In a tribute to Carl Karcher, who passed away this evening, I wanted to spend some time remembering his lasting legacy, the Carl's Jr. restaurants.Having moved into Orange County in 1978, from San Diego, it was easy to notice a change in fast-food dominance. In San Diego, Jack-in-the-Box dominated the landscape, having been founded there. In Orange County, it was Carl's. Even though I could still get my fix of "Moby Jacks" (remember that sandwich?), Carl's would eventually get most of my lunch money.
In the late 1980s, when I worked in Anaheim, a co-worker and I would visit the Carl's on the corner of Harbor and Romneya, which was the restaurant next to the corporate headquarters. Carl sometimes would come in to greet the patrons, though I never did get to greet him.
My favorite sandwich was the California Roast Beef. It was very much like an Arby's Roast Beef, except with a whole green chile and monterey jack cheese, and sesame seed bun. They don't make this anymore, but I can still remember the taste.
They also had the crinkle-cut french fries, which had a consistency more like mashed-potatoes, instead of cut potatoes. I wish they brought those back.
I also remember getting a certificate of achievement from Carl's Jr. while I attended Spurgeon Intermediate School, for outstanding attendance. It came with a free meal.
After Carl Karcher earned money with his hot-dog stands in Los Angeles, he opened up a restaurant in Anaheim called "Carl's Drive-In Barbeque". Later on, he opened up smaller versions of this restaurant which he called, "Carl's Jr." for obvious reasons.
I remember for the 50th anniversary of Carl's, the restaurant bought back the hot dogs.
I'd love to hear your memories of Carl's Jr., Carl Karcher himself, his company, or even Taco De Carlos...
40 comments:
I first encountered Carl around 1972 as a Fullerton Teenage Republican (TAR). Some of has been invited down to Newport Beach to what was probably a fundraiser. The event was held at a beautiful beachfront home. Needless to say, we youth were somewhat in awe of the surroundings, but also felt a little out of place. Up comes this large man, with a giant smile on his face, and introduces himself as Carl Karcher, from Carl's Jr. He chatted with us for some time, and gave each one of a hamburger coupon. Even then, I recognized that his man could have been spending his time with much more important people, but took the time to make us, as high school students, feel at home. Although I never really knew him, I had many occassions over the years to encounter him again, both at charity events and at his Anaheim restaurant. Each time, he showed the same interest, kindness, and graciousness that he exhibited the first time I met him.
Does anyone recall the existence of a mid-sixties fast food hamburger joint known as Heinz? I recall one of these Carl's Jr. dopplegangers in Anaheim on Euclid Ave. just north of Ball Rd. Curious, because the maiden name of Carl Karcher's wife just happened to be Heinz.
I worked at that Carl's Jr., unit #11, from about 1977 to 1980 or so. Yes, Carl and all the other bigwigs in the company used to come in frequently. Lunchtime was very busy at that location with the corporate office emptying for lunch with their employee discounts. Also had to be very careful, because you never knew for sure who you were serving!
Do you remember the Sunshine Broiler, which was a sit down restaurant, back to back with that Carl's Jr during those years? The Broiler shared a kitchen with the Carl's Junior. The Broiler faced onto Harbor, you had to go behind it to get to the Carl's Jr. I worked with quite a few of Carl's nieces and nephews who, at that time, worked as cooks and/or waitresses at the Broiler at that time. There was another Sunshine Broiler on the corner of Katella and Casa Vista Street, across from where the bowling alley used to be? I think it's a Denny's now.
Carl was a heck of a nice guy. Orange County has lost an icon. He will be missed by many.
I had a friend that was a manager of the Carls Jr. at Warner and Golden West in the late 70's, I remember that the french fries were made with some liquid that looked like pancake batter. If I remember correctly, it came in a container like a milk carton and was poured into a machine and french fries came out the bottom.
