Bernie's Restaurant in Buena Park, CA

An Anonymous OCThen reader recalls eating at Bernie's Restaurant in Buena Park from the 1950s all the way until it closed up at its final location in La Habra...

How about Bernie's Restaurant on Beach Blvd. in Buena Park? 

In the mid 1950's when I attended Lindbergh Elementary School (at Stanton and 4th Street) we would, at lunch time, ride our bikes down 4th Street to Bernie's for lunch. Have a hamburger and a coke. Throughout the years, Bernie's was always there for breakfast and lunch. At one time it was even open for dinner.

In the 1970's I recall that Cliff would have a great New Year's Eve Party in the restaurant. At one of those parties Cliff went up to Mike Clewley and said, "I want no trouble here tonight, Mike, OK."

I often ate breakfast on Staurdays with my dad. As the years went by, we often ate breakfast on Sat. or Sun. I recall one man who would always wear a top hat and sat at the counter.

Connie and/or Paula would often work there too. These are Cliff and Jean's daughters. Calvin is Cliff and Jean's son and later on he ran the place. Kimmie even worked at Bernie's, Kimmie is the owner of the chain of Kimmie's Coffee Shops (restaurants) (in Fullerton, Orange, Brea, Placentia and also Reno, NV). The decor in Kimmie's Coffee Shops reflects that of Bernie's country style. It was Cliff's mother Bernie who originally started the restaurant. Artie worked there (Arthur Lucas) who was a Buena park resident. Pete, another Buena Park resident, also worked there.

Throughout the years Bernie's was always a place to go. But, alas, with the closure of some closeby businesses and certain demographic changes, the number of customers dwindled. Bernie's in Buena Park was eventually closed after being there for well over 50 plus years. Calvin moved the business to Harbor Blvd. in La Habra, but after a short while even that Bernie's was closed.

There is a short article about Bernie's Restaurant (the final location in La Habra) here:
http://thenewdiner.blogspot.com/2005/09/bernies.html

There is also an detailed article about Kimmie (mentioned) above, which mentions Bernie's here:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/vinson-287421-kimmie-heart.html

OC Weekly published a brief review back in 2001, found here:
http://www.ocweekly.com/2001-09-27/features/buena-park/

Anyone with memories, information, or photos to share about Bernie's, post a comment below or contact me.

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20th Century Limited, Costa Mesa, CA

20th Century Limited was a restaurant located in Costa Mesa, inside South Coast Plaza. It opened to the public on December 1, 1975.

It was named after the famous 20th Century Limited railroad line of art deco inspired construction. The railroad connected Chicago to New York and ran from 1902 to 1967.

The restaurant was decorated with all the same accoutrements of an art deco styled passenger train. The interior was made to look like Grand Central Station in New York. Towards the front of the establishment were traditional booths, while in the back were replica Pullman cars that you could dine in.

Restaurant patrons would walk down brick platforms strewn with prop luggage, giant black engines spewing steam, and dined aboard gently rocking train cars with rear-projected scenery outside the window and the click-clack sound effects of the train tracks.

A couple of OCThen reader had posted comments throughout the site in reference to 20th Century Limited...

Anonymous (June 14, 2006) - Does anyone remember a restaurant that was located inside South Coast Plaza from the 80's called 20th Century Limited? It was a restaurant inside an actual railroad car. I remember this only vaguely from childhood.

Anonymous (July 26, 2006) - I remember 20th Century Limited. I had lunch there with a friend and her mom when I was about 8 or so. The sugar bowls had multicolored sugar in them and I thought the whole train concept was so sophisticated!

Marianne Dow (July 15, 2008) - Remember the 20th Century Limited restaurant in South Coast Plaza - it was a real train car. Good times.

Anonymous (Sep 17, 2010) - Remember the 20th Century restaurant? The one inside the train?

Anonymous (Sep 21, 2012) - when I got married we went to the 20th century restaurant with the rail car motiff quite a bit...there are a lot of great memories for me at that mall...

