't wearing clothes.
Guess What the Palate Cleanser Is
Starting the meal off with a cold beer is something millions or even billions of people around the world do every day. Cracking open a second one halfway through isn't as common, but there are still plenty of people willing to line up at the fridge. But what about after the meal is done, or when the dessert is being prepared?
Well, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has the answer. It's beer all the way done, baby, and you're going to end this meal sloshed and sloshing, but plenty happy. They worked all day to create that beer, and they're not going to let it go to waste.
A Balm for Every Problem
The Sierra Nevada has plenty of offers for someone who is on the street and doesn't know where else to turn. Have an ache in your belly for something hardy and tasty? They have meals that are ready to go. Need to get something to cool down your throat because you've been having a week of long workdays?
They have the right frosty mug full of the right kind of beverage to help you forget your cares. Nobody to comfort you when the times get tough? Read that part about the right kind of beverage again, and realize that beer doesn't only taste good.
That Sweet Style
It's no wonder that most people have a sweet tooth. Our bodies are hard-wired to crave sugar as we use glucose as a direct fuel source, so yes, we have evolved to love sweet foods. It's a sign outside a dessert cafe like this one that can perfectly awaken the cravings we get for sweets.
Be it ice cream, cakes, cookies, or brownies, when that craving hits, it hits, and it's next to impossible to ignore. This little cafe had the right idea to trigger a craving for something sweet for the passers-by. Perhaps all it takes is a quirky sign like this one and the word "SWEET" in capital letters to draw in the customers.
Husband Day Care Center
Do you need a place to leave your hubby for the day while you go about your daily activities? Perhaps you need some time to yourself, or you need to pay a visit to the hairdresser. Maybe it's a shopping spree that's required, or you just need some time to yourself.
All of these ventures do not require a husband, and it would actually be ideal if your husband could just get lost while you take care of these things. Look no further because this bar and, in fact, any bar out there has got your back. They will see to it that your husband stays entertained while you go on with your own tasks!
Absolute Zero
Scientists have been hard at work plumbing the depths of how just frigid and unloving something can get, which might be why you have not seen the person who so cruelly broke your heart. Ever thought of that?
Plus, if you need something to help you forget that person, maybe around the middle of February – we're just throwing a date out here – then those same scientists have found out how to get your favorite bottle of suds down to temperatures chilled enough to directly attack the romance sections of the brain, and help you see things in a new, much-more-pleasant light.
Gotta Love Translation Fails
Chinese food has spread to nearly every corner of the world. It's pretty much available in every big city in the world, and considering they have a massive population hovering around 1.4 billion, it should come as no surprise that Chinese eateries can be found nearly everywhere. Most people have tried Chinese food at least once. Be it in their home country or even in China itself.
Sometimes, though, English-speaking customers may have difficulties understanding the English signs or slogans accompanying Chinese cafeterias. English is a tough language to master if it's not your native language, and thanks to clumsy Chinese-to-English translations, signs that are supposed to lure in customers are actually better at causing outbursts of manic laughter.
Another Clue?
El Arroyo drip-feeds the masses with little scraps of knowledge about themselves. Now they're telling us that "anything unrelated to elephants is irrelephant." What could it mean? Are the tacos El Arroyo selling made of the other, other, other white meat? Are they part of the illicit ivory trade, or are they part of the destructive and sad elephant-poaching industry?
Oh why hello there, the kindly officer of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, why don't you come this way? Yes, it is a funny sign, but why don't you take a look inside? Look at the wastebaskets – I've heard they turn ivory into wastebaskets.
Hokey Pokey
Addiction is a struggle many people have to deal with. This sign-writer has made sure he or she is on the path to recovery by recognizing how important control over your own life is, and how important to the people around you – hang on, I've been handed a note. Let's see...hokey pokey... right-hand in... right-hand out...oh.
Oh. Well, come on now, the sign is making light of a very serious situation that a lot of people are struggling with. Hokey Pokey addiction is no laughing matter – hang on I've got another note. Oh. At least everything went well in the end.
It Would Have Made it Into the News
The song tells us that everyone was kung fu fighting, but as this El Arroyo sign says, there's no way it was everyone. There would have been mass panic – the fights would have spilled into bars, hockey arenas, and homes of male feminists – places where there is never physical violence!
El Arroyo has taken a stand since they're tired of people overstating just how prevalent the kung fu fighting was. Thanks for raising a good point, El Arroyo, you mysterious leader of the funny signs industry. Maybe one day you will tell us some useful information.
Not a Secret Anymore
We expect better of you, Wendy's. You say that your burger meat is always fresh, never frozen, but you've just let slip the secret. Wendy, are you sure your name isn't...Jessica (DUN dun DUUUUUUN)? And you're even hiring right now, which means you must be running out of patties.
