18 Comments:

• I remember my mother working at the REL in the mid to late 70's as a cocktail waitress and I use to come over and have shirley temples often. The entertainment was great, the food was exceptional and the co-workers were so sweet! I have fond memories there and remember every day I drive by!
  
  Dawn K

  By  Dawn K, at April 20, 2005 3:14 PM  

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• I was a drummer for "Main Street" band and I had a great time playing there. I remember the good food and the great service at the bar and nightclub, It was I believe in 1970. We used to play Tuesday thru Saturday. I do remember leaving my leather jacket over a weekend and when I returned it was gone. The reason I remember is that I havent't been able to find one just like that one. It seemed to me that the REL was the place to be for locals and tourists. I have great memories of the place...

  By  Lalo Quezada, at July 03, 2005 9:35 PM  

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• Here's a partial napkin of REL with a drawing of me, while I was singing on stage.. you can see on the side the boat and the name.... and now I know, it was 1971...

  By  lalo Quezada, at July 03, 2005 9:46 PM  

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• I worked at the REL in the late 70's. I worked as a cook at first and then as a barback and bartender in the lounge. I remember the band Young,Cole and Paugh would pack the place. I left there to work at a nightclub on Fairview and Warner called Gatsbys Rendezvous. Great memories both places . Keith Buy

  By  Keith Buy, at September 11, 2005 5:45 PM  

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• I was a regular at the REL from 1976 to 1980. Young, Cole and Paugh (just Cole and Young in the beginning)were great and kept people coming back night after night to hear the same great songs over and over again. I purchased their one and only album and still, on ocassion listen to it and smile. Those were some great times at a great place to hang out.
  
  Donna R.

  By  Donna Ross, at November 10, 2005 1:55 PM  

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• As a kid passing by it going to and from the beach, I used to dream of eating there some day. I was thrilled to finally do so for my Senior Prom dinner in 1988. I think it's wonderful the structure has been preserved as part of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, instead of being torn down for development.

  By  Colleen, at January 23, 2006 11:05 AM  

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• Childhood memories of the 70's .... Being a Canadian my family spent every summer in Laguna Beach area and every year we had to dine out the the REL. It was always my favorite place to go and the best shirley temples.

  By  hearmeroar, at January 30, 2006 3:16 PM  

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• My best memory was going there to see Skiles and Henderson, and seeing Richard Carpenter's Ferrari parked outside. License plate "SONG4U". Richard's arm was in a cast, but played a few numbers anyway. I think S&H are still around - funniest guys on earth.

  By  Earle, at July 27, 2006 10:07 PM  

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• I was a Matre'/bouncer at"the boat" in the summers of 70 and 71. We would have a 2 hour wait for the fish house, sternwheeler and bar. The people were stacked up into the parking lot. Skiles and Henderson would always keep the place booming. When things got really bad in the kitchen the busboys would chuck the dirty dishes into the bay. After the Nautical Museum took over the boat they set upan underwater camera to let the kids see the flora and fishes in the bay. Guess what they discovered.....plates and silverware...

  By  Bill Dunlap, at September 22, 2006 11:22 AM  

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• My husband often recalls terrific memories of going to the Reuben E. Lee with his family, and eating fantastic lobster thermador. Does anyone have a recipe that is close to their original one?

  By  Annie's Mom, at January 02, 2007 7:06 AM  

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• Many years ago my wife and I dined in the steak house part of the REL. During the meat the waitress kept filling my water glass. Each time I took a sip or two of water she would refill the glass with water. I never drank so much water at a restaurant. When I mentioned that it would have been more enjoyable if she had served me some water during the meal. She smiled as she quickly said, "Next time I will bring a garden water hose to your table". I have always cherished that fun experience at the REL.
  Chet

  By  Anonymous, at July 02, 2007 11:42 AM  

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• Back in 1980 & 1981, I was in a band called Head Over Heels. The Rueben E. Lee, or the "boat" as it was affectionately called, was one of our regular stops. I have many great memories of all of the nights we preformed there, but one in particular stands out.One night after the place closed, myself and a couple of band mates snuck back on board and fished off the side of the "boat" until the sun came up. So many great times & memories.

  By  Anonymous, at July 05, 2007 1:17 PM  

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• In 1970, driving across the country from Hawaii (car shipped) to San Francisco down to LA, we had a family dinner at the REL. None of us will ever forget the man at the next table who ordered three baked potatoes! Everyone else was having delicious steak and seafood dinners. That Christmas, we all sent each other potatoes. One of my brothers dragged my husband and me into the men's room to show us the chalkboards on the walls - so one wouldn't deface the place. A fun memory. Sorry it's gone as I'll be in Newport Beach in a couple of weeks and googled it to see if I could go there again.

  By  Elizabeth in DC, at July 16, 2007 7:57 PM  

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• It was sad when the Old Boat "Reuben E. Lee" went away! In other words taken apart this last month...Yes folks it is no more! Thanks in part to the Irvine Co. I was a cook there in 81' but transfered to the Then Gordile' down the stree.

  By  Anonymous, at September 22, 2007 3:39 PM  

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• Drove over the bridge the other day and the Reuben not there, anybody know what happen to the boat.

  By  Anonymous, at September 25, 2007 2:33 PM  

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• The Reuben E. Lee was absolutely my most FAVORITE restaurant of my childhood. As kids were able to run around the ship and dock and had the greatest time! The music was entertaining and the food was out of this world. I always looked forward to going there when dad had to entertain clients. Later, I took the girl of my dreams there for a belated prom date (we lived in two different states) and it was magic. Loved that place and will always remember it so.....

  By  Jack from Memphis, at June 23, 2008 1:15 PM  

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• We also were big fans of Young, Cole and Paugh in the late 70s at the REL and showed up weekly to hear the same songs. I recall one of them claiming he wrote "Leader of the Band". I wonder...
  
  Doug & Sharon

  By  Anonymous, at July 08, 2008 3:57 PM  

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• The Ruben E Lee is where my husband and I went on our first date in the early seventies. A couple of months ago we celebrated our thirty-seventh wedding anniversary. Cherished memories of this magical resturant will always hold a special place in my heart.

  By  Agape, at October 07, 2008 8:11 AM  

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