The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
Today’s question:
QUESTION: If you could, what store/restaurant from the past would you bring back if you had the power to do so?
Talk about it.
Mr. Steak in Lafayette.
Also known as Mr.Snake, by the younger members of my family.
THE VELVET TURTLE
Eames hardware, was in Pleasant Hill.
That was a great place!
Spengers like it was in the old days in Berkeley. Yankee Pier in Lafayette recently went out of business. The Red Rooster in Walnut Creek. The old A and W across from White Front in the really really old days! The waitresses used roller skates, and they brought your food on a tray they attached to your car when you rolled the window down. The A and W next to the Walnut Creek Police Department. 1/4 pounder at four corners off of Monument. The Sunvalley Mall used to have a very very good International Food court that puts the one they have now to shame. The Hungry Hunter in Lafayette off of Pleasant Hill Road. Cape Cod in Lafayette. Very good seafood. Also Tender Greens in Walnut Creek. They had the best salads.
Mr. Steak in Concord. There are more, but the names are not coming up in my rusty brain. Damn.
Yes Spengers was a great place…
Yes – I remember Spengers! Also, Bancheros in Hayward – that’s going way back. We used to go there when I was in elementary school.
Olga’s Kitchen. Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton and I think there was one in Hayward. Sigh….
The Round Up
Tia Maria
Richardson’s
The Nut Bowl
Sham’s Pizza
Petars
Pluto Pups
Sham’s was the spot back in the day before they sold it to the new owner.
I remember Petar’s. I was living in Foster City, but had friends in Walnut Creek and Concord, we use to go there, and both my friends were armature performers and would often get up and sing along with the singer, was her name Jo-Ann? Can’t believe I still remember last time I was there was right after I moved to Benicia in 1998. It was a great place had lots of fun there with my friends many times.
Blazing Burgers, Main Street in Walnut Creek.
The Nickle Arcade, Walnut Creek.
Lupoi’s, Walnut Creek
You remember Blazing Burgers?
I didn’t think anybody remembered it.
Ha ha – I loved that place!
Lupoi’s was the heartbeat of Walnut Creek. I went to school with John Lupoi and I knew Toni Lupoi too. I remember Tony was shaking this kid from the shoulders outside for stealing. Don’t mess with Toni. They had the best meat market. I really miss Lupoi’s. thanks for reminding. Oh and Simon’s was a wonderful hardware store. I miss Standard Brands in Pleasant Hill too. Orchard Supply Hardware and Eames Hardware on Alhambra Cruchon’s had the best best sandwiches, and in Walnut Creek when I was a young lady I loved Army Navy Surplus, I can still remember the oily smell of the wooden floors and the weird stuff. Captain Cooks used to have a dance floor there I think. It is where the fountain is off of Oak Grove Road now. Longs was the absolute best. No comparison at CVS. Birdie’s Toy Shop and Woolworth’s Department Store, Kahns,
Roos Atkins, J Magnin and I Magnin Capwells. I still call Macys Capwells. They still have the original escalator there in Walnut Creek. The Nut Tree Oh Eddies in Berkeley. That was delicious.
The Sizzler steak house off of Willow Pass Road in Concord. Ok that is all I can think of. I will be tripping on this all night trying to remember what I forgot.
Simon’s hardware in Walnut Creek.
Simon’s also had a store in Concord, remember? I still have an oak bookcase from there. So long ago.
Simon’s was no good. Got my bicycle stolen there as so many did.
Tullio’s in Walnut Creek. Still looking for something with a similar feeling.
Tulio’s was a great restaurant. They had the best garlic & were a hidden gem.
Tullio’s for sure. Their minestrone was a favorite of mine and the rest of the food was excellent. I miss seeing Nancy, Dino, and Matt on Saturday’s when I’d pick up lunch. Spengers I do miss it so.
Jawads also known by their other name, Pioneer Inn, Clayton.
Dairy Belle, with chocolate dipped ice cream cones.
The Black Oak at the corner of Oak Park Boulevard and North Main Street. That place was pie heaven. And what about Bud’s Pork Chop in the strip mall on Oak Park. First time I ever had a pork chop sammie with apricot jam. Who’s hungry? 🙂
Noj-
I don’t recall The Black Oak. I do remember
there was The Nut Tree restaurant at that
location that made some pretty tasty pies.