All jokes aside, this is in somewhat poor taste (despite how good Wendy's food usually tastes), since a famous news story from 2005 revealed a visitor found a finger in her bowl of chili – yet it was revealed this was a hoax, and the visitor herself was arrested. But still, Wendy's, please change the sign.
To Serve Man
This is the kind of sign that gets the restaurant trending, but not exactly for the right reason. Of course, the sign wants you to eat there...but what's that they're serving? Ah. Well. Maybe uh... I'm not really into that sort of thing. I mean, certainly, I'm sure they taste good. You wouldn't broadcast that sort of offer without getting the recipes perfect.
Uh, hey officer, could you go in and ask to talk to Jessica? Maybe ask a few questions? Ask about the kids? Yeah, because...yeah. The sign. Of course, that's just the name of the restaurant probably. Probably. Please just be the name.
Quick, Write it Down! We have detail, I repeat, we have detail!
El Arroyo has done something incredible – they've actually given us some sort of information about their restaurant with their sign. It is, of course, part of a stupid joke that they made because they want people to take pictures and get the word out, but we can at least surmise that this Texas restaurant sells Tex-Mex.
The sign is true: no one wants a small taco. But what kind of taco? Chicken? Beef? Are there fish tacos? Maybe a proprietary mixture, with just the right combo of rice, cheese, guacamole, and tomato?
Nothing Krabby About These Patties
Burger King is seen as the younger brother to the king of the fast-food burger store, McDonald's, but there are plenty of people who prefer their food to the Clown Prince of Fries. They've been trying to branch out into humor, and this sign is going to get a chuckle from any of the millions who watched this cartoon show while they were kids.
Or adults, even. Of course, if they are hiring managers and Mr. Squarepants is one of the employees, they might have a hard time finding someone who is willing to manage this establishment – Spongebob is well-known for his hard-to-manage working style.
Surprise
This is like the risque, male version of that El Arroyo sign from a little while ago. If you're one of these professions – which are famous for their seductive ways, especially when that lonely wife gets them in her sights – you might have the opportunity to celebrate your first Father's Day.
This sign tells us nothing about what the store sells or what deals there are, but if you walk in there and announce that you were one of those professions (or a pizza delivery man, or a groundskeeper) you might get a cheer and a free drink.
Give Peas a Chance
Perhaps this little vegan establishment in Vancouver is onto something good. Perhaps we do need to leave the meat behind and consider more veggie options and "give peas a chance." This wouldn't be the first quirky sign outside of a vegan/ vegetarian restaurant.
It's a lot better to read a funny and light sign like this one instead of "Vegan Restaurant" or "Vegetarian Cafe." Whether you're a radical vegan or on the opposite end of that scale and a complete meat-eating carnivore, you can't deny that this sign is a nice way of stating that this cafe is animal-friendly.
Drinks Make the World Go Round
Do you know what the love languages are? They're the five ways people experience and show love: physical touch, quality time, acts of service, words of encouragement, and giving and receiving gifts. This sign has a clever and quick way to check a couple of those boxes with one simple act: buying a round of drinks.
Of course, there's the buying – that's a gift – there's the time spent sitting and drinking – there's quality time – and doing something for the other person – an act of service if we've ever heard of them. Go on, show your loved one how much you care.
Egg
The simple, understated egg. Comes out of chickens and lots of other birds. Some signs are simply better simple, and this sign is nothing if not simple. Whether it's omelets, a scramble, or hard-boiled, an egg has lots to offer you.
At a mere seventy calories (on average) an egg is a lean protein food that will help you stay full and tastes great. Remove the yolks for an even heart-healthier meal, but if you don't have a favorite way to eat eggs, don't worry, the egg will find you, the egg will come for you. You cannot escape the egg.
Just Wait a Minute
Hipsters have single-handedly turned themselves into both a joke and a punchline, and the number of people who refer to themselves as a hipster has dropped off dramatically in recent years – though, in some way, we have all become hipsters, since we're always looking for the new cool thing.
And if we adopt the style, activity, or thought first, then we get to hold some kind of superiority. This simple joke, which tells us at least that the store sells coffee and nothing else, thus making it better than an El Arroyo sign, at the very least, is chuckle-worthy.
No Shoes, No Service
If you're a fan of pulling on some warm socks and then strapping on a pair of sandals, then maybe check to see if the restaurant you're headed out to will even allow it. Also, for Pete's sake, nobody thinks it looks good. If you need warmth just wear shoes, and if you like the feeling of sandals then don't wear socks.
Plus, if you're rocking this fashion faux pa, then some eateries will straight-up bar you from entering, as they should. It's not only the fanciest eateries, too, where you have to have a coat and tie – really, but you also shouldn't be allowed to leave the house.
Follow Your Dreams
Seeing a sign like this while dining just makes you wonder, are you really following your dreams? Perhaps if your dream yesterday was, "I really want tacos," and you are now indeed eating tacos at this eatery, then sure, you are following your dreams!
