OCThen reader, Gary Lycan, submits the following news about an OC restauranteur, John McIntosh passing away recently, and asks if anyone can share some memories...
John McIntosh died recently. He was the man behind the Far West restaurant empire that started with Snack Shop and later included Coco's, Moonraker, Reuben E. Lee, Plankhouse, Baxter Street and others. I would love to hear memories from anyone out there who ate at a Snack Shop - one at PCH and MacArthur in CdM where Ruby's now is, or one on S. Main across from what was once Sears in Santa Ana, or my personal favorite, the Snack Shop at 17th and Flower in SA (across from a Market Basket) where I can still taste their Chili Size.
Well, I didn't know John That well.
ReplyDeleteMet him once though.
Yes Snack Shop Carona Delmar.
Moonraker over near the John Wayne Airport.
Do remmber CoCo's too.
The old Sears Store on S.Main Santa Ana.
My grandparents took me shopping the when I was just a boy.
But later years it became a Sesrs Outlet Store.
Ruby's in near South Laguna use to go there in late 60's.
But good old Armstrong's in Anaheim was the best of all.
What about the Snack Shop that was on the corner of Chapman and Shaffer in Orange? It was a real treat to go there after church and have lunch, but most importantly have one of the BEST Chocolate Malts I have ever had!
ReplyDeleteI practically lived as a kid at the Snack Shop on the Coast Hwy in CDM. You must remember the Zoo across the street: sometimes there was a gorilla waving at the cars. And the Irvine cattle grazing on what's now Fashion Island. That Snack Shop and the other one in South CDM had the most interesting interiors: gray-stained, worm-eaten driftwood walls and copper hoods on the Bouquet Canyon rock fireplaces. The S. CDM one had beautiful relief carvings of ducks and shorebirds on the walls by the kitchen. Wish I had those carvings! The dish service for the Snack Shops was attractive too: Buffalo China, I think, with a rim design of light brown and black round-edged squares. My parents knew Mr. McIntosh, and I remember talking with him a number of times at Reuben's on PCH and Bayside Drive in Newport (another beautiful restaurant). The food was always good: I can still taste the hamburgers with toasted buns spread with a delicious pink-colored Thousand Island dressing, the whole burger wrapped in opaque paper with the top and bottom corners turned back for you. You always remember the details...and John McIntosh put his heart into those at Far West.
ReplyDeleteI ate at most of the Snack Shops when I worked for UCB. My favorite was on 17th in Santa Ana. I loved the Nui Nui Burger, the Chile Size, and their breakfasts.
ReplyDeleteI was hired as a waitress at the SnackShop in Costa Mesa, at 17th & Irvine shortly before it was transitioned into a Coco's. I especially remember their newfangled machine, to heat biscuits in 10 seconds. It was called a RadarRange. Today no home is without a microwave.
ReplyDeleteI remember waiting on John McIntosh and his family. (How nervewracking that was!!) He was a perfectionist and wanted nothing but the best for his customers.
I have so many fond memories of those times.
i remember John quite well. i should, i am John McIntosh Jr. Last week marked the 6 month anniversary of his death. As important the 6 month anniversary of my mother's death, Audrey, was just 9 days earlier. My father was indeed a perfectionist but what is seldom mentioned is the role my mother played in the company. they opened the first Snack Shop 61 years ago this coming Monday (10-19-48), i'm actually having lunch there that date at the now Ruby's with my uncle Bill and some old far west friends... any rate.. back then my father cooked and my mom waiting on the 2 tables and 10 counter seats. they worked tirelessly sun up to sun down, then went home where my mom worked on baking for the next day. they worked mon-sat and closed on Sundays so they could go in 1/2 day to scrub and clean.. their treat was to take the afternoon off; pack some sandwiches and beer and go over to where the Reuben E. Lee once was and rent a small skiff to go fishing in the bay. Audrey was the one that developed most of the recipes, designed the decors, uniforms and set the bar regarding service standards. over the years John and Audrey employed tens of thousands of young energetic personnel and most likely the vast majority would note they learned their most important skills, ethics and standards working for Far West. I will miss them both tremendously but am comforted to know how very important they were to so many others.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that your parents have passed. I was in management at both CoCo's and the Robert E. Lee here in St. Louis, MO.
DeleteWhat I would like to know, if you have the information available, is what happened to the small pension that I was vested in? I have been unable to locate any information on it. I know the company has changed hands several times but the current owners say they have no information or obligations.
