Farmer John's Pancake House (Demolished)
Bakersfield, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
For a good meal, stop by the Farmer John's Pancake House in Bakersfield. This place features not only breakfast, but steaks, chicken,
carne asada, and you name it.
Unfortunately you can no longer grab a bit to eat at Farmer John's. This
place is now an empty lot.
Farm House Restaurant
Beaumont, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
Check out the big ol' rooster standing guard outside the Farm House Restaurant near the Beaumont and Banning border. The red barn and oversized bird make quite a pair when spotted from nearby I-10. There's no mistaking the farm theme here, even with a quick look while passing through on the way toward Palm Springs. Catch sight of this fellow and it might be time to take the exit for a closer look.
The rooster goes by Rollie and has become a familiar roadside sight for travelers through the San Gorgonio Pass. Standing out front, he gives the camera something to catch besides the barn itself. No need to wait until sunrise to find this rooster on duty.
Farm House Restaurant
Beaumont, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
The restaurant operated for 23 years before a change in ownership brought a brief closure and a refresh in 2014. The Trejo family reopened it under the slightly revised name Farm’s House, keeping the country atmosphere that went along with the building. Inside, exposed timber and farm decor carry the theme beyond the parking lot, while country breakfasts give hungry motorists another reason to stop.
UPDATE: The restaurant is in Banning and continues to operate as Farm’s House, with Los Dos Gallos Bar and Grill also sharing the red barn property. The familiar barn and Rollie remain roadside fixtures along the freeway corridor. Pull off for a meal or take a look at the big bird before heading farther down I-10. 09-26
The Branding iron (Closed)
Merced , CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Check out the marquee for The Branding Iron in Merced, CA, complete with a cowboy hard at work with his branding iron. That's quite a scene to find towering over the roadside. The rancher imagery makes this sign worth a look during the day, but catch it at night and the colorful neon puts on another show. A good reason to make a second pass after dinner.
The restaurant opened in 1952, founded by Ray and Marie Williamson, and became a longtime destination for steaks and prime rib. The Western theme continued inside, where more than 200 California livestock branding irons decorated the walls. Apparently, the name out front was just the beginning.
UPDATE: The Branding Iron closed following its sale in January 2022 and subsequent changes in management. The familiar neon marquee remains on-site, though it is no longer illuminated. The daytime view still offers a look at the cowboy and his roadside branding scene. 09-26
Fruit Basket (Gone)
Madera, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Somewhat of an institution in Madera, the Fruit Basket Family Restaurant served up a nice marquee with your meal. Check out the sign for this longtime stop along Gateway Drive, part of the old Highway 99 route through town. Something for the camera before heading inside for a bite.
Built by the Gleichweit family in 1945, the Fruit Basket offered 24-hour dining across from Courthouse Park. Homemade pies gave hungry locals and highway travelers another reason to pull off the road. A slice and a cup of coffee could turn a quick stop into a longer break.
UPDATE: The Fruit Basket has closed, and the building became Downtown Buffet, serving Chinese and Asian dishes. The original roadside marquee has been removed. 09-26
Chateau Basque Restaurant (Closed)
Bakersfield, CA Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Check out the marquee outside the Chateau Basque Restaurant in Bakersfield. Standing along Union Avenue, the sign marked a place to pull in for a hearty supper. The restaurant was already closed when this photo was taken, but the marquee still gave the roadside camera a reason to stop.
Raymond and Yvonne Etcheveste purchased the Basque Cafe in 1962, then moved into this larger location in 1973 and renamed it Chateau Basque. The building had previously housed the Saddle & Sirloin, so hungry diners had been finding their way here for some time.
Inside, family-style meals brought dishes like garlic fried chicken, oxtail stew, and prime rib to the table. An upstairs lounge offered a place to linger, while murals depicting life in the Pyrenees carried a little of the owners' heritage into the dining room. Sounds like supper called for a good appetite and some extra time.
Chateau
Basque Restaurant
Bakersfield, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
UPDATE: Chateau Basque closed in August 2000, and its roadside marquee has been removed. The family saved the interior murals after the restaurant shut down. 09-26
UPDATE The Chateau Basque was a very nice
sit down restaurant that served up Italian/Spanish food family style.
Every thing was handed around in big bowls and each meal was many courses.
Bread, salad, pasta, meat, vegetables,
dessert. I remember a lot of wine flowing at the table. Wow. It was a
great place. Many thanks to Stefanie Apel for update above. 09-01
Farm House Restaurant
Farm House Restaurant
Fruit Basket (Gone)
Chateau Basque Restaurant (Closed)
Chateau
Basque Restaurant
