When it comes to iconic places to eat around town, the list reads like a culinary hall of fame. From Musso & Frank Grill, the Hollywood haunt where screenwriters and stars have rubbed elbows since 1919, to the Frolic Room, known for its inventive cocktails and eclectic vibe, the region is full of spots that are “living slices” of history.
Among these legendary eateries, Saugus Café in Santa Clarita, the oldest eatery in the county, stands out as it has finally reopened. As reported by ABC7, the place is now simply called Saugus Restaurant and operates under new ownership.
The transition included a minor facelift, but the classic menu remains largely unchanged. The new owner, Eduardo Reyna, has ambitious plans for Saugus Restaurant, including adding new menu items, extending hours, and possibly introducing a happy hour.
The history of Saugus Café
Saugus Café first opened in the late 1880s as Saugus Eating House, a small railroad café operated by James Herbert Tolfree near the local train depot. The name, like the town itself, traces back to Saugus, Massachusetts, the hometown of local developer Henry Newhall (SCV). By the late 1890s, Richard and Martin Wood had taken over, renaming it Saugus Café in 1899 and moving it to Railroad Avenue in 1916, where it remains today.
Over the decades, the café evolved from a modest wood-frame building to the brick and stucco structure constructed in 1952. Beyond its architecture, Saugus Café became a cultural landmark, hosting presidents such as Benjamin Harrison and Theodore Roosevelt and Hollywood legends including Frank Sinatra, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and Marlene Dietrich during the era of Western film shoots.
For generations of locals, it was the place for family milestones, late-night coffee, and a steady sense of community. In October 2022, the café received a dedication plaque recognizing it as Los Angeles County’s oldest operating restaurant, a testament to its enduring presence in a city defined by constant reinvention.