Please help, if you can.
John
DeleteI worked at Snack Shop #1 on Avocado for a couple of years when I was a kid. My dad taught at Whittier High School and told me that Audrey was a student of his. Did wound up teaching at Newport Harbor High where Gino Boero was his student.
I wish you well.
Greg Hughes (949) 697 7443 cell
John I'm Dave Suder, Paul's son. My dad built many of the great restaurants for your folks. My dad had the utmost respect for John and considered him the best client in his career. E mail me at dave@khss.com and maybe we can have lunch and get caught up
DeleteI didn't know your parents but I spent many memorable evenings at Baxter Street Restaurant. It was my first husband and my favorite restaurant and the idea was wonderful, dinner and the servers performed! I loved it. I was saddened to see it go andremember it fondly. My husband died when he was 27 and this is one of "our" memories I can always think of and enjoy!!!! Thank you to your parents. I am sure you miss them as we miss those we love! Sorry for your loss. Glad they taught you well!
DeleteDoes anyone know how to get a hold of brian witbraugh i worked with him at knotts berry farm let me know nogotta@aol.com
DeleteDoes anyone know where i can get a hold of brian witbraugh if so email mei worked with brian at knotts berry farm email me nogotta@aol.com
DeletePlayed a great game of gin rummy
ReplyDeleteTwo thumbs up for the Snack Shop in Orange. Always wonderful food and service.
ReplyDeleteThey had the best onion rings too. I remember the Nui-Nui hamburger on a long bun.
ReplyDeleteI remember john mcintosh when i was a kid i the 60's. My dad Dick Church worked for him when they were snack shop. I also remember when they opened the first snack shop in hawaii as my dad was one of the opening managers there. We lived there from 1958- 1960 My dad then opened a new snack shop on 17th and Irvine across the street from westcliff plaza in newport beach,then bought what is still named dick churchs restaurant. I remember john Jr when i was a kid. I also remember when john Jr opened jp macs in costa mesa in the mid 70's. I am mark church son of dick church. I also remember my mom would do the payroll for john Mcintosh in hawaii when my dad was managing at the snack shop. I hope john Jr reads this as i am sure you would remember my dad working for your father.
ReplyDeleteThe Snack Shop on 17th in Santa Ana was a family favorite for breakfast when I was a kid. I always got hot chocolate with whip cream (mmm!!) and I remember yummy cookies with confetti sprinkles that were near the cash register. Wish it was still there....
ReplyDeleteWas there a McIntosh restaurant/club on corner of Adams/Brookhurst called "JP Macs"? or something like that? Spend many enjoyable times their in the early '80s.
ReplyDeleteNewly married, my husband and I used the envelope method for finances in 1970 and lving in our'dream cottage' a sears built 1942 Sears catalogue home on 520 N Grand, behind Chapman College. On Friday night, when we got paid, we thought we were so lucky getting a 3 course meal at the Snack shop in Orange! Halibut with a salad and dessert all for $3.99!!! What a treat! We were so rich!!! The best of times!
ReplyDeletehey john jr. hope you read this soon. this is aaron from alaska. i really enjoy reading about your fathers shops and his past employees. what an incredible man your father was. i can relate to what most folks are saying about his perfectionist and nervewracking demeanor;) i really enjoyed driving the summerwind, i met so many nice friends and family. best job i'll ever have had. hope we talk soon
ReplyDeleteIn probably 1952, I worked at Sears across the street from the Snack shop there. I went to lunch there most of the time. Loved the Chili Size and the French Dip. They dipped the roll in the aujus (just the way you're supposed to.)and it was delicious. Not sure of the spelling of the meat gravy, but havn't had one as good since. They bring you the dry roll with the meat on it, and you just dip it yourself, in the cup of gravy they bring you. Also much later in the 70's, we lived in Huntington Beach. and I think there was a MacIntosh's at corner of Beach and Brookhurst. We used to go in there and have Scallops. And I have say something about Orange. When I was going to Maple Street school during th 2nd World War, we sometimes would have an air raid, and we would leave class very orderly, and go out and sit in the orange groves. And one more thing about Orange, it's the Plaza not the circle. It's actually square. When I was in high school, and was with one of my friends parents, that was a comedian, he drove clear around near the stores. and it was square. So many memories.
ReplyDeleteI just wrote a comment and forgot to sign it. Marlene
ReplyDeleteI remember their sour cream salad dressing, the best! Great onion rings and hamburgers. We always went to the one at Flower and 17th, now a mexican place.
