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Made in California, Volume 1: The California-Born Diners, Burger Joints, Restaurants & Fast Food that Changed America, 1915–1966
A&W Root Beer. Foster’s Freeze. IHOP. Der Wienerschnitzel. See’s Candy. Jack in the Box. You name the American food icon, and chances are its roots are in California. Food historian and chef George Geary tells the remarkable stories of the early 20th-century food startups that captured America’s hearts and stomachs, from Bob’s Big Boy to McDonald’s, Winchell’s Donuts to In-N-Out, Peets Coffee to Taco Bell. With more than 200 historic and contemporary photos.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 13, 2023
I had the good fortune to meet George Geary in person when he did a presentation at my local library. He’s an absolute delight and his writing style reflects his exuberant personality. ***Also, he was the chef on the Golden Girls and created all of the cheesecakes and food for the show, this man loves food and you can’t help but enjoy that love in his writing.***
It’s a wonderful read for food lovers, history lovers, and anyone who likes learning many obscure facts about California’s rich culinary background.
It’s a wonderful read for food lovers, history lovers, and anyone who likes learning many obscure facts about California’s rich culinary background.
April 12, 2022
So nostalgic for me. This book covers restaurants, cafes, fast food, ice cream, and coffee shops that were ground breaking and popular in California--established from the 1940's-196o's. Most of them were/are in the Los Angeles area, but some are in northern California, eastern California, Santa Barbara area, or San Diego area. There are many pictures of the old places, of their menus, their proprietors, and their old/new locations.
We did not eat out much while I was growing up, but a few like Shakey's Pizza and Foster Freeze were fun places I remember from my teenage years. Later, with my family we went to more, like Taco Bell, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Round Table Pizza, In-N-Out, and Bob's Big Boy. One novel fact mentioned in this book is that the designer of the Bob's Big Boy comic book was Stan Lee.
Some of the establishments have gone out of business, scaled back, or been absorbed by other corporations. But, I have an appetite to go back and try some of the ones that still exist. My sons have made a note of the ones that they want to visit before they disappear.
We did not eat out much while I was growing up, but a few like Shakey's Pizza and Foster Freeze were fun places I remember from my teenage years. Later, with my family we went to more, like Taco Bell, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Round Table Pizza, In-N-Out, and Bob's Big Boy. One novel fact mentioned in this book is that the designer of the Bob's Big Boy comic book was Stan Lee.
Some of the establishments have gone out of business, scaled back, or been absorbed by other corporations. But, I have an appetite to go back and try some of the ones that still exist. My sons have made a note of the ones that they want to visit before they disappear.
February 26, 2022
California has a reputation for being a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship, A lot of famous businesses have gotten their start here and became regional, national and international sensations. Don’t believe me? Flip through the table of contents of George Geary’s book “Made in California” and see how many names you recognize- and this book covers just one industry!
George shares the stories of numerous restaurant and food service chains that got their start in California over the last 100+ years. Some became international behemoths that are still going strong today, like McDonald’s; some of them have a strong national or regional presences, like IHOP, Denny’s, Carl’s Jr., and Taco Bell. Others are California icons, like Randy’s Donuts, In-N-Out Burger, or Tommy’s; still others are fondly remembered but have passed into history, or have nearly done so, like Bob’s Big Boy or Sambo’s. George provides brief accounts (no more than a few pages apiece) about the history of about 50 famous food service businesses that got their start in the Golden State. He even provides the locations of the founding shops of each chain and what’s at those locations today, info about the oldest surviving locations (if any), and website info, if you’d like to do some additional exploring on your own.
George has done a great job chronicling the stories behind these classic restaurants, donut shops, coffee shops, and ice cream parlors (and one candy store!). I was surprised to learn how interconnected the stories of the founders of several famous fast-food chains are. The book is full of photos and trivia about the places listed. It’s a quick and easy read, but a fascinating one - just try to avoid the urge to go out and sample some of their menu items as you read your way through!
Recommended for folks who want to learn a little California cultural history, are interested in reading about the history of the food service industry, or have memories of eating at some of the places listed. Enjoy, and bon appetite!
George shares the stories of numerous restaurant and food service chains that got their start in California over the last 100+ years. Some became international behemoths that are still going strong today, like McDonald’s; some of them have a strong national or regional presences, like IHOP, Denny’s, Carl’s Jr., and Taco Bell. Others are California icons, like Randy’s Donuts, In-N-Out Burger, or Tommy’s; still others are fondly remembered but have passed into history, or have nearly done so, like Bob’s Big Boy or Sambo’s. George provides brief accounts (no more than a few pages apiece) about the history of about 50 famous food service businesses that got their start in the Golden State. He even provides the locations of the founding shops of each chain and what’s at those locations today, info about the oldest surviving locations (if any), and website info, if you’d like to do some additional exploring on your own.