In a world of high-paced 9 to 5s and information overload from social media, dreaming about making tacos your meal on the following day is an absolutely swell dream to have. We have so many things to worry about in the fast-paced, demanding world we live in, so it's okay to let your hair down every once in a while and dream a little dream about tacos.
Good News, Bad News, it Doesn't Matter
Sometimes you need a pick-me-up. You have had a long day and you just need to go somewhere that will serve you something fun and help you forget about your problems for a little while. Sometimes you are the fun one, and you want to bring your party presence to others.
Or, you want to celebrate with your friends because of the good news you have just received. No matter which of the above is true for you, this eatery, bar, or diner will be ready to facilitate your need for your drink of choice, be it celebratory or soothing.
How Dare They
El Arroyo is back to their old tricks, putting up letters to make words, and thus constructing sentences with those words. Now they're wishing us a "happy whatever doesn't offend you," which is a pretty wishy-washy way to wish someone a happy...day. Of course, all of these El Arroyo signs are built not to even do something for the passersby, but to get them noticed.
To get them trending. They are like...a stamped ticket. You show your friends a picture of the most recent sign, and they know you've been out on the town. With so many festivals out there, there's no point in trying to put all of them on the sign.
Just Eat the Dang Food
Don't take a picture of it. No! Stop! It's for your own good – just look at what might happen. This restaurant is getting tired of people whipping out their phones and snapping pics of their food for Instagram instead of tucking their napkins into their collars and tucking into their warm meals.
If the meals cool, they might not be as tasty, and you might not appreciate them as much. So do the fine people who took your order, prepared your order, and delivered your order a favor, and take a picture of your empty plate instead. It helps you stand out.
The Title of this Sign is "Trying Too Hard"
El Arroyo has put up some zingers, but this one doesn't pass the test. Yeah, the pun is there – the mean of a set of numbers is a synonym for an average – but it's so obvious, any eighth grader can see the punchline coming from a worksheet away.
It will get a laugh from kids who think they're privy to some kind of FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE about math, most people will just roll their eyes and walk past the El Arroyo sign, which we're starting to think is something that happens a lot more than the restaurant would care to admit.
Now We're Talking
This is the kind of sign that ticks all the boxes and is interesting to read. First off, we know right away what kind of food this restaurant is selling – meat. Second, we know they're actually interested in advertising their food and advertising it hard. Third, it's got humor in it.
Every ending of this flowchart gives us something punchy, and always pushes the reader to try out the food being offered. We live in a time when eating meat is such a polarizing topic - so this restaurant decided to try and help make the decision easier for you.
Well, That's Good News, I Guess
This is...sort of the bottom of the barrel when it comes to positive reviews, but at least the owner is being honest with us. Of course, we expect the owner to want to eat where he works – a man or woman must have pride in his or her work, artistic or otherwise. But, we wonder if the approval goes any deeper.
Is the owner happy with the food being served? Does he/she think it could be improved? Is he/she worried about the quality of the food compared to the cost and speed of preparing and serving it? Let's hear more.
We Wonder if Chameleons Eat Here
Here is another sign that seems to think that a threat is a good way to bring in the bucks. There are no menus? You will be served what you deserve? What could they possibly know about me? You do not know me! You do not know what I have done! Or...have not done!
But the sign is a lie – we are not going to be served what we deserve, we are going to be served what the people working here think we deserve. At the end of the day though, going to a peaceful place to eat is ideal.
Those Halcyon Days
Back when you could look someone in the eye and not have them look back at their screen. Back when if you were out eating and the phone rang, too bad. Back when a coffee shop was a place for conversation, congregation, and nice, regular black coffee.
This enterprising store has brought those days back, and we are buying what they're selling. 1995 is a bit far back – WiFi didn't get started until midway through the two-thousands – but perhaps they mean to return to when the internet was just a gleam in a bunch of nerds' eyes.
This One Isn't Even Very Good
Come now, El Arroyo – two signs on one page – this sign is not your best. It takes a little bit of thinking even to understand what they're talking about, and once you do figure it out, you'll groan and roll your eyes and go across the street to the Taco Bell, because there is no way you're going to reward that sort of creative output.
What does El Arroyo sell? Do they actually cook food? Is it just a bunch of writers who sit around a table and come up with witty – or hopefully witty – signs?
Choose Your Opponent
The choice is a classic one: one, single, solitary horse-sized duck? Or 100 duck-sized horses? Are they working as a team? Are the animals aware they're at a different size than they should be? Does the huge duck see you as a big piece of bread? Are the animals in a fight to the death or will they run away?
Most importantly, why can't we settle our differences with conversation rather than violence? Do you have any idea how many people would like to have a duck-sized horse? Heck, I'd be fine with a horse-sized duck. El Arroyo has raised these questions and more.