Oh man, Steve, thanks for mentioning the "California Roast Beef"...I can taste it now! Nothing like unwrapping that baby, scooping into the excess Swiss cheese stuck to the waxy paper, and chowing down...yum! I also loved the hot dogs from Carl's (mid-late 70's)...nothing particularly fantastic about them, just a unique, good flavor every time, with a small hot green pepper and mustard on them standard.
I must also give my regards to Mr. Karcher and his family here. Although I did not not know him, I will always respect someone for the will and drive to start with absolutely nothing and create an empire like he did. Here's to you, Mr. Karcher!
That french cry product was called "Frispos". My recollection is that the Frispos pellets came in a large bag, not unlike a bag of oats. We poured the dry Frispos into the top of the machine. When you pushed the button, it measured an amount of Frispos into a tube, injected warm water to form a paste and then it was pushed through a grate (think squeezing play doh out of one of those play doh machines) and as the Frispo "dough" came out the grate, a cutter went back and forth shaving off the "fries", which were then put into the fryer.
The roast beef sandwich was a classic. Too bad they do not make it anymore, even though I rarely eat at Carl's Jr. these days. I grew up with them in Anaheim and we also used to eat at one of their two sit-down restaurants that were just called Carl's Charbroiler. You can see see some old postcard images of this place on my website at
http://photosoftheforgotten.synthetrix.com/
Does anyone remember their short-lived foray into Mexican food called Taco De Carlos? There were a few of them in Anaheim and Santa Ana back in the late 70s. Those pellet fries were pretty bad and I was glad when they finally replaced them.
Speaking of my webiste, I am now offering a book of all old Anaheim motel postcards that once surrounded the Magic Kingdom.
Check it out at
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/96560
If you grew up or lived in Anaheim inthe 50s-70s then you are gonna love it!
mmm.. i want an encherito!
does anyone remember the mexican carls jr? it was over by the main carls jr building , right across the street from the regular one!
never mind, i just noticed someone else mentioned it!"taco de carlos!"thank you!
I remember the Carl's Jr. in Irvine near University Park Drive and Culver - that place was the only fast food joint for years near University High School, and it was always crowded at lunch time. Whenever I go back to that area to visit, I make it a point to go to that particular Carl's Jr. for the memories. Sorry to hear of Mr. Karcher's passing - another OC icon has left us, but we still have our memories!
I grew up on State College and Ball. We would walk to the Carls Jr. on the corner all the time. Man the Wester Bacon Cheeseburger was the best, so hot and fresh. I now live in South Georgia, and go to Hardees sometimes, I think they own Carls or vise versa, they have the same products, advertsing and packaging. To an extent. Is this true or are they just very similar.
I grew up near Haster and Chapman, in Orange, right on the border of Anaheim and Garden Grove. There was a Carl's Jr. there near the Market Basket. When they opened, which must have been around 1967-1969, it was called Carl's Whistlestop. They had a train/trolley that went around my neighborhood and gave everyone a free ride. I don't remember if we just went around the block, or back to the restaurant. It seems like we got free food-hot dogs? Anyways years later when I was 16 I got my first real job there as a cashier. Of course noone working there believed the train story, but I will never forget it. Anyone else out there remember?
i so well remember the carls at chapman and prospect, and one of the first places i would bike to, back in the early '70s, was to fly out there, snag some fries, and race home, hoping my mom wouldn't smell it on my breath! ^_^
When we moved to Irvine in the early 70's, Carl's Jr was the only fast food place around. My mom would take us there for dinner when my dad was out of town and she didn't feel like cooking. I remember they had hot dogs that came with tomato wedges on them. And, I remember salads too. I totally forgot about the California roast beef sandwich until now. I later babysat for some of Carl Karcher's grandkids (they lived in Irvine too). A few years ago, I saw him at a charity luncheon so I went and introduced myself to him and mentioned babysitting his grandkids. He gave me a card with St Francis on it and a coupon for a free hamburger.