Anonymous (Apr 22, 2012) - Other favorites over the years were the 20th Century Limited Dining Car Restaurant.

If anyone has a photo of 20th Century Limited, e-mail me here, and I'll add it to this page.

Post your memories of 20th Century Limited below...

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Pioneer Chicken on Tustin Avenue

OCThen reader "Power" submitted this memory about Pioneer Chicken:

Remember Pioneer Chicken folks? Oh man I can still taste that chicken. Why did they go they were doing fine at least the one I used to go to in Orange on Tustin Avenue? They to me were as good as Kentucky Fried Chicken and different taste. And then a favorite Family restaurant also one Spoons also on Tustin Ave. Once upon a time. Sad.

According to Wikipedia:

"Pioneer Chicken, (or Pioneer Take Out, as it is officially named), is an American fried chicken restaurant which was founded in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles in 1961 by H.R. Kaufman. When Kaufman sold the chain in 1987, there were 270 stores operated by 220 franchisees. 

During the 1970s, several locations operated in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. There are three locations remaining in Los Angeles. It was named after Pioneer Market, a now-defunct small chain of supermarkets in Los Angeles. The original location in Echo Park was located next to the 1980s era Pioneer Market (the original 1932 market having been torn down in the 1980s) and is (now a Walgreens Pharmacy) on Echo Park Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. Due to considerable redevelopment activity in the neighborhood caused by gentrification, it was shut down in March 2009. During the 1980s, Los Angeles Lakers announcer Chick Hearn and former football player O.J. Simpson used to advertise for the restaurant."

Did your family eat at Pioneer Chicken? Do you remember the O.J. Simpson ads?

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Al's In-n-Out (Quick Snack) Burger, Santa Ana

During the 1950s and 1960s Al's In-n-Out (Quick Snack) served up memorable burgers, fries, and shakes on Main Street, near present-day Lathrop Jr. High. Later on, the establishment found itself in a legal battle with another burger chain of the same name.

A couple of OCThen readers submitted some memories recently...

Anonymous...
The 1960's Does anyone remember The "In N Out" (not affiliated with today's chain) on Main St in Santa Ana - near Lathrop Jr. High - Best French Fries in the world.

CoxPilot...
I think EVERYONE remembers the In-and-Out (Quick Snack) on main. Check out all the comments on this site about it. There even used to be a U-Tube video from the '50s, but I think it was finally taken off. A good friend of mine (Roy Ross) delivered meat to them.

I found several comments posted here on OCThen about Al's In-n-Out...

July, 15, 2007...
Two hamburger stands are at the top of my list. First, the In and Out on south Main St. in Santa Ana. Even the teachers from SAHS ate there. Al made the best french fries...Also there was an A&W drive through somewhere on south Bristol in the early 60's. We would stop there to get a frosty mug on the way back from the beach. Anyone remember where that was?

Bob

November 11, 2007...
Bob's comments regarding Al's In and Out on main and the old A&W are remarkable. I grew up in Santa Ana and Al's was the place. As a little kid of 8 or 9 I would walk to Main Street from Linda Way (Monte Vista School) to visit the Library, Santa Ana Hobby Shop, SAR, Jerry's Flying Hobbies and so much more in that little corner around Main and McFadden. Try explaining that there was a great In and Out before the current In and Out and you can find out who is one of the SA/OC oldtimers! But there was a couple of others, remember Fabulous Eddys? and what was that other big drive in on main, down near Edinger?? Russ's Burgers?? And the Zoo for a summer treat out near Corona Del Mar and who can forget the original Orange Inn and the Smoothies out on the coast highway across and down from the hourse ranch.

Thanks for the mems!

Dan Bleskey
SAV 72
SAC 75
CSUF 81

November 20, 2007...
To Dan B: I grew up in Santa Ana (1947 - 1985) and we lived on So. Olive right off of Edinger. Jerry was a good friend and I worked with him later in life. I also was good friends with the Palmers (Frank's Hobbies on Main, across from Pep Boys). Al's Quick Snack (In-and-Out) was at the top of the list, but Mel's on the coast hiway was where you showed you car. I live in the South Carolina now, and we have a Zesto's a block away.

