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Sambo's (page 3)

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former Sambo's
Yuma, AZ

2012:
2017:
2018:
This former Sambo's was built in 1966 in conjunction with the Royal Inn Motor Hotel next door. The building has housed a number of restaurants over the years. In 2015, the building was vacant. In 2016, the building was still closed but being renovated. The unique curved-notch panel at the front of the building had been filled in. The building now houses the Oriental House. [map]

former Sambo's
Tucson, AZ
This former Sambo's was built in 1964. It was the first building using this design by Ronald Bergquist. The design was used later for the Yuma building above, the Bakersfield building below, and others. From 2000-2015, the Tucson building housed Chaffin's Diner. In 2016, the building was restored to reflect its Sambo's origins. It opened that year as the Welcome Diner. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

former Sambo's
Bakersfield, CA

2011:
2023:
This former Sambo's was housing La Mina Mexican Restaurant when these photos were taken in 2012. The building was previously painted purple and white with orange and yellow trim. It was painted the colors shown above in 2008. Around 2021, the building was painted dark blue and began housing the Tazumal restaurant. In 2023, the detail on the side of the roof was being held in place with wood supports. For more, see this website. [map]

former Sambo's
Coral Gables, FL
This former Sambo's was built in 1967. It has housed a Denny's since at least 2007. [map]

former Sambo's [gone]
Azusa, CA

2008:
2013:
This former Sambo's was built in 1969. It was a Seasons restaurant for a while, then a Godfather's Pizza, and then a Bakers Square. The building then sat for about ten years before becoming the Whole Enchilada. By 2011, the business had become a Dalia's Italian Restaurant. By 2017, the building was housing Papa Pizza Pie. By 2020, the building had been demolished.

former Sambo's
Tarzana, CA
This former Sambo's was built by 1971. It last housed the French Accent Gallery. The building has been vacant since 2019. [map]

former Sambo's
Ogden, UT
2014: 2022:
This former Sambo's housed Pro Street Embroidery for many years. The building had been vacant since at least 2017. Around 2021, the building was painted pink and purple and it was housing Doctor John's Health Aids. For more, see this website. [map]

former Sambo's
Modesto, CA
This former Sambo's now houses Modesto Car Toys. The building is located next door to the former Tropics Motor Hotel which was built in 1961. This Sambo's was built at the same time. The building housed a Denny's later on. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

former Sambo's
Alameda, CA		 former Sambo's [gone]
Willamina, OR		 Sambo's
copycat sign
Show Low, AZ
This former Sambo's in Alameda was built in conjunction with the Royal Inn Motor Hotel next door. The restaurant now houses Bucket O' Crawfish. For more, see this website. [map]

This former Sambo's sign in Willamina was adapted for the Fort Hill Restaurant by 2008. This photo is from 2016. I don't think there was ever a Sambo's in Willamina and the building looks nothing like a Sambo's. This sign must have come from somewhere else. It would have looked like this originally with a "Open 24 Hours" panel on the spear at the top. This sign was gone by 2018.

I believe this sign in Show Low is a Sambo's copycat sign. When the sign advertised for the Sho Lo Bowl it had 1960s-looking panels. I don't believe Sambo's ever used slanted poles like this. There is also no companion Sambo's-looking building but rather a big, rounded roof typical of bowling alleys. The sign now advertises for the new tenant, the Hopeful Treasures Resale Boutique. However, there was a Sambo's in Show Low and it's possible this sign might have been there and then moved and recycled by the bowling alley. [map]

More Sambo's:
Downey, CA: 1, 2 [vintage]
San Bernardino, CA [vintage]
Hummelstown, PA
Fort Worth, TX

Lil' Sambo's
Lincoln City, OR
This Lil' Sambo's restaurant was never part of the Sambo's chain described above. It was built in 1957 as Pixie Pancakes. It later became Lil' Black Sambo's and then Lil' Sambo's. The restaurant was destroyed in a fire in 2002 and was rebuilt. For more, see this website. [map]

Sambo's
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