They had a pie display case right up front.
Bertolas
I second that.
Yes! There was this one old waitress that was mean as hell, in a friendly kind of way. Me and the wife would take the kids there and crack up to ourselves when she told them they had to eat three more bites before they could get any dessert, that sort of thing. For better or worse, you won’t find that kind of service anymore.
Her name was either Verta or Berta.
My family loved that place! The lady you are talking about used to give my sister and I a quarter if we finished our food 🙂 if you liked this place you should give macs old house a try in Oakley. Same type of food/menu. Best calamari steak! Soup tastes the same too
Fyi- There is a taqueria owned by the Bertola’s cook on Pacheco Blvd named Taqueria y Carniceria that serves the Bertola’s menu to go every other Friday night. They have the prime rib, pot roast, and calamari with the same pasta,swiss chard, soup and bread. All original recipes
How could I have left out Bertolas! Thank you for the tip Mtz. I sure hope the taco place is okay. My husband and I’d both take that walk down memory lane.
Mr. Smith,
You sure it wasn’t Mulva?
Victoria’s Station, Shakey’s Pizza (I know there are a few that are out there), Farrells Ice Cream, Ruebens Plank House, Rueben E. Lee (San Deigo), CoCo’s, Bob’s Big Boy, Uncle John’s Pancake House, Chart House
Forgot about Ruebens, thanks.
I think the is still a Farrells in or around Sacramento…I remember the huge bowel with all the flavors! I think it was called the Zoo.
lovelace…. please, use the “check spelling” feature on your computer.
My Uncle saw that “huge bowel” comment & laughed so hard he got asthma.
I remember that jet crash at Sacramento Executive, the plane was a Korean war era F-86.
Emporium Capwell, Orchard Supply Hardware. Eames was great too.
Simon’s Hardware & Max’s Opera Cafe
I second Max’s. Great times there.
Store: Montgomery Wards
Restaurant: Mexicali Rose, Oakland
Fish Emporium in The Vineyard on Clayton Rd.
Evie’s Hamburgers in the Encina Grande shopping area. I loved eating there and the owners were super nice to me.
Captain Cooks in Walnut Creek. The Velvet Turtle in Pleasant Hill. Carlos Murphy in Pleasant Hill.
Taxis Hamburgers
Mervyn’s
Yes – WOW I miss Mervyn’s…. my fav department store!
Mervyn’s by far my most missed. Clothing was well made and great pricing. They had everything you need. Still so sad it’s gone.
I miss Mervyn’s so much!! I grew up in San Leandro and would always go to the #1 Mervyn’s store in San Lorenzo in the 70’s. That was the first store that Mervin Morris opened.
Jolly’s Burgers on Monument Blvd and H. Salt Esquire (fish ‘n chips) in Park ‘n Shop.
Yes on Jolly Burger! We went to the one at Ygnacio and North Civic. They were heavy on ketchup and onions. I can still taste those burgers, and that was somewhere around 50 years ago. When did they close? I’m guessing 1974 or so…
Lupoi’s Market was just on the other side of Ygnacio from Jolly Burger. Lupoi’s was a cool little store. Ahhh, don’t get me started…
The Screw Shop
… it wasn’t THAT kind of business …
I miss that place too.
J&M Fasteners on Detroit is similar.
If it were that kind of business, would it still be in business?
@Old-school guy… That business has been going on for thousands of years, it’s still open.
I thought they moved behind Tower Records.
Aladino’s Pizza in the Clayton Valley shopping center.
That was the exact restaurant I was going to say! Such a good place.
Yardbirds
Taqueria de la Walnut Creek before it got weird and expensive and disappeared.
Concord Fuel and Feed
I would like to bring back the Thai Kitchen Restaurant that used to be on corner of Salvio and Galinda across the street from the Brendon Theater. The Chip took over the Thai Restaurant. Really miss the Thai Kitchen Restaurant the family are just wonderful
Yes, Bangkok kitchen, and the owners were awesome.
