Memories of Lost L.A. Eateries, Part 2

Posted on May 20, 2008 by AlDesmadre

Memories of Lost L.A. Eateries, Â Part 2

Still more nostalgia for those long gone L.A. favorites……………..

Samboâ€™s, 1322 Beverly Blvd., Montebello, California. Super good pancakes and they gave you these little wooden Samboâ€™s nickels that you could redeem for a cup of coffee. It’s now a Baker’s Square.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Las Carnitas, 4003 East Olympic Blvd. E.L.A., CAÂ I loved this place. A welcoming interior with sticky red vinyl booths and low lighting. Everything on the menu was fresh & tasty and had a homemade quality. The staff was always warm & friendly and would chat you up before taking your order. I always ordered my usual; the Tampico Plate, it had a tender slice of beef steak, enchilada, flauta, rice & beans. Yum. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Thriftyâ€™s Ice Cream, various locations, Iâ€™m just another of the countless fans of the famous old-time Thriftyâ€™s ice cream. You got flavor, creaminess, fruit chunks, whole pistachios, whatever you liked and more of it for just 5Â¢Â a scoop! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The Monke-Uddle, Hamburger Stand, Fetterly Ave and Whittier Blvd., ELA, CA. For whatever reason, the magic of the burgers at an old legendary place like this defies description. I can say it had a beef patty, condiments and a bun and it would mean nothing to anyone today. But if you had only been there and experienced a true old-fashioned burger like this, youâ€™d be talking about it 40 years later as well.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Helms Bakery, Drive-by Bakery Delivery Trucks.Â Weâ€™d be lying on the living room floor watching Felix The Cat on our black & white TV, when suddenly weâ€™d hear the familiar TWEET-TWEET! of the Helms Bakery truck coming by. The cool thing about it was that as a kid, you’d run out because you knew you could count on getting a freebie almost every time from the nice guy driving the truck. Heâ€™d park; jump out and flip open the back panel doors of his brown painted truck. And when he slid out those wide wooden drawers youâ€™d hear the ooohs and aaahhs as pies, cakes, pastries, loaves of bread and all the glistening sweet donuts were displayed before us. I remember this brown bakery truck coming by up until about the 90â€™s in Montebello. By then, the lettering on the side had been changed to Holmâ€™s Bakery and the goods werenâ€™t so fresh anymore. A friend of mine said he once took a tour of the Helmâ€™s bakery and got a free sample mini loaf of bread, a chocolate donut and a little cardboard Helmâ€™s truck. Lucky bastard. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, Rosemead Bl. Near Mission Rd., Rosemead, CA.Â Iâ€™m sure that it was places like this that helped bring down the Roman Empire. Nevertheless, the sheer indulgence and gluttony of this place was vastly ignored for the sake of the tremendous fun you and your friends would have spooning copious amounts of ice cream out of a huge trough adorned with lit sparklers. Afterwards, everyone was awarded a ribbon that read: â€œI made a Pig of Myself at Farrellâ€™s.â€ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Bobâ€™s Freeze, 5144 E Beverly Blvd, E.L.A., CA.Â This delightful walk-up soft serve ice cream stand specialized in Sundaes, Parfaits, Banana Splits, and creamy Malts & Shakes. Situated next to an also now gone Gardunoâ€™s burger stand, you could find long lines of locals almost every day and night, partly due to the fact that the staff was painfully slow in filling orders. But it was the place to be seen, to check out the action, and to show off your Ranfla under the glow of the big neon ice cream cone. My favorite item was the Smog Sundae. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Casa De Fritos, Frontierland, Disneyland. USA. This place was so bad it was good. A classic example of Mexican food for white people, but I kind of found fun in the Goofy attempt to recreate a Mexican eating experiences. You could enjoy a “Ta-cup” with “Frito the Kid”. The menu was based on ground beef, cheese & beans combinations and you also got a miniature bag of Fritos with your meal, because in Mexico, of course, everyone loves Fritos. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Spikes Teriyaki Bowl, 1530 S. San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA.Â Yes, this place is still in operation, but it changed management some years ago and has not been as good since. Their Teriyaki bowls were divine, their Curry sublime, the Gyozas so fine, and the Burgers bovine. They also had a good fountain serve Cherry Coke, which I think is still there. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The Tikis, 1975 North Portero Grande Dr., Monterey Park, CA.Â Truly an unbelievable place. Picture a Tiki themed Disneyland with freeÂ flowing booze and scantily clad hula girls. The Tikis Dinner Show would feature an all you can eat Hawaiian buffet and an elaborate entertainment that featured giant apes that would swing down on vines and send the women screaming for their lives as a full scale volcano exploded into the sky. A maze of dark and mysterious underground tunnels catacomb the area and explorers could discover hidden bars, discos and Polynesian wonders. I still keep one of their original matchbooks. Hereâ€™s the printed description:

