Posted on 02/15/2023 8:40:43 AM PST by NohSpinZone
It’s Valentine’s Day morning, and the height of the breakfast rush at the Pismo Beach Coco’s is overwhelming the small but nimble staff.
At the center of the flurry is the ringmaster, the restaurant’s longtime owner and general manager, Larry Puder. Puder, 66, is simultaneously ringing up tabs, handing menus to a large party walking in, gesturing for a server to put a new pot of decaf on and attempting to explain to an anxious customer why there are no more banana cream pies.
“Jesus Christ, I’m so glad I’m getting out of this business,” Puder says under his breath before cracking a smile.
A regular appears from around the counter, puts down his walking cane and engulfs the restaurateur in a bear hug. Puder’s attempts to pull away, at least for the first 30 seconds, are futile.
Eventually, he drops his shoulders, lets his arms hang by his side and rides it out.
“I know,” Puder says, as he wipes a tear. “I know.”
The regular’s gesture wasn’t just one of affection on the one day we welcome such displays but one of true sadness. This Coco’s, the northernmost in the Southern California-based chain — and one of a dwindling number — would be closed down for good within the next 24 hours.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I thought Denny’s was actually improving until the lockdowns. Now, they have really regressed again. It’s the staff they have to hire, now - just like most businesses. Customer service feels like a relic of the Reagan Era.
He said he was glad to be getting out.
As for me I still remember the pancake stacks at “Sambo’s” Restaurants in the mid 70’s. The P.C’s took them out before P.C. It was California based also.
Yep... I remember those afternoon thunderstorms, too.
We have moved there probably in 1971, just after leaving Naha AFB in Okinawa. The good ole days.
“unfortunately, HORRIBLE food, HORRIBLE service, HORRIBLE everything ...”
Besides that, how was it?
Coulda been worse - and been filled with DemocRATs.
I got that sense too. He seemed tired. Don’t blame him.
The Beacon. A dive right outside the Bayshore Gate.
“Are you sure you weren’t in a Denny’s by mistake?.......”
Many years ago Denny’s was a good eatery.
I am guessing he put some feelers out for someone to buy the business and didn't get offers he liked. He is at the age were his longtime customers are dying off or don't want to make visits because of Covid fears. If he actually owns the land and building the business is located on, that is a good part of his retirement package...
No mention of why they were closing? Sounds like they had a good regular crowd.
Taxes? Regulations?
“How much of California’s anti-business climate has contributed to this?”
All of it.
there are good people working at these places still but maybe they're getting harder to find...
Breakfast always tastes good at 3am after a long night out. .
Donnie loved Pismo Beach.
lmao
“Coco’s” — wow, I haven’t heard of that place in decades. The last one vacated Silicon Valley maybe 20 years ago. I didn’t know there were any left.
My wife was a waitress at a Coco’s way back in high school in the late 60s. I think that was her first job.
The older you get, the more classic restaurants that “everyone” loved disappear. I have four or five in my area that I used to love that are gone. Its a rough business and very, very few restaraunts, bakeries, etc. survive long term.
Nobody goes to Denny’s..you end up at Denny’s when everything else is closed. (or at Waffle House)
The one in Sunrise wasn't there when I lived there because Sunrise ended at Pine Island Road back then.
-PJ
I remember hearing of that place.
Might have been there ‘82 or ‘83
I looked it up years ago when I was going down to Tampa/Clearwater/Dunedin
Seems it was bought out by a huge music group, Sam Goody, IIRC.
Remember when the pie bakery Tippens branched out and had restaurants in the 80s and 90s? Seemed like they did good business and I was sad to see them close as the food was good and the pies beyond belief good.
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