I don’t know what the Chip is…… But I Love Teriyaki and Sushi now occupies where Bangkok Kitchen was.
Sambo’s! Loved the breakfast.
yep sambos. worked my way through college there. The original is still in business in Santa Barbara.
The best
have a few of the old wooden nickels; some generic and some location specific… simple things can be the most cherished.
Smorga Bob’s
The Chinese restaurant at the corner of oak grove and monument (think it burned down, was in same building as a liquor store)
Bertola’s (oakland version)
Ci Ci Ole’s on Clayton road. Great service and food.
Long’s & Mervyn’s
Yard Birds & OSH
Tiffany’s, Bobby McGhees & Baxter’s
SKate Haven and Lipperts in WC
Tony Roma’s for ribs
Johnny Angels in Walnut Creek had great paella and tapas
* White Front…Albany…General Merchandise
* BBB…. Berkeley… General Merchandise
* Bertola’s…San Pablo…Cheap Food and Bozze
* El Tumi…El Sobrante… Great Peruvian Food
* El Sobrante # 1…El Sobrante … Good Breakfast
BBB’s???? Gosh, you’re old!
I can hardly find anyone who remembers them.
I always looked forward to going there as a kid. My favorite part was the old (a tad overweight) security guard that was always sitting mid store. Never remember him getting off his stool. He would say Hi and talk with all the kids and tease our parents; made us feel important.
Know I’ve mentioned on clayclord in the past, but going out on a limb…. You remember DiscountMart on Cutting just off of San Pablo ave?
The best toys in all the world and as I got older their sporting goods was where I went. I bought my first car stereo set up there for self installation.
I did forget the Discount Mart.I knew a lot of people that worked there. And sometimes I would get a little Xtra Discount if you know what I mean. I got my Pioneer Super Tuner and Jensen Triaxles there.
S… So you think I’m old ? Do you remember Brooks Hamburgers By the Co Op on San Pablo Ave ( I can still smell those buttered buns to this day) ? Also liked Grand Auto, Doggie Dinner, Woolworths and hanging out at Hunts Donuts with Grandma and the gang. This was at the El Cerrito Plaza
I’m smiling ear to ear here. Loved Brooks and shoppin at Co-Op… My aunt and cousin worked at the donut shop.
Yep, you “MUST” be old!
So many other places to mention, but enough is enough I guess.
Ok, two more: Hood’s Hobby & Bob’s Surplus ???
S… Don’t remember Bobs. But Hoods had the super cool hobby stuff.
Two more Phillips Liquor, Ben Franklin at the Food Farm center. Phillips was the place to get my Mad Magazines and car and motorcycle mags.
Old !..I’m 60….Glass of 78
Ha! I remember when El Cerrito Plaza was the drive-in movie theater. My mom used to take me there in her Hudson car.
Here Ya’ go, Silvia:
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9372
Wow Wiz! 60! ??? Yep you’re OLD!!!
(just like me… 60 and class of ’78: GOOoooooooo Mighty OILERS!)
SO, I gotta throw out one more place cause I’m obsessed now: Munchies at 37th and MacDonald?
.
S… I say Go Go Gauchos ! Never been to Munchies. But it was used in High School as a put down. Like your Ma Ma gets you Munchies for dinner and shops for your clothes at Value Village.
Silva…. you must be old… do you remember the Gray Hound Track
S… My dad was a Wards man, the one on Mac Donald. Always got the Hawthorn Bike in stead of the cool Swhwinn.
Ditto with the hawthorne, also… Skips that looked like Converse, an Airline TV. Can’t remember if our appliance were Wards or not, but….
My Dad had one, I had one, my Son had one… I ordered my Daisy Red Ryder through the catalog.
Really, I gotta stop now, so I can finish a show I’ve been binge watching that aired in 1957/8…
Lipert’s and the original Pinky’s Pizza in WC
Lipert’s was great!!
Forgot one
* Broiler Steak House..San Pablo…Steaks !
would have loved to go to this place!!
Mr Steak
Pop Shop
King’s Table
Elephant Bar (original owners, not any of the last 3)
Black Angus (return to our area)
Pick up Stix (return to Northern Ca.)
