Connect with us

Los Angeles, Ca

Efforts underway to save iconic Santa Monica diner

Published

on

Efforts underway to save iconic Santa Monica diner

Community members are hoping to save an iconic Santa Monica diner that’s been serving locals for generations.

It’s hard to miss Patrick’s Roadhouse when driving down Pacific Coast Highway with its bright-green exterior adorned with dinosaurs and kitschy sculptures on the roof. 

Founded by Bill Fischler in 1973, the iconic diner has been a staple for many locals and celebrities alike including Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Golden Hawn and more.

Throughout the years, the restaurant was crowned “Best Diner in California,” “Best Banana Cream Pie in the USA” and in 2024, it was named “Best Diner in the USA.” 

Patrick’s Roadhouse has been featured twice on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and the 1991 film, “Point Break.”

Advertisement

The roadside diner is known for serving hearty comfort food amid eclectic, retro decor. Many tourists consider it a must-stop on road trips through the West Coast.

  • Patrick’s Roadhouse located on Pacific Coast Highway has been serving guests since 1973. (KTLA)
  • Patrick's Roadhouse is famous for its bright-green exterior and plenty of eye-catching kitschy sculptures. (KTLA)
  • The iconic Patrick’s Roadhouse located on Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica has been serving guests since 1973. (GoFundMe)
  • Patrick's Roadhouse diner has been serving American classic comfort food to locals and celebrities since 1973. (KTLA)
  • Patrick's Roadhouse diner has been serving American classic comfort food to locals and celebrities since 1973. (KTLA)
  • Patrick's Roadhouse is famous for its bright-green exterior and plenty of eye-catching kitschy sculptures. (KTLA)
  • Patrick's Roadhouse diner has been serving American classic comfort food to locals and celebrities since 1973. (KTLA)

However, despite its storied legacy, the diner was not spared during the COVID-19 pandemic and has struggled to recuperate the rent that was owed during the forced closure of dining rooms.

The restaurant managed to stay afloat from limited revenue through takeout orders, but eventually “found themselves unable to meet the demands of this accumulated rent when the deferral period ended and the large lump sum just came due,” according to a GoFundMe campaign hoping to save the business.

The diner officially closed its doors on April 21. The current owner, Anthony Fischler, is hoping to renegotiate a long-term lease with the building’s landlord and will need $250,000 to cover back rent and building maintenance.

“It was beyond crushing,” said Tracy Fischler, whose family operates the diner. “It was devastating. My dad started it 52 years ago and it’s a legacy. It’s a landmark.”

“Patrick’s Roadhouse is a jewel of the neighborhood, the Westside neighborhood,” said Kurt Benjamin, a local resident and organizer of the GoFundMe campaign.

Advertisement

Benjamin and his wife have been devoted patrons for years and are determined to help save the restaurant and its rich L.A. history.

“It really hit the heartstrings of a lot of people,” Benjamin said. “It is such a fun place and we just want to keep the legacy alive.”

The response following news of the closure has been widespread, with support coming in from locals and tourists alike who all have special memories at the diner. 

“I can’t say more than thank you,” Tracy said of the support. “It’s been quite a blessing to be a part of this journey. No matter what happens, it’s a journey and this is a blessing and this restaurant will mean something to all of Los Angeles forever.”

The Fischler family said Patrick’s Roadhouse has been operating profitably for most of its over half-century existence. 

Advertisement

There was chatter about potentially making the restaurant a historic landmark. 

The GoFundMe campaign is hoping to raise $250,000. Around $50,000 will go towards building improvements while the rest will be allocated toward back rent.

The owners noted if they did not meet their end goal, all donations will be refunded.

“Together, we can ensure that Patrick’s Roadhouse continues to serve delicious food, continues to create lasting memories, and continues to be a cherished part of Santa Monica for generations to come,” the GoFundMe page said. “Let’s save this American icon! Thank you for your generosity and love for Patrick’s Roadhouse.”

The GoFundMe campaign can be found here. More information about the restaurant can be found here.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Los Angeles, Ca

Wealthy L.A. investor blasted for seeking paid firefighters: ‘Will pay any amount’

Published

on

Wealthy L.A. investor blasted for seeking paid firefighters: ‘Will pay any amount’

A 40-year-old Los Angeles millionaire, well known for his success in real estate, has deleted his X account, after facing intense criticism for pleading on the social media platform for private firefighters to save his Pacific Palisades home on Tuesday.  

Keith Wasserman, whose X bio used to read “entrepreneur, investor, contrarian, compounding,” is a partner and co-founder at Gelt Venture Partners, described on his Linkedin page as “Multifamily Real Estate Investments with High Net Worth Individuals and Families.”  

“Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades?” the 40-year-old posted on X Jan. 7 as the fire raged. “Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you.”  