Â Â Â Â Â THE TIKIS

Â·Â Â Â Â Â 12 acres of tropical enchantment

Â·Â Â Â Â Â 50 feet of underground lava tubes

Â·Â Â Â Â Â 80 ft erupting volcano

Â·Â Â Â Â Â Waterfalls, lagoons, jungle trails

Â·Â Â Â Â Â 3 to 7 bands

Â·Â Â Â Â Â POLYNESIAN EXTRAVAGANZA featuring the finest of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga & New Zealand.

Â·Â Â Â Â Â Accommodates up to 5000 persons, 18 acres of parking

Â·Â Â Â Â Â We specialize in holiday parties

Â·Â Â Â Â Â Sundays bring the kids

Â·Â Â Â Â Â 12 exciting rides, petting zoo.

Â·Â Â Â Â Â Polynesian cultural center of the islands Train ride through Â½ mile of Polynesian settings and monster caves. During October, The TIKIS would also host nightly Halloween Horror Nights with the some of the most elaborate and horrific Haunted Mazes. They did not skimp on the gore. Truly an unforgettable experience. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

11. Assorted Treats,Â Fizzies Soda Tablets, Candy juice inside wax shapes, Scooter pies, candy cigarettes, candy lipstick, half of a lemon with a saladito stuck in it, soda vending machines where first a paper cup was dispensed then the soda poured out into it,Â Nesbitts soda, Royal Crown Cola, Maypo, Space Sticks, Bosco and so many others……………………

120 thoughts on “Memories of Lost L.A. Eateries, Part 2”

Marshall on May 20, 2008 at 6:26 pm said:

Damn I miss Thrifty ice cream. I still feel like I’m being ripped off if I pay more that 30 cents for a scoop.

My parents had some kind of weird thing for Sambos, and whenever we were in Santa Barbara they would make a big deal out of going to what was then the only one left, although it was operating under a less racist name.

There’s a Farrell’s still operating down near San Diego, but I’ve never managed to go there.

Thanks for the post!
AlDesmadre on May 20, 2008 at 6:46 pm said:

Yeah, the Sambo’s in Santa Barbara (the first & original) still operates today. The unfortunate connotation of the name belies the fact that the name Sambo’s was actually chosen because it was a mix of the founder’s names: “Sam” & “Bob”.
Abbi on May 20, 2008 at 7:50 pm said:

Granted, I’m out of town at the moment so I can’t personally check, but I’m pretty sure Bob’s Freeze is still around. Or in any event, there’s a place on Beverley / 3rd called Bob’s Freeze near the Civic Center Plaza. The place next to it is not Gardunos though.

Everyone seems to have loved Sambo’s in Montebello. It was before my time but people still rave about it!
Ciruela Egoista on May 22, 2008 at 7:34 am said:

I come here to read AL Desmadre’s posts every week because I don’t know where else on the net I can read a description like, “Their Teriyaki bowls were divine, their Curry sublime, the Gyozas so fine, and the Burgers bovine.”