Emil Villas
Bob’s Big Boy
Orchard Supply Hardware
Miller’s Outpost
Woolworth
Good Guys
Comp USA
Bombay Company
Andronico’s (return to our area)
Restaurants:
Carlos Murphy’s in Pleasant Hill
Le Virage in Walnut Creek
CC Ole’s in Concord
Stores:
Whole Earth Access that was in the Willows.
Montgomery Ward
The Screw Shop
Grand Auto
Mervyn’s
Dawg-
Thumbs up for Le Virage. Hard to believe that
use to be one of the larger buildings in
Walnut Creek. Originally it was Stan’s Brick
House. A barbecue restaurant. They had a large
horse head on the exterior that moved back and
forth.
C. C. Olé’s
Maxs Opera Cafe
Biagi’s!
The Pioneer Inn, Clayton
Yardbirds
Tulio’s
Emporium Capwells
Clothes that fit, at prices I could afford.
Magic Pan Restaurant
Their crepes and salads were the best.
They had the best cheese puffs! I went there as a kid after I’ve skating at the mall. Great memories.
El Papagallos Mexican restaurant in Concord.
I used to go dancing when the Casuals were playing there.
Yes! El Papagallos . While I was young, an honestly didn’t care for Mexican food at the time, the lady with the guitar always played my favorite song each time our family went for dinner. “Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head” da da, da , da, da, Da!
Earls records and Jolly Burgers.
Store: Emporium
Restaurant: Dos Coyotes, Pick up Stix, Mary’s Pizza Shack
Consumers and BEST, the old catalog showroom stores.
And Jolly’s with their 15-cent hamburgers.
I Magnin, Simons hardware,FAO Schwartz, Marie Callender
Elegant Bib, Hungry Hunter Bully’s LaJolla
THE WICKED EYE IN SAN RAMON!
lol!
Ci Ci Ole’s
Taxis Hamburgers
Cruchon’s on North Main Street; Army Navy Surplus on Main Street Downtown, Pacific Stereo, Hogan’s in P.H., The Alcaculpo like it used to be in Alameda
Chicken Delight & Comptons – Walnut Creek
Pipers (All You Can Eat)
Sizzler steak house
Woolworth lunch counter
Howard Johnson (East Coast)
Bob’s Big Boy
This is so easy.
K-Mart, Clayton Road
The Savoy at Boundary Oak, Walnut Creek
The Savoy had thee best filet migon and lobster. Sure miss that place.
Freeway Variety in Montclair. Dragon’s Lair and jolly ranchers!
Wacky Packages at Freeway Variety.
I grew up in Montclair. Freeway was awesome. So was Ice House and Fatz Hamburgers.
I wish we still had fabric stores. Many years ago there was one in what’s now the TJMaxx shopping center at the corner of Clayton Rd and Bailey Rd and another one in the shopping center at the corner of YV and Clayton Rd where a dollar store is now. I’d even settle for getting Ben Franklin back. I need someplace to buy thread, sewing notions, and fabric. I hate going all the way to Joann’s in the Park and Shop.
I miss Emporium Capwell, Longs, and McWhorter’s.
As for restaurants, I miss Pacific Fresh, Aladino’s pizza, and Mary’s Pizza Shack.
It was T G & Y I agree I wish it was back
Yes, TG&Y was way better than Beverly’s or BF.
C C Ole’s
Mr.Steak
Mervin’s
Long’s Drug store
Red Barn near Geary and Main (Where BK is).
Jolly’s near WC Intermediate
Hungry Hunter in Lafayette
Magic Garlic (Geary and Main, next to BevMo)
Carlos Murphy’s in PH.
Tahoe Joe’s in PH.
Lipperts in WC.
Finally someone says Hungry Hunter (Lafayette – Concord not so much). Great place to get a quality steak without paying an arm and a leg. Velvet Turtle was good too. We also liked Tahoe Joe’s before the employees realized something was going on and the place went down hill.
As far as stores – Yardbirds!
Abernathy’s in Walnut Creek
Mountain Jack’s Lafayette
Hogan’s in Pleasant Hill
Lot’s of fishing & camping equipment and a decent gun shop with clerks who were actually friendly!.
