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 ...
many decades ago there was a nice Coco’s in Boulder ... long gone now of course ... we were visiting Phoenix a few years ago and saw a Coco’s and got all excited ... unfortunately, HORRIBLE food, HORRIBLE service, HORRIBLE everything ...
It’s definitely a tough business to be in. I’m glad the diners in my little town seem to be hanging in there.
Which would explain the dwindling numbers for that chain.
Whenever I return to Fort Lauderdale, I always try to make a stop at Lester’s Diner. It’s one of the few things still there since I lived there back in the 70s.
How much of California’s anti-business climate has contributed to this?
Looked it up. Looks great! These diners are SO Americana from a better era. Glad to see some of them sticking around.
We had a Cocos in KC. Loved it.
A lot. Restaurants are already a tough business. Add in the overbearing regulation and taxes, the margin for success is razor thin. Thankfully, there are dedicated restauranteurs who make this a passion project no matter what.
“unfortunately, HORRIBLE food, HORRIBLE service, HORRIBLE everything ...”
Besides that, how was it?
I wonder if that's the place we'd take my grandfather who lived there when we visited. He didn't go out much but that was his splurge. I recall the dill pickles or something being special there.
Are you sure you weren't in a Denny's by mistake?.................
I wonder if Fat Johnny’s is still there?.....................
I still have a few all time favorites scattered around the country, maybe one in each state…but they are fewer and fewer far between. Here in Reno, every single place I loved when I was young is long long gone. All food is is either over priced hipster kale, or absolutely generic. Even Tahoe is an uninspiring sea of mediocrity, but I suppose that is true for any place that caters to tourists.
Any Freepers ever heard of or been to KAPOK TREE INN RESTAURANT in Clearwater Florida?
Vaguely remember going there maybe in the early 1970’s when my dad was stationed at MacDill AFB Tampa.
I just remember all the gardens.
The article was a good read, a charming story, but they never did elaborate exactly why this eatery is closing.
I’ll just assume the manager was ready to let go of the struggles just to stay open.
.
Yeah. Sometimes Atlas shrugs. Sometimes he just retires.
The baby boomers are hitting retirement age—and if they can afford it they retire—in some cases they can make it work by lowering their standard of living.
Decisions are made based on many factors—but the combined high state and federal income tax rates on working people and business owners do have an impact in states like California.
“KAPOK TREE INN RESTAURANT”
Stationed at MacDill in the mid 70’s. The restaurant was good, but a little drive from the base. We did a lot of local pickup for dining. Best I found was Serpico’s on MacDill Avenue about a mile north of the MacDill gate.
At that time they didn’t have sit in dining, they just made to order. But the pizza, lasagna, ravioli, and other things were just out of this world. I’d get off work around 1630, drive down to Serpico’s, pick up my phone order, and get home in time to watch the violent thunder storms they have at a little after 1700 every day during season. Wholesome entertainment.
wy69
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