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.
Another Successful Pikin Chixs Affaire
5 hours ago
I'm a blogger and internet marketer, motorcycle rider, and craft beer lover.
23 comments:
Well, I didn't know John That well.
Met 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!
I 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.
I 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.
I 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.
I 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.
Played a great game of gin rummy
Two thumbs up for the Snack Shop in Orange. Always wonderful food and service.
They had the best onion rings too. I remember the Nui-Nui hamburger on a long bun.
I 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.
The 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....
Was 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.
Newly 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!
hey 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
In 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.
I just wrote a comment and forgot to sign it. Marlene
I 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.
I 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
We 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.
Coco's had the best Italian Herb dressing that I have been trying to find the recepie for years.
Could 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.
yes, would greatly appreciate if anyone has the cocos italian vinaigrette recipe. been trying to track it down for years...
If 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.
Best wishes to you. Phil Cole
Post a Comment