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Exterior view of Rod's Grill showing the south side of restaurant with its rock mosaic wall and both the sign on the front of the building and the pole sign bearing its name that stands on the west side. Customers can be seen waiting outside. Rod's was located at 41 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia, along Historic Route 66, from 1957 through February 2023.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/photographs2451
Date
2023
More detail

  1 image

Date
2023
Subjects
Rod's Grill
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Physical Description
color printout, born digital, see P:\Library Photos\images
ID
2307
Collection
Photographs
Images
thumbnail
Less detail

Interior view of Rod's Grill showing customers eating at counter and at tables in booths. Also pictured are some waitresses and cooks, as well as two of the historic photos that the restaurant displayed on its walls. Rod's was located at 41 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia, along Historic Route 66, from 1957 through February 2023.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/photographs2448
Date
2023
More detail

  1 image

Date
2023
Subjects
Rod's Grill
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Physical Description
color printout, born digital, see P:\Library Photos\images
ID
2304
Collection
Photographs
Images
thumbnail
Less detail

Interior view of Rod's Grill showing customers eating at the counter, sitting in colorful turquoise seats. Waitresses and cooks can be seen in the kitchen area, as well as a portion of two of the historic photos that the restaurant displayed on its walls. Rod's was located at 41 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia, along Historic Route 66, from 1957 through February 2023.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/photographs2449
Date
2023
More detail

  1 image

Date
2023
Subjects
Rod's Grill
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Physical Description
color printout, born digital, see P:\Library Photos\images
ID
2305
Collection
Photographs
Images
thumbnail
Less detail

Rod's Grill, Arcadia's beloved classic diner, announces its closure after nearly 70 years. Closing date will be Sunday, February 12, 2023. It is located at 41 West Huntington Drive, along Historic Route 66. The diner began as a small chain of restaurants in 1946, with the Arcadia location opening in 1957.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper36420
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
February 9, 2023
Pages
p. A3, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
February 9, 2023
Pages
p. A3, A4
Subjects
Historic Route 66
Monroy, Wendy
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Rod's Grill
Romero, Manny
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Diners line up to get last meal at Rod's Grill in Arcadia. Restaurant that has served generations of people closes on Sunday (yesterday). Hundreds of diners made a final pilgrimage to Rod's Grill in Arcadia at 41 W. Huntington Drive, along Historic Route 66. Rod Wellman started the restaurant in 1946 in Alhambra. The Arcadia location opened in 1957 offering 10 cent coffees and 40 cent slices of pie a la mode. Wellman's sons Barry and Brian took over years later, then Manny Romero bought it about 25 years ago and kept its vintage vibe. Romero was an immigrant from Mexico. He died in 2021. Television shows such as This is Us, Mad Men, Last Man Standing, and Luck, had filmed episodes there. See hard copy in VF. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, A4, February 9, 2023.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper36421
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
February 13, 2023
Pages
p. A3, A5
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
February 13, 2023
Pages
p. A3, A5
Subjects
Historic Route 66
Hoffman, Jason
Meek, Russell
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Rod's Grill
Romero, Manny
Shuton, Ema (General Manager of Rod's Grill)
Vollrath, Julie
Wellman, Rod
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Manny Romero, the owner of Rod's Grill, wants voters to pass a ban on auto sales on the block bounded by Santa Anita Avenue, Huntington Drive, and Morlan Place. The city wants to buy out his property under eminent domain.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper29920
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
February 14, 2006
Pages
p. A1, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
February 14, 2006
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Romero, Manny
Rod's Grill
Eminent domain
Redevelopment
Rusnak Mercedes Benz - expansion
Item ID
30106AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

View looking southwest at the sign and fountain in front of The Original Peppers Mexican Grill & Cantina located at 181 Colorado Place in Arcadia. It opened in the 1960s on Route 66 across the street from Santa Anita Park and closed permanently in 2021.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/photographs2446
Date
2022
More detail

  1 image

Date
2022
Subjects
Original Peppers Mexican Grill & Cantina
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Physical Description
color printout, born digital, see P:\Library Photos\images
ID
2302
Collection
Photographs
Images
thumbnail
Less detail

The expansion of Rusnak Mercedes-Benz, Arcadia's largest sales tax generator, still faces hurdles. The Church of Arcadia has agreed to move from 21 Morlan Place, but it has encountered delays with the county's plan checks. The City of Arcadia still needs to acquire Rod's Grill at 41 W. Huntington Drive, but proprietor Manny Romero has not accepted any of the city's numerous offers. Tom Valasek, director of marketing at Rusnak Auto Group says the dealership will have to move if the city cannot deliver the land for the expansion plan.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper31099
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
July 7, 2008
Pages
p. A1, A7
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
July 7, 2008
Pages
p. A1, A7
Subjects
Automobile Dealerships
Church of Arcadia
Rod's Grill
Romero, Manny
Rusnak Mercedes-Benz - expansion
Item ID
31294AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

The Sesame Grill, located at 308 East Huntington Drive in Arcadia, is profiled. Photo.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper4734
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
July 28, 1995
Pages
p. 6 Cheers Section
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
July 28, 1995
Pages
p. 6 Cheers Section
Subjects
Restaurants, Bars, etc - Sesame Grill
Item ID
4610AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Competing measures will go to voters in May. Measure A, sponsored by Manny Romero, the owner of Rod's Grill, would prohibit automobile sales in an area bounded by Santa Anita Avenue, Huntington Drive, and Morlan Place for twelve years. Measure B would allow auto sales and related uses on the block and contains a provision to eliminate eminent domain as a tool to acquire property for future development in downtown area.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper30373
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
January 26, 2007
Pages
p. Local 1
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
January 26, 2007
Pages
p. Local 1
Subjects
Ballot measures
Eminent domain
Rod's Grill
Romero, Manny
Rusnak Mercedes Benz - expansion
Item ID
30560AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

An episode of cable television channel AMC's show "Mad Men," that was filmed on location at Rod's Grill on Huntington Drive in Arcadia, last October, was shown this past week on the network. The episode is called "Far Away Places" and stars Jon Hamm as Don Draper, and Jessica Pare, as his wife. In this period drama, they are supposedly at a Howard Johnson's motor lodge (motel and restaurant).

