Description
This diner opened in 1887, making it one of the oldest restaurants still operating in Los Angeles County. Before moving to its present location in 1898, the Saugus Café was situated next to the Saugus Train Station. Photos lining the walls reveal how much California history this little place has witnessed. Theodore Roosevelt was among the customers to Tolefree's Saugus Eating House. The greasy-spoon menu tastes nostalgic, but it's the atmosphere that really nourishes. With a jukebox pumping solid-gold oldies throughout the meal, the waitresses call customers by pet names or gossip with each other from across the room. Saugus Café is frequented by California Institute of the Arts students chugging coffee, eating eggs for dinner or fresh pie for breakfast. Townies come in at all hours of the day, letting loose in the adjacent bar as soon as the sun starts settling over the nearby mountains.