@Brandi
You chose a couple of good ones. Hogan’s was the only store around that had a G-Loomis rod that my husband wanted one year for Christmas; also, he and I had our first date at Mountain Jack’s in May, 1981, and we’re still at it.
got my first fishing pole at a Grand Auto.
Rods Pizza in Concord
Shakey’s Pizza was better!
Rod’s had a great meatball sandwich, and “Rod” was John Rodriques.
Capwell’s & Comptons, Army Navy Surplus, Mr. Pickwick’s, Long’s and Yardbirds.
I remember Army Navy Surplus in WC and old version of Hogans in PH.
I can still remember the smell in the WC Army Navy Surplus store. Sweet!
Lotsa Pasta in Danville…..just wonderful. I run into the former owners on occasion.
108RS
Bella Roma Pizza in Martinez…at their original location. Best pizza and family entertainment!
Forgot one that was local only…
Tulio’s Italian Restaurant
I miss them greatly. They closed so abruptly I never had an opportunity to say goodbye. Easily my favorite pasta! They had pretty good pizza too.
Now that I think about it, also miss The Green Parrot at the Sun Valley Mall and it’s predecessor the Hofbrau. They owners were so nice.
Both of these places I visited with my family often.
Since I’m going down memory lane, Carlos Pizzeria in Pittsburg was another favorite.
Omg! Marcello’s Pizza Place near Concord High! Best pizza ever!
I’d bring back Biagi’s seafood from the 1980’s located at 1500 Monument Blvd. shopping center.
Suwa’s Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, last located in Todos Santos Plaza.
Left Bank in Pleasant Hill, where we now have Jack’s. Although, Jack’s is nice…
Jack’s cannot be called””NICE””” with angry Ivan the bartender who speaks poorly of everyone in a foreign tongue and slams bottles when his tips are not to his liking! Left Bank was far better all around.
Have you ever had a “crepe” at Jack’s? It’s just a big doughy pancake folded in half. That’s false advertising and illegal in California. But, don’t expect them to be prosecuted. The Attorney General of the State of California is the “product” of illegal aliens. Got the best education at taxpayer expense and works every day to make life easy for more illegals entering the state … so they can serve big doughy pancakes and call them “crepes.”
Langendorf Day Old Bakery on Market..
Chuck E. Cheese’s….. Willows in Concord
Animatronic show, Live characters in costumes roaming around the tables, Arcade games… no idea about the quality of pizza cuz kids weren’t there for pizza.
You do know that Chuck E. Cheese is still there right? Albeit not open during the pandemic.
Chuck E. Cheese isn’t at The Willows any longer but is near the freeway end of Park-N-Shop on Willow Pass Road.
This is a great question. Brings back good memories.
Anyone remember Old World Cheese in Pleasant Hill. It was a warehouse located where Crescent Center is now.
Yes, Old World Cheese was a great warehouse.
Across the street from Farmer Joe’s Produce.
We went there every month and bought different kinds of cheese.
It was a great place and helped to stretch the food budget for sure.
We also went to the old a and w kiosk that had turned into a milk kiosk on contra costa blvd in pleasant hill.
It was close by and was part of a regular shopping outing for us.
Wow I feel ancient.
I remember all those funky places along that road. But the cheese place was the best
Hmm…don’t really miss any of these except maybe OSH. Restaurants come and go, but there’s always somewhere similar to go to thanks to competition.
But the more interesting (and sadder) question is: What will people’s responses to this question be NEXT YEAR if they were limited to places that were open as of February 2020?
The Original Pioneer Inn in Clayton, the A&W on Clayton Rd., and Daruma in Walnut Creek, for openers. Sasanami Sushi in the Willows (And the Zenobia Bookstore as well).
Whitebears and Hogan’s. And Tower Records.
Yardbirds and Skippers
Luping Chinese on Clayton road !!!!
Piedmont Lumber
Kelleway’s Hardware
Hokey Burgers (located in what is now the Target WC parking lot)
Numero Uno in Martinez off of Morello had the best Mexican food hands-dow
Happy Steak on Clayton Rd.
1. Velvet Turtle
2. Tower Records
Frys!
