Goodnight Raleigh - a look at the art, architecture, history, and people of the city at night

The Youngest Dombalis Watching the Bus at Mecca

Leaning against the glass door is Paul Jr., grandson of Paul Dombalis (middle right), the proprietor and grandson of the founder of Mecca Restaurant. The elder Paul noted that “he loves to watch the buses go by”.

The Lit Mecca Restaurant Neon Sign

Since the sign is only lit during business hours (7:30AM to 7PM), it’s not often you get to see it against a dark sky.

Martin Street Loses The Scaffolding



After a long time with scaffolding covering the sidewalk of Martin Street between Fayetteville and Wilmington Streets, the Mecca Restaurant sign is now visible again.

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Discuss Raleigh

  • Recent Comments:

    • Raleigh Boy: Ronnyg — I think the flooding must have been the impetus for Johhny to build a house in 1958...
    • Raleigh Boy: Diana — Given that today is the celebration of the Ascension, I believe Kudzu Jesus has probably...
    • Ronnyg: OH! And Johnny Griffin, Johnny’s owner, lived in a house behind the drive inn. The house was on sort of...
    • Ronnyg: I grew up across the street from Johnny’s. We used to listen to the bands play there @ night on the...
    • Diana: Wondering if the kudzu Jesus will be around at the end of June, 2012? I will be in town and want to put this...
    • Ian F.G. Dunn: @ralieghnative, it was Joe’s Place for a long time. Shortly after Joe’s closed it became...
    • Greg&Judy Eason: Hi guys, wrote on your wall, but wanted to post where it would get seen by a lot of people. Your...
    • RaleighNative51: There is a restaurant at the southwest corner of the intersection of W Martin and S Dawson just...


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