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper32960
Newspaper
Mountain Views News
Date
May 5, 2012
Pages
p. 6
More detail
Newspaper
Mountain Views News
Date
May 5, 2012
Pages
p. 6
Subjects
AMC Television series--Mad Men
Cable television
Hamm, Jon
Pare, Jessica
Rod's Grill
Item ID
33157AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

A proposed land deal will allow Rusnak Mercedes-Benz dealership to expand and Rod's Grill will not have to move. The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency has acquired the Dahlgren lot on Santa Clara Street, the last parcel of a 2-acre site it intends to sell to Rusnak. This sale would enable Rusnak to expand from 4 to 6 acres. A public hearing is scheduled for April 19. In addition to the recently acquired Dahlgren property, the current proposed site also includes the former Church of Arcadia on Morlan Place and a commercial strip along Santa Anita Avenue that contains 16 tenants. The proposed deal guarantees the city would receive at least $800,000 in sales tax a year for the next 10 years.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper32372
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 10, 2011
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 10, 2011
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Arcadia Redevelopment Agency
Automobile Dealerships
Rod's Grill
Rusnak Mercedes-Benz--expansion
Item ID
32570AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Owner of iconic Rod's Grill in Arcadia, Manuel de Jesus Romero, succumbs to COVID-19.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper35928
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
February 18, 2021
Pages
p. 8
Announcement Type
Obituary or death notice
More detail
Newspaper
Arcadia Weekly
Date
February 18, 2021
Pages
p. 8
Announcement Type
Obituary or death notice
Subjects
Coronavirus-COVID-19
Deaths
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Rod's Grill
Romero, Manuel de Jesus
Romero, Manny
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Photo of main entrance to The Original Peppers Mexican Grill & Cantina located at 181 Colorado Place in Arcadia. Pictured is a red awning with the restaurant's name, two benches on either side of entrance, two lamps on the pillars supporting the awning, and a lawn jockey.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/photographs2447
Date
2022
More detail

  1 image

Date
2022
Subjects
Original Peppers Mexican Grill & Cantina
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Physical Description
color printout, born digital, see P:\Library Photos\images
ID
2303
Collection
Photographs
Images
thumbnail
Less detail

Corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Duarte Road. Two unidentified men are standing at the corner next to a Chevron Sign. Bob Sible's Chevron Service, located at 5 W. Duarte Road, is partly visible on the right corner. The Bow & Arrow Grill at 11 W. Duarte Road is seen just west of the Chevron station. Both businesses are listed in the 1955 City Directory.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/photographs1652
Date
c. early 1950s
More detail

  1 image

Date
c. early 1950s
Subjects
Streets - Santa Anita Avenue
Streets - Duarte Road
Service Stations - Bob Sible Chevron Service
Bow & Arrow Grill
Physical Description
8x10 b&w
ID
1640
Collection
Photographs
Images
thumbnail
Less detail

Rod's Grill, in Arcadia since 1956, fights City Hall's eminent domain proceedings. This article gives the history of the restaurant started by Rod Wellman and the history of current owner Romero's battles and City's negotiation efforts.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper29985
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 9, 2006
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 9, 2006
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Rod's Grill
Romero, Manny
Wellman, Rod
Eminent domain
Diners
Restaurants
Business and Industry
Googie architecture
Item ID
30172AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

View west on Huntington Drive clearly showing Drive-In Markets which were located around service station on SW corner of First and Huntington Drive. Moving picture theater is mid-way in block on south side of street. Church with tower on NE corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue was moved to South First Avenue about 1935.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/photographs600
Date
c.1934
More detail

  1 image

Date
c.1934
Subjects
Huntington Drive
Gas stations
Restaurants-The Pines Cafe
Arcadia Community Church
John C. Baldwin Gas Station
City Hall
Physical Description
32x9 panorama on 2 pieces
ID
596
Collection
Photographs
Images
thumbnail
Less detail

The City may have to seize Rod's Grill and the Elks Lodge under eminent domain to accommodate Rusnak Arcadia's auto dealership expansion. Manny Romero, owner of Rod's Grill, and the Elks Lodge do not want to move and do not like what the City is offering for the land parcels.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper29851
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
January 9, 2006
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
January 9, 2006
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Auto dealerships
Elks Lodge
Eminent domain
Rod's Grill
Romero, Manny
Rusnak Mercedes Benz - expansion
Item ID
30036AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Exterior view of front and west side of Taco Lita restaurant looking southeast located at 120 E. Duarte Road, Arcadia, CA 91006.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/photographs2441
Date
2023
More detail

  1 image

Date
2023
Subjects
Taco Lita
Restaurants, bars, etc.
Physical Description
color printout, born digital, see P:\Library Photos\images
ID
2297
Collection
Photographs
Images
thumbnail
Less detail

City Council quietly dropped eminent domain action against Rod's Grill. The city is working with the Church in Arcadia and Elks Lodge to buy their properties so that Rusnak Mercedes Benz might expand its business.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper30064
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
June 1, 2006
Pages
p. A1
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
June 1, 2006
Pages
p. A1
Subjects
Rod's Grill
Eminent domain
Rusnak Mercedes Benz - expansion
Self-Storage
Item ID
30251AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

20 records – page 1 of 1.