The Saugus Cafe, Los Angeles County’s oldest restaurant, has announced plans to reopen under new ownership.
The historic diner, located in Santa Clarita, closed its doors on Sunday after nearly 140 years of serving comfort food. However, according to a report by KHTS Radio, the cafe will soon welcome patrons once again.
The incoming managing owners, who spoke with KHTS on the condition of anonymity until the ownership transition is finalized, expressed their eagerness to continue the cafe’s legacy. Renovations are planned, including updates to the kitchen, dining area, and adjacent bar, ensuring the cafe remains a beloved dining spot.
Founded in 1886 by James Herbert Tolfree, the Saugus Cafe was originally named the Saugus Eating House. It gained fame due to its location at a major transit hub and filming spot for Hollywood. Over the years, it has served notable figures, including President Theodore Roosevelt, who reportedly enjoyed a steak there in 1903, as well as movie stars like Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and Mary Pickford.
The cafe has changed ownership several times and experienced brief closures, including one in 1943 during World War II and another in 1983. The reopening of the Saugus Cafe follows a trend of other historic Los Angeles restaurants, such as The Pantry and Cole’s French Dip, which have announced closures but later remained open.
A sign posted at the diner by the new owners read, “Reopening under New Ownership Soon!” and invited patrons to join them for a grand reopening. The exact date of the reopening has yet to be announced.
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