In 1994 I started working for FedEx. I worked out of the Fullerton station which serviced the city of Anaheim. As a rookie I worked Saturdays and had a delivery route in Anaheim 92805. One Saturday I had a delivery for Carl Karcher at his home. He answered the door, signed for the package and was very kind and gracious for my service. He gave me a 'holy card' (he was a devout Catholic) with a free coupon for a burger inside of it, which I still have in my top dresser drawer to this day. I'll never forget that and I still tell people about that 'stop' to this day. Thanks Carl.
So many wondeful memories of Carls Jr. From thier wonderful California Roast beef to the fries.. I still can taste thier food as it once was.. They have changed the menu so many times and our favorites seem to have gone too.. I remember getting hot dogs and chilli dogs and then no more.. then to discover that the one in south coast plaza still offered them for about another year.. And lets not forget the old time star a simple but tasty burger.. Now i grew up in south orange county but do you rememeber the meal wars with jack in the box.. Carls and jacks where out to provide a complete meal.. I think if memory serves me right Carls offered a steak dinner a trout dinner and a chicken dinner.. and mayb e one more but cant think of it.. they didnty last to long but they did have a good taste and it was complete.. Alo0t of changes but the tastes of yesterday will always remain..
I loved those batter-mix fries! I wonder if you can still get those anywhere. IMHO, copying McDonalds' limp underwhelming fries was a mistake.
Sadly, the whole chain lost a lot of its lustre as Carl became less and less directly involved. Is it just me, or do the burgers now seem greasier and less flavorful? They hardly even taste charbroiled anymore.
I have frequently commented that the "Famous Star" use to be tops on my list of best hamburgers in the '70s, but it's tasteless now.
Not only do I miss their roast beef sandwich- they also use to make a delicous steak sandwich topped with 2 onion rings. They'd put this garlicy sauce on it that I'd always ask for extra.
My fond Carl's Jr. memories are in the '70s and the Carl's Jr. at Jamboree and Birch in, what was then- Santa Ana Heights. I had horses boarded there and I grew up there when it was all back yard stables- no businesses. I cherish those childhood memories and riding our horses over to Carl's to pick up a burger and fake fries after a long, dusty day spent at the stables and riding in the Back Bay.
Just thought I should mention the wonderful tribute CBS did for the passing of Mr. Karcher. The CBS National News report which broadcast at the top of the hour on all CBS Radio Stations gave a wonderful two minute summary on "the Semi-upscale fast food chain which a man named Carl Karcher started with a simple Hot Dog cart. The cart proved a success for Carl and would eventually turn into more than 500 restaurants on the West Coast". "Carls Junior also took over Hardees in the midwest where similar ideas have coincided with those of Carls Junior". "Carl Karcher was 93".
Wow...Carl's Jr. brings back so many memories. The Santa Ana location, next to Market Basket at Bristol and Warner was our local hangout. I remember picking through my Dad's change for nickles to sneek out after dinner for a quick Happystar with my buddy Eddie. I think they were only 35 cents. They had built a "Taco De Carlos" right next door to our Carl's Jr. I don't remember it staying open for very long though. The Chunkie Machaka Beef Burrito was a massive gut buster as I remember.
It's strange, years later I remember a market reasearch lady for Carl's asking us one day in the resturant "What do you think of the new Carls Jr.star". We spun around in disbelief and stared at a naked star on top of the Carl's jr. sign. My buddy Eddie blurted out " Dude...someone stole his munchies"! There was the star...no burger, no drink and sombody stole his shoes. As she was writing this all down, she asked, "how do spell munchies".
I never had the honor to meet Mr. Karcher but I had always heard nice things about him. We'll all miss you Carl....
Anyone else remember the Crispirito? I remember them from the location at Lincoln and Riverdale in Anaheim. I met Carl at St. Judes in Fullerton a few years ago at the ER while I was servicing the vending machines-he just walked up-said he'd seen me servicing the machines and gave me a chicken sandwich coupon-such a sweetheart! God bless you Carl!
