Did Dean Martin own a restaurant?

Answer 1

Not exactly, although his fans probably thought he did, since his name (and picture) were on the sign and on the menu. In 1958, Dean Martin agreed to become a partner in the Alpine Lodge on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. It was re-named Dino's Lodge, and for a while, helped by its appearance in the popular TV show "77 Sunset Strip" and the use of Martin's name, the restaurant and lounge, which featured Italian food, and female vocalists for entertainment, did very well. Celebrities came by, giving it a lot of media buzz, and at first, the restaurant was popular.

But Martin was only a part owner, and came to feel that his partners were mismanaging the venue. Also, he became more interested in owning a club in Las Vegas. Within only a couple of years, he had sold his share of the business. Gradually, Dino's Lodge stopped being the "in place" to go, and it became known as a tourist trap. Eventually, it closed. But undoubtedly, through it all, the public still thought it was his, even though Martin was no longer involved in any way.