Doll House Roadhouse Retro Board

Founded in 1936 on Louis Botha Avenue, it was Johannesburg’s oldest and most iconic roadhouse.
The concept was imported by American immigrants from Salt Lake City, Utah, during a time when Joburg was embracing American culture—think neon lights, Art Deco, and drive-in dining. 
 
For decades, it was a social hub where families, late-night revellers, and car enthusiasts gathered.
Patrons would park, flick their lights (instead of hooting), and get food served on metal trays clipped to car windows.
Its menu was famous for slap chips, dagwood sandwiches, toasted cheese, and double-thick milkshakes. 
 
It became the “Facebook of its time,” a meeting place for Joburg’s diverse communities—Jewish, Italian, Lebanese, Portuguese, and later African diaspora.
It was also a spot for teenage hangouts, first dates, and even drag races down Louis Botha Avenue. Nostalgia was a big part of its charm; in the ’70s it evoked the glamour of the ’50s, and in the ’90s, the vibe of the ’70s.
 
The Doll House thrived for over 80 years but began fading with the rise of fast-food chains like McDonald’s.
The original family sold it in 1987, and by 2017 it closed permanently.
Its demolition marked the end of an era, though heritage groups have worked to preserve its memory through public art and storytelling.