Iconic PCH diner, Patrick's Roadhouse closed, campaign launched to save it

With its instantly recognizable green exterior and equally-as-unique kitsch-themed interior, Patrick's Roadhouse appealed to both locals and tourists, serving as a memorable pit stop for anyone embarking on a West Coast road trip.

The wacky restaurant was founded by Bill Fischler in 1973 and has served stars like Lucille Ball, Tom Hanks, Sean Penn, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many, many others. It even gets a mention in the epic 1991 movie Point Break.

There's a tale on the diner's website that tells of one time when Schwarzenegger was eating at his usual table and his mother wasn't too impressed with what he'd ordered. She barged into the kitchen and announced to everyone that she was cooking instead. The end result was something called Bauernfrühstück, which is German for "farmer's breakfast" and so it was renamed "The Governator" for easier pronunciation and put on the menu for all to order.

Patrick's Roadhouse owner Anthony Fischler confirmed this, telling the Daily Press, "Oh yes, that's 100% true. She [Schwarzenegger's mom] basically took over the kitchen, you did not want to mess with her," he said.

Over the years, it has earned numerous accolades, including "Best Diner in California," "Best Banana Cream Pie in the USA" and this year it was awarded "Best Diner in the USA." It has also been featured on two episodes of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

"This is a prized possession of this community, it really is," Kurt Benjamin, local resident and organizer of the GoFundMe Campaign said. "It's something worth embracing … I know it's hard to explain the mystique that it's built, but it's a place where anyone can go and just do their own thing. The food is amazing and the service is warm and friendly, but if you want some privacy, then that's fine as well."

Benjamin himself is born and bred on the Westside and has been taking his family to Patrick's Roadhouse for as long as he can remember. He stresses that he has no financial ties to the diner, rather he simply wanted to offer his professional skills and expertise in business and legal affairs and try to save his favorite restaurant.

The iconic eatery has turned a profit throughout its 51-year history, but like so many others, it struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic relying very much on takeout orders. During that time, the restaurant located on the corner of Entrada Drive and the PCH supported the local community by using food that would otherwise spoil to provide free meals to frontline workers and students.

Despite their best efforts, they found themselves unable to meet the demands of accumulated rent when the deferral period ended and the large lump sum recently came due. As such a GoFundMe appeal has been launched in an effort to save this popular venue.

According to Fischler, the ultimate goal is to secure a new long-term lease and to raise a total of $250,000, with $200,000 to be allocated for back rent and $50,000 for immediate building improvements. Those improvements will help rejuvenate the establishment and ensure its immediate reopening.

"We've had quite a lot of interest from very big, high net-worth individuals who have come forward and conversations have begun, but it's all very tentative and nothing has been signed," Fischler says, also confirming that he's spoken to Schwarzenegger as well.

Fischler stresses that the company that owns the land is not being unreasonable and they're open to potential offers, once that specific amount of money has been raised. "There's even been talk of trying to make the building a historical landmark," he says.

Something similar happened to what is now Dogtown Coffee. The 2003 Main Street site was once upon a time the home to Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions, arguably the single most important location in the history of skateboarding. It is, to all intents and purposes, where skateboarding came to life. Following a threat of demolition, a public campaign resulted in the building being designated a city landmark in 2007.

Patrick's Roadhouse, like Dogtown Coffee and even Ursula's Costumes, are landmarks in Santa Monica's rich and not-nearly-widely-known-enough history, illustrating its essential contributions to contemporary culture.

No proceeds whatsoever from the GoFundMe appeal will be used unless a new lease is secured and the amount is fully funded. Sadly, until then, Patrick's Roadhouse will remain closed indefinitely.

scott.snowden@smdp.com