It sucks that they changed.
Isnt it funny. some places you say, If I BOUGHT IT, Id make it grungier like it should be. HAHA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Living in the Tower is pretty keen"-Celena

That place was rad for gum chewing waitresses at 3 AM and unlimited coffee for sobering up. Unfortunately, they're under new ownership and all the old Fresno memoribilia and baseball pennants are gone. And the waitresses aren't grizzled, like they used to be. So sad.

Tikyo Gardens I have heard so much about it and never checked it out. I am heading there this weekend.

Who doesnt love the whole old feel to Kleins.
The Trucker's Payload is a fave of the Mr.

Ive only been in fresno a few years, but Ive sampled quite a few food places. By far the best place I have been is the Lime Lite, on Shaw. Looks kinda run down on the outside, but the inside is really nice. Their calamari steak appetizer is the best thing I have ever tasted. I recommend it to anyone.

In Fulton mall north side of the walk way. Best Hummis ever.

Rmember the brick-red place across the street from the zoo? I dunno what happened but one day it was just gone!

I havent been there in a couple of years, but I always loved it until my last trip. The food was awful one night when I went in there. Dunno why, and I've of course written it off as a one-time deal, but unfortunately havent had the chance to get back there since.

God do I miss Sambo's. That place was great, straight outta my childhood. Semed like having to change the name to Season's pretty much killed the place. We just lost Happy Steak a couple years ago too.

'Nuff said!

I'm sorry to say that I've never been to the Chicken Pie shop, unless I went when I was a child with my parents, I'll have to ask my dad if he took me, cause I don't remember, I do remember going to Bob's Big Boy when it was on Shaw and Blackstone, I even remember going to Sambos for breakfast, the one downtown and the one that was near Gemcos, I'd like to know who does not miss 'Pizza and Pipes', I loved going there when it was new and they would show old silent films with pipe organ music, the Pizza was not the best though too bad Me-n-Ed's did not by them and keep the place going.

According to the old Fresno Neon sign that says cocktails at 'Tokyo Garden' this September will mark 50 years there.

you obviously did not read what I wrote. unless you were only looking for a multiple choice 'yes or no' answer.

I love Richard's, it's dark and quiet, or at least it used to be, I heard some one bought it and Big Game next door, is that true? When I worked at the original Sound Stage we used to go to Richard's for martini power lunches. Oh and the Tokyo, Toshi gave me my first beer at a bar, and it was cool, I was 19 but I was with Robin, Doug and Scottie so I was IN!

The Chicken Pie Shop has been virtually unchanged during my 44 years. We used to stop by to take home chicken pies, after my dad picked me up from nursery school (Mrs. Williams' Candy Cane, on Calaveras, just north of Olive).

We don't call them chicken pot pies, just chicken pies.

Even if you don't think that you like rice pudding, you still need to try the CPS recipe before you make up your mind. I like their chicken livers, but they're only for well-developed palates.

10 years ago, it was difficult to get a booth if you showed-up after 9:00 a.m. Everyone knew everyone else: hungover musicians with their sunglasses on, our gay neighbors in front corner booth, Tower District Mayor Stuart Home and his co-conspirators sat in the center booth. The Fresno Jogging Club took up the large table in back, after they finished running in Roeding Park (they don't run there anymore). Many of us pitched-in to refill coffee cups when the waitresses fell behind.

It is the place where I taught my son how to play Go Fish. He used the menu to hide his cards, because he was too small to hold them in his hands.

See you there next Satudrday morning?

Craig
What is an authentic community?

we had the first mcdonalds franchise, blackstone and shields.

Craig
What is an authentic community?

"What about that old rumor that the first McDonald's was started in Fresno? Is that true? Come on fact finders!"

reply one of the first franchises Submitted by AntiMusick on Tue, 10/25/2005 - 02:58."yes it's true"

No it is not true...

Dick and Mac McDonald open the first McDonalds in San Bernardino, CA.
http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/about/homepage/mcd_timeline.html

Old restaurants? I still like Zlfred's, even after they moved and its now hidden behind a used car lot.

My eating tastes are less refined than most...I'll take a burger, and theirs are one of the best.

Try the hoaggies too.

yes it's true the one of the first McDonald's franchise to open was located at the McDonald's at Shields & Blackstone, now that is the 3rd incarnation of that store, it was remolded in the early 1990's in honor of it that's why that one has a retro look to look like the first original store. I think there is a plaque some place there that tells all of this, but you know I've not eaten at that location since it was remodeled, to how it looks now.

http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/about/homepage/reflect/bender.html

"In July 1955, Ray Kroc opens his second McDonald's restaurant in Fresno, California, operated by Art Bender, Ray Kroc's first franchisee."

http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/about/homepage/mcd_timeline.html

What about that old rumor that the first McDonald's was started in Fresno? Is that true? Come on fact finders!

I didn't realize Tokyo Garden has been there for so long. I also didn't know Tokyo Garden had the best rib eye in all of Fresno until I tried one on my birthday. If your looking to spoil yourself - try it!

Great idea!
I for one would love to see more reviews of the 'old favorites' around town. Are you interested in writing some reviews?

This one that Abby wrote way back when is a great example:
http://www.fresnofamous.com/node/94