ReplyDeleteI knew John and the family, mainly from the beach at Little Corona. Ate probably half my breakfasts and/or lunches at number nine, PCH and Narcissus. The best buttermilk waffles ever. They appear to be extinct, now al I see are belgians. RGBJ
ReplyDeleteWe are two of the young people referred to above. We learned about the restaurant business through working for Far West Services in the early eighties. My wife started as a hostess at Reuben's #31 and ended up as the general manager of the Moonraker #12 (now an IHOP last time we checked.) I was a bartender at #23. We just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary after having met while working for the Reuben's chain. My wife still critiques every restaurant we go to by the standards she learned while she was with Far West and believes that John MacIntosh was the first to show appreciation for his employees by offering profit sharing, medical and life insurance and employee discounts. The business model that he created was responsible for the success of Far West for so many years.
ReplyDeleteCoco's had the best Italian Herb dressing that I have been trying to find the recepie for years.
ReplyDeleteCould you help?
I also have the best story about the Fried Chicken our family loved so much..
kpanizza1@cox.net
Gosh almighty! The snack shop in Santa Ana and the one in Orange! What fun memories. My mom, rest her soul, loved those places and it was so special to go there. What fond memories to share with others who remember these long gone places as well. Thanks for revisiting fun times.
ReplyDeleteyes, would greatly appreciate if anyone has the cocos italian vinaigrette recipe. been trying to track it down for years...
ReplyDeleteIf John Mac, Jr. sees this, I send you my personal condolences and want to say that it was an immense pleasure knowing and working with you. I never met your dad, but he was a true legend in O.C. and will be missed.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you. Phil Cole
What great memories reading these comments about the Snack Shop and John McIntosh. I worked at the CDM location (original store) from fall of 1956 to summer 1959 while attending Newport Harbor HS (claSS OF 1959). Manager at that time was Bob Witbraugh, whom latert moved to Hawaii. I remember Kittie, Evie, Darleen and others as waitresses. Dick Church was Asst mgr for a time, Clay (don't remember his last name) was gen mgr. What a good time that was, I walked to work as I only lived a few blocks away in Irvine Terrace.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I saw John was in Irvine Auto Ctr, when he purchased a car from me at Tuttle/Click Dodge in about 1985. He and Audrey were very instrumental in helping me mature in life. I remember meeting the McIntosh kids once or twice in those early days at the shop. But I'll never forget John and Audrey. On a very important date in 1958, I was invited to a high society ball by my then girlfriend (who shall remain anonymous without her permission). John lent me his yellow and white Cadillac Coupe D'Ville for the evening, I felt like a KING!
So much more to say, but enough for now. i would love to hear from anyone else who remembers those times.
ahh, the Snack Shop on 17th and Flower - the ultimate cheese burger + chocolate malt back in the 50's...I remember it had a fireplace in the dining area. Our family left Santa Ana for Europe in 1962, and always reminisced about the place. I finally returned to Santa Ana as a grown up scientist in the 80's - went straight to the Snack Shop, sat at the counter and had a great cheesburger with 1000 island dressing and a chocolate malt. As I was paying the waitress, I said "I haven't had one of these for 20 years, and it is a fabulous hamburger." And she said, "of course, it's the Snack Shop!".
ReplyDeleteMy first full time job was washing pots and pans for the bakery in 1967. My dad had been driving delivery truck for many years before I worked there. When my father slipped and the "new" meat packing plant in Santa Anna and broke his ankle, John came by the house and insured that a paycheck would not be missed by our family. John was a class act all the way through!
ReplyDeletethanks
ReplyDeleteI've just stumbled across this site and would like to add a belated word of appreciation for the McIntoshes and the company they created. I worked for Far West Services off and on in LA, Atlanta and Phoenix during the 1970s and 80s to pay for college and two graduate degrees. I still use today the lessons I learned at FWS about customer service and team work. Thank you, McIntoshes; you are remembered well and kindly.
ReplyDeleteI never met. Mr. McIntosh, but I did know the McIntyre sons. I worked with Ross when he was a coon at Cocos #18 on 17th St in Santa Ana, near Tustin Ave. I started there as a dishwasher in 1972, then became a cook, then transferred to Moonraker # 12 across from the OC Airport (it is now an IHOP). I was a cook then a bartender there.
ReplyDeleteHello Steve,
DeleteDo you happen to know where Ross is today? (if he is alive?). I would sure like to find him. He was a hell of a great boss.
