Woody’s Smorgasburger
It was sad when they turned the last outpost of Woody’s Smorgasburger, down on Sepulveda just South of LAX, into an International House of Pancakes. Lo, how the mighty have fallen. In the sixties, there were Woody’s all over California, including a wonderful one in Westwood Village, a block or three from U.C.L.A., where I could often be found between (and once in a while, even during) classes. Woody’s was the first chain I know of where you could get a hamburger and then carry it over to a little self-service counter stocked with ketchup, mustard, onions, pickles, salsa, barbecue sauce, etc., and do whatever you wanted to it. Today, there are chains aplenty like Fuddrucker’s that offer this but at the time, it was something rather special.
Woody’s burgers were pretty darn good too, with a nice barbecue flavor…and every Woody’s also had a “make your own sundae” bar: You could get an empty dish at the counter, fill it full of soft-serve vanilla ice cream, then slather it in a diverse selection of syrups and sprinkles and crushed nuts and such. My old comic club buddies and I would practically have a contest to see how much sundae we could get in one dish, building structurally-unsafe vertical arrays, then trying to walk them back to the table and devour the top stories before it all collapsed.
One of the guys once asked if he was allowed to put the toppings from the sundae bar on his burger or vice-versa. When they told him yes, he began speculating on what hot fudge or whipped cream would do to a hamburger, and whether the maraschino cherries would blend with the mustard or if he should leave the mustard off. Each visit to Woody’s, he’d say, “Next time, I’m going to try it,” but he never worked up the courage. Or wanted to spoil a good smorgasburger.
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Woody’s was one of my favorite burger places, and I remember eating dinner there on Friday, November 22, 1963, after John F. Kennedy was assassinated. We had to drop my father at LAX for a scheduled business flight and then get to a synagogue service we felt compelled to attend that evening, so it was a convenient place to stop on the way. It was business as usual at the restaurant, which was comforting in a way.
Loved Woody’s and remember putting peanuts on my hamburger. What a great addition to an already fine burger.
I loved Woody’s, we used to go to the one in Westchester, I think it was? I remember going to one somewhere in the South bay that was really large and more fancy one time. The burgers had an awesome char-broiled taste that I have never had since. The topping bar and the sundae bar were the best. And I loved their little salads, which had pickled beets on top, with bleu cheese dressing. The wood paneled, ski lodge decor was nice since it was SoCal, kind of like a trip to Europe…
Great burger(s)….good size, good meat, great flavor. The add-your-own condiments were a unique treat at the time. They also had terrific bi-cut fries. They were the only ones I’ve ever had that had real f.f. flavor. Of course that was back when beef tallow was used and gave it a really good taste. Blast the Health Nazis!!! I went tot the one just north of L.A.City College between classes and later to the one on Westwood south of UCLA. I’m surprised no one has ever resurrected the stores.
I worked at Woody,s in El Segundo,California in the Fall of 1965. The best hamburgers anywhere. It was a fun place to work after surfing all day.
Yo I’m swearing the above pic is the Woody’s in ‘Hollywood Riviera’ at the base of Palos Verdes where I worked from 6/62 for a year saving up to go off to grad school.
Chopped nuts from the Sundae bar on a S-burger with a splish-splash of 1K Island?….indeed Kudos Mark B. for being a true gourmet as well!!. (Went especially well with a whipped thin coffee shake from 31 Flavors across the street.)
Worked the smaller one in Culver City in a pinch…it had a pull down ladder to get into the attic-office if I remember correctly. (Nothing like riding home to Hermosa Beach about 11 P on a fog shrouded Sepulveda on a Vespa to enter the underpass of LAX for a brief respite.)
Mr. Woods, the owner, was indeed a genteel man with a Small Businessman’s brain. The government isn’t the one who showed him how to go about the challenge of breaking into the mushrooming, casual dining market, e.g. Big Boy, McDonald’s, IHOP, etc. of the era. He…on his very own… figured he’d stand out per building the A-frames, dressing us in lederhosen/tyrolean hats, putting burgers on a Kaiser Roll!, offering folks a loss-leader on Monday nights of a hamburger steak dinner Special for $1.99 !!! which created a continuous line out the door for 2-3 hours every week the year I was there, or have a rack of varied newspapers on-a-stick (which Seinfeld years later would come to disdain!) Eh, the NY strip steak and Kabobs were good too, albeit Ambro, I don’t remember Fries in my time. Bravo!!! he took the risk of using what he’d saved and borrowed to make it possible for me to have a job while paying me a little bit above minimum wage.
Some people were amazed to find that the gizmo I wrote your order on just before I made your green or macaroni salad (with a pretty green leaf decorating that yellow plastic dish), “electronically” transmitted my writing to a gizmo by the Cashier so Y’all didn’t have to go “Du-Uh” in remembering whatcha ordered!!!
Alas Daniel, while I learned of JFK’s death in Kansas, we had the ‘good fortune’ of comforting Y’all (and ourselves!!!) during the nail biting times of the October Cuban Missile Crisis.
Yes Fred, I worked with a great crew at both places too. Not knowing what plans and success Mr. W would have for expansion, I’ve often wondered if his “discussions” about “considering” a career in restaurant/hotel management at U. Hawaii, rather than my already set goal, might have been the better career choice.
In any event to all: “Cheers” and don’t fail to enjoy a surviving LA Icon, where the French Dip Sandwich was ‘invented’ (albeit accidently), http://www.philippes.com/ (Have it Double Dipped!)
Been to Lawry’s on La Cienega where you were served some sorbet after the salad; Scandia’s indeed; was it Don the Beachcomber’s or was it Trader Vic’s on the Strip? aah Brown’s in their big backed, dark brown booths after West Side Story at Grauman’s Chinese next door or a (vintage type) concert or two at the Hollywood Bowl etc. Say, ya gotta do Dino’s Lodge where I rode that Vespa with my ‘squeeze’ sitting side saddle on the back into the portico of it “being used as” 77 Sunset Strip (sans Cookie) to listen to jazz while overlooking LA through its expansive glass wall while sipping cocktails, e.g. Boo the Martini or Gimlet! How about a Harvey WallBanger, a Stinger, Grasshopper, Slo Gin Fizz, Mai Tai (oopsy – underage)!
For my dear UCLA friends/alums, Copy/Paste this http://tinyurl.com/26uyb5h , and quickly close your eyes (NO PEEK), and enjoy!!!! Surely, you’ve listened sooo many times with a tear in your eye! Ok Ok….either way, let’s make this both comeback years!
Be good to yourselves !
Does anyone have a recipe for Woody’s thick tomato paste salsa? I miss it so much!
Thanks!
Another peanut topped burger eater
Marlene, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but that delicious salsa was made by that famous chef, S.E. Rycoff, and came in a foot-tall can that we opened with a big honkin’ manual can opener.
I was in high school and working at the Culver City Woody’s, and that was year 65-67. Started out bussing and dishwasher and kitchen prep. Later moved into the service line to do the drinks. Then I did order taking with the salad and deserts. Later on cooking on the grill, and followed last with the cash register. I eventually did the Asst Mgr work, but eventually moved on to college and found different work. For a teen, it was a good learning experience. Even at my young are I did not understand by they did not go national. They had good food in high demand. Just build a drive through which was what Jack In the Box was already doing.
Everybody like the idea of iced mugs for root beer or cokes. We gave them root beer floats. The NY Steaks were the best served in those days. A real steak with no ingredients like today.
I remember we ran out of burger meat, and sometimes had to drive to another store in the system or run to the local market and buy some.
The whole idea was really efficient and people liked to really make their own condiments and yeah, that salsas was in high demand.
It is a shame the whole concept feel to the wayside. It could be a winner if done by somebody else today
My dad first took my brother and I to Woody’s when we dropped some relatives off LAX. We used to alternate between Woody’s and Apple Pan. I loved the burger bar and was one of those peanut-topped burger lovers. I would have thought that a place like The Counter would have peanuts on their toppings menu, but then there are people with sensitivity toward peanuts—cashews and almonds are worth a try. I still like to add chopped peanuts on top of my burger.
Hello to all the former patrons and employees of Woody’s Smorgasburger!
