Stinky Upland

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Photo from the 1958 CMC yearbook, The Ayer

Reader Mary Simon, who calls herself “an old Upland girl now living in Lexington, Kentucky,” writes:

“Does anyone remember a nasty little dive called Stinky’s on the corner of Mountain Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in Upland? It was a little stone building with picnic tables inside, all carved up by decades of miscreants. But they had the most sinfully messy and delicious hamburgers!

“When I was 10, my 16-year-old sister and I were broadsided in a pretty awful car accident at the intersection of Foothill and Mountain before there was a traffic signal. I was the only one hurt (concussion) and I recall staggering with my sister over to Stinky’s to call our parents. They offered me a hamburger, but for once in my life, I wasn’t in the mood.

“I know it was there through the 1960s; it was later torn down and replaced by a Bank of America. Isn’t progress wonderful? A crummy restaurant called El Gato Gordo was also put up right next to it.”

If it’s any consolation, Mary, El Gato Gordo has been torn down. I know many people remember Stinky’s because it’s been brought to my attention numerous times over the years. Anyone want to share memories?

What I’m especially curious about is that I’ve also been told of a place named Stinky Stevens that used to stand at Mountain and 8th in Upland. Two restaurants named Stinky in the same town?

So, while we’re on the topic, can anyone enlighten us about Stinky Stevens?

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