Look, Boss, I Followed Orders
Having a good relationship with your superior at work makes working easy, and following orders is part of that give-and-take relationship. However, we wonder if the boss will actually be happy to hear how literally the sign-writer took his order. The sign is meta, here meaning only interesting if you have prior knowledge.
They are good for getting the word out on social media and might get people to remember the sign and thus the restaurant, but like many of these signs, we know nothing about the restaurant, what kind of food they offer, or what specials are on the menu.
Please Just Tell us About the Food
So, there's this famous song called "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot, with the lyrics "my anaconda don't want none unless you got buns, hun." El Arroyo decided to spin the words a bit. It's a feeble attempt, but we like that they're trying.
The sign may be a little punny, as long as they're having fun! And to be honest, we would have to go one step further and say that this version of the song was written by a performer who goes by the name of "Sir Chips-a-Lot." You know, because he likes to eat chips. Potato chips. Or fries - whatever.
Alexes Only
Yeah, the poem is kind of stupid, and it might get a chuckle out of some people, but we doubt a lot of people on the street saw it and decided to stop in. But let's talk about that name. "The Alex Restaurant." Does Alex own the restaurant? Are all the workers named Alex? Are only Alexes allowed to eat there?
We can figure out why they are desperate for customers. Also, can steak actually be blue? Are you sure about that one? Seems like the quality of the poetry and the food might be similar at "The Alex Restaurant."
For the Last Time
In some restaurants, words aren't enough. Especially when the restaurant in question is one that serves ethnic food or is from another country. At this restaurant, things must have gotten pretty bad at one point, because the proprietors had to put a sign asking – begging – people not to flick over the tables.
Whether it's because of Yakuza deals gone wrong, badly-prepared sushi, or just tables that are oh-so flippable, it's happened enough that the sign not only has English and Japanese but also a stick figure image, just to make sure the message gets across.
Cheap Pizza is the Best Pizza
Another great sign for this list. It tells us what the restaurant sells, a great deal – for real, though, one-dollar pizza? That's a steal – and something that is memorable and funny. The Philosoraptor is a classic deep thinker of the internet age, and now here he is, wondering why every pizza place doesn't sell pizza at such an affordable cost.
We couldn't agree more. Someone on staff is talented with the chalk and did their best to make the raptor inquisitive and thoughtful. It's another sign that ticks all the boxes and is the kind of thing that makes for an actually good sign.
A Visual Aid
A lot of times, a restaurant will just have a quick list of what kind of drinks they offer, but this off-the-beaten-path establishment has done something a little different. They took individual pictures of every drink, including classic soft drinks, lemonade, tea, and "strawberry." It might not be all that necessary, but it's certainly going to be a help for those who can't see that well or who just prefer to point to their drink of choice.
Of course, the big problem is that the "Pepsi," "Diet Pepsi," "Dr. Pepper," "Root Beer," and "Tea" pictures could all be the exact same liquid. Also, the small drink size is a dollar – a far cry from the incredible deal McDonald's offered a little bit ago.
Just Pick Already
We are going to let you know upfront: you are going to see a lot of El Arroyo signs, so get used to them. This sign focuses on the difficulty that a lot of people have in picking a place to eat, especially couples. But, like all of these El Arroyo signs, it gets you thinking.
If you and your beloved can find a place you both like to eat quickly, you can be sure your compatibility score is higher than most. And we have to give El Arroyo credit because at least this sign has to do with restaurants.
Eat Here or Else
Ah yes. The best way to get people to eat at your restaurant: a threat. Money makes the world go round, they say, and this sign has cut to the quick of the matter when they say they need the passer-by to stop in and spend some of their money, so they can then turn around and spend that money to buy their own food.
The sign is punchy and gets its message across in a mere seven words. Of course, you can see the problem: You and I know how to make our own food. Just yesterday, I made a Greek salad, garlic bread, cacio e pepe, and pineapple upside-down cake.
Cheese It, It's the Cops
El Arroyo yet again. They're doing their best to bring in the eyes and ears of the populace with yet another clever sign, this one anthropomorphizing dogs who spot K-9 units on the street. It will make you laugh when you stop in for some of, we assume, El Arroyo's good food, but once again, it tells us nothing about the restaurant, its prices, its deals, or what kind of food it sells.
Maybe one of these days, we'll see a sign from them that tells us what they're selling or something like that. Or, maybe we'll just see plenty more funny signs that you laugh at online while not eating their food.
Turning a Bad Review into Good Business
Yelp has been a mixed bag for businesses all over the world, with good words and bad words spreading at the exact same rate. One Yelp reviewer said that this restaurant had the worst meatball sandwich of his life, and somebody had the bright idea to make the fact into a sign. How bad can a meatball sandwich really be?
