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Sambo's (page 3)

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former Sambo's [gone]
Sacramento, CA

2008:
2014:
This former Sambo's was built in the mid-1960s and operated until around 1982. From 2007 until around 2013, the building housed the El Patron Bar & Grill. It was vacant when these photos were taken in 2014. the building was demolished by 2015. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

former Sambo's
Santa Rosa, CA

2016:
2023:
This former Sambo's housed Adel's Restaurant since at least 2009. In 2019, it began housing Cafe Mimosa. The screen at the left has been covered over and the rocks have been painted. This building and other examples like it shown below were designed by Ronald Bergquist. [map]

former Sambo's
Sunnyvale, CA
This former Sambo's now houses Hobee's Restaurant. For more, see this website. [map]

former Sambo's [gone]
Grants Pass, OR
This former Sambo's housed the China Buffet when this photo was taken in 2008. The building now houses the Tokyo Teppanyaki Restaurant. Originally, there were letters spelling out the name SAMBOS on each of the blue pieces on the front of the roof. By 2017, the building had been remodeled significantly. The box-like building now houses the Salt Seafood Restaurant.

former Sambo's
Seattle, WA
This former Sambos in Seattle was built in 1963. The building housed the Traveler's Lounge and, later, the Aurora Family Restaurant. Since 2005, Aurora Rents has occupied the building. At some point between 2008 and 2011, the original Sambo's sign frame was removed. [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 an "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. It closed in 2022. [map]

Sambo's
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