March 6, 2009...
As others have said: Al's In And Out (before he had to change the name after a legal battle with guess who?) had fantastic fries.

Do you have memories to share about Al's In-n-Out?

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Hank's Restaurant, Newport Beach

Anonymous remembers a restaurant called "Hank's" in Newport Beach during the 1970s...

Does anyone remember a restaurant called Hank's in Newport Beach? It was on a corner, down the street from where the pier is. It had the best fish and you could just walk in off the beach, very casual. This would have been during the 70's.

I did some Googling on this, but couldn't find any info. Considering this was in the 1970s, there's probably little information online.

But if you remember it, please comment.

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The Yorba Room at Buffum's

An anonymous OCThen reader remembers going to the Yorba Room at Buffum's for lunch...

Is there anyone who remembers the Yorba Room at Buffum's? I lived in Santa Ana from 1954 thru 1962. As a special treat, my mother took me there for a Monte Cristo sandwich after she went shopping....There were beautiful murals on the walls of historic scenes of California, done beautifully in sophisticated muddy colors...one was an orange tree that had 3 dimensional oranges sticking out. It made such an impression on me...I am an artist today and would love to see a photo of that room....I don't think any exist.

I do remember the Buffum's in Santa Ana off of Main St., but I never went there. However, I remember when K-Mart used to have cafeterias, and my mom and I would eat lunch there.

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More Favorite Restaurants in Orange County

OCThen reader Andylynne remembers all of her favorite places to eat in Orange County...

Orange Co. was a wonderful place to grow up. I grew up on Vista Del Gaviota, and Black Oak Rd. Orange Co. Gave me many memories of the great restaurants we used to frequent. Does anyone remember the Cape Cod house on Harber Blvd I think? We used to eat out on Saturday evenings. There we so many great old restaurants. The snack shop in Orange, The chicken pie shop in Ahaheim. The first Sizzlers where you had to order from the window, and go pick up your food.

Any one remember Save-On Drugs ice cream? Every Friday after dinner my mom took me for an ice cream cone, at least during the summer. The Chili Pepper in Santa Ana. And Gilmores restaurant and minature golf on Lincoln ave. We ate at Knotts Berry Farm for chicken for special events. Don't forget the Boysenberry pie, it was my favorite.

I remember one of the first Mc Donalds, and of course Burger Chef. I forget the little pink hamburger stands name, across the street from Chapman College (University now) their burgers were the best! I remember when the first Marie Callandars opened on Tustin ave. and Then Polly's pies with the burger and Pie special. Then there was the very politically incorrect Sambos restaurant, I loved the border around the ceiling. And last but not least for me THE Pancake house in orange not I-HOP, but the one in the big old house where you ate German pancakes, Lingenberry pancakes, and even good old fashioned regular ones. I never did get a taste for I-Hop until much later.

Andylynne

One of my favorite places was BJ's Pizzeria, (we used to call it Chicago Pizza Factory) just off of 17th St and Bristol in Santa Ana, which was the original location of the now renamed BJ's Restaurant and Brewery. They had sawdust on the floor and red & white checkered table cloths. That location is now gone, and I under the original owners are no longer in charge.

Also Rubino's Pizza, which had a several locations in OC, but namely the one in Santa Ana on Main St and MacArthur.

Read previous memories on this subject...

• Old Restaurants of Orange County (Jan 19, 2010)


• Old Hamburger Stands of Orange County (Jul 8, 2007)


• My Favorite Orange County Restaurants (Jan 13, 2006)


• Complete Restaurant Archives on OCThen

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The Bean Hut of Anaheim

The Bean Hut was a drive-in fast-food joint located in Anaheim on Anaheim Boulevard. During the 1950s and 1960s, it was the place for local youth to hang out and be seen, kinda like Mel's Drive In on the Happy Days sitcom.

This place was before my time, but had heard other people talk about it. It's a dentist office now.