George has done a great job chronicling the stories behind these classic restaurants, donut shops, coffee shops, and ice cream parlors (and one candy store!). I was surprised to learn how interconnected the stories of the founders of several famous fast-food chains are. The book is full of photos and trivia about the places listed. It’s a quick and easy read, but a fascinating one - just try to avoid the urge to go out and sample some of their menu items as you read your way through!
Recommended for folks who want to learn a little California cultural history, are interested in reading about the history of the food service industry, or have memories of eating at some of the places listed. Enjoy, and bon appetite!
June 21, 2024
I enjoyed this book so much!! George Geary chronicles the history of California restaurant/fast food cuisine in an engaging and informative book that is part history, part culinary study and part cultural deep dive into the people and ethos that brought us McDonald’s hamburgers, Taco Bell Mexican food, Randy’s donuts and so many other iconographic cuisine that is now part of American, not just California, culture. I bought this book from Vroman’s Bookstore during the pandemic (in response to dire warnings about Vroman’s long term viability and a call to readers to save the store) and skimmed it then as a reminder of all the culinary experiences we were missing during lockdown. i read it in depth this time in preparation for Mr. Gearys author visit to Warwick’s on the occasion of the publication of his second book. This book demonstrates what a rich and varied food culture we have in California and even better it reminded me of the many wonderful experiences i have had at the restaurants profiled, from El Cholo, my parents’ favorite Mexican restaurant (explained in the book as a USC fraternity hang out spot- no wonder my dad loved it until he passed) to In N Out Burger everyone’s favorite hamburger restaurant to which i used to drive my father following his cardiology appts to the pioneer of all of them, McDonald’s. This book is a wonderful culinary adventure and a history of California through its restaurants. Added bonus was seeing Mr. Geary speak at Warwick’s - he is as engaging and interesting as his books.
November 4, 2024
I needed something a little different and had this on my "to read" shelf for awhile. Can't remember how I came across the book but I do enjoy reading about the histories of eateries and restaurants and thought this would be fine. This is actually the first of two volumes (which I didn't realize until I started reading this) looking what it says: diners, burger joints, restaurants and fast food chains in California.
Geary profiles eateries by year, with some basic information (where it is located at the time of publication, its original name and its current one if it has changed, etc. plus a profile of a few pages and pictures of the eatery. In-N-Out Burger? Yep. But I had no idea that so many began in California (Denny's IHOP, Taco Bell, etc.) so it was cool to discover this.
And that's basically it. It's really an overview with not a lot of detail and reads like a bunch of quick hit profiles you might see in the newspaper or whatever. So your mileage may vary as to the value and whether it is worth your time, etc. I liked it, but this was also as a casual read and not for research, etc.
However, I would guess for the right person looking at the origin of restaurants and eateries, the history of such in California, a general overview of fast food joints/burger eateries, etc. this might be a good book to have.
I borrowed this from the library but I wouldn't be surprised if the physical version would be nicer with the pictures, etc. But again, if you have a passing, casual interest you're probably better off borrowing from the library.
Geary profiles eateries by year, with some basic information (where it is located at the time of publication, its original name and its current one if it has changed, etc. plus a profile of a few pages and pictures of the eatery. In-N-Out Burger? Yep. But I had no idea that so many began in California (Denny's IHOP, Taco Bell, etc.) so it was cool to discover this.
And that's basically it. It's really an overview with not a lot of detail and reads like a bunch of quick hit profiles you might see in the newspaper or whatever. So your mileage may vary as to the value and whether it is worth your time, etc. I liked it, but this was also as a casual read and not for research, etc.
However, I would guess for the right person looking at the origin of restaurants and eateries, the history of such in California, a general overview of fast food joints/burger eateries, etc. this might be a good book to have.
I borrowed this from the library but I wouldn't be surprised if the physical version would be nicer with the pictures, etc. But again, if you have a passing, casual interest you're probably better off borrowing from the library.
December 18, 2021
The establishments that we worship have a huge influence on our pop culture and inspires what we eat and drink. Can you imagine life without Trader Vic's mai tai cocktails; Brown Derby's inventing the Cobb Salad; Baskin Robbins flavor "Love Potion #31" based upon a popular 60s song; IHOP's beloved and iconic menu item Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity.
Our love for these iconic eating establishment's foods are shown by the long lines queued up around the corner at Pink's Hot Dog stand, and in the TV shows like the I Love Lucy candy factory scene inspired by See's Candy.