Everybody likes a meatball sandwich. What kind of bread do you think they used? What were the other pieces of the sandwich? Most importantly, what kind of meat was it? One way or the other, this sign probably got people talking.
Grumpy
The signs that we've seen so far have gotten people to laugh, think, and save money, but this one seems designed to do little more than cry. Nothing is special inside the store or out, including you. We go about our mundane lives thinking we're destined for great things, but sometimes we just aren't special, just like the sign says.
For regular eaters at...uh...GNTRBT, they know they aren't special, but hopefully, they're at least able to enjoy some good coffee, or bagels, or pad thai, or whatever else GNTRBT offers. What the heck does GNTRBT stand for anyway? Are we being stupid? Let us know what you think it stands for.
You'll be Purring Thanks to the Savings
There are plenty of places that have strange stipulations and offers if their guests do this thing or that. This sign takes the kitty cake though since if you work in ten meows while you order, they'll slash a whole ten percent off the price. The drawing is a good one, but it has nothing to do with cats or their meows.
It's little more than a way to draw the eye, attract some customers, and maybe have some fun. We really like the idea of an entire restaurant pretending to be cats, though, so we're sure if the employees didn't get sick of it, it was a fun day to work.
Happy Mother's Day!
El Arroyo is back again already with a sign that brings out a nervous laugh to plenty of students, young and old. We've all done it before – you're working hard on a math problem, and instead of calling out Mrs. Pike, or Mrs. Kirkcaldy, or Mrs. Ross, you call the woman mom. Poor her.
But at least she can take solace in the fact that they are at least a motherly figure for the kids in her class. This is the kind of sign that El Arroyo hopes will go viral and doesn't actually market much, but at least it's funny.
Quite the Let-Down
There are some people out there who cannot go a day without getting outside and grooving their way to a healthier body. Those people love their bodies, but everybody needs a day off once in a while. Of course, when a friend invites you to pie and lattes, and you end up at a yoga studio, it can be a letdown of epic proportions.
Pilates might not burn enough calories to give you the space to splurge, but nothing ever stops you from stopping in for a treat after working hard. Making it a habit, however, will reverse any calories you burn – remember, abs begin in the kitchen!
No Hipsters, No Hamsters
If you want to lure customers into your restaurant, you will probably write a nice message on a board to showcase your mouthwatering food options. You could also just make a sign like this that will leave passers-by wholly puzzled. Perhaps the whole tactic behind making ludicrous signs like this one is to make people more curious, and then maybe, just maybe, they'll come inside.
Of course, you're not going to bring your hamster with you when you dine. Or perhaps it's a marketing scheme, as most people will take a picture of this quirky sign and share it. At least, that's how we got a glimpse of this sign that is supposedly all the way in the Philippines.
Deserves Another Look
At first glance, this sign looks like it's saying something quite mean about the food that the restaurant is serving. However, a smart combo of wordplay from another language and a nod to famous recording artist Snoop Dogg creates a restaurant name that is memorable, funny, and gets you hungry for some hot and tasty Vietnamese soup.
Creating a sign that not only talks about what kind of food you serve but brings a chuckle as well is a winner in our book, and with the addition of some bubble tea and other Vietnamese food, this small restaurant seems like a winner.
Philosophical Thoughts from El Arroyo
El Arroyo has some incredible signs that you'll see throughout this article, and this one gives the passer-by pause. The Austin-based restaurant has gone from dad puns to cheeky jokes, and now they give us something to really think about as we stop in to enjoy some of their food.
People must really like El Arroyo's food if they have this much time to think about what exactly clapping is and isn't, but we have to admit the sign brings up an interesting point. El Arroyo loves these kinds of things because, before you know it, you've been staring at the sign for an hour and need something to eat.
Better Check the Calendar Again, Fellas
Plenty of restaurants pride themselves on the fact that they stay open for six days a week, or even seven, but only one restaurant has the gumption, the verve, and the chutzpah to stay open eight days a week and stay closed on Sundays! We're unsure which restaurant this is, but their food must be mind-blowing if it's able to change time in such an immense way.
We do wonder what kind of food they're slinging – is it incredible future food that has stepped over the bounds of time to shift our very nature? Maybe the sign creators are just stupid. It could be either one.
Ramen Bath, Anyone?
Anyone walking past this establishment sign would probably need to do a double-take. The sushi sign on the bottom of the board is quite fine and normal, but the top sign appears to advertise a man taking a bath in ramen or, shall we say, 'RawMan.'
Do you like ramen noodles enough to want to take a bath in them? Apparently, this is something that you can do in Japan. Yup, you heard that correctly. You can actually take a bath in a tub filled to the brim with ramen noodles. The Japanese are known for their innovations, but who would've thought that this would be one of them
Seafood or Beef?
Seafood is great for its freshness, diversity, and versatility. Thanks, oceans of the world! The distinguishing foods under this umbrella typically include fish like hake, kingklip, tuna, and salmon and shellfish like shrimp, crab, lobster, and mussels, to name a few.