I hope some of you have returned to this site for review. What fun!
I am Phil ( Mr A. ) who worked for Mr Ralph Wood during the mid 1960′s.
I worked at his original unit in Culver City as a lineman and Asst. Mgr.
followed by stints at El Segudo and Redondo as manager.
I have the utmost respect for Ralph Wood, his partners and family.
Woody’s always specified the highest quality from his food, meat and produce suppliers. The potato and mac salads plus the salad dressings were also of the finest available….. bar none.
Woody did have three major policies that were out of norm.
No mustaches ….. no female employees …. no french fries.
Yes, the crushed peanuts were very popular.
In fact, one of Woody’s early managers ( before my time ) resigned from
Woodys so he could open his own burger joint featuring the peanuts.
The restaurant was not a success and the man was rehired by Mr. Wood.
Lets clear up the salsa issue.
The salsa was made in house by the morning prep man. He used a
Woody’s reciepe which called for ingredients bought from Rykoff CO.
Catsup ( the large cans ), tomato paste, onions, salt , pepper and other non exotic items. The prep man would make one batch ( 5 gallons ) at a time to ensure freshness. Believe me…. there were no secrets in it !
The #2 Woodys unit in Redondo was way overbuilt. It was a reaction to the cramped square footage in Culver City.
The serving line was three times as long, the freezer and walk in
refrigerator were both five times bigger than needed.
But …… the terrazo floor from Italy was out of sight !
Phil Hartman ( the comedian from SNL —- R.I.P.) was a lineman
on my crew in 1967 or 1968. Phil was a real ” sparkplug ” even then.
Years ago the Daily Breeze interviewed Ralph Wood and he made these comments. ( He owned and operated 28 different restaurants at seperate times in his career !! ) Mr. Wood said that when Culver City was opened in 1956 that he had the playing field pretty much to himself and in only twelve years later, it was a much different picture ; national franchise chains had units on every corner…… and yes, THEY ALL HAD FRIES !
On a sad note : Mr. Woods wife Barbara passed away in June of 2012
at the age of 87. They were life partners for 67 years !
I think that pretty much says it all. Am I right ?
Nice talking to you gang . All the best in 2013 !
By the way ….. to this day when I know I will be having a burger out at
lunch, I put some Planters peanuts in a small baggie and give them a few taps with my hammer…….then put them in my jacket pocket to be ready.
A super upgrade is to use CASHEWS …. Wow !
Phil ( Mr. A. ) 7/64 thru 9/68 at Woody’s #1, #7, and #2
Hello friends of Woody’s ,
This is Phil A. again with another correction for Bob Los Ranchos;
The Woody’s photo featured at the top of these narratives was located
in Culver City. It is most definently the #1 location opened in 1956.
The ” Hollywood Riveria ” location you speak of was the #2 unit in Redondo and was three times as big !
Other fun facts; All full time employees were allowed a free complete meal during their lunch break on a eight hour shift. ( steaks not included )
In adddition all employees were allocated a free monthly tab.
Full timers had a $10.00 per month credit.
Part timers had a $ 5.00 per month credit.
In todays $$$$, this does not seem a lot, but in 1965 dollars, the $10.00 tab could buy ELEVEN compete lunches. This could be used to treat family or friends that came in, or to buy your own meal if you stopped in on your days off.
And just so you know; the soft serve ice cream machines were drained, cleaned , sanitized, then taken apart each night at closing.
All parts were air dryed overnight. In the morning, the parts were reassembled and sanitized again before adding new mix.
I do not know if this was Woody’s policy or mandates from the L.A. county health department. In any case, the health dept. came in every three months and took a sample for testing. NEVER a problem.
I only assume that the above proceedure is practiced in todays machines.
Sure hope so.
Now that I have discovered Mark’s website, I will be happy to answer any questions or clarify misinformation regarding Woody’s.
Best regards, Phil A.
I worked at Woody’s Culver City in 1974. It was my first real job and I was paid $1.65 an hour. I ate around $2.50 an hour worth of burgers and root beer so it was a pretty good deal. I liked the Matterhorn burger the best. Sort of a takeoff on a Big Mac (of course without the condiments – you got to put those on yourself). Two patties on a split kaiser roll, American cheese on the bottom patty and Swiss on the top (snow on top of the Matterhorn). We cooks had to wear liederhosen and silly hats and I took a lot of grief for that from my Westchester High friends when they came in. Sad to see Woody’s is no longer.
Bob W. Thanks the posting. During my tenure with Woody’s, the hats, pants and suspenders were of course in use. ( 1964 -68 ).
I was surprised to read that this uniform was still in use during your days in 1974. By then, I would have thought Woody’s might have gone to a polo shirt worn with pants from home. Anyway ….. do you or anyone else know
when females were allowed to hire in ?
I relocated out of state in 1970 so I enjoy seeing updates from people who followed. Thanks ! Phil ( Mr. A )
A summers day in 1965 ~ age 20 ~
Arrive at Woody’s Culver City at 8 AM to start Ast. Manager prep work.
Tune radio to 93 KHJ so I can continue listening to Robert W. Morgan.
( never was Morganized ! )
Lunch rush is over at 1:30 so I fix myself a King Swiss, potato salad and
two Lyons root beers. Have my lunch by the fireplace. (off )
It’s 4 pm and my shift is over . I head to Playa del Rey where I have a rented room with ocean view on Rindge Ave.
Next would be a shower, change of clothes, then a drive over to Loyola University to pick up a buddy.
For dinner we decide on the Red Onion because we can park behind the Loyola Theater which is where we will be going after dinner.
After enjoying the latest flick we step accross Sepulveda so I can run into Save On Drugs for a pack of smokes.
Damn, if there aren’t several babes in the cosmetiic aisle with only bikinis!
Westchester High should be oh so proud.
Who likes ice cream ? Next we cross Manchester with sights set on Tiny Naylors for a hot fudge sundae. More Westchester girls are inside who stopped in after the movie as well. One girl was raving about her dinner at the Buggy Whip. Well la de da ….. no matter, this chick knew how to fill out her ” Jeans West ” jeans and a tube top. I love Boss Angeles !!!
After dropping my friend off, it is time to head home …. but first a final stop of the day. I drive to the beach and park on Mar Vista near a public access. Yes, KHJ is still on….. as loud as my ears can stand.
Now I am in heaven, or at least at peace with the world.
( even with the brand new 747′s departing Lax. )
Socks and shoes are left in the car, time to meet the oceans roar.
Who knows, I just might find my surfer girl.
I gave my surfer girl a half hour to make her appearence, but not tonight.
So, I’m back in the car, swinging around past the La Marina Inn and up the hill hoping the tranny will hold yet one more time. Yea ! It does.
As I am about to turn off the ignition, the Beach Boys start to sing
” Lets Do It Again ” and I think… damn straight guys… we love you Brian!
~ I had fun doing this for all the old geezers out there. 93 KHJ ~
Phil ( Mr. A )
OMG the memories! Woodys in The Riviera Village, Redondo Beach! Days at the beach AVE I , then 31 flavors and WOODYS!! whoooooooooo hooooooooooo
I remember my dad taking me to Woodys on Saturday afternoons, I had almost forgotten !
no one’s mentioned the Woody’s on Figueroa by USC. my sister would take me there for my birthday, since I was in the birthday club. We would also go after churh on Sundays.
I workd at Woody’s, Culver City from ’62 to ’65 for college money. I worked along side of Dick Roletta and Steve Claypool who are still friends to this day. We catered to the general public, as well as, UCLA students. Needless to say work was fun. I have fond memories of my days at Woody’s and have a deep respect for Ralph Wood’s the owner, who was very good to us.
Yes Mike, we cannot forget your Woody’s on Fig and 28th. For many years the location was the highest grossing unit of the six units in which Mr. Wood retained ownership. ( All others were owned and operated by IHOP under a master franchise agreement. )
The ” Birthday Club ” was an on going promotion from the advertising budget. A customer would fill out the blank card and leave it with the cashier and then the main office would file it until it was time to send it back out in time for the customers birthday. The free lunch included a sundae and drink together with a ” Smorgee.”
Mr. Wood’s policy on outdated, expired cards was ; accept all cards regardless of date with a smile and a wish for a happy birthday.