Carl Karcher, an Anaheim Icon. I remember growing up and Mr. Karcher would be at Holy Seplechur cemetary on holy days for Mass. My family was catholic too, but we attend St. Justins, not St. Boniface where Mr. Karcher was a member. Then when I was 18 years old, I moved from west Anaheim over off Lemon and La Palma area. The middle of that neighborhood was nice and cute with old original Anaheim houses, and Mr. Karcher was my neighbor around the corner in his great big, but modest, adobe home. You could hear the fountain in his yard as you walked by. My grandparents had the pleasure of attending a party as his house once. I'm not sure if it was for something for his daughter or a catholic thing. Our friends son married his daughter or vice versa.
One of my best memories of Mr. Karcher was indirect. My grandma and her friend Phyllis would meet for lunch every thursday for several years during their retirement. My grandfather and Phyllis' husband would drop the girls off at their favorite restaurants in the Anaheim/Fullerton area, and the boys would head to the nearest Carl's Jr. One day they ended up at the one on Harbor in front of the corporate offices. Mr. Karcher himself was eating lunch. My Grandpa, having met Carl several times in his life through church and the anaheim community, introduced Jim to Carl. Jim thought my grandpa was the smartest and greatest man alive before that, and after that he thought my Grandpa was a gem! The thought of meeting Carl Jr. himself was icing on the cake for Jim. Little did Jim know that Carl was there all the time......
Carls used to sell rainbow trout! As for the fries I miss them too. A close type is still made at Del Taco.
The old crinkle cut fries were the best fries ever. We should get a petition going to bring them back.
I hardly eat at Carl's anymore, it's just not the same as it used to be.
I used to work at Carl's Jr. during the 70's when the guys wore the little paper hats and the girls hat the little skirts.
The fries were made from potato buds mixed with hot water and pushed through a french fry maker.3
They had chili dogs, California roast beef and fresh not frozen patties.
Silly, but I've actually called Carl's Jr. corporate asking them slightly tongue and cheek as to why did they get rid of the crinkle fries.. no answer really was given (sighhh) Hey, the petition thing sounds good to me someone start it!
Frispo's!
I never met Carl but I did meet one of his sons and maybe his brother(?).I worked at Carl's Jr. in the early '80s and there was a Taco de Carlos next door.After they closed down (some other fast food Mexican chain took over)we started making the Crispiritos at the Carl's Jr.I still remember the hot, crispy, cheesy goodness.
Thanks, Carl, for the memories!
I remember the steak sandwich which
I still yearn for now and again.
I grew up in Anaheim in the seventies, so hearing all the familiar streets is making me homesick. I lived close to Sunkist and Lincoln and now live in Georgia. Hardees does not compare to Carls Jr. The onionrings were
my favorite side with just a little
ketchup. Yum!
I will always remember going to Carl's Jr, as a kid in the 80's. The fries were my absolute favorite, and the little square cup of catsup. I would get a huge bag of them. Me and my family sometimes sit around and talk about how good the food use to be and how we could go for some of carl's jr fries. Yummy! Nothing taste like it use too. How sad!
"- they also use to make a delicous steak sandwich topped with 2 onion rings. They'd put this garlicy sauce on it..."
These were my faves! My mom & I would go shopping and then head to Carl's Jr where we'd both get the yummiest steak sandwich ever... and yeah, those crinkle fries were something else, too! Oh, the good old days... I wish they would bring these back... even if it was a limited promotional special. mmm... so good! I worked at CJ my jr. yr. in HS, but they had stopped selling them by then - so bummed!
I worked at Carl's Jr #116 on Haster & Katella and was actually a "Hostess" that served the dinners around '84! I remember the crispiritos, frispos (they were the best!) potato wedges, steak sandwiches, hot apple pies and roast beef sandwiches! There was a Taco de Carlos next door for a short time (now Del Taco and still standing). The only Carl's I had the hot dogs was at the City Shopping Center, what a treat! I had forgotten about those tomato wedges. I miss the old Carl's Jr, now the paper feels greasy. Such memories. Must say, they have the BEST onion rings still!
