Here’s an old matchbook from John Jawad’s Pioneer Inn, which was located in Downtown Clayton.
Before it was John Jawad’s Pioneer Inn, it was named Chubby Humble’s Pioneer Inn, and then it became a church.
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22 comments
I loved that place. If you wanted a really excellent done the way you ordered it this was the place..
My first job was at the Pioneer Inn. October of 1977. Dishwasher. For 2 nights.
Jack Nicholson starred in a movie The Wild Ride that took place in Clayton. They spent a lot of time at Chubby Humble’s 1960
Went to school with the Jawad kids. One of the walls in the Pioneer Inn was
from the original adobe that stood there. Clayton was a dusty little stop in the road on the way out to east county and all of the fruit farms. Used to be a small road that led out to the Nortonville mines that began in Clayton. And the creek running behind the library in Clayton is the site of an ancient indian village. Lots of history out here in Clayton.
Jack Nicholson’s favorite hangout!!
https://youtu.be/Eh0xQ4Hfn8c#t=44m00s
Yes indeed it was Chubby Humbles Pioneer Inn, “the” place for a real steak dinner. So, after all that has taken place in little ole’ Clayton, what has become of the place…. not much since it’s closing. Very sad indeed.
Remember the local ranch brands and barbed wire collection?
They had THE BEST prime rib ever…. only had it on Friday and Saturday if memory serves me correctly, slow cooked in rock salt for hours…. yum !
I was just talking about the Pioneer Inn today, as my neighbor mentioned how one of the previous owners of my house used to be a waitress there. Way before my time, as we moved to Claycord in 1997. In that time, I have sure seen a lot of changes in downtown Clayton, Ygnacio Valley Road and Walnut Creek!
Hey my claytonites!
Does any one remember that old abandoned building that used to sit on top of a hill? It was large, maybe at one time monks lived in it. Not sure. Used to ride our bikes near there back in the eighties and rumors were it was haunted. Always curious what it actually was. Thanks
Wasn’t it a convent?
Are you referring to the Saint Anthony Boys Seminary, formerly south of town? It was sort of summer camp for Catholic boys who were thinking of becoming priests. I used to know a Priest who was stationed there, he flew model airplanes and liked his booze.
You’re probably thinking of the Seminary that was on the hill above what is now Regency Woods.
Thanks guys for the info. I know it sat vacant for many years and just looked creepy and haunted.
Looks like my kind of place…sorry it’s not still still open
I only caught the tail end of this excellent establishment. The Pepper steak was so good. Morseys may still serve it. Sorry I do not know the back story on this. Anyone?
It had every thing. History, art, rustic appeal. Good food! I forgave its run down appearance. Such a loss!
Phil St. Pierre (SP) played the guitar as entertainment. He had a washtub bass that I had the opportunity to play a few times. His favorite phrase as he lifted his glass was “here’s to sex”.
I remember my folks took me there for my 16th birthday.
We had a real nice dinner.
Wasn’t that building a hotel at one time ? (before it burnt down).
Before moving to Clayton in 1983, we drove from Moraga to eat dinner at this place, and it wasn’t complete if you didn’t stop in the bar after dinner to hear Phil. His wife, June, would wait tables and even join him for a song. And then with Kenny behind the bar, everything was as it should be. A few years after the Pioneer closed, saw Kenny tending bar at Benihana.
Lindo Morucci bartended there in the 60’s.
They had an excellent steak sandwich…
It was my Mother’s favorite place for lunch.
Had our wedding rehearsal dinner there in ’92, great food and atmosphere. Got married at Marsh Creek Springs the next day. Back before all the development.
The steak was the best anywhere. I remember a sign or photo saying The Duke and his buddy, Ward Bond, would fly up from LA to have a steak and a good time.
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