A couple of OCThen readers submitted some brief mention of it...

Anonymous said...

60's, the Bean Hut in Anaheim or the Rhythm Room in Fullerton, anyone remember?

MicketyMick said...

Man I miss the Bean Hut! North end of Anaheim Blvd. I think it's a dentist's office now :(

Lots of great eating places like Belisle's shut down leaving us with only chain restaurants. Speaking of which, I'm happy to say that a NEW Farrell's is being built in Mission Viejo, and should be open at the end of October 2009. As much as I shouldn't have ice cream, I am SO going.

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The Little Diner at Orange County Airport

Back when John Wayne Airport was still Orange County Airport, the old Eddie Martin Terminal was also a place where people could go just to watch the planes take off and land. There was a diner inside the little terminal that offered people a view of the landing strip.

I remember as a kid in the 1970s I would take flights up to Seattle, and sit inside the terminal watching the planes. In those days, I wanted to become an airline pilot. We would walk out on the runway, and climb the stairs to a waiting AirCal Boeing 737.

I remember in the late 1980s, in last years of the terminal, my girlfriend (now my wife) went there one night just to do that, eat a little something and watch the planes.

The new Thomas F. Riley Terminal has eateries inside too, but because of heightened security, and costly parking fees, airports are no longer a place to marvel the airplanes anymore.

A couple of OCThen readers share their memories of eating inside the old Eddie Martin Terminal, and watching planes take off...

Mr Vintage said...

Does anyone else remember the little diner at Orange County airport back on the early 60s that had a lunch counter and booths? There were many model airplanes hanging from the ceiling and we used to go there just for lunch and to watch the planes. I also remember that there were stables down at the end of the runway where we would go and visit and feed carrots to the the horses in the stalls. Of course all of the area around the airport was mostly grassy rolling fields. It has certainly changed.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I remember the diner! When sitting at the booths you had the best view of the airplanes coming and going. And you walked right out to the planes to board. There were no tunnels to walk thru. Long Beach airport was similar until a few short years ago. Now John Wayne airport is fancy and hectic...but still way better than LAX. (Unless your plane is late and because of the sound curfew (10 or 11pm) you must land at LAX and your friend who is supposed to pick you up is waiting at John Wayne or the taxi you were going to hail to take you 10 minutes to your home now will cost over $100 to deliver you from LAX to OC) Other than that, like the convenience of the new airport!

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Remembering Pup 'N' Taco

Pup 'N' Taco was one of those "crossover" fastfood joints that came up during the 1950s when fastfood mexican was an experiment. The chain offered hot dogs and tacos.

Wikipedia has some more history on Pup 'N' Taco.

I never liked the place, I seem to recall the french fries being very salty. And at the time, my dad was really into Taco Bell, back when they still had those faux adobe buildings, and the "Bell Beef" (I can't remember exact name) sandwich, which was basically a taco meat sloppy joe.

I remember a Pup 'N' Taco in Santa Ana on the corner of Harbor and Edinger. I think a Taco Bell sits there now.

Anyways, a couple of OCThen readers share their memories of Pup 'N' Taco...

JJohnson said...

One of my vivid childhood are the Pup 'n Taco food chain and Taco Tio food chains. I did a Google search and Wikipedia has some pretty cool links on Pup 'n Taco. You can even get buy retro Pup 'n Taco t-shirts there. Anybody else remember Pup 'n Taco these?

Lee said...

I remember the old Pup 'n Taco commercial jingle, "I'm Pup, he's Pup, I'm Taco!" The animated hot dog and taco would be singing and dancing around on TV. I actually applied for a job at Pup 'n Taco on Westminster Blvd, but instead took a job at the Mobil gas station on Westminster and Beach Blvd.

