I lived in the Inland Empire area of Southern California for the first 40+ yrs. of my life, and while the area has much to recommend it, there is very little about this one city that I will miss.
One of the things I am most grateful to have experienced there was K & F Burger restaurant on Holt Ave., between Towne Ave. & San Antonio Ave.
K & F has been in its location since the 1950's, from what I understand, when the original Pomona High School was next door. I was introduced to the place in 1984, when I began working at Pomona Newsstand/Newsboy Books & Video, in a shopping strip where the high school used to be, and fell immediately in love with the dining choices.
From Saints to Sinners, from cops to crooks, from pimps & their whores to their customers, from the homeless to the rich, from the citizen to the ones they elect, EVERYONE comes to K & F, and they keep on coming.
In early 2003, I asked the owner & employees if they knew anything about the history of the building since it obviously was older than I, in a style of a bygone age, and had always been a restaurant. They had no clue....
Soon, though, they surprised me. They apparently got curious & asked their landlord about the place. The landlord gave them a copy of an old B & W photo he got off the internet somewhere. And there was my answer in the form of an A & W Root Beer Restaurant Stand in the early 1950's. Except for the lack of an extended roof awning, the signs in the window, & the 50's era cars parked in front, absolutely nothing else was different.
I thought then that it would be fun for the current owners to frame the page they showed me & stick it in the window for the delight of their customers. Who knows some old timer may stop by, see the picture and share some memories. :-D
There was still is an A & W in the area, in 2003, about 5 miles further east on Holt, in Ontario, & it was famous for its gatherings of Classic Car enthusiasts every month. The landlord didn't tell them when the place became a K & F, but it's obvious the founders took the style of their restaurant name from the previous tenant.
The menu is extensive, incorporating standard American fare and typical Mexican dishes, and hasn't changed much at all in at least 35 years that I can remember. Why mess with success, after all? :-D
One thing changed, though, changed because of neighborhood complaints, sometime in the 60's or 70's, apparently. It seems there used to be on site musical entertainments. Party poopers!
My last visit was earlier this year, before I moved to Texas.
Here are 9 reasons I’m grateful for the place:
1. THE EMPLOYEES: When I discovered it the place was run by Mexican-Americans, I think, but in the 90's it was Koreans, Filipino’s & and Cambodians. Since the late 90’s it's been Koreans.
The one thing they all share has been their friendliness, and their expert ability at cooking their huge and popular menu.
2. THE BREAKFAST BURRITOS: HUGE bacon, ham, or sausage concoctions, stuffed to bursting with egg, hash browns and other ingredients including even the kitchen sink for all I know and spiced up with hot sauce if you dare. If you can't decide then just give in & go for THE WORKS.
3. THE CHEESEBURGER SPECIAL: McDonalds, Burger King, Carl's
Jr, & the rest should be embarrassed to call their concoctions burgers.
Only one chain has a burger that comes close & I won't say who. You will
just have to get lucky & discover THAT place on your own.
4. THE PHILLY STEAK SANDWICH: Since I won't likely ever visit Philadelphia.....
5. THE FISH SANDWICH: Another thing the major chains have to be embarrassed about in comparison.
6. THE CORN DOGS: That hot dog, running in panic on the commercials of a certain fast food chain? He's running in fear from this absolute delight that is so tasteful that you can never just settle for having only one.
7. THE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH: Heavenly...
8. THE FRENCH FRIES: To hell with standard, wimpy, fast food joint fries! Accept no other, unless you have no choice.
9. People Watching from the outdoor dining area.
This post is an edited, and updated, version of a piece I wrote in 2003 on my first blog (The photo is from February 2012).
Next up: 30 Days of Gratitude Writing Challenge #21: What a Day!
Yo! Please don't say you'll never visit Philadelphia. You have easy access to every city in the land of your dreams. If you want it, you'll get it!
I totally loved this blog post. It was rich and descriptive.
The best thing you did was ask about the history of the building. From there, I assure you, fingers crossed, that you have the makings of a print article!!!!! Please, please, please believe you can do it!
Posted by: Amanda Socci | November 21, 2012 at 04:50 AM
Glad you liked the piece, though I'm not sure what you mean my the "Makings of a Print Article".
I believe I have many articles, and series of articles, over 10 years, that are, with editing, and maybe more work, and research, worthy of publication somewhere, somehow, it's just back when I first did them that was farthest from my mind, and I had no clue how to go about it, or where to submit, anyway. :-D
As for Philly, you are right and, technically, I HAVE visited Philly, though it was only long enough to switch airplanes on my way to visit my Uncle in VA, in 2008.
I didn't get out of the airport, but DID manage to have a decent Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. :-D
Posted by: kiril kundurazieff | November 21, 2012 at 07:51 AM
Well, if you're willing to put in the work, perhaps you can dust off this piece and give the owners a call, ask some new questions?
I'm not worried that you don't know how to proceed with markets. If you are willing to learn, let's go for it together!
Posted by: Amanda Socci | December 02, 2012 at 05:26 PM
Not sure what more I could ask either as I would think the landlord would have told me more if he himself had known it.
Though it might be worth it to track down the contact info and write them a letter or e-mail.
The Pomona and Ontario Public Libraries,History Rooms, and local Genealogical Societies might prove useful as well. Even The Daily Bulletin newspaper archives.
Posted by: kiril kundurazieff | December 02, 2012 at 05:47 PM