Bakersfield, CA - The Farmer John's Pancake House was a staple in the Bakersfield area for good lunch and breakfast for many years.
Farmer John's Pancake House (Demolished)
Bakersfield, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Heading through Bakersfield along the old Highway 99 corridor, Farmer John's Pancake House was a familiar place to look for when breakfast or lunch started sounding good. Check out the tall roadside sign marking the stop near Union Avenue and Golden State Highway. With “Always Open” down below, it made a pretty convincing argument for pulling off the road.
The restaurant had an earlier life as Mooney's Drive-In before becoming Farmer John's in 1960. Burgers gave way to pancakes on the name out front, though the kitchen offered more than breakfast. Steaks, chicken dishes and carne asada gave hungry customers a few reasons to stop after the morning coffee hours.
Farmer John's Pancake House (Demolished)
Bakersfield, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
For years, Farmer John's was part of the routine for locals and travelers making their way through this side of Bakersfield. A place for an early breakfast, a lunch break, or something to eat when the drive ran late. That “Always Open” message came in handy when the clock wasn't cooperating with the appetite.
Here's a shot of the Farmer John's marquee after the building had been demolished. When this photo was taken, the lot was completely empty. However, although the "Pancake House" lettering had already been removed from the sign, the letter below saying "always open" eerily remained under the sign itself was taken down. 12-08
On a roadside photo run, the sign was enough to put the place on the itinerary. Get a look from the street, catch the lettering, then see about heading inside. A pancake house makes a useful photo stop when there's also a chance of getting fed.
A fire in 1999 brought the restaurant's long run to an end. The damaged building was cleared away, leaving an empty lot where customers had once pulled in for a meal. For a while, though, the roadside sign stayed behind.
Unfortunately, according to the Bakersfield Californian, a fire destroyed the Pancake House in 1999 after which the property was sold. The Farmer John's was originally a burger joint called Mooney's Drive-in.
Farmer John's restaurant
Bakersfield, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The main Pancake House panels were gone, but “Always Open” still greeted passing traffic. Hmm ... open for what? No tables, no kitchen, and not much chance of a short stack. The sign had outlasted the very thing it was advertising, giving the camera something rather different to catch on a return visit.
UPDATE: The remaining Farmer John's sign was eventually dismantled and removed. Both the pancake house and its lingering “Always Open” greeting are gone from the old highway stop. 09-26
Farmer John's Pancake House (Demolished)
Farmer John's Pancake House (Demolished)
Farmer John's restaurant