I know it is open, almost. Would be great if they actually had more for sale beyond the low quality exercise equipment and bottled water.
I’m a San Leandro native, so I have to say Pring’s Coffee Shop and Bakery. It was the place to go for late night munchies and weekend breakfasts for that matter. Many memories with friends and my soon to be wife. Like most restaurants that make an impression, it was really the right combination of the staff and the comfort foods that made it stand out. And the 24hr service didn’t hurt either. Loved this place and wish I could bring my kids there.
My family and I loved Prings! Was the first restaurant we visited after moving to San Leandro from Southern California in 1970. My boyfriend in high school worked there in the late 70’s. Nice Greek family owned it.
King Tsin – Walnut Creek
Loved the Walnut Creek King Tsin! They tried to come back in Concord and it wasn’t the same. Best Chinese food anywhere!
King Tsin…. Uncle say’s they always had a card game going in the kitchen (he used to fix dish washing machines in restaurants when he was younger & still had a life).
The Fish Emporium! It used to be where the bank is located near where K-Mart used to be. First time I tried oysters on the 1/2 shell.. Amazingly delicious!
My answer is the same every time.
LONGS.
Hobo’s Fish and Chips Clayton Rd.
C C Ole
Sizzler Clayton Valley
Drive thru Dairy Clayton Rd. & Bailey
Home Yardage Four Corners
Melting Pot in Walnut Creek. Love the food, atmosphere and the music
Lark Creek Cafe in WC
Gira Polli, Main Street in Walnut Creek.
Excellent chicken and Palermo Potatoes –
this thread is great. a whole lotta’ Blast from the Past
Loves BBQ Walnut Creek. Went after many Niner loss’s in mid 70’s.Honda Mike nice call on the wicked eye. Remember The Blue Bunny in Pacheco.
Stores-Mervyns, Longs, Wet Seal and Emporium Capwells, Fair and Warmer in W.C., OSH.
Restaurants-Terrace Tea Room in W.C. (best cinnamon rolls ever, if I could get the recipe, that would be awesome), Oakville Grocery in W.C., Paradise Bakery in SunValley Mall, Vic Stewarts in W.C., A & Noi in downtown Concord, CC Ole’s in Concord, Let Us Remain Friends in the Clayton Shopping Center first place I ever had ebelskivers. I’m sure I have more but that’s all I can remember.
Cape Cod, Spengers, H.Salt Fish & Chips, Nut Bowl, Tatsu Sushi (previous owners), Afghan Grill, Tomi, Todai, Mongolian Barbecue, Hof Brau, Suwa’s, Le Virage, La Rue, Pied Piper, Silver Dragon
Abernathy’s in WC. Also, Piggy’s Pizza across the street.
Lafayette Sports Bar and Grill
Aladdin’s Castle, Tower Books, Software Etc. B. Dalton, Sizzler on Clayton Rd., Miller’s Outpost, Montgomery Wards,
Missing Molino’s Ravioli, too.
Bud’s Burgers in Pleasant Hill. You could by the hamburger rolls baked fresh daily.
And Liberty House in Concord.
This can’t be a short list because I have sooooo much past in the past, so brace yourselves!
Retail:
Concord..
Beede’s Variety Stores… on Clayton Rd., and also out in Clayton Valley Shopping Center, Salvio St.
Craft Co-Op … and also Long’s in Bel Air shopping center
Liberty House Department Store in Park’nShop center
Half-Price Books on Mt Diablo St.
Ben Franklin on Clayton Rd. at Bailey
Paper & Party in Dianda Shopping Center on Clayton Rd.
Diablo Foods grocery store in Dana Plaza
the original Navlet’s on Monument Blvd. in Concord (Bert Bertalero)
Anna Miller’s Pies in Sun Valley Mall
Yardbirds in Clayton Valley Shopping Center
the antique co-op in Willows …. and the toy store there…
also the Willows Theater there
original Hogan’s on Contra Costa Blvd(for topographical maps of anywhere in CA, plus some)
the original Simon’s Hardware on California St. in WC
Okay…. RESTAURANTS!