Calamari is another seafood option which is neither a fish nor a shellfish, but this is also a beloved option on most seafood menus. As the 'seafood' name entails, most of these food items come from the sea. Typically the land creatures, cows, are not associated with seafood at all, but clearly, whoever pitched these signs together missed something big here.
Hotdog Cook Wanted
We are not too sure where "Jane's restaurant 'n pizzeria" is, but they seem to be hiring. They are specifically seeking a weekend cook. This cook must be able to put a wiener in a bun. That sounds fairly simple, and we're sure that there are tons of candidates out that are fit for this job.
However, it does not seem like the most interesting task to undertake all day. We're just hoping that among making hotdogs, there will be other tasks to fulfill on the job as well because making hotdogs all day long can become rather monotonous and boring. But hey, beggars can't be choosers.
Is Your Last Name Spaghetti?
This eatery is looking for staff with their outdoor sign. We are also not too sure where "Julie's Family Restuarant" is located, but maybe someone needs to tell them that their sign is causing a lot of confusion for passers-by. Are they "NOW HIRING SPAGHETTI" for $11.25? Or are "NOW HIRING" and "SPAGHETTI $11.25" two separate ideas?
Perhaps if your family name is Spaghetti, then you can apply here. Either way, it's a smart idea to advertise that you are hiring on your own restaurant sign, as those adverts cost a pretty penny these days. But it's perhaps not such a smart idea to leave the onlookers confused by the wording of this sign.
Eat Your Heart Out
This eatery's sign is bound to make most customers giggle. The irony here is that they have put a long mirror right next to a sign stating that customers should "Eat like no one is watching." Of course, everyone is going to see you gobbling your food down with a mirror like that!
Perhaps the mirror is there so you can observe how you eat. Who cares about what people may think when they see when they see you stuffing your face with food? As long as you enjoy the food like you would when no one is watching you!
Family Friendly
Family-friendly restaurants are great for when the whole family wants to tag along. What's great about them is that they will usually have an all-inclusive menu for all ages, and if your family is lucky, then they may even have a play area explicitly designated for kids. At this establishment, their family-friendly vibes do not mean that you can leave your children free to run around unattended.
You will want to ensure that your kids are not left to run wild and without an adult's supervision otherwise, there may be some grave consequences. You wouldn't want your child to get espressos or unfulfilled Santa promises, no. So best you keep a close watch when visiting this restaurant with the family!
It's a Hint
Mango Y Chile restaurant in Bacalar, Mexico, must have run out of illustrative ways to word a sign when they made this sign. Because if you're looking for a sign to go and eat there, then here it is.
They avoided a sign that rambled on with too many wordy descriptions of food and opted for keeping things nice and simple. In all fairness, the homophone of the word 'sign' is rather clever. If you need a sign, as in a hint or a pointer, to go to this Mexican establishment, then this sign gives you the sign to go there!
Oops, the Sign Broke
If you are a restaurant owner and your sign has fallen off the wagon, then that's not a problem. At least that's not a problem for this restauranteur. Just do like this creative eatery owner and simply spell it out, as to create no confusion with: "Sign Broke, Food Good."
It's a given that any sign stating words that rhyme with food, like "Food Good" here, is bound to draw in customers. That should do until you manage to get that broken sign fixed. But until then, all you can do is rely on some simple words that rhyme to make sure you get the attention of hungry passers-by.
Only in India
Perhaps a restaurant sign like this one will do fine in some parts of the world, like where it was spotted in Mumbai, India. But to anyone in the Western world, it may just be a cause for some laughs at the ludicrousness of some of these restaurant rules.
It's giving military vibes, like, are we not allowed to read a newspaper or let alone talk to the cashier? Aren't restaurants supposed to be a place where you can relax and enjoy a few moments of food and freedom? Guess not every restaurant in the world got the memo about that!
Drink Beer for Your Safety
As the saying goes, "Fat kids are harder to kidnap," the same rings true with "The more you weigh, the harder you are to kidnap." That's the message that this brewery sign in the Phillippines is giving. Every restaurant or bar will have its own ways of luring in customers, and this brewery decided to keep things honest and open.
There is, of course, a lot of truth in this sign, as drinking more beer will indeed make you heavier and, therefore, harder to kidnap. Just make sure you don't drink too much to the point of becoming totally passed out. Because then it'll be easy to kidnap you regardless of your weight.
You Eat, You Go Home
As other entries on this list prove, Chinese food has spread to nearly every quarter of the world. Due to a complex Chinese dictionary, inadequate English literacy, and poorly translated Chinese-to-English sentences, English-speaking guests may be left with unstoppable laughing fits when trying to make sense of Chinese restaurant signs.