He understood the benifit of his customer thinking ; ” hey, this is boss.”
The promotion was very low key and low volumn, but we all had fun with it.
So, here’s a toast to unit # 4 on Fig and 28th !! ( now a taco stand )
Phil ( Mr. A. )
For Gary Wilcut ; Other names from Culver City in 63/64 were Ron Blasio,
Ty Messersmith, Randy Ewing and Dick Grafman. Do any of these fellas come to mind or has it been too many years? In any case, thanks for your contribution. Phil ( Mr. A. )
Thanks, Phil (Mr. A) for clarifying the salsa issue. It seems in my golden years I’m forgetting some of the details……. Yes, I do now remember making the salsa every morning shift. A lot of you former employees are the ones i admired when I first went to the Culver City Woody’s as a kid. In addition to the good food, I was impressed by the organization and teamwork you displayed taking care of the customers. We came quite often on ‘special’ night with a line out the door, but it was never a ‘slow’ line – probably only 5-7 minutes from the door to the register. I was very proud when I became a part of that crew at the age of 17 at the Westwood Village location, in 1968.
Another little story….
The Culver City Woody’s originally had a ‘carport’ like structure that crossed the driveway at the main entrance. Kinda protected the customers from the elements when it rained. Cars drove under it to get to the rear parking areas. In the late 50′s / early 60′s my dad was the guy who delivered the dairy products to Woody’s. Well, one morning, instead of driving around the building on the right to get to the stockroom door, he tried to drive straight through on the left, under the carport. Yup – truck too tall. No more carport structure after that – took it all down.
Thank you Phil, I was thinking that my memory was faltering. so many good times on that streatch of Fig, like Coopers doughnuts, I also recall a drug store with a soda fountain,not to mention Felix Chevrolet on Jefferson/Fig
Marshall L.
I am so glad you returned to this site with your new posting of additional storys. Also glad to learn that you are one of us; an employee of Ralph Wood. In 1967 I was managing the Redondo location and Mr. Wood had just secured the lease for the new Westwood location. He was just so pleased ( like little Ralph getting his be be rifle for Christmas ! )
Anyway …. all of Mr. Woods managers were offered a chance to invest in the new location via a $5,000. LP ( limited partnership).
Too rich for my blood.
Marshall, I am hoping you know the year in which Westwood closed.
If you do not, would you please do a little research and let us know.
Also, was ” JR ” ( the general manager ) spending a lot of time there ?
I am always amazed to find ” Woody’s ” ashtrays, plates, and mugs show up on Ebay. ( $39.00 for an ashtray !!! )
Well guys……. now that this site is growing, I plan to monitor it even closer as I am really enjoying this stuff. What fun !
My thanks to all of you for posting your comments. Please return !
Phil ( Mr. A. )
I was hired around November or December in ’68 IIRC. The Westwood location had been opened maybe a year or less. (Coincidently, my dad had changed his milk route to the Bel-Air area, and was now delivering dairy there. He was the one who told me to go apply…). Now that you mentioned JR, I do vaguely recall him. Saw him around quite a bit at first, but not so much later on. I remember assisting with new Woody’s openings in Woodland Hills, and later, in Orange. After a while, J. Stephen Dabbs, our manager, bought controlling interest in the location from the partnership. I left around May of 1972 IIRC, getting a full-time day job in downtown L.A. A year or so later, a buddy who had worked at the Westwood location was now working at the Figueroa store, and I needed some extra money, so I worked a few weeks there. I’m not sure how long Woody’s Westwood survived – maybe early 80′s?
Marshall L. ,
Thanks for the swift and informative reply !
First, I am betting my retirement money that your dad worked for
Carnation Co. The name finally came to me last night after reading how your dad tore up the canopy in Culver City. ( smooth ice cream! )
Your mention of the ” Orange ” location is totally new to me.
I thought Westwood was the very last to be built. Can you be more specific as to where the Orange location was. ( crossroads ). Was it a free standing unit like Culver City or a contained unit like Woodland Hills. ?
I remember Steve very well as we attended the monthly managers meetings together. Just so I am clear ; did Steve Dabbs end up controlling the Westwood Village location or the newer ” Orange ” location ?
When you left in 1972, were you in management ?
In your opinion, which unit had the higher customer volumn, Westwood or Fig. ?
You may also know Chris Pingle who ended up buying the Culver City and
El Segundo locations from Mr. Wood. ( do not know the year ). I understand he now owns more than 20 El Pollo Loco units.
( IIRC = I do not understand this term ?? )
Thanks again Marshall …… hope you are having a great life.
Phil A.
For Phil (Mr. A);
Randy Ewig and I were friends many years ago, 63/64. Chris Pingle was hired to take my place, circa early ’60′s, because of my recommending him. Chris was a friens of my brother Dennis Wilcut. Chris has done well for himself since his early Woody’s days. ” Thanks for the memories “.
For Gary Wilcut, and others too !
I am quite sure Randy had a hand in my employment in July, 1964.
My female cousin came into the restaurant while I filled out the application and it turns out they knew each other from Westchester High.
When I was ready for the interview, Randy sat down with Ron Blasio and myself. I was hired part time with the promise of full time as soon as a lot
of guys left for college at the end August.
The one thing I will never, ever forget about Randy; his 1964 Mustang !
I have never known anyone who loved his car as much as Randy loved that Mustang. It was dark green with black interior, black wall tires with those fabulous chrome wheels. I think he also had an 8 track in it as well.
He was also very proud of his girfriend, Penny.
Randy was something to see in action on Monday nights.” Hamburger Steak night ~ .99 cents Special “. He would just lung into that grill, all ablaze , loaded with too many 10 oz. patties. The ventilation hood could hardly keep up with all the smoke, grease and flames.
In hindsight, I think a lot of patrons came in to see if the whole damn place
would catch fire on their particular Monday night visit. Just like how NASCAR fans go to the track to see an accident !
I can still see Randy in his ” yellow shirt ” with the spatchula fighting through all those flames to reach some patties that needed to be turned.
A call for ” medium rare ” was most often a joke.
Randy and I were not” friends” as we did not hang out together, but we did work well together. I hope Randy is having a peaceful life.
In closing this narrative , I have a question ; Does anyone out there
have a known reason OR opinion on why Woody’s did not have fries on the menu ???
Reading all these comments and contributions has been a wonderful exercise for my memory recall. My Thanks to all. Lets keep it up !
Phil A.
For Phil (Mr. A.)
I have personal and confidential information about your inquiry into fries. It’s a private story if you wish to here it you can E-mail me at garywilcut@earhtlink.net and I will reveal a little known story about Wood’s and fries.
For Woody’s employees or patrons ;
I need help with this list of Smorgasburger units.
#1 Culver City
#2 Redondo Beach
#3 Gardena ( I think ? )
#4 Fig. @ 28th USC
#5 ___________?? ( must have been a short life )
#6___________?? ( ” ” ” ” ‘ )
#7 El Segundo
Woodland Hills 1967
Westwood Village 1968
Orange ?
Question ; why did Mr.Wood reject female employees ?
I remember the Vietnam years were pretty skimmpy for the homefront labor pool.
Alright readers , who can help me out ?
Phil A.
Thanks for filling in some details, Phil. My dad worked for Edgemar Farms in Venice (no longer in business). Steve Dabbs purchased a controlling interest in the Westwood location. I don’t remember the store number – maybe #11….? Steve later sold the store (don’t know to who) and went into accounting, which I think he still does. The Orange Woody’s location opened around 1970 sometime (I’m a bit hazy on that – could have been ’71 – not too long after Woodland Hills opened. It was a ‘stand alone’ building, but not built to a normal ‘Woody’s’ design. It was on Main St (East side) just south of the intersection of La Veta. The building is still there, but probably not for long…..go on Google Earth and look for a small one-story building with ‘CHOC’ over the entrance.
I started as a busboy, but was working the line after about 6 months. Was a shift supervisor for about the last 2 1/2 years I was there.
I can’t say for sure which store had a higher volume, WV or Figueroa. I know Figueroa was the one we were always battling for the numbers, though. My personal experience working at Figueroa was only a few weeks in 1975, and then only at night when it was slow……
I don’t recall Chris Pingle. May have met him, maybe not. I did notice that on some current public records, the property for the El Pollo Loco unit that sits where the CC Woody’s was is owned by ‘Smorgasburger, Inc.’.
Store #’s, locations….
Gardena? – Where?
Redondo Beach….. I remember a fun night. Some of us Westwood guys went down to the Redondo store after hours, just to BS a bit and hang out. I was impressed by one of the workers who owned a Lotus…….
Women? We had one in Westwood! After Steve Dabbs took over. Wasn’t part of the rest of the chain, actually. Some menu and uniform changes as well.
And ‘IIRC’……”If I Remember Correctly……”
As to my personal life, I’m living in Oregon since 2009. Spent 1981 to 2009 living in of all places, Orange California, where that Woody’s that I opened was…. Grew up in Mar Vista, Went to Venice High School.
Regards,
Marshall
For Marshall, and others too !
I must tell you that both you and Gary Wilcut have made the start of 2013 very interesting and a lot of fun for me. Thanks ! I am a big history buff.
Thanks for the notation on Egdemar farms rather than Carnation.
Thanks also for the info on IIRC. I learned something today !
I did find the intersection in Orange and found a couple of small units
near the Childrens Hospital. I am happy to learn of the location.
Orange ; what a beautiful city !!! I always lived in or near the beach communities and I only drove inland for the Pomona Fair.
I cannot be of further help on the Gardena unit. I just remember that other coworkers used to mention it after it was already closed. (1964 or prior ). Well, bless Steve Dabbs for hiring a girl !
Although I am six years older, it seems we traveled the same paths while in the Culver City, Santa Monica areas.
I emigrated from Detroit in the summer of 1964, found a rented room in Playa del Rey, then work at Woody’s CC.
I had a short term girlfriend who lived on Marshall Street. I do not know if her home was in Mar Vista or CC. A lot of dates at Bruno’s !!
I was her escort to her 1965 prom at Venice High !
I attended SMCC for three semesters ( part time, two classes. )
I always picked one Monday night class. The reason ; I dearly wanted to avoid being selected to work that grill for the Hamburger Steak Special.
Even in the summer, the manager kept me off Monday nights just because he was so used to doing my schedual this way.
The Hamburger Steak Special ( .99 ) was of course offered at all the other units, but it was not anywhere near as popular as it was at CC.
El Segundo and Redondo may have served 10 to 12 dinners on Monday, while at CC, the grill was ROARING with FLAMES from 5:15 to 7:30. !
While on the map blaster, I looked up Springfield as well. Looks like a very lovely location. I have family and friends in Bend, Lincoln City and Portland. As for me, I relocated back to Michigan in early 1971 where I soon met the love of my life. For many years I worked for a food distributor similar to the Rykoff Co. in los Angeles. In 1998 , our family relocated to Dublin, Ohio for a job offer we could not refuse.
As of April, 2012 , we are both retired and are now looking to do a final relocation ……….. but to where ? This is the question.
In one way or another, we ( the readers ) all shared in a ” Woody’s ” experience. But think of all the other things we shared and enjoyed as well;
The near perfect climate, living steps from the beaches, walking steps from the gorgeous girls on those beaches, the ocean surf and the related life style, the Southern Cal. car culture, the free tuition at SMCC, and all
the music which was created at the Gold Star Sudios by all of our favorite singers and songwriters. I tell ya gang , we all lived in a place and time that was like no other. We were all very , very fortunate indeed.
Just think ; what in the hell did those poor suckers have who were living in Buffalo, Pittsburg, Columbus, Chicago, Kansas City, Phoenix, or Milwaukee? Not much my friends. nothing like we had.
So, at dinner time tonight, let’s raise a toast to those times,places and people who made Southern California so special. Amen !
Phil Ankofski ( Mr. A )
question for everyone,
was there any connection between Woody’s & Admiral Rusty’s in Palos Verdes?
Hello Mike,
Yes, the most direct connection possible; Ralph Wood opened the first Smorgasburger in 1956 and then he and his wife Barbara opened The Admiral Risty in 1966. This dinner house has been open continuously for almost 47 YEARS ! They have several web sites which report mixed reviews.
To my knowledge, Smorgasburger employees were NOT brought in to work at the ” Admiral. ”
If more detailed info is desired, please write again Mike.
Phil Ankofski
There was one in Oakland. You could get a blue plastic boat to use as a dish.
Ahhh…those good old days at Woody’s!! When we lived in Torrance (1957-1969) my parents would often take my sister and I and to meet our good friends of my moms (many of them belonged to La Primera and Welcome Wagon) on a friday night at the “Hollywood Riviera” location in the mid early to mid-60′s. The Matterhorn Burger, the classic thousand island dressing, (I still make my own in honor of Woody’s to this day…), the soft serve sundaes in the blue plastic dish with choices of your own toppings, the fireplace and swiss alpine atmosphere…memories you couldn’t pay for. Im glad we grew up when we did.
If Woody’s was operating today, I am sure they would be offering crisp lettuce leaf, chilled tomato slices and grilled onions ….. in addition to the classic condiments we all knew and loved.
Who remembers the chocolate Alpine Malts ?
Phil Ankofski
I just finished my lunch at home ; a homemade 1/3 lb burger with cashews ! ( 50% less salt , an upgrade from the chopped peanuts. )
As I was eating, it occurred to me that we all are probably missing another feature of Woody’s which would be unique today. Real silverwear ! Real china platters for dinners ! Real china coffee cups ! Real glass mugs for root beer and floats ! Woody’s did have some plastic wear for the small salads and the soft serve sundaes.
How nice would it be to have the real silver and glass wear back in your favorite burger joint or sandwich shop ?
I for one, would love it.
Phil Ankofski
The word is ware ….. not wear !
Phil ( Mr. A )
Hey, all. Was the Westwood Woody’s location the place with a ’57 Chevy mounted to the wall? I remember that it was called Woody’s but did not realize it was part of the Smorgasburger empire. It seems like it was mostly a beer bar from the few times I went in it. Thanks.
Craig – you bring up some history of the Westwood Woody’s that I had forgotten about. When the Woody’s Smorgasburger in Westwood Village was first opened, it was run as a limited partnership, with Ralph Wood and a few others (including some Woody’s management personnel) investing in it. Later on, it was decided among the partnership to accept an offer from the manager, Steve Dabbs to take over ownership. (I worked there during this period.). Some changes were made over time to attract more of an upscale UCLA crowd. The decor was changed (including that ’57 Chevy wall art that I had forgotten about…), uniforms were changed, and yes, they even started serving …..beer. I left for good around the summer of 1973 and don’t know what happened after that. The food though, remained basically the same, with some additions.
Hi Marshall,
Thank you for your very informative response regarding Woody’s WW.
I am so glad that you return to this site and proceed to help us out.
Phil A.
My dad worked for SE Rykoff for 3o years…Woody’s was an account of his. Before he worked for them he worked for Dohrmann Hotel Supply CO. of Culver City…next to the Helm’s Bakery…this was our FAVORITE place to eat burgers (then 2nd was Clancy’s on Marine and Sepulveda) another chopped peanuts on my burger person ;)
anyone remember Rob’s next to Woody’s in the 60′s? Became the Jolly Roger…
Laura –
I’m not recalling Clancy’s, and looking at MapQuest, I can’t find a Marine Ave. or Street in the area. (The only Marine St. I know around there is on the north side of the Penmar recreation park, directly west of the Santa Monica Airport – and it doesn’t cross Sepulveda). I’ll do a bit more searching about Clancy’s…..
Phil… You almost gave me the complete recipe for the salsa! I always thought the onions were reconstituted or similar.
I’d make 5 gallons because my brother would take half.
We began eating at Woody’s in Culver City in the 60s when the line went out the door.
In the 80s to closing I ate at the El Segundo location 4 of more times a month.
My burger… slather as much salsa as I could on the burger and more on the plate. Top with chopped peanuts (and on the salsa on the plate) and top with the thinly sliced sour pickle slices. I can still taste it.
The salad in the end wasn’t as good as it was at the Culver City location.
Blue Cheese dressing with beets. I still eat my salads that way but they’ll never be the same.
It was a sad day when they switched to plastic mugs for the root beer. It was worse when the El Segundo location closed their doors to become an IHOP.
If you could write down that salsa recipe with all the ingredients… WOW!
Marlene,
Welcome back ! I can see that you are on a real ” mission ” to replicate
the salas recipe and I commend you for this. Do not give up !
At this point, I have no additional info for you.
If we were to get lucky and have a Woody’s employee find us and provide the ingredient list…….. we would still need the recipe describing the amount of each ingredient.
Basic recipes call for the addition of bell peppers, olive oil, vinegar, etc.
These items MAY have been included ……… but I am only suggesting.
So ……. I will not abandon you. I will make it my mission also.
Of course Marshall and Gary W. are most welcome to join in.
I will have to work like a dedective by developing leads which connect us to
ex Woody’s employees. What fun ! !
Check back on this wonderful site perhaps once a week.
I will post my progress and advise you when my search is concluded so that I will not leave you ” hanging ” in the wind.
In the meantime, enjoy this spring time wherever you are.
Phil Ankofski
Marlene,
Thank you soooooooo much for sharing your enthusiasm for
Blue Cheese dressing and beets. The last time I had Blue Cheese was in 1968 when I left Woody’s to relocate. I was at the grocery today and I remembered your comments so I picked out a bottle of the dressing but forgot the beets ! Anyway, we all enjoyed our special salads at dinner
and we look forward to the addition of the beets. Such fun !
Phil A.
Marlene,
This is not a replica of Woody’s salsa but my own version which is very good. Go on the internet and type in ” Gary Wilcut ” . Go down the list until you find ALLRECIPES.COM, highlight and click the mouse. Hope you enjoy my Spanish Salsa Picante recipe.
Salsa recipe, salsa recipe………
Sadly, it’s been way too long since I mixed up a batch. And we’re talking a BIG batch here, folks – it was stored in one of those big 5-gallon pails. All I remember about it is it involved S.E. Rycoff tomato paste (or was it tomato sauce?), some freeze-dried onions and I don’t remember what else….
Marlene, Gary, Marshall and all other Woody’s salsa fans,
Direct from the horses mouth; I have just communicated with a most wonderful guy who was associated with Woody’s more years than
Mr. Ralph Wood himself. I have made him aware of this web site and invited him to join us. In the meantime, his words on the salsa;
Pizza sauce ( tomato sauce and tomato paste ) dehydrated bell peppers and onions with salt and pepper. This was the company wide recipe until the later years when only the El Segundo store remained.
Once El Segundo was on it’s own, the dehydrated bell peppers and onions
were nixed in favor of fresh produce, freshly chopped.
That’s it gang . I am most happy that I could keep my commitment
to Marlene.
PS . modern recipes call for Oregino and olive oil as well.
Anyway, I am off to check out Gary Wilcuts recipe, and a thank you to Gary for sharing. Hello Marshall.
Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that my former Woody’s coworker
will join us on this web site.
Phil Ankofski
Yes, Oregano it is !
Outstanding my friends!
I heard in the past that Pizza sauce was involved. I also always suspected freeze dried onions.
I must try my own version but I’m leaving here now to check out Gary Wilcut’s version.
Of course I need to also buy thinly sliced sour pickles and chopped peanuts to top my chargrilled burger.
If it tastes anything remotely similar to the burger of my dreams I’m inviting my brother’s family over for a surprise dinner!
Gary, your recipe is a keeper. Not Woody’s but a keeper just the same.
Thinking about a pita bread and a lamb burger.
Well,well, well. I just discovered this web site and have read every comment.
You all sure have brought back a lot of memories form the past.
Gary mentioned that he recommended me back in 1964 for a job at Woodys #1 Culver City.
I got the job.
Ron hired me and Ty was his assistant manager at the time.
I started as a busboy, nights mostly and weekend days.
Boy we were busy in those days and it was so fun working there.
I worked there from 64 till 66 when our family relocated to the San Gabrial Valley. I came back in 1970 after I got married.
Back in 64 I remember getting some of my school buddies jobs, Mike Schuler and Mike O’Rourke and, I’m sure a few others. We all had so much fun.
I have so many stories from those years and from 1970 on.
As Phil mentioned I did purchase the last 2 stores in late 1978. #1 and #7.
#7 El Segundo was still doing very well, a line out the door everyday, Culver City was just hanging on.
I have a lot to info and history but I’ll have to do it in stages if you all are interested.
Salsa #10 cans SE Rykoff pizza sauce, dehydrated bell peppers, dehydrated onions, salt and pepper. I’d have to really jar my memory to remember the quantities.
Phil and I just talked a few weeks ago and it was so intresting. He and I closed together for awhile in the 60′s. He was always very nice and we worked well together.
I did hire the first female in Culver City and, I believe, I was the first to have a mustache. The reason I got to keep the mustache was Ralph and John R, after I was told to take it off said I looked better with it on. Ralph later grew one himself.
Anyway, I’ll keep giving you more history or answer any questions, if I can.
Chris
Hello Chris !
I am so pleased you have found this site ! I was sure it would mean a lot to you knowing so many past patrons and employees loved your lifes work too. I am glad you mentioned the window of time that you were in the valley with family. It explains why I did not see you while I was working at #7 and #2. Your quip about the mustaches is great !
Questions; In what year did you close Culver City ?
When you introduced fries at # 7 and # 1 , what kind of equipment did you select and where was it placed ? I cannot picture in my mind where fryers and heat lamps could fit in on the line.
Once you had fries, did they have a big effect on buisness ?
That’s it for today Chris …… and THANK YOU !
Phil Ankofski
Hi, Phil.
I closed Woodys #1 in 1985. It was really hard for me because it was my first real job and there were so many memories there. I kept it closed for close to a year until I figured out what to do with the property. I then decided, with my friend’s advice, to try a new concept.
I watched each day as they dismantled the building and it was so sad for me. Remember this was the first Woodys.
I still kept #7 El Segundo.
When we took over the 2 stores in 1971, first thing we did was put fries in El Segundo. Business boomed, although it was already doing well.
We installed a new hood over the back counter behind the broiler.
We put 2 high efficiency, large capacity counter top electric fryers under the hood, We didn’t use heat lamps, we used a warming unit with quartz tubes. Everything worked well. We sold 250 to 300 lbs. a day at the time.
Needless to say potato salad and mac salad slowed to a crawl. I eventually took out mac salad.
#1 C.C. Put a slightly smaller gas grill in and installed the floor model frymaster fryer next to that under the same hood. It worked out well.
I’m not sure this design would have worked in Woody’s hayday do to the large volumn of grilled items we sold back then. It did work for us at the time though.
Next time I’ll explain, what happened in 1971 when Woodys split came about and who went where.
Chris
Just a note:
They torn down Redondo about a month ago to make way for a whole new restaurant.
Hi Everyone again,
Thanks, Phil.
I closed #1 Culver City in 1985. Couldn’t decide what to do with the building for quite sometime and then was introduced to another popular concept by a friend and decided to demolish the building, which was 30 years old, and try that. It’s doing very well.
Anyway, we put fries in at #7 in 1971. We installed two high efficiency, high capacity counter model, electric fryers on the counter behind the grill, on the back wall. We installed a stainless steel hood with fire system above that and put in a Quartz tube electric fry warmer next to that.
It worked out very well. We sold 250 to 300 pounds of fries daily.
Needless to say Potato and mac salad sales dropped dramatically. I dropped mac. after just a short time.
In Culver City we put in a smaller broiler and installed a floor model Frymaster fryer next to it. Worked well.
I don’t think we would have been able to do it that way with the business we did in the 60′s, though. We needed all the broiler space we could get, as you all know.
Woody’s #1 had a very small line and couldn’t fit many extras.
More later.
Chris
Good morning all,
Thanks Chris for yet another informative narrative.
Your explanation of the fry layout is excellent and I can now visualize
just how you did it. Knowing these facts, I can now rest in peace.
Some additional names from Culver City, circa 1964 / 1965 ;
Jerry Walters ~ Wally Roga ~ Dave Fujiwara ~
I will always remember Dave as the guy who made me aware of Bob Dylan.
Dave was taking daytime classes and therefore was always working the closing shift. Anyway, after all work was done and the back door was locked, Dave would sit on his motorcycle with his guitar and play several of Dylan’s tunes. Dave was very good.
( PS ~ I now have a 30 year old daughter Kate who has enjoyed 35 live venue concerts featuring Bob Dylan. How could I have ever known ? )
Chris, aside from ashtrays and coffee mugs, did you select any major items
from the Culver City demolition to serve as momentos?
I hope you saved some table and chair sets plus a picnic table or two.
Please tell me you saved the stainless steel spatchula !
I have been trying to repress your comment about the King Swiss Extra Rare. My stomach cannot handle it.
Have a great week everyone !
Phil A.
For MARK EVANIER ~
Thank you for creating and maintaining this web site.
I too am a big history buff and your site has enabled me to satisfy my curiosity on many issues regarding the Woody’s Smorgasburger operation.
I looked up your bio on the search engine, and I must commend you on your very interesting career. I hope you will keep this up for a long time.
Best regards,
Phil Ankofski ~ Woody’s employee
Hi Chris,
I remember you well from when you and my brother would come to Woody’s and I would treat you and my brother to a free Smorgasburger and beverage, thanks to Ralph’s generous food allowance he gave to his employees as a perk.
I also have found memories of your brother Steve, as we were in the Boy Scouts together in Westchester circa 1957. We had a reunion in Las Vegas in 2011 of the Westchester Boy Scouts, many of which worked at Tiny Naylors, but could not locate your brother. Phil A. might be interested in putting together a reunion of Woody’s employees. What a lot of stories we would here about those times.
Chris, I hear you did well in the restaurant industry from those days at Woody’s. Congratulations !
I remeber all of them grew up in mar vista and used the one near the studio drive in to get food to go for the moives the ymade the most awesome bake potaes too ,and when they did fries it was teh french cut one looked like little fans .. miss the MAterhorn my fave burger of all time :).. that placeand sterns bbq are still in my head .. sterns used the most incredible sauce made from brisquit drippings. god i couldve eaten the sauce alone LOL.. so sad they are all gone people dont know whatthey are missing
During the 1960s I ate at the location in or near Gardena, on Rosecrans I think. I also ate a few times at Hollywood Rivera. In 1973 I moved to Reseda. I lived there for 27 years. I did not see a Woody’s in Reseda or Woodland Hills. Can any tell me where the restaurants were located in those communities?
Good Morgan ! ( in honor of the late and great Robert W. Morgan ~ KHJ ~)
I for one cannot assist Stephen with unit location info. I am sure someone will find us and provide some answers.
Thanks Gary for the reunion nomination but I do not have the skill sets for arranging parties plus I am 2400 miles away in Dublin, Ohio.
It is a fabulous idea ! I think it would take guys like Chris Pingel and Steve Dabbs to be on board since they would have the broadest range of contacts with ex employees.
I do have a suggestion for the gathering place: It is right in Ralph Wood’s and Chris Pingel’s front yard : The Admiral Risty in Palos Verdes !
Wouldn’t it be awesome to gather and give a toast to the two men who made and maintained ” Woody’s ” as we all knew it ?
The Admiral Risty opens for dinner at 4 PM to the public.
We could arrange with Wayne Judah ( general manager ) to take over the Risty from say 10 AM to 3:30 PM.
At 11 o’clock we would fire up the grills and then serve only a 100 %
Woody’s Smorgasburger lunch ; The smorgies, King smorgies, Materhorns,
Green salads, plus the potato and mac salads. Potato chips and root beers
of course. ( cannot forget the chopped peanuts and salsa ) . At 2PM the ” Do it yourself sundae bar” would be set up and ready to go.
At 2:30 , Mr. Wood might be receptive to opening the Risty’s cocktail bar.
Sounds like a chance in a lifetime to me.
( for readers who did not know ; Mr. Wood and partner originated the
Woody’s Smorgasburger in 1956. Mr. Wood and his wife Barbara opened the Admiral Risty in 1966 and this restaurant has now been operating
continuously for 47 years ! )
Mr. Wood will be 88 this year and I understand from Chris P. that it would be pretty rare now to find him ” at work .”
I cannot wait to see comments and suggestions regarding the above.
Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there.
Phil Ankofski
Stephen –
The Woodland Hills Woody’s Smorgasburger was on Topanga Canyon Bl (near Victory?), on the west side of the street. It was unique in the Woody’s restaurant group in that it was not a stand-alone building. Not sure what else was with it, bu could have been a clothing store, jewelry store, etc. Was only there a couple of times….
Phil – Great idea for a reunion. I might just be able to come down from Oregon for that. I’ve lost touch with Steve Dabbs long time ago, but he might be living in Orange County – not sure. He always liked to keep a low profile.
Stephen – Regarding your visit to a Woody’s in Gardena (maybe on Rosecrans?), that’s a new one on me. Are you sure you couldn’t be thinking of perhaps of the El Segundo location? I know the Gardena area pretty well (but not until the mid 70′s), and I don’t recall seeing any building that could have been a Woody’s. What surroundings do you remember about it? There were some Woody’s franchises in the 60′s, but I don’t have any specifics on locations. I do know there were some in northern California.
Anyone remember the do it yourself coffee break in the mornings?
We would put out a manual cash register on the front counter with donuts, pastries and coffee.
Customers would come in and help themselves and ring up their own sale.
Wow, what a trip. I wonder why that stopped, hmmm.
Also remember April 15th income tax special.
2 Smorgasburgers for the price of one, all day. Free coffee for people waiting in line. The line at Culver City was out the door.
I always looked forward to that, all the excitement.
These were all from the mid sixties
Also, there was a location on Rosecrans on the north side of the street. I think Gardena, not sure about that.
Anyway, just a few things more for everyone to remember.
Later,
Chris
Hello Chris P.
During my tenure with Woody’s, a six day work week was the norm for
unit managers. Questions ; was there a point in time when the work week was reduced to 5 days? What is the industry standard today?
How many days per week do the EPL managers work?
I am thinking the annual pay for a unit manager must be aroung 50K
in California. Am I far off ?
Where did you go to high school?
Thanks Chris.
Phil A.
Marshall it would not have been El Segundo as that was not my area. As Chris indicated it was on the north side. I think there was a roller skating rink nearby. Thanks for the location in Woodland Hills. I rarely went farther north than Vanowen.
I found a match book cover that indicates there was a location in Reseda. I can’t imagine where.
Good Morgan ! ( as in Robert W. ~ KHJ Boss Angeles )
This narrative will focus on Woody’s GARDENA.
I have delayed putting my two cents in because I was hoping another individual would come forth bringing 100% facts.
It occurred to me that it could take months and months for this to happen
and none of us are getting younger.
This is what I have to offer;
100 % facts : Woody’s did have a unit in Gardena. ( free standing )
It was on Rosecrans
It’s life was short lived ( within initial 5 year lease )
( early 1959 thru late 1963 )
The following info MAY NOT be 100% fact because I learned this from conversations in 1964 and 1965 AFTER GARDENA WAS CLOSED.
There is a guy in the following scenario who I will refer to as Mr.X
because of the preceeding sentence.
Here we go; Gardena was the third unit opened and had the designation of unit #3. After three years, sales were not reaching the desired levels
so a sub lease was offered to the man who was the current manager.(Mr.X)
Mr X took over in the forth year and changed the name, but kept the self serve condiment and sundae bars. In addition to the name change, Mr X did some things to put a very large focus on the ” chopped peanuts”
for the burgers. I DO NOT know what these actions were.
With Mr X at the helm, sales continued to slide …… to the point when it was decided that the lease and sub lease would be allowed to expire.
With the closing of Gardena, Mr X REJOINED the Woody’s operation and remained in management until Mr. Wood closed his Figueroa unit many years later.
The conversations I heard in 1964/64 seemed to cast a feeling that GARDENA was the ” black sheep” of the family and yes there was some snickering about Mr X and his ” peanut burger “.
In closing, I now wonder if Gardena suffered from the same problems that IHOP had with their units. I say this because the vast majority of IHOP units did not survive past three years. In addition we have to remember that investors who bought into the Woody’s IHOP franchise had to pay the fees and monthly royalties set forth in the contracts. Those fees could very well be what squeezed the bottom line.
I do enjoy these tests on my memory.
For Memorial Day, I intend to write a narrative in honor of two men who died in Vietnam during battles in 1968 / 1969.
They were both employees of Woody’s El Segundo . We worked together during my tenure there as manager 1966/1967.
Please join me if you feel that you have something you also would like to share.
All my best,
Phil Ankofski
Woodland Hills was in the bottom of an office building.
It originally was opened as a carvary, I believe. It was converted to a Woodys not long after. It had carpeted dining rooms with chandeliers. It was a challenge running that store because the line was so large it took a lot of steps for everything. The carpets were a constant mess because people would spill ice cream from the ice cream bar on their way back to their tables. We kept that store for a short while but decided to close it when the lease was up. The sales we never really that great, at least, while I was connected with it. After the earthquake in 1971 all the windows broke out including the grill glass. The whole building sunk about a foot.
When you went to the storeroom upstairs you had to duck under a steel beam which used to be above you head. My friend Mike Schuler was the last manager there then he moved back to #1 after we closed it.
I hope I got my facts right.
Phil, managers usually work 40 hours, but are on salaries so that can change. You’re pretty close on your salary estimate, most more some a little less.
St Bernards.
Everyone,
Take care,
Chris
For Chris P.
Thanks for giving us the insight into the Woodland Hills unit. I can see why John C. was not in love with this store.
Question: Once WH closed and Mike Schuler returned to Culver City, how many years did he remain with you? I am wondering if Mike stayed until the CC closing in 1985.
Chris, I must tell you that I have been sleeping much better since you told us how you finally installed fries in El Segundo and Culver City. Amen .
One King Swiss extra rare coming up !
Phil A.
Mike went into the airforce in 1967 for 4 years then came back and worked with us in Woodland Hills until we closed it and then went back to #1. I was at #7 at the time.
Mike did help open The Risty before he joined the service.
I do have a few original oval plates, not the ones with the Uncle Woody IHOP logo,the original ones with the yodeler. I also have a set of straps and yellow shirt and checkered pants. I think they are in my attic somewhere.
When I come across them I’ll take a picture and send it to Phil.
I used to have some matchbooks too.
I think I’m pretty accurate on my facts but I could be off a little but generally they are the way I remember them.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Chris P.
Love all this information that is coming in…..
Thanks for the details on the Gardena location, Phil. No wonder I didn’t know anything about it – before my time. I’m curious though as to where on Rosecrans it was – wondering if the building is still there? I drove around that area a lot in the late 70′s / early 80′s.
- And thanks for the Robert W. blurb. He was my all-time favorite DJ – and I’ve been listening to radio since about 1959. I cried when I heard he had passed. I bought a Jazz Crusaders CD just to have his theme song.
Chris – Your post on Woodland Hills caused me to recall some of those same things. I went there only once (if I remember correctly). It was to deliver some stock item they were short on, or something like that (hamburger patties?). I remember the carpet. Westwood had carpet as well. It was a constant problem.
I heard that in Westwood the UCLA students would come in and order one sundae and get a bunch of iced tea spoons, put the sundae dish in the middle and fill the entire tray with ice cream and toppings and drip from the sundae bar to their table.
I’ll check out the location of the Gardena unit soon and let you know if the building is still there.
Later,
Chris P
Hi Chris.
Thanks for the Mike S. updates. I remember him well from work plus being in his parents home with some of his other friends.
If Mike ever reads this ; a big hello and God bless from Phil A. !
I would love a photo of your Woody’s uniform items and I hope you can have your wife take the photo with you in it. That would make it priceless.
Phil
Marshall Loveday ……..” you’r Morganized !!!! ”
Yes, Robert W. was my all time favorite as well. It would be hard to imagine driving to work or having a Southern California cultute without him. I will try to describe my all time favorite episode from one of his morning broadcasts.
Here we go ; Robert W. is in studio and on the air with his four year old daughter by his side. ( Susie, I think ). Anyway, it must have been around Easter time as Robert W. was explaning how little chicks sound when making their little ” peeps “.
Well, little Susie was not buying into her dad’s rendition at all.
She jumped right in and started giving her dad hell for not doing the “peeps” correctly ……. and then proceeded to perform her version to everyone’s astonishment.
I have yet to hear a more hillarious radio segment. RIP Robert W.
Now Marshall, a tip for you which should make your day.
The CD ” Cruisin 1965 ” was made featuring Robert W. exclusively on the air playing records, and doing commercials as well as his ” shtick “.
The CD includes 10 of the best songs from 1965 and is available for ten bucks from Amazon.
I keep my copy in the car during summer so if I am out and about in the early sunshine, I just slide the CD in and let Robert W. do his thing.
Of course if we had palm trees in Ohio ……. it would be perfect.
” save a nickel, save a dime, save a dollar and much more at your Thrifty Drug stores.”
Well gang, I am off to the paint store. Hope to start staining the cedar fence this weekend. Not a small job.
Best regards,
Phil A.
Chris –
Yes, the UCLA students, and the University H.S. students would buy a sundae, put it on a tray, then they would see how high they could stack the soft-serve before it fell over. After a couple of goes at this, we would have to go out to the machine and stand over them and go, “Ahem……”
Phil –
Thanks for the tip on that CD. I’ll check it out. Now, still have to hook up a CD player in my ’81 Pontiac Bonneville Safari wagon (a ‘woody’, of course). Pics here:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.472488122771134.114916.100000298509093&type=3
Marshall,
I have not been able to open your photo post so I went to the BING IMAGE site and found plenty of photos of the 81 Safari. Nice ride !
Since you lived in the City of Orange for so many years I only assume you do not have the surf board to hang out the back. ( tee hee. )
Phil
Good afternoon Readers,
I just finished lunch ; my best Swissburger ever ! ( upped to 1/3 lb. )
Toasted bun with mayo, catsup, crushed cashews and a nice slab of swiss cheese. Cooked in a fry pan on stove top. ( NOT RARE ) Dill and potato chips on the side. Fruit Punch instead of Lions Root Beer.
This tip is worth passing on to all of you: There is a regional burger chain in Michigan called the ” Halo Burger “. Their claim to fame is their offering of sliced green olives for a burger topping. It really adds a new and tasty
dimension. I really want you guys to try the olives. Cashews would be for a seperate time and not together with the green olives.
That’s it. Enjoy the weekend.
Phil Ankofski
Not going with the olives, as I don’t like them. I’d try the cashews, though. Probably go great with the teriyaki burger. As to pickles, I’ve got a ‘sweet pickle’ tooth. Hey – did anyone ever go to Pickle Bills restaurant on Ocean Park Bl?
Hello Readers,
A self correction ; The spelling is LYONS root beer. By the way, the company is still in business offering the concentrate in one gallon jugs.
I sure hope Chris Pingel has one or both of his Lyons barrels at home.
I cannot think of a better item for him to have as a memento from his units in El Segundo and Culver City. Having the stainless spatulas would be just over the top.
Phil A.
Hello Readers,
Whoever said afternoon naps cannot be productive?
Todays nap session brought forth several names from Woody’s which must be acknowledged.
Rudy Bennet : manager at El Segundo 1963/1964 which was the same time frame Ron Blasio was manager at Culver City. Rudy was a real handsome guy with a personality to match. He could have made it on the big screen.
Les Simmons : Les was yet another guy with looks and personality.
He also worked at El Segundo as a ” as needed supervisor ” to cover for managers who wanted to go on vacation. Les also covered for me several times when I was managing Redondo. He also covered at Figueroa.
Les’s personality made him perfect for this role. He would show up for his new assignment and the whole crew took to him like they were all brothers.
As I remember, Les was not available year round because he was in college.
I know he had his heart set on going to Notre Dame but do not know if he accomplished this.
If any of our readers know of Les, PLEASE advise me.
Bob Anderson : Now here is the guy that Mr. Ralph Wood should have had as his son. Bob was dedicated , loyal and focused. He had a tremendous repore with all the El Segundo office patrons accoss the street.