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Serna's Mexican Restaurant - Dana Point

Isaac O. remembers eating at Serna's Mexican Restaurant in Dana Point...

anyone remember sernas mexican resteraunt? on pacific coast hwy. in dana point across the street from capistrano beach back in the 1960's - 1975 the owners lupe serna and daughters martha and [ cora a.k.a. guerra]
excellant tacos enchilladas chili rejguennos
good old memories and food. thy were my cousins
we got to eat for free, mmm, i miss them all,l.o.l Isaac O.

Dana Point seems to have some really good mexican restaurants, most notably Olamendi's, a favorite hangout of President Richard Nixon, and El Patio. As for Serna's Mexican Restaurant, I've heard of it. But I did a Google search and found a post saying that there was a Henry's Mexican Restaurant in Dana Point, that was run by a Serna family.

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A "Captain's" Restaurant in Seal Beach

Anonymous remembers going to a restaurant in Seal Beach named "Captain's" something, but can't recall the whole name...

I've lived in Orange County since 1982, but in the LA area since 1959. Back in the 60's, when my Aunt & Uncle lived in Los Alamitos, we used to go to a restaurant on the water in Seal Beach. My best recollection was that it was called The Captain's Inn or Table. I believe it's long gone but have never been able to find any information about it, or even confirm the name. Even my cousins don't remember it.

The same conversations went on for years about a drive-in that I remember being located at the corner of PCH and MacArthur. I finally found an online reference to The Zoo, though my cousins still don't recall it.

I'd really love some help with the 'Captain's' in Seal Beach.

I think he's talking about Captain Jack's Prime Rib & Seafood, which is technically in Sunset Beach, just south of Seal Beach. Captain Jack's has been there since 1956, so it would have been in the time frame.

But Captain Jack's is still in operation.

What do you think?

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Chicken Delight of Buena Park

John Burton asks if anyone remembers the Chicken Delight restaurant in Buena Park...

Does anyone remember The Chicken Delight on the corner of LaPalma and Knott in B.P.

Actually, another OCThen reader, "Amber" recalled the same restaurant in a memory I posted last April entitled, "Memories of Anaheim in the 1960s"...

I remember "..don't cook tonight, call Chicken Delight.. we deliver.."

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Old Restaurants of Orange County

Anonymous writes of some old restaurants in Orange County that perhaps no longer exist...

This is a great web site! I'm always remembering old restaurants in Orange County that bit the dust years ago. What a time trip!

During the 1960s and 1970s, one of my favorite restaurants was Kono Hawaii. My most vivid memories of that place were the entertainment and the delicious ginger salad dressing. Actually everything they served was of impeccable quality, including the Mai Tais!

In the late 1970s, all the employees at Ford Aerospace would trek over to the Gorda Liz Restaurant in Newport Beach for lunch. I was sad to hear about it's closing. That was truly a one-of-a-kind place! Another popular restaurant with the Ford crowd was Isidore's in Newport Beach on Pacific Coast Hwy. I remember that their buffet was pretty good.

One restaurant no one here mentioned is the old Ricky Rickshaw Chinese restaurant near John Wayne Airport circa mid- to late 1970s. They had a fantastic Chinese chicken salad, and their chicken curry was good, too!

El Paso Cantina on Harbor & Adams had a wonderful chicken enchilada with verde sauce, and my husband still mourns the loss of those perfect flour tortilla chips they would serve with the salsa!

I often went to Baxter's on Walnut Avenue and Culver during the 1980s. I always ordered the "Parisian Picnic," which was a Caesar salad with fried brie, along with Baxter's special sweet bread. (This is making me salivate!)

Over the decades, I've also missed Seafood Broiler, Belgian Waffle, and Jolly Roger.

Mama Cozza's and Salvatore's were mentioned in here, and I remember those as being outstanding restaurants. I remember that Salvatore's would give you food for an army!

Carls Jr. is still with us, but do you remember that Italian baked potato they used to serve at the South Coast Plaza store in the late 1970s? They would mash up the potato, adding butter. Then they would top it with marinara sauce, black olives, green onions, and Italian sausage rounds. Too bad they stopped serving those, but of course, I had to invent my own!