This Chinese eatery has made it very clear that their 'all you can eat buffet' does not mean that it's an 'all day buffet.' For lack of using better wording, they've finished off their sign with 'YOU EAT - YOU GO HOME.' We hope that this sign made you laugh as much as it made us laugh!
Cuppa Coffee to Start the Day
This sign seems to have missed a key element in the way that someone's face looks before they have had their first coffee versus after that first coffee of the day. So many people rave about how they can't happily start their day before that first cup of coffee.
Given that so many people rely on this beverage to start their day, isn't the second face with the cuppa coffee supposed to be a smiley one? Apparently, not for this cafe, but perhaps the people who'll stop and give the sign a second look may actually be lured in for their first coffee of the day, thanks to the confusion created by this cafe's sign.
We Didn't Need to Know
We're not so sure about you, but when we think of the dining experience, we picture fresh food that's been prepared on the same day and hopefully not straight out of the freezer. Of course, there's no way to enjoy certain out-of-season foods without the use of a freezer, so naturally, sometimes, an eatery is going to prepare frozen foods.
But do we want to know that the food is straight from the freezer? Hard no. Do we need to learn via the restaurant sign that the food is being prepared straight from the freezer? Also, a hard no! Perhaps this eatery needs to rethink the wording for this sign.
Double Trouble
There are a lot of reasons why people love burgers so much and why this modest American food has spread to every part of the world. It's got a remarkably great taste that blends in different textures and flavors that just seem to marry so well together. That being said, one still needs to advertise sensibly if you want to bring customers to your burger joint.
This little drive-in in Alberta, Canada, called "Peters' Drive-In", has perhaps cracked the code to marketing burgers to passers-by. Perhaps all it takes to draw the burger-eaters in is to just repeat each word relating to the burgers that you are advertising. Anyone will fall for "CHEESE CHEESE" and "BURGER BURGER."
Jammed Drawer
If you own a potato masher, then perhaps you will know what this restaurant sign is about. These little kitchen tools are known to take up quite a bit of space in your kitchen cabinets, and sometimes they even get jammed due to their size and shape and cause the whole drawer to get stuck in place.
It's no fun when this happens, and it usually requires a few little nimble fingers to displace and move some of the kitchen devices around in order to unjam the jam. Perhaps this restaurant sign just wants you to know that you are not alone when this happens and that it's quite a common thing to happen in any given kitchen.
Thursdays We Are Open
Most restaurants are proud when they can say they serve customers seven days a week. Not only proud but also just pleased with the number of customers that spend money in their restaurants over the seven days that they are open.
Somehow this little Chinese restaurant in the Chinatown area of Gumbat, Turkey, has made it clear that they will only be serving guests one day a week — Thursdays. Good for them if they can manage to pay all the bills with only one day of trade per week. Oh, wait... now that we're giving the sign another look, it looks like Thursday is the day when the actual guests are on the menu!
Worst Name for a Restaurant
If you've been to Thailand, then you've probably seen a bunch of poorly translated English signs and slogans. They are funny and sometimes just downright strange. This sign well and truly gets to the point — that's for sure. It says loud and clear that this eatery is called a "POO restaurant."
We just hope that the restauranteur that put this sign up knows that no one who understands the word "poo" is going to eat at this establishment. We also can't seem to imagine what sort of food they are serving, but one can only hope that the food is not associated with the restaurant's title.
Thai Tanic
The pronunciation of this restaurant is bound to evoke some familiarity in some who know the movie "Titanic." This iconic flick came out in 1997 and made massive waves all around the world with its striking doomed voyage storyline. Most people who were born before the turn of the century are well aware of this movie and the storyline.
Since it's such a cult classic and most people know the name of the movie's title, it's also not such a bad idea to name your restaurant after something that sounds exactly like it. It's certain that reading this title will bring some sort of acquaintance, and perhaps, the onlooker will be intrigued enough to go for its dining experience.
Troubles of the 'Gulls
If you have ever dined at an eatery near a shoreline, then you will know the dilemma that customers need to face when dining at such a place. Besides the wind that may blow you and your food away, seagulls may also interrupt your seaside dining experience.
These little critters are known to snatch up any food that they can get their little talons on. This is all well and fine if you don't mind the lack of cleanliness that these little pests are associated with. This restaurant has been open and honest about seagulls from the very start and has been smart enough to state that the pestering seagulls have nothing to do with them.
Chicken, Anyone?
It probably comes as no surprise that at any given Nando's branch, it's certain that there will be someone, a man or a woman, eating chicken since they are in the chicken game. This sign is good at keeping things simple and stating the obvious with "Man Eating Chicken."
Or... wait, now that we're reading it out loud, it looks like this specific branch of Nando's is the one where the poultry gets its revenge! Chickens that are in the man-eating business can come over and get their favorite human dish, made with actual humans! We'll take our business elsewhere, thanks.
