Old Sizzler in east Blythe

This abandoned former Sizzler building on 8960 E. Hobsonway is in the eastern edge of the structured area of Blythe, by Hobsonway and the Baja Fresh. The restaurant was constructed in 1966 or 1967. (Palo Verde Valley Times Jan. 5, 1967)  A PVVT picture published circa 1970 views the assembly of the sign, which had the two cattle logo and reads "SIZZLER FAMILY STEAK HOUSE." The sign was reportedly the first and largest erected by the company, and other locations would get similar signs, so the Blythe sign was briefly the biggest Sizzler sign ever. This Sizzler's manager was Ed Coatney. This was during the time Hobsonway was the main highway for Blythe, two years before the arrival of Interstate 10's new alignment. 

According to another PVVT article from January 2007, Terry and Janet White bought the Sizzler in 1977, and used the building until 1986 when because they needed bigger facilities such as the kitchen, they relocated to the other side of town. The Whites owned the Blythe Sizzler at the current west Blythe location until 2015. This 20th anniversary of ownership article includes a picture of the old restaurant with the tall sign.

I found information of two different restaurants taking the 8960 E. Hobsonway address. A 1990 newspaper advertisement shows Jimmy's Bar & Grill as located here, and a little article from 1995 shows Johnny's Restaurant, while saying it took the place of Jimmy's, but not mentioning Sizzler. The building appears to be already abandoned during December 2007 according to Google Street View. The message in the sign was still there, but faded (includes the name "JOHNNY'S" in the top?); the sign is now empty. The lot was fenced during December 2007, but today there's no fencing.