I can add to that list, the original BJ's Pizzeria, on 17th street in Santa Ana, just a block east of Bristol. We used to eat there in the early 1980s. It was the first restaurant in the current BJ's Restaurant and Brewery. That location is no longer there, but they used to have red & white checkered table cloths, and saw dust all over the floor.

Of course, who can't remember The Barn, on Red Hill Ave and Edinger in Tustin?

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Mr. T's of Anaheim

Anonymous remembers going to Mr. T's of Anaheim, a restaurant that's no longer there...

I remember growing up in East Anaheim in the 70's and 80's right off of State College and Ball. The big restatraunt across from Carls Jr. would change names every 2-3 years. But the best memory was going to Mr. T's right off the corner os State College and Ball. It was a blast to the past, i actually worked there for a summer in 11th grade flipping burgers. I remember going there to play pinball almost daily, then saving enough money for a cheeseburger and fries. Mr T's was cool is it stll there??I have been gone from Anaheim since about 1991, i went back in 2000 for my best friends wedding, it has changed so much since the 70's and 80's.

Interestingly, another reader provided some info on Mr. T's, saying that's it changed to something else...

I LIVE OFF OF SUNKIST IN ANAHEIM, MR. T'S IS LONG GONE, NOW IT'S CALLED VAQUEROS (MEXICAN RESTAURANT)MATTER OF FACT IT JUST CHANGED NAMES AGAIN RECENTLY.

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Hot Dog Shack in Costa Mesa

Aimee C remembers a cool little hot dog shack in Costa Mesa, and wonders if anyone remembers it also?

Does anyone remember the little hot dog shack on Wilson Street in Costa Mesa? It was there in the early/mid 80's, at the side entrance of the old Harbor Shopping Center. I am not sure what it was called, Sammy's sounds familiar, but I am not sure if that's right. I remember going there a lot when I was a kid. I used to love it because they would give you a plain dog, and you could put on whatever toppings you wanted. They had the best chili cheese dogs ever!! I am pretty sure it closed when they started the huge remodel on the shopping center. I don't know if they moved to a new location or not, but if anyone knows what happened to it, I am curious.

Harbor Shopping Center was such a cool and interesting place. I think it's called something else now. I haven't been by there in a while, last time i drove by I was amazed at what it has become compared to what it was. It's a shame things have to change.

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The Jolly Knight Restaurant, Garden Grove

Anonymous says his grandparents owned The Jolly Knight restaurant, which used to be in Garden Grove...

My grandparents owned The Jolly Knight. The street that the restaurant once stood is named: Ansell Court (after my grandparents).

I don't recall ever going there, but from what I understand it was an old English themed restaurant. Anyone else go there?

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Gabrielli's Deli & Gilligan's Island Liquor

Janel asks if anyone remembers Gabrielli's Deli or Gilligan's Island Liquor in Placentia...

I grew up in Placentia in the early 1980's. Does anyone remember Gabrielli's Deli and Gilligan's Island liquor store located in the Toy City plaza at the corner of Palm and Valencia? I attended El Dorado High School and worked at the deli during my High School years. A lot of great memories and friend from those days!!

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In-N-Out Burger, Santa Ana

Anonymous writes about memories of In-N-Out burger in Santa Ana, where the owner would walk out to your car to take orders...

I remember going to the In-N-Out on Main st. in Santa ana as a teenager with my nieces & friends. The owner himself would take our order from the car and then bring us free homemade chicken soup while we waited. The hamburgers & fries were always freshly made. I tell my kids that the In-N-Out burgers from today are good, but the ones from back then were the best and we knew the original owner!

I don't remember the one on Main St, but I always went to the one on Bristol St and Civic Center Drive. This was back in the mid-1980s when I worked for the Santa Ana Public Library. And back then there were long lines at lunch time, and I imagine it's the same today.

Anyone know about their "secret menu"? If you want three patties and three cheese, tell then you want a "3x3". If you want 4 patties and eight cheeses, tell them "4x8". Simplicity and elegance in ordering.

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John McIntosh, OC Restauranteur

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.

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