I just drove past a Carl's Jr. on Saticoy and Winnetka in the San Fernando Valley, and they had a sign offering two California Roast Beef sandwiches for $5.
I live in Fullerton and I remember all of those tasty items from the old menu. Carl's isn't what it used to be. I wish that they would bring back the salad bars, all-star chili dogs, the old fish sandwiches and crinkled fries. Maybe I'm a little nostalgic, but I'd like the old logo with the burger and drink in hand.
Some day I'll open my own Carl's and try to bring all of that back!
too bad the california roast beef sandwiches are dogshit.
I just had 2 California roast beef sandwiches, for a limited time only 2 for five dollars! I used to eat these in the 70's when I worked there.
yeah so uh, they brought back the steak sandwich, garlic sauce excluded, as a special promo, ate one yesterday and damn was it tasty..
Ok so maybe I'm remembering the Sunshine Broiler but I remember going to a Carl's Jr sit down restaurant. I remember going there as a little kid and getting spaghetti and spumoni ice cream. Where the heck in the OC was that???
I've noticed a lot of the posts mention the Carl's Jr restaurants being near Market Baskets. The first one I ever went to was in New Port Beach....next to Market Basket....off the coast highway past the Lido area. We loved it. I miss the hotdogs and the frispos...maybe they will come back..they brought back the steak sandwich. I don't go there much...the six dollar burgers are all they have now...I also miss the salad bars.
great article. i grew up i n north hollywood and simi valley. i remmember carl's jr. my favorite was the roast beef also.that is how i found this artical. i was looking up if carl's jr still sold the roast beef. that is when i found your article. but it only came up when i ate dinner tonight. we had new york deli style philly cheesesteak sandwiches by a company called raybern.the taste was that of the roast beef from carl's jr.it was like the chile relleno from the sandwich. i live in indiana we have hardee's restaurants which are carl's jr. you may be able to see where they sell these sandwiches at www.raybernfoods.com try it and see what you think. enjoy, cheryl
I worked for Carl's Jr from 1976 - 1986, mostly in the Santa Maria, Ca area. It was a mall unit, was one of the first with a salad bar. It had a hot dog cart in the foyer. Started as counter person, wearing these lime green with dark brown going up the middle polyester shirts and paper hats. The girl's wore a very short dress (same colors), with hot pants underneath Boy, I'll bet you couldn't get today's kids to wear these. I became the manager of the unit a year later. At that time , if we needed any product, we would have to drive 90 miles south to Ventura, which was the next closest unit at the time. The "Frispo" french fries were the best!!! I wonder what ever happened to the company that manufactured those machines? As were the brought in fresh onion rings. I can remember on a busy saturday day during the christmas holiday, having to prep 15 - 20 dozen of the california roast beef sandwiches in the morning, and another 10 dozen in the afternoons. The crispritos were out of this world! The only problem with them were there cook times, which almost took 5 minutes, so you had to float quite a few ahead, then sometimes there were not soooo crisprito anymore. The chili for the hot dogs was very good , especially when you squeezed the juice out of the yellow paper onto it that came with each dog. Those flaked and formed steak sandwiches were another fine item, with the two onion rings on top and what seemed like a butter/worchestershire/garlic spread. The dinner program they rolled out in 1984, the food items were good (Trout, chicken filet, steak and ground beef steak). But the whole problem with that program was, we still sold all that through the drive-thru. The aveage time for a drive-thru order was 90 seconds, but it would take up to 6 minutes to cook the staeks. Made no sense at all. I think they were trying to get some of the coffee shop business. That program cost them alot of money. My all-time favorite, and still to this day is the western bacon cheeseburger. I remember having to go to a Carl's in Simi Valley to a training seminar , on how to make those. Throughout my time managing restaurants in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, I had the great pleasure to meet Car and his Brother Don on several occasion. Carl had children going to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. They both were some of the friendliest and most humble and gracious people I have ever met. What fond memories I had all those years. I now live in North Carolina, and visit Hardees every so often. Right now they have the western bacon chesseburger for a limited time. Mmm Mmm
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