Bob had the same repore with his coworkers. He was hired in 1964 and worked many years until he took a break to try insurance and carpentry.
After this stint, he returned to Woody’s El Segundo and worked many more years with Chris Pingel who was now the owner.
Here is the lineup I came up with which shows the men who were associated with Woody’s Smorgasburger for the longest time.
Chris Pingel ; Bus boy , lineman , manager , multi unit manager , and finally owner/operator of Culver City and El Segundo.
Chris earns the top #1 spot because of the long life of his El Segundo store.
Nice job Chris !
Mr. Ralph Wood Jr. and partner John Cramer. ( 2nd and 3rd place )
Originator / owners/operators of Woody’s Smorgasburger, Inc.
Start date ; 1956
Mr. Cramer sold his two units to Chris Pingel on 12/25/1978 ~
Mr. Wood allowed the leases on his two remaing units ( #4 and #2) to expire in the time frame which was shortly after 1978.
Bob Anderson ( fourth place ). Bobs many years with Woody’s was also due to the long life of the El Segundo store. He was hired in 1964 with Ralph Wood at the helm and retired in the early 1990′s with Chris Pingel’s ownership.
( there was a time interuption as indicated above. )
JR:( fifth place ) This fella started with Mr. Wood around 1958 or 1959. He was a unit manager for some time and then was made general manager when Woody’s had five units up and running. To my knowledge he was associated with Woody’s until Mr. Wood gave up his leases for the Figueroa
and Redondo Beach stores. ( late 1970′s or early 1980′s )
Mr. Chris Pingel is the only individual among our readers who can affirm my pronouncements regarding the above. Chris, if I have made any errors I will gladly stand corrected.
A friend of mine who worked at Woodland Hills in 1968 has suggested that I write a book. It is a cool idea, but the story line would need a love interest and that my friends I cannot provide.
All my best,
Phil Ankofski
Dear Readers,
We have all expressed an appreciation for Woody’s in one way or another. On this Memorial Day, I would like to use this forum to remember and honor two men who died in Vietnam. They both worked at Woody’s in El Segundo when they were yet boys.
Stanley Vossin – Killed in Action May 6, 1968
Stan worked as a part time lineman during the lunch rush. he also attended college part time with an interest in art.
In early December of 1966, I asked Stan if he could replicate a picture of Santa’s smiling face onto the large glass panel next to the front door. He assured me he could, and he did. Stan’s beautiful painting gave a unique cheer to the restaurant throughout that holiday season.
In the time frame in which Stan died, the TET offensive was on; Martin Luthor King was killed; and Robert Kennedy was killed in June. The songs of that time included “Hey Jude”, “Mony Mony”, and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”.
Yes Stan, we do remember you.
Amen
*****************
Garey Grubbs – Killed in Action May 27, 1969
Garey was a part time bus boy who worked the closing shift so he could attend day time college classes. Garey was a handsome boy with very dark hair and a non-stop smile. At a very young age, he found the love of his life who was a very beautiful girl. Of course, the plans they had been making were to be short-lived.
Garey was such a wonderful asset to the staff, that his brother Cliff was hired in as well.
In the time frame in which Garey died, Woodstock took place; the first 747s were delivered; and the moon landing occurred in July. The hot songs of that time paying on KHJ were “Sugar Sugar”; “Whole Lotta Love”; and “Bad Moon Rising”.
Yes Garey, we do remember you.
Amen
– Authored by Phil Ankofski – May 2013
I worked at Woody’s in Culver City in 1978 when I was 15 years old! My first job and I worked as a hostess/cashier and then learned the best way to make hamburgers and did that for awhile! Sure wish I could remember the name of the manager at the time, he was awesome :)
Dear Readers,
An important correction on my part for Stanley’s misspelled name;
The correct spelling is:
Stanley Joseph Vossen ~ Inglewood, CA. ~ Age at loss : 21
I was pleased to discover that a portion of Sepulveda Blvd. in El Segundo has been dedicated to the men of Los Angeles County who served in Vietnam. This sign cannot be very far from the Woody’s location.
How fitting for the families and friends of both Stan and Garey.
Amen.
Phil Ankofski
Hello Susan B.
Thank you for your appearance and comment on this site. Such fun !
Since Woody’s was a semi cafeteria operation I am most curious as to what your duties as a hostess were. I think Marshall and Gary Wilcut are wondering as well.
Anyway, Chris Pingel is the the guy who will be willing and able to answer your question about the manager. In fact, it probably was Chris himself, but I will let him speak to this issue after he reads your comment.
I wish there was a photo of you at the grill !
Regards,
Phil Ankofski
I believe the managers name in 1978 was Pat C. He was a heavy set man and one of the nicest people I have ever met, always smiling.
I was his boss. When I took over he still worked for me for a few more years.
I remember hiring a girl named Susan S. but not sure what the year was.
I took a picture, the other day, of the new Brew House in Redondo beach.
That’s a new restaurant that replaced the Redondo Store that was torn down a few months ago. I wish I had gotten a few pictures of that. That was a sad.
I hope I’m accurate on my comments today. 1978 was a long time ago. I’ll try to remember back and give you more facts.
Chris
Phil,
Is it possible to share pictures on this site some how?
I have a few and probably other people do as well.
Chris
If you have photos that should be up here, send them to me. The address is on the “About This Site” page.
Hello Chris and the Management ( Mark ? ) and all our Readers,
Man O man …. this site is gonna catch on fire if we can post photos !!!
I have many from Culver City and several from El Segundo, Redondo and the Admiral Risty. I myself have never posted photos before, but I assure you all that I will learn so that I can be in on this.
Chris, Thanks for the Redondo update. Looks like this is unit #2 for the
Brew House. First location is on Main street in El Segundo.
I guess we should wish them well.
I will be absent for a bit starting June 3rd as I am going north to Michigan to be with family. Please feel free to start without me regarding this photo
posting. What fun !!!! Thank you Mark.
Phil A.
For Chris Pingel,
Please comment on my narrative regarding my list of men who operated with Woody’s for the most years. I would like your opinion as to whether or not it is correct ….. or if I have left anyone out.
Thanks,
Phil
To Phil (Mr. A) Thank you for mentioning the fellows who were KIA…God bless them, and you, sir…and it puts a face so to speak on what the day is about.
Had dinner at The Risty last Saturday. Saw Wayne there. He’s always there. We love that place it’s our comfort place. Had Risty’s flank steak and lobster. I love their food. We always have a nice relaxing time.
I remember back around 1970 the managers got an employees discount at the Risty.
Some of us went there one New years eve, JR was there too. I remember drinking their famous Margaritas. They had a hint of mint, if I remember correctly. All of us managers , I was manager of CC, #1, at the time, had such good times together when we would get together, sometimes after we’d take inventory we’d go have a few beers. it was fun.
Back later,
Chris
Hello Chris,
WOW ! Steak AND lobster at the Risty ! Let’s see, last Saturday I think my wife and I shared a chicken burrito from Chipotle. ( tee he )
Wish we had some EPL units here in the midwest.
Did you learn how Ralph Wood is doing ? Please advise if you have updates. Thanks.
Phil
Happy Father’s Day to all the guys out there!
I was really straining my memory for this one: The last time I had steak and lobster on the same platter was at the Latitude 20 on the Coast Highway just north of Hawthorne. ( 1967, 1968 ) ( Torrance )
Hop Louie owned and operated this exotic Hawiian venue for a good number of years. He featured big name talent to compliment the Island dancers. I was considered a regular and Hop always lamented about the trouble and headaches that came with booking live entertainment.
The live shows, cocktails, and food were always excellent. Every visit !
Boy, did I spend the $$$$ in that place. ( and always had two of the best seats for the shows. )
In that time period I was managing Woody’s Redondo which was just a
five minute drive from the ” 20″. Anyway, I invited Hop to come in and
have a meal at Woody’s and on one late afternoon he did come in with his bookeeper. They each ordered the New York Strip with baked potato, salad and roll. At the time , I think the menu price was $2.49 or $2.89.
They could not believe that Woody’s could put out this meal for the price.
Well, that’s my story on ” Surf and Turf. ”
Was anyone else a patron of the Latitude 20 ?
Phil Ankofski