From the outside, the Saugus Cafe, situated along Railroad Avenue in Santa Clarita, looks like any other old roadside diner. But hold that thought – it’s much older than it looks.
As Evan Lovett tells us on “L.A. In a Minute,” in its 135-year history, this restaurant has been a favorite stop for presidents and Old Hollywood stars.
The diner, originally called Tolfree’s Saugus Eating House, was opened in 1888 by James Tolfree. It was located at the north end of the Saugus train depot, a connecting stop on the Southern Pacific line between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The train depot was the only building in town at the time, but a steady stream of rail passengers kept the restaurant in business. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt stopped in for a New York steak, which he declared to be “splendid.”
In the 1930s and ‘40s, the rise of western films brought actors and crews to the Santa Clarita Valley, and the Saugus Cafe became their go-to hub. The diner served the likes of Clark Gable, John Wayne, and Marlene Dietrich.
Over the years, the cafe has been expanded and remodeled, but its history has remained front and center, with old newspaper clippings and black-and-white photos of Hollywood stars lining the walls.
In 1998, the eatery was bought by longtime waitress Gaye Libby and bartender Alfredo Mercado, who remain the owners of this little piece of L.A. County history.
If you’re ever passing through Santa Clarita, drop in for a bite, and follow L.A. In A Minute on Instagram and Tiktok.
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