The Nut Tree in either Vacaville or Davis. (their gift shop, too)
Danville Hotel (and their gift shop out back)
The Front Door… corner of Salvio St. and Concord Avenue
Hungry Hunter in Layfayette…. also the Cape Cod House
Bing Crosby’s in Walnut Creek
Lark Creek in W.C.
Jesse Jawad’s Pioneer Inn in Clayton
Le Cocotte (please excuse spelling) in Clayton… Ingrid and Rudy
La Rue (downstairs in a motel on Clayton Rd. in Concord)… Inga and Ken
C.C. Ole’s on Clayton Rd in Concord (across driveway from fire station)
Pacific Fresh in P.H…… at the end of Ellinwood.
See, NOW you’ve gone and done it….. I’m STARVING and it’s 9 pm, and we’ve already had one supper! Thanks, Mayor! I enjoyed everyone’s posts!
Boy, that’s a GOOD memory you’ve got there. Thank you for posting these, Antler.
Who didn’t love “The House of Pies” in Park & Shop?
C.C. Ole’s
Victoria Station
Bertola’s Oakland
Louis Bertola’s Martinez
Pioneer Inn
Lettuce Romaine Friends (where Concord Kung Fu Academy is now), La Cocotte in Clayton (where Moresi’s is now), Burton French Lumber in Walnut Creek, Hobby Town, Long’s.
At least we still have Skipolini’s!
Grodins in walnut creek, Lo-Ray market, El Rey theater, Doggie Diner, King Normans in Concord, the barbershop at the Las Palmas hotel in Walnut Creek, Millies kitchen in Lafayette when Millie owned it, Kat Patch in Walnut Creek, Broadway East on Broadway next to the police station, Hagstroms Market, the Sawmill in Pleasant Hill.
Restaurants:
Hungry Hunter
Mountain Jacks
Charley Browns
Baxter’s
Carlos Murphy’s
Woolworth’s counter
Aladino’s Pizza (CV center)
Hofbrau’s in both WC & Oakland
Chinese place called Wah Yen on Clayton Road, across from Clayton Bowl; it partially burned down and then they were gone. They were the BEST chinese food around during that time!
Stores:
Mervyn’s
Miller’s Outpost
I. Magnin
TG&Y
Tower Records
Wasn’t there CoCo’s and JoJo’s in Dublin? Dancing?
Also, HS Endeavor in Walnut Creek.
Bella Roma pizza
El Torito where Lazy Dog is now. So many amazing memories at that place and food was awesome! My son first ordered his food to waitress when he was 6. He has Struggled with Selective Mutism all his life so that was a huge event.
That is a sweet memory. I hadn’t heard of that condition until recently when my grandson told me about a classmate with it, and he’d felt so good when the boy who never spoke at school had said something to him!
When we first moved to Concord, I was delighted to find a Big Boy restaurant. They were already gone from most of the country by then.
CC Ole’s was one of our favorites, as was Mr. Pickwick’s. I wish both had been open at the same time, but in different locations in Concord.
I loved Burger Road in Pleasant Hill back when we had young teenagers. A $10 roll of quarters would keep the kids busy enough to have a real conversation with my wife.
I am sorry to hear Tulio’s closed. We ate there a few years ago when we were back in the area,.
Little China on monument
Gaylords Ice Cream Pleasant Hill
Old World Cheese Company Pleasant Hill
Roller & Ice Rinks ..with social distancing now
Berkeley Farms cafe WC,
Snow White Burger N Main WC
Kellogg’s on Arroyo WC , first lobster
Lyons WC
Dan Magrews Danville
Crystal Pool Hardware, when they still had the pool to swim in
Mr Steaks WC corner of Pine St & N Civic
Lafayette Seafood Grotto
Freddie’s Pizza
Danville Hotel
How about Pacific Fresh (seafood) in Ellenwood Pleasant Hill? Although they didn’t have a posted dress code they had two dining areas. There was a raised area near the front and another patio like space at the rear. The better dressed people were automatically seated in the raised area, and the more casually attired (like families) were guided to the rear.
Casual Corner
Leeds Shoes
Doggie Diner
Merritt Bakery Restaurant
Island Drive-In and Flea.Market In Alameda
Dave’s Coffee Shop
Swans
Bertolas
I forgot to add- Snooker Pete’s, HMS Endevour (sp) and The Pioneer Inn!!!
Oh, goodness yes, the roller and Ice rinks!!! How lucky we were back then. I still have a great pair of street skates from the 80s, but I may be too fragile to use them in the streets now. I’m only a little bit afraid to find out.😉 Anyone know where I could get new bearings?
if not online, any local skateboard shop can help you; if you can find one that’s open… I bet if Ya’ call one, they would be happy to help.
Ah, great idea! Thank you, S!
Bancheros
spengers
QuikWay
Hungry hunter
Mervyns
Giovanni’s in Berkeley
Pleasant Hill Bowl
Pleasant Hill Mart (or as the kids knew it “Blue Jeans”)
Giovanni’s in Berkeley
Pleasant Hill Bowl
Pleasant Hill Mart (or as the kids knew it “Green Jeans”)
Mervyn’s
Sun Sun Garden in Pleasant Hill
Coco’s, they had the best pies.
Carlos Murphy’s across from Sunvalley Mall, they had the best food.
Foster Freeze, they had the best soft serve ice cream.
No, Dairy Queen does, it was/is creamer and I believe they are still around, at least they were about a year ago, I went to the one in Vallejo.
Bob’s Big Boy
I’m somewhat recent to Concord, although I have been visiting friends here since the mid eighties, and when I moved to Benicia in 1998, shopped here and went to restaurants more here. I have been to Spenger’s in Berkeley. Remember the Pioneer Inn in Clayton, the had a band on week ends use to go with a few friends and go dancing. Also ate at Victoria Station’s several time, both here in California, San Francisco and Burlingame, also ate at one in New Orleans, it was reasonable priced, and menu consistent no matter location. The Nut Tree was a favorite stop to or from Tahoe, after skiing.
@ SD El Torito For sure!!!!!!!
C C OLES. IT WAS KNOW FOR ITS MARGARITAS AND GOOD AUTHENTIC FOOD.
I’d bring Le Sen Bistro back to Todos Santos Plaza. It moved there from Berkeley when rents got too high. Then Concord outpriced them. They are in WC now. When I’m brave enough to go out again, I’ll use their pandemic take-out menu.
1606 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Menu: lasenbistro.com
Phone: (925) 448-8187
Wow. Thanks for the walk down memory lane, everyone!
Does anyone remember Piper’s near Rossmoor?! (the buffet)
It was the first place I remember that had ice cream machines you could serve yourself!
(Also, I didn’t see Wan Fu listed, which was downtown WC)
Ooh, I forgot to mention Anna Miller’s in the Mall. My favorite lunch was the spinach salad and chicken pot pie combo, followed by a piece of strawberry pie.
The Yellow House, Concord at Galindo and Salvio. Clam Boulibaise and fried zuccini. Yum. We got a real treat one evening, watching a large group on Prom night. The girls enjoying their first formals and the courtly boys in their tuxedos. Adorable.
A Fabulous Crab Louis at Pacific Fresh and The Grotto. Crab sandwich at Fentons in Piedmont, scrumptious! Chocolate truffles at CoColatte. Coppino at Quinn’s Lighthouse.
Kauffman and House of Fabrics, the little notions shop on Petticoat Lane (buttons!). The antique barn at the corner of Hookston at the crook, next to the lumber and fuel barns. They had a well stocked corner with kitchen utensils and gadgets . One knife, one fork, one spoon.
Aaron Brothers in the Willows had a really good selection of art supplies at one time. Barns and Noble had a good selection of modern literature. A lot of fun stuff could be found at Cost Plus before it went upscale (haha) and turned into World Market.
Andronicos!!! Sea Bass before it was fished out. A really good wine selection and the take out food world class. I can’t even go into a Whole Foods.
The CA National Forests. Solitude. Quiet. Beauty. I can’t go there anymore. It’s just too sad. Skinny dipping in the ice cold lakes. Laying on the hot granite. The smell of the minerals.
Fred’s ” The Drive Inn” was great. His Partner was so funny, think his name was Barney.
one of my favorite episodes….
Enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSmYJ2BVAmQ