I can't remember if I've mentioned this before, but I just came across a photograph from the 1960s, or maybe 1970s, that shows my favorite neon sign in Memphis. What a shame that it wasn't taken at night, when the neon glowed in all its glory.
As you can see, it's for Jack Pirtle Chicken. This is the establishment on Poplar, but I believe the Summer Avenue location had a similar (if not identical) sign, and — heck — maybe they all did. But they are simply amazing signs for the neon action they depict.
Namely, a flock of chickens scampers across the top of the sign — their wings just a-flapping, and then they leap happily into what at first glance must be a bucket of sizzling grease. In fact, that's what I always thought it was. But in fact, it's a huge bucket of fried chicken, with just the legs — converted into tasty drumsticks — poking out of the top, also outlined in neon.
It's not every restaurant that so graphically conveys the stages from barnyard critter to finished product in such a delightful way. What a shame that all of these old signs have been removed.