Thanks -
Peter Modaffari
peter@velocity-art.com
No, I left Coco's #18 late 1975 and never heard from him again.
DeleteI worked as a bartender for Marsha at Cocos #12. I was her day bartender.
ReplyDeleteAs a college student, I spent Summer 1964 collecting sea squirts from the bottom of marine piers in Newport Bay and doing experiments at Caltech's marine laboratory in China Cove, Corona del Mar. No car, not much money. Today, my wife brought home some long rolls and some ground beef. I had no immediate reaction but a few hours later I started to get hungry and the memory of a Snack Shop Nui Nui Burger emerged from the deep recesses of my brain. I was delighted when she showed me this post, the top result from a search for "nui nui burger".
ReplyDeleteMy first "paycheck" came from the Snack Shop in CdM circa 1968. My sister, Carol Voelkl, got me the job even though I was under age. Best-damned dishwasher and bus-boy they ever had until I mixed cleaning agents one evening and the fumes cleared out the restaurant. The managers name was Jim something, or Big Jim.
ReplyDeleteFWS had the best management training in the building directly behind the Snack Shop. I understood, then, that John bought it from the previous owner when all there was was a counter and a couple of booths. He added the other booths to the south.
Jim
Wow. I just now read of this. My belated condolences to the McIntosh family. I had the pleasure of working with Mr McIntosh's son Ross McIntosh in the late 70's at Coco's 127 (West Garden Grove on Valley View). I was part of the original opening crew as a busboy. My first job (hired at 15 years old). Ross replaced a (terrible) previous manager after about a year and I can say more than 30+ years later as my boss he was a pleasure to work for. As he told me he was impressed by my hard work ethic, he gave me a dollar raise the very first night working with him (big deal to me). An honest man with integrity and a great sense of humor too. I wonder where he is today? I would sure like to thank him. What a great guy!
ReplyDelete-Peter J. Modaffari
I'm Gary Boye who has such great memories of the Snack Shops in Huntington Beach, across from the ocean, and, particularly, the one in Santa Ana on 17th. As a young man in the 60s, I worked at UCB Santa Ana Main. Great people who I will never forget. Odette, Barbara Ann, Tim Peralta. Such memories. After all these years, what I would give for a Nui Nui Burger.
ReplyDeleteGary Boye garyboye@gmail.com
Came across this while looking up the Snack Shop in Waikiki. A friend and I worked there in the 60s and loved it! It was my first real job that made a lasting impression. This experience taught us how a good business was run and that it could be fun while working hard. I do recall one of the best managers to work with, Vern Chatfield (sp?)....what a classy guy and terrific role model. I think in part this was the overall feel of the Snack Shop and Far West management....boy, do I miss those days!
ReplyDeleteMy first full time job was at the Bakery in CDM in 1968 washing pots and pans. Being that my dad had been driving delivery truck for the company for many years did help some. I was with the company all throught High School and have nothing but wonderful memories of that experence.
ReplyDeleteI broke in the back door at Reuben's #24 in Scottsdale in 1972. Worked from dishwasher to busboy to cook to management program. They loved to promote from the employees within. Far West was a family, even when it was a corporation. Loved to see people scramble when Barney Hoffman told us that John Mac was in town. He was a good man, but a perfectionist. Our house Scotch label was MacIntosh. The Shrimp Scampi was unique. To this day my 83 year old mother has given up on finding a scampi as good as Reuben's....unless I cook it for her. And I still have my notes from my stolen....er, er....copied recipe of the "Creamy House Dressing"....we didn't have blue cheese. Rest in Peace John Mac...you were a pioneer, and a person of a long lost era of "family" restaurants. Coco's and Reuben's were never the same after the multitude of corporate mergers.
ReplyDeleteJeff Shaw, Suquamish, WA
SNACK SHOP IN ORANGE, SCHAFFER & CHAPMAN, #18 ON 17TH STREET IN SANTA ANA AND #153 IN TUSTIN; ALSO THE COCO'S AT JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT, THE COCO'S AT FASHION ISLAND, MY PARENTS AND I ATE AT ALL THESE FINE RESTURANTS. LET ME ALSO INCLUDE GORDA LIZ; REUBENS. WE LOVED THEM ALL . I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF MR. MCINTOSH'S DEATH. GOD SPEED, MAY HE REST IN PEACE AND THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL RESTAURANT CHAIN. AFTER MY FOLKS MOVED TO SACRAMENTO, MY FRIENDS AND I STILL WENT INTO COCO'S A FINE ESTABLISHMENT MANY GOOD MEMORIES TOO!
