Donut Architecture
Randy's Donuts in Los Angeles is one of a dying breed of donut shops sporting enormous donut rings on their roofs, examples of a dying style called "mimic architecture".
"Mimic" architecture (buildings that look like what they sell, like hot dogs, coffee pots, etc.) became popular in the 1930s to catch the eye of drivers zooming past on the new freeways. Now fading in popularity, four giant donuts survive in Los Angeles.
"The 51-year-old Donut Hole in La Puente also sports some interesting pop architecture. Customers drive through the hole of two giant half doughnuts to get to the take-out window. Local lore has it that a ride through is good luck for honeymooners.
Randy's, built in 1952, is the most famous relic of the Big Donut chain, founded by Russ Wendell, a former doughnut machine salesman."
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Mimic architecture
Such buildings are part of a larger architectural tradition. Larger than simply "mimetic" (or in the case of animals, often "zoomorphic"). The introduction to "California Crazy" by Jim Heimann and Rip Georges (1981) provides an excellent historical context that goes beyond their mimetic qualities.
Doggie Diners too
Same thing happened to Doggie Diners in San Francisco. I think there is one "Doggie" head left on Sloat Blvd. at 45th Ave. near the ocean in SF. For the Twitter Generation who doesn't know what I am talking about, check the following:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/1780
chrisinsobe
Doggie Diner Heads To View
Bicycling through Emeryville maybe 5 years ago, I was surprised to see one house with about a half dozen doggie diner heads in front.
This article says there are three, and maybe that is all that is left, but there were more there years ago.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11504
Incidentally, I don't think the Doggie Diner head is quite the same as the mimic architecture of the donut shop. Oscar Meyer Wienermobile is mimic architecture.
Charles Siegel