Eateries past: May 2008 Archives
Charles Bentley writes to inquire about a fondly recalled Pomona restaurant:
"My father has been trying to come up with the name of a Pomona restaurant that was extremely popular for many years. After many weeks of pondering, he believes the name of the place was Orlando's.
"A quick check of the 'Things that aren't here anymore' responses comes up with a few references but not too many details.
"As I recall, Orlando's was not far from the Pomona DMV, but I never ate there. Dad remembers it as being 'the best place for steaks in Pomona,' and puts it on a par with RoVals in Cucamonga and The Golden Bull (in Fontana?). Dad also remembers Orlando's featured a large and lively bar and that the restaurant was usually packed.
"Can anyone out there help with this one?"
My files indicate that Orlando's was at Holt and Dudley, by the DMV, and was known for its steaks and its dumplings. But it was before my time. Anyone able to tell us more?
One of the Inland Valley's more intriguing building conversions is the former Ponderosa steakhouse at Arrow and Haven in Rancho Cucamonga, which became Ponderosa Dental Office. Yep, they kept the Ponderosa name, pardner.
Reader Brian Hurst tell us a bit about it:
"It was the Ponderosa Steak House back in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Had a Western decor, leather booths, dark wood tables, pretty good steaks. Not on par with Black Angus, but a big step above the Sizzler. If you look at the design of the building, you can see it was a dinner/eating place. 'Food' for thought."
Anyone ever go into Ponderosa Dental? I wonder if any reminders other than the name out front remain.
I ate at a Ponderosa or two in the Midwest in that same era. I assume the chain was an authorized spinoff from the "Bonanza" TV series, which was set on a ranch named the Ponderosa, but never knew for sure.
Personally, I think Rancho Cucamonga's Ponderosa should stay a dental office but go back to serving steaks. It would be efficient. You could eat your meal normally, then sit in a chair and have your teeth cleaned.
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