ReplyDeleteTo Paul R, My Dad was Dick Church who later bought his own restaurant in Costa Mesa and later named it Dick Church's Restaurant. The name of the Manager you were reffering to was Clay Whitaker.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the Moonraker across from OC airport during the 1970's We use to really enjoy the group "Street Car" that played there while sitting upstairs and enjoyed the Teriyaki Steak!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember the treat of the fried shrimp at the Fullerton Snack Shop on Commonwealth with French fries and a root beer in the mid-to-late 1950's.
ReplyDeleteI just found this site, I am in Newport beach visiting and thought I'd look up 'ol no. 18. Where did it go???
ReplyDeleteI have been in the restaurant biz for the last 40 plus years
Started at the sizzler on Red Hill in Tustin, then coco's
I learned a ton about high service standards from Far West Services. I worked for FWS until Grace took over.
Anyone out there remember Ona? She was a zillion years old and cranky as hell, I miss her;)
just saw your comment. You are talking about Ona Sullivan. She was a fantastic waitress (as they were called in the day) Haven't seen her in about 45 years.
DeleteWhat became of no. 18? Anyone remember Ona?
ReplyDeleteIn the early 70's she was,(I think) the oldest living server, I think she was in her 50's -100's hard to say.
Anyhoo, I have fond memories, I was Cathy Jossi in those days.
Still in the restaurant biz today, and loving it.
I learned a ton from FWS, thanks !!!
I remember John McIntosh well. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
ReplyDeleteI joined Far West Services in 1973 as a construction manager. I managed the construction of a number of Far West Services restaurants in the areas in which we had operations. I worked out of the corporate office in Irvine CA. and there were many times when the three of us in the construction department would pile into a car with John and Bill McIntyre and have lunch at one of our near by restaurants. I was with the company when we opened The Gorda Liz, Sweet Tibby Dunbar's and The Summer House.
I enjoyed my friendship with John and consider my experience with Far West Services as one of the greatest periods of my career.
John, to you and your brothers, Michele and I add our belated condolences.
ReplyDeleteBut like so many others, Far West Services brings back many good memories.
I was 16, and recently out of work after a landscape job I was working on was completed. My older sister Nance was working as a hostess and cocktail waitress at the Ruben's/Coco's combo #32 in Fullerton, and knew they needed another person for the weekend cleaning crew. I did that for a year, and after my junior year of high school, I started cooking on the Coco's side. John jr and his wife Pam had recently moved back to California from Colorado, and John was a manager on the Coco's side. I don't remember being worried about John sr, but our regional supervisor (Norm) use to have everyone on edge! After a year of cooking in Coco's, I moved next door to work with Amador on the Ruben's side, doing Monday thru Friday prep, and cooking lunch. After about a year and a half, I paid a visit to John and Pam at their house in CdM (I had helped them move there from their house in Mission Viejo), with a bottle of Royal Salute in-hand, to ask if they might need a cook for their soon-to-open J.P. Mac's General Store Restaraunt. What a great experience that was, working for Jonh, Bill, Larry, and Doug (who bought John sr's 911 Targa). I met my future wife at JP's, and I truely believe that my work background working for both Far West Services and JP's set me up for my future success. I still have my silver 1 year FWS pin, my 3 year FWS key chain, a "Coco's - You Hamburger" license-plate frame, and my JP Mac's cooks handbook. Both of our sons cook (and quite well,too!), and Michele and I still critique a restaraunt against what we learned working for the MacIntosh family. John, maybe we can meet at that Ruby's someday for lunch? We still come out to the OC from the Palm Springs area a few times a year.
V/R
Kevin "TJ"
During the summer of 1967 I moved from Tucson to Corona del Mar, having completed my Ph.D. in mathematics at U of A and contracted to teach at California State College in Fullerton. My new apartment at the corner of Seaview & Dahlia was an easy walk from Snack Shop #9 and it would become home to me. I can still remember the evening essence in the air that first summer from the night-blooming jasmine and concluded that Corona del Mar was indeed heaven.
ReplyDeleteOne of the assistant managers at Snack Shop #9 was Dave Scanlan who coincidentally lived in the same apartment building and we became friends; it was in his company at the "dress rehearsal" for Wu Ben's at PCH and Bayside Drive that I first met John McIntosh; that restaurant would later become Isadore's, and much later Baxter's. Unknown to me was Dave's being a diabetic which would cause his unexpected and untimely young death.