Just in Case You Die
Talk about brutal honesty with this sign. This eatery wasted no time baffling around with their rules. Nothing like a little bit of dark humor and absurdity to attract customers. We just hope that this is not the real reason that this establishment only accepts cash.
Usually, when a business only accepts cash, it's due to various reasons like speed, simplicity, and avoiding transaction fees and the like, but it has never been for the grim reason of the customer's future death. Whether this sign is going to be well received by passers-by or not, is not very clear, but it's definitely bound to make them do a double-take!
Human Hair Restaurant?
Usually, the first thing one thinks about when looking at this sign is not food but rather a salon or something along those lines. But according to this Redditor, this is a sign for a restaurant. Believe it or not, the sign that advertises "100% BRAZILIAN HUMAN HAIR" is actually serving up food.
Not sure what sort of food this eatery is dishing out, but we just hope that it's got nothing to do with the title of the sign! Whatever it is, it can't be great if the Redditor claims that it's the worst restaurant they have ever been to. They only gave this supposed restaurant a three-star rating, which actually seems high for a place serving up hair.
Drink Your Heart Out
Perhaps one way of making customers at a bar feel better about their drinking habits is a sign like this one. It's reassuring to know that alcohol and water don't seem to solve problems, so really, at the end of the day, it's not going to matter much if you drink water or alcohol because they are gonna have the same outcome.
At least that's what this little bar in New York's West Village thinks. So you may as well go to this bar, or any bar for that matter, and drink your heart out. Be it water or alcohol, it doesn't make a difference.
Tourist Menu for Tourist Prices
If you have ever traveled to Europe or anywhere touristy, in peak tourist months, you may or may not know this, but some restaurants actually have a special menu for tourists. This is not a menu with different options specifically made for tourists, no. It's actually the exact same standard menu that locals get, except the prices are inflated for tourists.
You also have no way of knowing since you are a tourist and probably not well acquainted with local prices. It feels unfair, but this eatery in Rome has stated that they are against tourist menus (and war, for that matter), so at least you won't end up paying more than the locals if you visit this establishment.
No Star No Problem
It is notoriously tough for any culinary establishment to get a Michelin star. They only get awarded to a very small portion of the world's restaurants that can tick a very long and meticulous list of criteria. It's no mean feat to maintain a star, let alone get one, and it is estimated that less than 1% of all restaurants worldwide have achieved at least one of these stars.
Having no Michelin star is no problem for this Thai eatery. They may not have a Michelin star, but they do have a Michelin tire. They are both from the same company in any way, so what does it matter if it's a star or a tire?
You're Welcome
How to be skinny is a lot easier said than done for most people struggling with their weight. But perhaps this establishment had the right idea about how to go about body positivity.
We are not sure where this cafe is, but according to them, all you have to do to feel better about your body is notice how your whole body is covered in skin and say to yourself, "Wow... I'm SKINNY." This should do the trick to deceive your mind into believing that you are, in fact, not a fatty but more of a skinny. Sounds simple enough!
First, Dessert!
Life can be so uncertain for us fragile human beings. Besides all the unexpected occurrences that happen to us all the time, we are also not immortal, and eventually, every one of us will reach the end of the road. It's quite morbid to think about it, but it's the truth, and this little café has the perfect recipe for dealing with the uncertainties of life.
Since you cannot control any of the events unfolding in your life, you may as well work with the things that you can control. And that's why you should just eat dessert first because at least this is something that is in your hands, among all the things that aren't.
What Are You Implying?
Graduation is a great educational achievement that can be celebrated in many ways. A nice way to celebrate this momentous accolade is to head down to the local diner like "O'Charley's," with your peers and party the night away. According to their sign, they will celebrate your graduation with you (besides being open to hiring).
Graduation also marks a massive transition to the next phase in life. Perhaps that's getting a new job which you are now more qualified for or moving to a new city to pursue a business idea. It probably doesn't mean that you're going to head straight to O'Charley's to apply to work there, but of course, they can dream!
Back to the Real World
Back to reality happens every week on Monday when the weekend is over, and it's back to the real world, back to work. It's not easy dealing with the fact that the weekend has come to an end. It's back to waking up early and back to facing the traffic and workload that await us every day.
We are not too sure where this little pub is situated, but they know just how to soothe these 'back to the real world' woes. If you need a pick-me-up to distract yourself from this harsh reality, they will be there for you with a drink!
Rookie Typo Error
Going to a family-friendly restaurant is great for so many reasons. It's an all-inclusive atmosphere that caters to any age of any family member. They usually tolerate noise and poorly behaved kids well, which is great for your loud kids who are running all over the show.
They also have some special areas that are specifically designated for kids to play and go wild in. It's even better when they offer free kiddies' meals. According to "Dickey's Barbecue", they offer free meals to your kids here. We are just not so sure if the restaurant's name will be agreeable to all parents.