Bravo!
Robert C on May 22, 2008 at 11:22 am said:

I think the English translation for Las Carnitas is hilarious – LIttle Pork Meats. That literal translation doesn’t really entice me to go inside. It’s such a cool sign though. Too bad it was demolished. The current restaurant could have modified it rather than removing it completely.
chimatli on May 22, 2008 at 11:21 pm said:

Another excellent post, Al!
Oh how I used to love Farrell’s! I had a few birthday parties there. I loved that big drum they would bring out to sing happy birthday.
My parents used go to Tikis, I so, so wanted to go but I was just a kid. They did take me to one of the Halloween events. I was too young to appreciate it though, such a scaredy cat I was.
The Helms trucks were another favorite of mine. I’d go for the glazed donuts and the mystery gift bags. Those wooden drawers in the back of the truck were so awesome.
By the way, there used to be a Sambo’s on Vermont near Wilshire.
EL CHAVO! on May 23, 2008 at 10:37 pm said:

The sound of the arriving donut truck was always one that instantly got you excited, even if you couldn’t actually buy something. But since everyone would run to catch it, you could hang out and see them crazy long wood drawers get pulled out to reveal all kinds of goodies. That was some good design there. Check out this link for a photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalcamerahappy/634240859/
ansirena on May 24, 2008 at 10:12 pm said:

Sorry, I don’t have a picture ahh but in this case a picture couldn’t captivate the taste of a Curry’s Mile High Ice Cream cone. Black walnut, coffee, black cherry were among many of the combinations of the standards. On special occasions my mom would order a Banana Split. She would say that a Banana Split had to be shared; that’s what they meant when they named it “Split”!
Rough Rider Alumni Band on July 31, 2008 at 11:26 am said:

Does anyone remember the A&W Drive-In on Whittier Blvd. across from K-Mart, where they had carhop service? What about the tiny drive-thru on Soto Street just north of Whittier Blvd. where you could buy chili dogs or mustard dogs for 35 cents each from the nice Japanese couple? And who can forget the snack bar/cafeteria at Sears on Olympic/Soto… as well as the nut/candy shopes inside where you could smell the roasted cashews throughout the store. You oldtimers will remember that there was an Orange Julius on the corner of 1st and Boyle, where the Mariachi Plaza now stands. Frank’s (now called Olympic Basket) on Olympic near Atlantic, made the best green chile burritos, and Pup N’ Taco on Atlantic/Goodrich was good too. But one of the most missed places in my book is the raspada stand on the corner of 3rd/Indiana. There is still a business in that location which makes raspadas but they are nowhere nearly as good as those from back in the 70’s – early ’80s.

Memories…
Al Desmadre on July 31, 2008 at 4:51 pm said:

I do remember the A&W across from Kmart, AND the 35c Hot Dogs on Soto- they were great, the stand itself is still there, not the dogs. There was also a great Burger Stand
on Whittier Bl. called Zorba’s and this great little Italian food place in a little Quonset Hut on Gerhart ave. just south of Whittier Bl. Thanks for adding more memories!
Driveindude on September 18, 2008 at 4:44 pm said:

Does anyone remember the name of the bowling alley that was next to the Golden Gate Theater? Does anyone have pictures of it? Wasn’t there also a bowling alley somewhere else on whittier blvd near the 605 fwy?
Al Desmadre on September 22, 2008 at 2:22 pm said:

Driveindude-
That bowling alley was actually next to the ALAMEDA theater one block west of the Golden Gate. My parents took me there when I was wee little. I barely remember that they had a mini table top bowling lane for kids in there that I played.
There was also a LUCKY LANES bowling alley on Pomona Bl. just west of Atlantic Ave.
Driveindude on September 23, 2008 at 12:15 am said:

you may be right. I somehow seem to remember going to that bowling alley with my dad and we we’re right next door to the Golden Gate.

Anyway, I wanted to make a comment about Cronis Dogs. I hope I spelled it right. Well, From 1979 thru 2000 I worked at the old Times Mirror Press building over on Boyle Ave in Boyle Heights. For 18 of those years I worked with a woman by the name of Carmen Cronis. She was once married to that Cronis dude that opened that same hot dog stand on Whittier Blvd.
Al Desmadre on September 23, 2008 at 8:40 am said:

Speaking of Cronis. One of the long time managers, I think his name is Bun(?), (tall thin, narrow faced-mustachiod white guy) only this year finally retired from working at Cronis.
He was there slapping chili on those dogs for about 30+ years. That place is a real treasure. I’m glad it’s one of those places that has not changed a bit. I used to live about 2 short blocks away.
Linda on October 3, 2008 at 3:57 pm said:

Hi! I grew up in East Los Angeles, lived there from 1957 til 1979 when I got married. My parents lived there most of there lives, until my dad died in 1997 and I moved my mom here to Colorado. Boy, all these posts about the area, bring back memories, I was doing a search on Cronis hot dogs, and I found you guys! I am 51 years old, and remember going to Cronis as a little girl, and had always managed to stop there on my returning trips to the area. It’s been about 5 years though since I’ve been back. That little Italian place in a quonset hut on Gerheart…that was Grasso’s, my one and only place I ate pizza til I was a teen! The best shrimp pizza ever! My father was a friend of his, when my father died, guese who was buried next to him at Calvary Cemetary…Mr. Grasso and his son, who took over the place for a while after his dad had passed away. Zorba’s, yes, that was a great hamburger place too! I lived on Amalia Ave…right there by Whittier and Atlantic. The A&W, Pup and Taco, the Golden Gate Theater….jumping in and out of cars cruising on the boulevard…if only my mom and dad knew!!! My dad was very active in the community as well as my grandmother, they lived on Arizona St.
Vince on February 19, 2009 at 5:13 pm said:

I remember the Monke Udle burger stand with tables around the stand. Does anybody remember “TOOKIES” on Kern Ave. I believe, good red and green burritos, burgers were good also! The quanet hut on Goodrich was caslled Grazo’s Pizza the best I ever had!! What about the grill at kmart in the 60’s deelicious!!
Please let me know if you remember these
Vince on February 23, 2009 at 10:44 am said:

Dear Al, I wrote a little already, but did not have the time to mention everything I remembered!!
Do you remember Frank’s Taco Inn on the corner Of Beverly and Sadler in the 70’s? Then it went to Mark’s I believe, his Mom ran The “BEE” Bag Taco House on Whittier Blvd just west of Garfield & Whittier Blvds.
Coming west on the same side of the street how could anyone forget Sexto’s Sandwiches on Whittier Blvd, and all the pictures of horse racing and the race tracks he hung on the wall? Keep heading west to Gerhart, pass the quanset hut (Grazzo’s Pizza) right on the corner where a Daerdens now sits was Fox Drugstore!!
Remember The Food King Market before Lucky, and whatever it is now? Entering from the west end was an area where they sold Ice cream, school style desks to sit on. On the opposite end was the real treat, where they sold food!! In those days when you ordered a cheeseburger it came on a cardboard plate (like Chronis) and it came with a scoop of potato salad with a splash of red paprika on top!!! deeeelicious!!
Let’s not forget the homeade chorizo at Eastway market till they closed!! Please let me know if any one remembers these things!! Vince
Al Desmadre on February 23, 2009 at 11:18 am said:

Hiya Vince! Thanks for all the Memories!
-First: The Monke Uddle Hamburger Stand. I was just a wee lad, but I remember it was near the NE alley off of Whittier on Fetterly. It was such a tiny little shack, the two guys working there could barely move around. You would sit on stools around it and have some delicious burgers & dogs etc.
-Tookies was great. I remember the fries being 5 cents and the sodas 5-10-15 cents for Small-Med-Large. I could eat all week around my neighborhood for a dollar.
-Grazo’s Pizza was a favorite of mine because everything was like homemade. I’d go with my kid bro on Wednesdays for “Spaghetti Night”. It was like $4 for this huge plate with garlic bread & salad. I loved it. It looked family run because kids were often working in there.
-Frank’s Taco Inn was another favorite. It was good. Do you remember the bar across the street “Dan’s Shack” that was run by Smiley?
-Speaking of bars; Who remembers Pacheco’s Strip bar on Atlantic near 6th. Mr. Pacheco was a cool guy who was friends with my dad for years. (i digress)
-The Bee bag! Yes! that was a great local favorite and that Italian deli on Whittier down the street from Montebello HS?
Over at the Commerce Shopping Center I remember lots of changes over the years. Stay tuned for my upcoming post where I get into memories of that place and others. Keep checking in! Thanks Vince! Letters like yours make my day! 🙂
Menoman on February 23, 2009 at 1:36 pm said:

Spikes Teriyaki Bowl is no more. It’s been gone for over a year now, though they might still have a location in Upland. I sensed it’s demise when there was a management shift. You could tell there was a change when the employees had this “Welcome to McSpike’s, I could care less about getting your order, this place sucks” attitude. But damn! I’m gonna must those Teri/Avo/Cheese Burgers.
Al Desmadre on February 23, 2009 at 7:34 pm said:

Menoman,
Spikes was amazing in it’s heydey. The best teriyaki I ever had. They’d put potato salad in the Teri chicken bowl if you asked. Great gyozas, and the currey plate was fantastic. Even the fries and the self-serve Cherry Coke was great! Not to mention those Burgers!!!….
-Now, there’s a place on Huntington Drive, in Pasadena called B-Man’s that’s just as good. Rumor has it it’s the same owner from Spikes who runs it. Same great made-from-scratch teriyaki sauce. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Vince on February 28, 2009 at 10:35 am said:

Dear Al,
Let’s add some more memories!!!! Who can forget the “Cal-Mex” Restaurant on Olympic across from an old furniture warehouse right where it splits into 8th st I believe. They had the best machaca burritos, I mean melt in your mouth machaca, (it was actually marinated top sirloin) how many places do it like that nowadays!
How about “Vesuvio” Italian Restaurant on Atlantic Blvd, just north of Whittier Blvd? Classic Italian food in ELA!!! Does anyone remember Sexto’s Sandwiches just West of where the BEE Bag Taco House once stood!!
I can’t forget the hot dogs at “Newberry’s” counter grill in Monterey Park, or “Pete’s Deli” for that matter. Bill’s Paradise on Findlay & Beverly Blvd!
Back in 1980 I was a bartender at Rudy’s Pasta House on Olympic, there was a taco truck called “Taco Loco” run by a man named Ricardo Leon, he parked on Olympic between the Pasta House and Lito’s Cork Room! I have never tasted tacos like that!! EVER!… EVEN OVER 20 YEARS LATER!!!
Taco trucks of today do not come close, there were no silver dollar corn tortillas in those days, they were real size and they were only .75 cents each!!
Marcel & Jean’s French Cafe in Montebello was FANTASTIC!
Ray on February 28, 2009 at 3:14 pm said:

Hey Vince, this is Ray I use to do some promo work for Rudy’s Pasta House along with Lash (the flash) and Art Noriega. Remember Bill’s Paradise on 3rd st. just under the Long Beach Fwy? How about the Garduno’s drive-ins? When I was in pre-school my family would take me and my siblings to Stan’s Drive-In on the corner of Atlantic and Whittier blvds. I use to be part owner of “Cheers West” at the Montebello Town Center.
I enjoyed your site. Thanks!
Vince on March 2, 2009 at 11:13 am said:

Ray- I remember Lash,even when he went to Mr. J’s! and the name Art Noriega, I was there as a bartender from 1980- 1982!! I rember Bill’s was on third St. Remember the two ladies, twin sisters that ran the Pasta House? “Lee and Jo”!! Gardunos was great!! Do you remember a man who would go to the nightclubs in those days and take pictures of the crowds, he was short, thin, and he wore glasses, he put it in a little newspaper called the “Grapevine”!! And another guy, the little man, poor guy he was disabled he would take a picture of you and your lady at the club!!
Very simple on March 2, 2009 at 11:43 am said:

I can’t believe someone else remembers the Tiki’s in Monterey Park. That place was so bizarre. And Farrell’s in Rosemead was like a rite of passsage growing up with all sorts of birthday parties there. Great thread
Very simple on March 2, 2009 at 11:50 am said:

Here’s another trip down memory lane:

Marcel & Jeanne’s French CafÃ© in Montebello
http://www.roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/california/socal/socalretrolook/socalpostcard/frenchcafemtbca.jpg

It was like a cooler, better version of Taix. I think the old building is still there on Whittier Bl.
Very simple on March 2, 2009 at 12:28 pm said:

Aw Vince, those names bring up a ton of great memories! I totally remember Bill’s Paradise on Beverly Bl. Great burgers there.