There was a bakery at the rear of Snack Shop #9 and several times I was called upon by another assistant manager/friend Dick Sandoval at Coco's #32 in Fullerton to go by the bakery for biscuits to bring along with me to Fullerton on my way to Cal State. He also worked at the Coco's/Reubens combo on El Toro Road in Lake Forest. We frequently played tennis, and again it was a tragic coincidence that he also was diabetic, leading to his early death. At his funeral at Pacific View in Corona del Mar, I sadly noted that we were the same age.
Ron Pippin was a Reuben's bartender and long time Far West employee whom I first met in the Coco's/Reuben's combo #32 in Fullerton. He would later work at the Reuben's on MacArthur near the OC Airport, and once worked for a while in Monterrey at the Reuben's there. (Different name that I can't now recall.)
Another assistant manager at Snack Shop #1 was Kevin Snyder with whom I also became friends and tennis buddies. Fortunately, he was NOT diabetic.
One of my favorite Snack Shops was the A-frame at the corner of Westcliff and Irvine, reminiscent of a ski lodge. As was the rule in ALL of John's restaurants, there was a beautiful stone fireplace there. Unfortunately, that building is now gone.
I did have the privilege in the early 70s to visit the Snack Shop in Waikiki, Hawaii, just in front of the old Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where I remember enjoying yet another Nui Nui Hamburger, one of Audrey's more famous creations.
There was another of the Coco's/Reuben's combos located near the corner of Harbor & Adams in Costa Mesa. At the time this concept seemed quite unconventional but was very successful for many years.
During its "hay day" I was a regular customer of the Reuben E. Lee Riverboat which, at the time, was extremely popular. Wait times for dinner - no reservations - could be up to 2 hours, and people waited! The live shows in the lounge were top rate. Another innovative and highly successful idea for many years. I also visited the Riverboat on Harbor Island in San Diego a few times.
So many good memories over the past 45 years, many, many centered around Snack Shops, Coco's and Reuben's. With the closing of Coco's #9 in Corona del Mar, an era has come to an end.
Thank you, John McIntosh! RIP
Ron Miller
I worked for Far West in the late 60s and enjoyed every minute of it. Would have continued there had my ex not taken my children back to the South. I missed them too much. I first met John Mc while working as cook at the coco's at the Orange County Airport. The tomatoe slicer was broken and I was slicing them with a knife and I looked down and observed some white and brown "saddle oxfords" near me. The man wearing them asked if he could show me how to "really" slice. I knew right away it was the "BOSS". Had not met him until then, but was aare that he loved those shoes. Mr. Mc was so polite that it was hard to believe that he was an owner and founder. I later went into management. ASfter my trainee tour, I worked as a relief manager at the Santa Ana Snack Shop,the Anaheim Coco's and Coco's # 18 in Santa Ana near Tustin. I then became the assistant manager at number 18, before I left to head back South.
ReplyDeleteI subsequently went on to college and then law school and have prcticed law for many years. I can assure anyone, that no matter what jobs I have held to get to this point in my life, I have never enjoyed any of them as much as my job with Far West Services. I loved the customers, employees, and the owners. Gosh, those were the days when all waitresses wore white dresses and starched aprons. The apron bows had to "stand up" in the back. No one could carry more water glasses to a table than they could set down without leaving water marks on the tables. The handles of all cups had to be turned to the right. Regradless of all the rules, everyone I remeber loved working for the Company. Even at my current age, I still wonder how nice it would have been to have continued on with the company. Whoever owns the restaurants today will never compare wire those in the "DAY".
Last evening I was trying to think of the name of dressing that was used on the Nui Nui burger. Interesting that I could remember the name of that burger I enjoyed so many years ago but not the name of the dressing. I called my mom and asked her if she could remember that dressing from the Nui Nui burgers we used to get at the Snack Shop in Fullerton on Euclid and Commonwealth and got my answer. This morning for some crazy reason I Googled Nui Nui burger which led me to this site. Just think of all the lives John McIntosh had an influence on with his Far West interprises. RIP John and my condolences to your family. Thank-you for some wonderful memories too reading all these stories. I see I am not alone with my long lost love for Nui Nui burgers.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know how i can get a hold of brian witbraugh i worked with brian at knotts berry farm email me nogotta@aol.com thanks
ReplyDeleteH
ReplyDelete