The Palisades Fire, which was first reported at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, quickly spread through residential and commercial districts, prompting immediate evacuations for tens of thousands of people and has since destroyed thousands of structures across more than 19,000 acres.  

The wildfire is believed to be the most destructive natural disaster in L.A. history, with the damage estimated to be somewhere in the $50 billion range.  

Advertisement
  • Palisades Fire
  • Palisades Fire
  • Palisades Fire

Wasserman, who, according to the Daily Beast, had previously posted about his disdain for paying property taxes, writing “real estate ballers don’t pay any,“ was immediately “dragged” by other X users.  

“Congratulations on no longer having to pay property taxes,” one user wrote, tagging Wasserman whose home reportedly burned down in the fire.  

“You really can’t make this stuff up,” another X user said. “The rich guy Keith Wasserman bragged about not paying taxes & now wants private firefighters to protect his home while neighbors’ home burn.”  

Not all the comments were entirely negative, however. Some users came to the real-estate investor’s defense.  

“It’s deeply disheartening to witness the backlash against Keith Wasserman,” a user from San Diego wrote. “Keith was fighting to save his home and the cherished memories of his family. Almost anyone in his position, faced with flames at their doorstep, would have acted similarly.”  

“If you’re sitting in the comfort of your home judging Keith Wasserman for trying to save his home – maybe realize that you are lucky and be thankful. We all need to be more gentle,” yet another X user posted.  

Advertisement

It’s not entirely uncommon for those with the financials means, like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in 2018, to get for-hire firefighters, though they were also heavily criticized at the time as well.  

It’s unclear if Wasserman has any intentions of returning to X, but his account no longer existed by Jan. 9.  

Continue Reading

Los Angeles, Ca

Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California

Published

on

Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California

As devasting wildfires continue to burn Southern California, residents and organizations are stepping up to provide aid to those affected.

Here’s how you can support wildfire victims on their path to recovery.

  • KTLA 5 parent company, Nexstar Media Group, has partnered with the American Red Cross to launch a donation page for Southern California wildfire victims. Donations can be placed here.
  • Baby2Baby is accepting donations to support children impacted by the wildfires.
  • GoFundMe has compiled a list of verified fundraisers for people impacted by the ongoing wildfires.
  • SPCALA’s Disaster Animal Response Team is seeking donations to support emergency services, such as temporary animal shelters and front-line veterinary care.
  • The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is accepting donations to support firefighters on the front lines. The foundation is seeking monetary donations, wildland brush tools, hydration backpacks, and emergency fire shelters.
  • The California Fire Foundation is looking for donations to support surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve.
  • The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations and items to support those affected by the wildfires.
  • World Central Kitchen, spearheaded by Chef José Andrés, has a relief team in Southern California to assist first responders and families. The organization is accepting donations to support the ongoing relief effort.
  • The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting donations and looking for volunteers.
  • Direct Relief is also accepting donations to support those impacted by the wildfires.
  • Community Organized Relief Effort, or CORE, is accepting donations to support wildfire victims.
Continue Reading

Los Angeles, Ca

Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home

Published

on

Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home

One of the five confirmed fatalities from the destructive Eaton Fire was identified on Wednesday morning when his family found his body on the side of the road by their home – with a garden hose still in his hand.

According to his loved ones, 66-year-old Victor Shaw died trying to defend the home that had been in his family for nearly 55 years.

As of Wednesday night, Victor’s body was still on his family’s property in the 3000 block of Monterose Avenue as conditions were not yet safe enough for the coroner’s office to retrieve him.

Victor lived in that home with his younger sister, Shari Shaw, who said that she tried to get him to evacuate with her on Tuesday night as the fire moved toward them.

Advertisement

Those close to Victor said he had some health problems that prevented him from moving around very well.

As she was running out the door, Shari said Victor told her he wanted to stay behind and try to fight the fire.

“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back, and I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm – I had to save myself,” Shari told KTLA’s Rick Chambers. “And I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave.”

A family friend, Al Tanner, told KTLA that the next morning, they found Victor’s charred body on the side of the road with the hose.

“It looks like he was trying to save the home that his parents had for almost 55 years,” said Tanner.

Advertisement

“I fell to the ground, and I didn’t know – I didn’t want to look at him,” said Shari. “They just told me that he was lying on the ground and that he looked serene, as if he was at peace.”

As of early morning Thursday, the cause of the 10,600-acre Eaton Fire remained under investigation. 

The Eaton Fire was one of four large, active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The largest, the 17,234-acre Palisades Fire, destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures. A separate 855-acre fire, the Hurst Fire, burned in the L.A. neighborhood of Sylmar. A fast-moving fire in the Antelope Valley called the Lidia Fire has burned at least 348 acres and forced evacuations. Crews have made progress on the 43-acre Sunset Fire which forced rapid evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.

Continue Reading

Trending