'Happy Days' relived through '50s diner
Campus Times
March 20, 1998
Frisco's Diner, located in the City of Industry, takes visitors back
to the past with 1950s memorabilia and roller-skating waitresses. Sophomore
Teriy Castro and James Macdonald hang out with friends to enjoy popular
menu choices, such as "The Original" Frisco Burger and the Old
Fashioned Banana Split.
Ordering a milk shake and a hamburger from waitresses on roller skates
is an idea which would be most credible during the time of legends such
as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.
However, within a 20-minute driving distance, this '50s craze has come
to life once again, where it exists today as Frisco's Car Hop Diner.
The restaurant, created from the unforgettable memories Takis and Joanne
Frisco, was introduced into the heart of City of Industry's commercial/entertainment
plaza eight years ago.
"I've been working here for a little over two years. It looked
like a fun environment, so I wanted to work here," said waitress Jennifer
Miranda, 21.
To many of its guests, the environment and setting of the diner can
be described as more than simply fun. Upon approaching the restaurant, the
exterior decor of the site is eye-catching within itself.
With its neon pink and sky blue lights glowing through the parking lot,
Frisco's seems to exist within its own era.
Much like the world of Uma Thurman and John Travolta in "Pulp Fiction,"
cherry-red glass doors invite guests in, where a ceiling sky-like mural
displays caricatures of Presley, Monroe and angels.
"The way that everything was -- the decorations and the atmosphere
-- was pretty cool. It's stuff that you see on TV," said sophomore
Teriy Castro, a University of La Verne diversified major.
Frisco's also specializes in indoor car service. With '50s classic car
models serving as seating for guests, the diner is well known as a "hangout"
for many.
Alan Sia, 22, of Walnut admits that the restaurant has some significance
within his life.
From memory, Frisco's serves as the site for his family or friends to
gather at least twice a month. He recalls visiting the diner since its opening.
"I started coming when I was younger," said Sia, who was visiting
the diner with his friends that evening. "The food's great, the waitresses
are nice and the whole restaurant is kind of happy."
In addition to its interesting '50s memorabilia and atmosphere, Frisco's
also features a "Wall of Fame," where celebrities of both the
past and present have left their marks for customers and employees to enjoy.
"We've gotten Oscar de la Hoya here a few times," Miranda
said.
Frisco's has also hosted Tommy Lasorda, The Coasters, Michael Jackson,
John Candy, Steven Segal, Dick Clark, Loni Anderson and others.
"We also get a lot of photo shoots and publicity from the news
and television stations," added Miranda.
On that particular evening, the diner served as a photo shoot location
for "Lowrider" magazine.
In regards to its menu choices, Frisco's makes a variety of meals available
to its customers. Appetizers, pizzas, salads, burgers and hot dogs, Mexican
specialties, dinners, sandwiches, breakfasts and desserts are among the
options. Each is available at a reasonable price which ranges from $1.95
for an appetizer to $5.95 for a complete dinner.
Among the favorite dishes are the Frisco's Burger, "The Original,"
and the french fries, according to Miranda.
Frisco's Shake/Malt, which includes three scoops of ice cream, milk,
whipped cream, french wafer and a cherry, is also one of Frisco's top menu
items.
"The food was pretty good. I ordered a banana split and it was
so good," said Castro. "And I got some fries from my boyfriend
and the fries were delicious.
"I recommend it [the diner] to anyone just because it's a good
hangout; it's a place to go out after the movies or something."
Frisco's Car Hop Diner is located locally in the City of Industry, parallel
to the 60 Freeway. To visit the Diner, exit on the Azusa Avenue and head
east, make a right on Gale Avenue; Frisco's is on the left one mile after
Azusa Avenue.
For more information or to place a take out order, contact Frisco's
Car Hop Diner at (626) 913-3663.
