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Clifton's Cafeteria

Clifton's Cafeteria
FormerlyClifton's: The Brookdale
aka: Cafeteria of the Golden Rule
Company typePrivate
IndustryFood service
Founded1931 (1931) in Los Angeles
FounderClifford E. Clinton
Nelda Clinton (spouse)
DefunctNovember 27, 2018 (2018-11-27)
FateReplaced by bar
SuccessorClifton's Republic (bar)
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
34°02′43″N 118°15′11″W / 34.045319°N 118.252943°W / 34.045319; -118.252943
Number of locations
10 (at its height in 1990s)
Area served
Los Angeles
OwnerAndrew Meieran (2010–2018)
WebsiteLast snapshot of archived official website

Clifton's Cafeteria, once part of a chain of eight Clifton's restaurants, was the oldest surviving cafeteria-style eatery in Los Angeles[1] and the largest public cafeteria in the world[2] when it closed in 2018. Founded in 1931 by Clifford Clinton,[3][4] the design of the restaurants included exotic decor and facades that were "kitschy and theatrical", and would eventually include multi-story fake redwood trees, stuffed lions, neon plants, and a petrified wood bar.[5][6] Some considered Clifton's as a precursor to the first tiki bars.[7] The name was created by combining "Clifford" and "Clinton" to produce "Clifton's".[8]

The second Clifton's facility opened in 1935 at 648 S Broadway.[1] In 1939, its name was changed to 'Clifton's Brookdale', and as the sole survivor of the multiple branches over 79 years, it was known as 'Clifton's Cafeteria' or simply as "Clifton's". It had remained in operation for 74 years. The restaurant chain was noted for each facility having its own theme, and for aiding those who could not afford to pay. This approach to business reflected the owner's Christian ethos—he never turned anyone away hungry and maintained a precedent set by the first restaurant on Olive Street, known as "Clifton's Golden Rule". In 1946, Clifford and his wife Nelda sold their cafeteria interests to their three younger Clinton children, and retired to devote their attentions to a Meals for Millions, a non-profit charitable organization he founded in the wake of World War II to distribute food to millions of starving and malnourished people throughout the world.[8]

Clifton's Brookdale was sold to nightclub operator Andrew Meieran on September 21, 2010.[9] Meieran intended renovations to preserve its unique atmosphere, as well the restaurant's 1950-style recipes.[10] In February 2012, Meieran said the remodeling was expected to continue for another 18 months.[11] Clifton's Brookdale reopened October 1, 2015.[12][13][14] In November 2018, the cafeteria closed for the last time and was replaced by a high end bar called Clifton's Republic.[15][16][17]

  1. ^ a b "Oldest Surviving Restaurants and Eating Establishments in Los Angeles". Los Angeles Almanac. Retrieved May 21, 2009.
  2. ^ Lockwood, Charles (November 3, 1985). "Los Angeles Exuberant". The New York Times. pp. 1, paragraph 11. Retrieved May 21, 2009.
  3. ^ Devis, Juan; Meraji, Shereen; Williams, Matthew (March 26, 2009). "Postcards from SoCal: Clifton's Cafeteria". KCET. Archived from the original on April 20, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
  4. ^ Grenier, Judson; Nunis, Doyce Blackman; Poole, Jean Bruce (1978). A Guide to historic places in Los Angeles County. Prepared under the auspices of the History Team of the City of Los Angeles American Revolution Bicentennial Committee. Kendall/Hunt. pp. 3, 27, 37. ISBN 978-0-8403-7501-8.
  5. ^ "Clifton's Cafeteria". atlasobscura.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  6. ^ Brand, Madeleine (August 22, 2006). "Clifton's Cafeteria, Serving Kitsch Since 1935". National Public Radio. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
  7. ^ Kirsten, Sven (2000). The Book of Tiki. Taschen. p. 35.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference LAT00 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Vincent, Roger (September 21, 2010). "Clifton's Brookdale cafeteria, downtown LA Landmark, is sold". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  10. ^ Holland, Gale (June 6, 2011). "L.A. landmark Clifton's Cafeteria closing two days a week for renovation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  11. ^ Pool, Bob (February 9, 2012). "Clifton's Cafeteria reveals original facade, hidden for 50 years". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  12. ^ Harris, Jenn; Scattergood, Amy (October 1, 2015). "10 things you need to know about the new Clifton's cafeteria". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  13. ^ Parsons, Russ (September 30, 2015). "Clifton's cafeteria is finally reopening, crammed with curiosities on every floor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  14. ^ Zarembo, Alan (October 4, 2015). "Nostalgia is served up at reopened Clifton's cafeteria". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference laist-2018nov28 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference lam-2018nov28 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference el-2019nov22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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