Postcard image of Denny's Coffee Shop, circa 1959-1960. From the Boston Public Library Tichnor Brothers Collection.
1926 - Orange Julius, founder Julius Freed, in Los Angeles
1936 - Bob's Big Boy, founder Bob Wian, in Glendale
1941 - Carl's Jr., founder Carl Karcher, in Los Angeles
1946 - Original Tommy's Hamburgers, founder Tom Koulax, in Los Angeles
1947 - Fatburger, founder Lovie Yancey, in South Los Angeles
1947 - Hof's Hut, founder Harold Hofman, in Belmont Shore
1948 - In-N-Out, founders Harry & Esther Snyder, in Baldwin Park
1948 - Winchell's Donuts, founder Verne Winchell, in Temple City
1951 - The Hat, founder (unidentified), in Alhambra
1953 - Denny's, founders Harold Butler and Richard Jezak, in Lakewood
1958 - International House of Pancakes (IHOP), founder Al Lapin, in Toluca Lake
1958 - Sizzler, founder Del and Helen Johnson, in Culver City
1961 - Wienerschnitzel, founder John Galardi, in Long Beach
1962 - Taco Bell, founder Glen Bell, in Downey
1972 - Gladstones*, founder Robert Morris, in Malibu
1978 - Cheesecake Factory, founder David Overton, in Beverly hills
1982 - Islands, founder Tony DeGrazier, in West Lost Angeles
1983 - Panda Express, founders Ming-Tsai Cherng, son Andrew Cherng and Peggy Cherng, in Glendale
1985 - California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), founders Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, in Beverly Hills
1999 - Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, founder Craig Hofman, in Long Beach
Replica original In-N-Out stand, Baldwin Park. Los Angeles Almanac Photo.
Also see:
--- Oldest Surviving Restaurants in Los Angeles County
--- Anthony Bourdain: 'My Favorite Restaurant in LA'
--- From Movies to Hamburgers - The McDonald Brothers
