Lobster Barrel
North of Restaurant Row, in a building that now houses something called The Shark Bar, there was a seafood restaurant owned at least in part by “Skipper” Alan Hale from the TV series, Gilligan’s Island. I believe The Lobster Barrel was a small chain in nearby cities at the time and that Hale arranged to buy into the one on at 826 N. La Cienega Boulevard and they then plastered his name and face all over it. Unless acting work kept him away, he was always there to greet people, show them to their table and pose for snapshots. At each place setting, there was a large color postcard bearing a portrait of the Skipper. If you looked at all like a first-timer, he would seat you and then without being asked, autograph the postcard to you. He also sold (or sometimes gave away) skipper hats like the one he was always wearing.
I only ate there once and was a bit overpowered by Mr. Hale’s teddy bear friendliness. He called everyone “Little Buddy” and seemed a bit too happy to have us there. Still, you had to admire his spirit. The place had been open for some time before our visit and he didn’t seem tired of all the jokes about Ginger and Mary Ann washing dishes, and was the Professor in the kitchen making the clam chowder and did you have to be Thurston Howell III to afford the full steak-’n'-lobster combo? I was kind of hoping they’d have something set up where every half-hour or so, one of the interior palm trees would drop a coconut on his head…but no such luck.
His restaurant was open for fifteen years and then when business slumped, he shut it down and started a travel agency which he ran until his death in 1990. (Would you book a tour through the man who ran the Minnow aground?) About the time the Lobster Barrel closed, Sonny Bono opened a trattoria just around the corner. I guess starting a restaurant in that neighborhood is what you’re supposed to do when you’re on CBS, your show gets cancelled and your former partner goes on to other projects without you.
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I brought my parents and girlfriend (now wife) to the Lobster Barrel as my folks were visiting from NY and hoped to spot a celebrity while out here. I had heard Alan Hale was usually there so we decided to give it a try. He was indeed there that night and went from table to table, so when he stopped by to say hello my folks were thrilled.
I said “I’d like to ask you a question about your show that you probably are tired of answering.” He smiled and said something like “Probably, but go ahead.” I asked “Did they really let you drive the train?”
He stared at me like I was insane and then started laughing. “Are you talking about Casey Jones?” That was a series he starred in from 1957-58. I think he was thrilled to be asked a non-Gilligan question. He talked a bit about the series, then strolled off. A few minutes later the waiter brought me a drink, courtesy of Mr. Hale.
It was a fun night. My parents were glad to meet a real celebrity, I’m glad I made him laugh – and the food was pretty good.
I ate at The Lobster Barrel one time. Met Mr. Hale. He pinched my cheek. He was terrific. The food was okay.
I never ate there, but I passed it often on the way to work and a few times saw Alan Hale outside hosing down the small driveway and entrance himself.
The stuffed lobster was great… but the best thing was … I was on a date and I was about 21 years old… Alan Hale walked up and greeted me with a big “Hi, good to see you again” It might have been his standard greeting, but I actually thought he remembered me and it helped with setting a great mood for the dinner date.
I was in my early 20′s and I was on a double date. We had such a great time that night. My group had a bit too much to drink and we were tossing rolls around, aiming them at the light fixtures. We were asked to calm down from the staff, and later we met the skipper and talked with him a while. He wasn’t upset with us, he was very friendly like an old friend. I remember we were singing the Gillians Island Theme song during our stay. It was very memorable.
I was out in Los Angeles working in a film, and My best friend and I would usually go to Casa Cugat for dinner, which was right down the street from Skipper’s Lobster. He was always out in front of the store, smiling and greeting people, and always with his Captain’s cap and blue polo shirt. Sadly both these wonderful eateries are long gone, but the photos and memories remain forever!
I LOVED this place.
Sure, Alan came by tables quite frequently, but my biggest surprise was when we showed up just as the doors opened for dinner. It was valet parking, & the attendant apparently hadn’t shown up yet. Out walked Alan Hale & he actually parked my car! That was no easy feat as Alan was a big guy & I had a Sunbeam Alpine! Later he sat down with us & chatted it up a bit. Great guy, good food. Ahhhhhh memories.
Alan Hale’s Lobster Barrel wasn’t a franchise. It, along with the Casa Cugat and the Captains Table restaurant were owned by a private restaurant group (brothers). Alan and Cugie may have had a piece of the action but they were not principals in the restaurants with their names on them.
I used to valet at the three restaurants during their hay days. Alan was a nice man most of the time, when he was tipsy (which was most of the time) but he could be a challenge when he wasn’t. I witnessed the owners handing Alan cash at the end of the night on many occasions. He would get in his 60′s Caddy and drive off 30 minutes before closing, like clockwork. All this before the days of MADD of course (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers). I think Alan was the chapter president of DAMM (Drunks Against Mad Mothers).
I find the story of Alan chasing David Caradine out with a bat amusing. I don’t get that Alan would have the cajones to do that but… I don’t know of the incident. It certainly is possible, Alan was a pretty big guy (6’2” – 260-275). It sounds more like something one of the managers would have done though, if the rumor is true.
They used to have a very large lobster in a tank that was barely able to move. I felt so sorry for it. I felt sorry for the Skipper too. Here was a man larger than life, hustling tables for a few drinks and a little cash every night. He didn’t really seem all that “happy” a man to me although he was very good at portraying it to the customers.
That look of insanity was more than likely him trying to recall what you’d just said to him just 3 seconds earlier and coming up with something clever to keep the conversation alive, and to keep from having to ask you. He was good at making people feel welcome, like they were a best friend (when he was “on”).
There were many stars who would visit the three restaurants, mostly Casa Cugat. I remember there were Cugat drawings of many of them hanging on the walls throughout the Restaurant. Liza Minnelli was one of them hanging by the front door. I use to think… “Who is this Lisa chick anyway?” The Drawing looked like a hillbilly Joan Jett on a bad hair day. I had no idea or concept of the company I kept at the time (or should I say; kept me…).
I’ll always have fond memories of the days at the Lobster Barrel and of Alan Hale.
RIP Skipper…
Whatever his motivation or circumstances after Gilligan’s Island, he seemed to be one of the truly kind and open-hearted gentlemen of his time. How many “stars” today would bother to spend a few moments with a fan.
A class act who will be missed as long as we remember the Skipper.
I always wanted to eat at this restaurant, never made it in there, now it is too late! A lesson learned about hesitating.
i remember taking my girls here .. my mom, my date, my sister… alan made us feel very welcome and flirting with my mother every few minutes, touching her cheek (face) and saying “my what a beautiful lady”, i’m sure that made my mothers day!
I always loved eating here, wish they still made restaurants like this.
Ricky Hanson