My Dad used to go to Pasta House a lot with his drinking buddies, and I just posted a cool picture of the amazing Marcel & Jeanne’s. Great memories!
The Driveindude on March 2, 2009 at 12:42 pm said:

Dude, sorry but the French Cafe is gone. It sat vacant and in disrepair for a number of years and then a couple years back it was torn down.
AlDesmadre on March 2, 2009 at 3:02 pm said:

That French restaurant was torn down a few years ago after remaining empty & boarded up for decades. I was lucky enough to eat there once. It was old school french cuisine. I remember the onion soup being superb. If you could take a girl to dinner there after a movie at the Garmar, you were one fancy dude. I would usually take my dates up to the Quiet Cannon parking lot after dates to look at the city lights and maybe get lucky!

Bill’s Paradise on Beverly Blvd;
Who remembers the “four finger dog”? at Bill’s Paradise or the Bill’s Special burger with hot sauce squirted from those sticky plastic bottles. And the one-eyed waitress.
You used to have to step down to a lower level pit to sit at the counter. They stayed open till past 2 am sometimes.
Very simple on March 2, 2009 at 4:01 pm said:

Four-finger dogs! Yes, totally remember those at Bill’s Paradise. I even remember the yellow paper they came wrapped in.

And yes, Marcel & Jeanne had great food. I fondly remember their roast beef and chicken served with a huge plate of French fries and the scoop of ice cream served as dessert. So sad to know that they knocked down that cool building. I was hoping some entrepreneur would restore it one day 🙁
Ray on March 2, 2009 at 7:50 pm said:

Hey guys! Don’t forget the restaurant on Soto and Brooklyn, the Carioca. How about “Manuel’s”, “El Tepayec”on Evergreen. I use to buy “tamales” at “Juanitos” on Floral and Mariana.
I still remember the Floral drive-in and the drive-in on Rosemead. Great Memories.
Why not recall all the great nights in East Los?
The great “Seventies…Disco Nights”!!!
Ray on March 4, 2009 at 8:45 am said:

Vince-Remember “Rickies”on whittier blvd. and how about the old hang-out on pomona blvd. Danny’s? The newspaper you mentioned was “the free grapevine” and the “camera guy”, had a droopy rt. shoulder.Remember “Ernie” the door man? I remember you Vince when I was at the Pasta House. Bobby Gutierez from the Monterey House and the Montebello-Inn died 10 or so years ago. I live in Las vegas now. I ran-into Ralphie who played congas with Willie Bobo at the Pasta House. Ralphie works at an art gallery at Planet Hollywood. We recalled the nights Willie played at the Pasta House.Willie Bobo was great! Remember the band Tierra? Caio!!
Ray on March 4, 2009 at 8:55 am said:

Vince, Remeber the Costa Azul on Garfield and Pomona? It’s still there serving great sea food. And the Burrito stand across the street is still selling great food. the Quiet Canon up the Hill still has great food and great “Salsa nights”.
Hasta luego!
GABRIEL on March 4, 2009 at 10:53 am said:

my girfriend and i would go to monkey uddle almost EVERY DAY AFTER SCHOOL BEST BURGER EVER I STILL TELL PEOPLE TO THIS DAY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FAVORITE BURGERS, THANK U FOR MENTIONING THAT PLACE I WILL REMEMBER IT TILL THE DAY I DIE, I GOT THE CHILLS WHEN I SAW THE NAME THANK U THANK U THANK U.WHO EVER U R I LOVE U!
AlDesmadre on March 4, 2009 at 12:37 pm said:

What I’ve always wondered was….What the Heck does Monke-Uddle mean??????;)
Vince on March 6, 2009 at 3:59 pm said:

Ray- Al- All, I remember Tierra, when I was bartending at the Pasta House, they were the “house” band, and Los Lobos was the “Sunday” Tardeada band! Thats where they were in their careers when I met them!! Of course talking to them and sneaking shots of Tequila with them in the Kitchen Restroom are some of my greatest memories!!
I saw and met Tito Puente, Willie Bobo, Johnny Martinez, Bloodstone, War, El Chicano, Thee Midniters, and many many others!! Being a bartender, I got to meet them all personally, serve them drinks etc!! I remember the four finger dog at Bill’s Paradise, the “BillBurger”, do you remember you could order a flour tortilla with butter? It was actually on the menu!! The Hard Tacos were good also!!, even with a strawberry soda!!
Who remembers when Astro Burger on Bradshawe & Beverly was originally called “Andreas???
Hey Al, I could probably write a book about my memories on the Eastside!! Vince
AlDesmadre on March 6, 2009 at 6:09 pm said:

Hey Vince, Thanks for the great input. I should interview you! what a lucky man to hang out with those great musicians and be part of Eastside music culture.
In those days, Los Lobos would play at Garfield HS auditorium for us students every other week it seemed.
During the early 80â€™s I also remember that the Pasta House also hosted some Punk Rock shows with local Eastside bands like thee Undertakers and Odd Squad.

I remember Astro’s when it was Andrea’s. I believe that those guys were actual Greeks & they made great burgers. I used to frequent Taco Village across the street and a Pizza joint next door to it. I loved Gina’s Pizza. Remember that old style pharmacy/drug store on Bev & Bradshaw? It was like a time capsule.
Very simple on March 6, 2009 at 6:17 pm said:

Taco Village was/is great, I still crave their carne asada!

Yes, the pharmacy nearby was very old school. I think it was next door to Rudy’s Bike Shop if I remember correctly. My dad had a law office not too far away
Vince on March 9, 2009 at 9:31 am said:

Dear Al, You should interview me!, first we’ll do a book, and then the movie!!
The pizza place you refer to on Bradshawe by Taco Village(which opened in 1974 to be exact)was called “Original Pizza”, their pizza was excellent!! I clearly remember it was a mom and dad and a young daughter!!I was told that before my time there was an Orange Julius on Bradshawe ave also!!
The pharmacy you refer to on the corner of Bradshawe and Beverly was called “The Monte Vista Pharmacy”!!
Can’t forget Rudy’s Schwinn also on Beverly Blvd during the 70’S!! Remember the city of Montebelo’s Bradshawe bus? What about the Kern bus in East L.A?
More to come!!! Vince
AlDesmadre on March 9, 2009 at 12:10 pm said:

Vince- you are right! I spent alot of time on Beverly & Bradshawe because my dad ran the dry cleaners shop on that corner for about 30 years. My family was friends with all the neighboring business owners. I do remember the Bradshawe bus as well. We also knew Rudy’s Schwinn bike shop very well. I’m also good friends with Mr. Darancuo of Tony’s Schwinn bike shop on Atlantic. He just did a killer job of customizing a chopper Stingray for me. The Kern bus is a vague memory to me, but as a kid attending Griffith Jr. High nearby, a favorite “Woof” that used to go around in those days was: “I saw your MOM pushing the Kern Bus!”
chimatli on March 9, 2009 at 1:51 pm said:

How did it come to be that so many of the Eastside burger joints are owned by Greeks? Here in LH, we have Dino’s on Main and I’m pretty sure the owner is Greek. My preferred burger place (they serve veggie burgers) is Penney’s in Highland Park and it’s also owned by a Greek family.
A family favorite is The Golden Ox. I think that’s on Beverly, right?
don quixote on March 9, 2009 at 2:57 pm said:

Chimatli, you ask a question that could, and should, be a post all in itself.
Almost every fast food joint in LA, Penny’s, Pete’s Blue Chip in Eagle Rock, The Hat Pastrami’s, Tops Pastrami’s, JIM’s, The famous “Tommy’s” and all it’s offshoots, another old favorite that doesn’t exist anymore PAX pastrami’s on N. Broadway in Lincoln Hts., and on and on and on, were all owned by Greeks or Armenians or Lebanese (Hockey Burger on Soto and Washington), but especially Greeks.
I used to be friends with an old time Greek, “Jim Geekas” who was a typical Greek immigrant who came to Los Angeles in 1908, he was the original owner of where Arco Iris Restaurant in HP is.
He was a great old guy who lived to be 100. He related to me that the Greek and middle eastern immigrants who came to LA always opened burger, fast food, and pastrami joints because it was cheap and they sold well, and above all, it was a cash business that allowed the owners to rat-hole cash under the table.
The Greeks did well here and bought lots of property and thrived.
It’s the old familiar story of the USA benefiting by the hard work and imagination of immigrants.

And thank the lord for the Greeks, they invented the LA style Pastrami and Steak Sandwich’s, you can’t find anything close in the rest of the USA. New York style Pastrami? You can have them, I’ll take an LA style hot pastrami on a hot bun with a dill pickle, hot mustard and hot steaming pastrami hanging over the sides anytime.
AlDesmadre on March 9, 2009 at 3:11 pm said:

Hey Don Q, Let’s go to Langers sometime!
btw-
I’ve read similiar stories about Asian immigrants & Donut shops.
chimatli on March 9, 2009 at 4:44 pm said:

Thanks DQ for the knowledge! You’re a regular Eastside encyclopedia! You should write a book! 🙂
don quixote on March 10, 2009 at 6:44 am said:

I’m down for Langers Al, and you can’t beat the kosher pickles on the table.
Rudy on March 12, 2009 at 6:29 pm said:

About a year ago I was at the last remaining Sambo’s still operation, the original one in Santa Barbara. Right across the street from the beach.

As a kid, I remember going to the one in Lincoln Heights on the corner of Mission and Griffin. Right by the railroad tracks.
Javi on March 12, 2009 at 6:45 pm said:

Rudy, checkout my page about the Sambo’s restaurant in Lincoln Heights with a bit of history. Go to bottom of page.

http://www.lincolnheightsla.com/businesses
Rudy on March 12, 2009 at 9:51 pm said:

WOW!!!
Thanks Javi. The photo of the front door of the Lincoln Heights Sambo’s is something I have not seen in almost 35 years. It is EXACTLY as I remember it.

I remember my uncle & aunt taking me there for a burger, then taking me to the movies at the old Cameo movie theater on Huntington Dr. in El Serrano. (next to The Club Huntington night club),
Vince on March 13, 2009 at 11:30 am said:

Al- The Best Greek Burger Joints in my memory are Arry’s Burgers on Greenwood and Whittier Blvd,in the 70’s, The Golden Ox, and of course the often overlooked Zorba’s on Whittier and Oakford!! Nick’s on Hendricks was good in the 70’s when the old man was still cooking, now his son took over and someone else makes the burgers now- not nearly as good as they were in the 70’s!! Vince
Vince on March 14, 2009 at 10:04 am said:

Al- Just finished watching my VHS copy of Boulevard Nights, I always enjoy the footage of the crusing when they are on Whittier Blvd. and you can see some of the Original buildings that were there in my days!!
You know I worked at the Cha Cha Cha Bakery, that movie is probably the only place i know of where you can actually see The Cha Cha Cha Bakery again, although it’s a quick glimpse, I have loaded my DVD version so I can freeze frame and Zoom in, and I could even see the sign in front, it look like it was made of wood, red lettering, and I think a bulls head and horns might have been the logo, has anyone else noticed some good old buildings on Whittier Blvd in that movie??
AlDesmadre on March 14, 2009 at 1:19 pm said:

Vince- Thanks for reminding me about Arry’s. All the kids from the neighboring schools would hang there. Great food!

You are fortunate to have worked at CHA CHA CHA bakery. I recall that it was a family run place and there were two sisters that looked alike that took over the bakery when the parents were gone. That place was jumping on weekends. Remember on cold evenings when the front windows of CHA CHA CHA bakery would get all steamed up from the hot bread baking in the kitchen?
I have Boulevard Nights on DVD which makes it a little easier to freeze frame. I like the scene where Danny DeLa Paz (who now lives near me in Silver Lake) comes out of PUEBLO Liquor store on Whittier & McBride and the cholas ask him; “Chuco! Where’ve you beeeeeeeen!!!” I’ll ask EL CHAVO if I can organize an LA EASTSIDE Movie night screening with popcorn and short-dogs under every seat.

LA EASTSIDE

Life Beyond The River

Memories of Lost L.A. Eateries, Part 2

120 thoughts on “Memories of Lost L.A. Eateries, Part 2”

Leave a Reply