Societal change and trauma created most of these California establishments right after WWII when the growth of these fast food, diner and restaurants exploded into our culture in the late 40s and 50s and even extending to the 60s. Many were established by servicemen coming back from the war and benefiting from GI bill loans, others from working in regular jobs and wanting to change lives by making others happy from beloved family and personal recipes (e.g. Swensen's and McConnell's ice cream companies; See's Candy's recipe from the family matriarch).
Will there be an explosion of new types of recipes, foods and restaurants after COVID? Will the time we spent at home either alone or cooped up with others cooking for our family and roommates create another renaissance similar to the ones California brought last mid-Century?
Our love for these iconic eating establishment's foods are shown by the long lines queued up around the corner at Pink's Hot Dog stand, and in the TV shows like the I Love Lucy candy factory scene inspired by See's Candy.
Societal change and trauma created most of these California establishments right after WWII when the growth of these fast food, diner and restaurants exploded into our culture in the late 40s and 50s and even extending to the 60s. Many were established by servicemen coming back from the war and benefiting from GI bill loans, others from working in regular jobs and wanting to change lives by making others happy from beloved family and personal recipes (e.g. Swensen's and McConnell's ice cream companies; See's Candy's recipe from the family matriarch).
Will there be an explosion of new types of recipes, foods and restaurants after COVID? Will the time we spent at home either alone or cooped up with others cooking for our family and roommates create another renaissance similar to the ones California brought last mid-Century?
September 5, 2023
This book is really fun for foodies!
Almost every eatery is one I remember from growing up in SoCal.
There are LOTS of pictures. It tells the story of various eateries, when they started, where they were located, what's on that property now, what the first menu contained, discontinued menu items... all kinds of fun facts.
This would make a great coffee table book.
The only thing I would add (if anyone were to ask me) would be an index. I found myself wanting to look up certain places I remember eating and that would have made it so much easier. There IS a table of contents, but it lists the restaurants in order of when they opened and that wasn't as helpful.
Almost every eatery is one I remember from growing up in SoCal.
There are LOTS of pictures. It tells the story of various eateries, when they started, where they were located, what's on that property now, what the first menu contained, discontinued menu items... all kinds of fun facts.
This would make a great coffee table book.
The only thing I would add (if anyone were to ask me) would be an index. I found myself wanting to look up certain places I remember eating and that would have made it so much easier. There IS a table of contents, but it lists the restaurants in order of when they opened and that wasn't as helpful.
April 14, 2022
This is a fantastic social history book, about my life in food. That is why is has taken so long for me, because of the memories and nostalgia. I have been to almost every restaurant in the book, many when I was a little girl, then so many more as a teenager.
California was innovative in many ways, but food, fast food, especially, was its speciality. Many restaurants began in Southern California, despite later legend, where MacDonalds is concerned.
If you want a lively romp through food establishments after WWII, read this book with lots of pictures and fun facts!
California was innovative in many ways, but food, fast food, especially, was its speciality. Many restaurants began in Southern California, despite later legend, where MacDonalds is concerned.
If you want a lively romp through food establishments after WWII, read this book with lots of pictures and fun facts!
August 9, 2022
Even if you didn't grow up in California, you'll still love this history of food start ups that originated there. I would guess that no matter where you have lived in the US, you will have experienced, and experience still, some of these iconic foods. See's Candies is my very favorite chocolate store ever! The collection is well put together with information & photos. The stories of the entrepreneurs are inspirational
August 14, 2023
I wanted this book to be more... fun. It's a bit too... academic? For my own tastes, anyway.
That said, I'm giving it four stars for detail, research and depth. Also, because it makes me want to eat at every single one of these joints that is still open today.
Sounds like I have a busy year ahead...
That said, I'm giving it four stars for detail, research and depth. Also, because it makes me want to eat at every single one of these joints that is still open today.
Sounds like I have a busy year ahead...
June 19, 2023
Great history of twentieth-century California, especially focused on the explosion of food businesses in the 1950s. Love the pics and the stories. As a California native, I lived through a lot of this history. A wonderful nostalgia piece.
April 1, 2024
I saw the author speak at our local history society about this book. This book was so much fun to read because I remember so many of the restaurants from my childhood. So much interesting information that brought back so many memories.
October 25, 2025
Bri vs back the memories!
A fun trip down memory lane, detailing the creation and growth of dozens of California food businesses. The sheer number of household name places that grew in California will make your head spin and brings huge smiles from the memories.
A fun trip down memory lane, detailing the creation and growth of dozens of California food businesses. The sheer number of household name places that grew in California will make your head spin and brings huge smiles from the memories.
March 1, 2022
Any food lover must read this book! I really enjoyed learning about places I’ve gone to here in my home state.
March 5, 2022
If you grew up in Southern California, you're going to love this book!
August 26, 2024
Fun, nostalgic read. Also, makes a good coffee table book and conversation starter.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews