Hanny's

In a restaurant with a name like “Hanny’s”, one would usually expect Hanny to be the owner, or perhaps the chef. But that's not the case here—the restaurant draws its name from Vic Hanny, a department store proprietor who built the store decades ago. Looking closely, you'll see the walls of the restaurant are covered in original Hanny’s logos and advertisements for menswear.

The building was constructed in 1947 by architects Royal Lescher and Leslie Mahoney, as a late example of the “International Style” of architecture. Upon its completion, the Arizona Times praised it for bringing a “new look” to the city as a modern department store. After its closing in 1986, Hanny’s was purchased by the city of Phoenix and used to train firefighters.

The old Hanny’s building was purchased by Karl Kopp in 2005. Kopp understood the appeal in giving his restaurants an unconventional style. So, instead of concealing its past as a department store, he kept much of the original, fading decor, as well as an original elevator shaft with a glass bottom.

Kopp also added some new features: weird bathrooms, and an unnamed horned mannequin covered in a mosaic of colorful objects. If you’re looking for something unsettling, head on down to the basement, with its collection of creepy dolls. Legend says that these dolls move from time to time—whether this is simply a  trick of artistry or actual paranormal activity is up for debate.