Saugus Café to Reopen Under New Owners After 140-Year Run

The oldest restaurant in Los Angeles County closed on Sunday but is coming back with new owners

Los Angeles County’s oldest restaurant, the Saugus Café in Santa Clarita, closed on Sunday after nearly 140 years. Today it was announced by KHTS Radio that the venerable dining spot would reopen soon under new ownership. “The incoming managing owners of the Saugus Cafe, speaking with KHTS on the condition of anonymity until the ownership transition is finalized,” the station posted on Instagram. “Said they are eager to carry on the legacy.” The station noted that renovations would include “updating” the kitchen, dining area and adjacent bar.

Like the The Ship of Theseus, the Saugus Café has been rebuilt many times. The business began as the Saugus Eating House inside the new Southern Pacific Railroad station when it opened in 1888. Eleven years later, it was sold to new owners and renamed Saugus Café. There are stories of characters like President Theodore Roosevelt and Los Angeles water czar William Mulholland enjoying the restaurant around the turn of the century.

Credit: Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library

In 1916, the business moved across the tracks to a new building close to its current location. Silent film stars like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford are said to have enjoyed a meal here when filming nearby. The café was rebuilt in 1941 after a truck ran into the building and that version was demolished in 1952.

Today, the core interior elements, like the counter stools, pie cases and booth configuration, appear to date from the 1950s version, while most of the historic fabric inside has been swapped out by a parade of operators over the last 75 years.  The closure leaves Cole’s French Dip (which itself is on the verge of closure) as L.A.’s oldest restaurant. Downtown legend Philippe The Original rounds out the pack. Still going strong with 118 years under its belt.

Credit: Photo by mr. rollers

The new owners of the Saugus Cafe tell KHTS that their new chef has been following around the old one to ensure consistency and that they have plans to trim the menu, lower prices, and expand hours. The restaurant was once known for being open around the clock.  The new owners plan to reopen in a few weeks and perhaps they will again draw the massive crowds that flocked to the legendary café in the weeks leading to its closure.

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