Clifton's
10/23/2018 | 28m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Huell visits Clifton’s and learns about Clifford Clinton’s philosophy of quality food.
In 1935, Clifton’s was opened on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles, and its trademark Redwood grove decor has been legendary ever since. It was the second cafeteria opened by Clifford Clinton in Los Angeles, carrying on a family restaurant tradition dating back to 1888. Like all of Clifton’s customers, Huell is greeted as a guest and learns about Clifford Clinton’s philosophy of quality food.
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Visiting with Huell Howser is a local public television program presented by PBS SoCal
Clifton's
10/23/2018 | 28m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
In 1935, Clifton’s was opened on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles, and its trademark Redwood grove decor has been legendary ever since. It was the second cafeteria opened by Clifford Clinton in Los Angeles, carrying on a family restaurant tradition dating back to 1888. Like all of Clifton’s customers, Huell is greeted as a guest and learns about Clifford Clinton’s philosophy of quality food.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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>> Huell: WELL HELLO EVERYBODY I'M HUELL HOWSER AND HERE WE ARE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES.
RIGHT ON BROADWAY.
NOWs NOTHING QUITE AS EXCITING AS COMING DOWNTOWN AND WALKING DOWN BROADWAY, THERE IS ALWAYS EXCITEMENT HERE.
THIS IS THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN OF L.A. OVER THE YEARS THE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE CHANGED,.
RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE CORNER OF 7th AND BROADWAY WE'RE AT THE HEART OF THE JEWELRY DISTRICT AND SPEAKING OF JEWELRY DISTRICT THERE IS NO FINER JULY THAN RIGHT HERE.
KLIFT CLIFTONS CAFETERIA THAT HAS BEEN HERE SINCE 1955.
DON YOUR SON AND ROB SXERT YOUR SISTER JEAN.
NOW YOUR DAD STARTED ALL THIS?
>> IN 1935.
>> AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO START WITH IN FRONT TO HAVE YOU SEE THIS TARASLE.
WHICH TELLS THE STORY OF LOS ANGELES AS IT WAS IN 35.
>> LOOK AT THIS LOUIE, LET'S WALK EEFR HERE.
THERE IS A DESERT SCENE, CITY HALL, THE NEW STADIUM WHICH WAS BUILD FOR LOS ANGELES.
MISSIONS AND THE BEACH.
AND THIS IS JUST ONE SIDE OF THIS WONDERFUL MOSAIC.
>> THE ORIGINAL FRONT DOOR RIGHT WAS HERE WHERE IT SAYS CLIFTONS.
>> AND IT WAS CALLED CLIFTONS BROOK DALE.
NOW DAWN HOW DID IT GET THE NAME CLIFTONS BROOK DALE.
>> WELL DAD HAD FALLEN IN LODGE WITH CLIFTONS LODGE IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNT SXINZ IT INSPIRED HIM TO REPLICATE THAT.
>> Huell: SO HE COPIED A LODGE THAT HE VISIT INSIDE SANTA CRUZ.
>> YOU CAN SEE THE RED WOOD TREES TLIET.
>> Huell: YOUR DAD WAS THIRD GENERATION?
>> FOURTH GENERATION OF RESTAURANT PEOPLE.
>> YES, THIRD GENERATION FROM 88--1888 RIGHT HERE IN L.A. THEN SAN FRANCISCO AND BACK TO L.A.
IN 31.
AND HE OPENED THIS PLACE IN 1935.
>> AND HE WAS HARD CORE CALIFORNIA.
>> IN DEED, BORN IN BROOKLYN.
>> Huell: AND THE IDEA INSIDE WAS THAT HE WAS GOING TO RECREATE THIS WOODSEE LOOK FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND ENJOY IN DOWNTOWN L.A. >> HE LOVED THE RED WOODS AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'LL SEE INDOORS.
>> WHEN YOU GO INSIDE IT REALLY HAS NOT CHANGED THAT MUCH SINCE 1935.
>> THAT'S TRUE JUST A LITTLE DUSTY.
>> Huell: JEAN U WE'RE GOING TO LET YOUR NEPHEW ROBERT, GIVE US THE TOUR.
WE'RE GOING TO HOOK UP AGAIN AND HAVE LUNCH.
>> HAVE BIRTHDAY, WHICH IS ANOTHER WHOLE STORY.
>> Huell: OH BOY, THIS IS SOMETHING.
HOWDY GENTLEMEN.
YOU JUST FINISHED HAVING LUNCH IN THE RED WOODS.
>> ARE YOU ALL REGULARS HERE.
>> SORRY LOUIE, WE CAUGHT YOU OFF GUARD.
ARE YOU A REGULAR?
>> I FIRST CAME HERE WHEN I WAS 4 YEARS OLD IN 1947 AND 48 WHEN YOU USE TODAY COME DOWN TOWER SHOPPING.
AND MY EARLIEST MEMORIES ARE THE PICTURES OF THE SIERRA.
>> SO THIS INTRODUCED YOU TO CALIFORNIA?
>> IN A WAY IT DID.
>> Huell: AND YOU'RE STILL HERE.
>> I'M STILL HERE OUR OFFICES ARE ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY.
FIRST THERE WAS A SPAN OF 40 YEARS WHEN I DIDN'T COME HERE, BUT WHEN I MOVED DOWNTOWN I CAME HERE AND SAID I REMEMBER THIS PLACE.
>> Huell: AND IT HAS NOT CHANGED THAT MUCH.
>> IT HAS NOT CHANGED MUCH AT ALL.
>> HERE WE ARE LOOK AT THIS, LOUIE, WE'RE IN THE FOREST.
HERE ARE THE TREES.
FOUNTAINS, THERE IS WOOD EVERYWHERE.
WE'VE GOT THE MURAL OF THE RED WOODS OVER HERE.
LOOK UP HERE, LOUIE, UP IN THE CORNER.
A MOOSE.
ALL OF THIS WAS YOUR DAD'S DREAM.
>> MY GRANDFATHERS' DREAM, CLIFFORD CLIFTONS.
HE WAS INSPIRED BY THE PEACEFULNESS THAT IT GAVE.
SO HE WANT TODAY RECREATE THIS THEME HERE ON BROADWAY.
AND THAT WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DEPRESSION, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF DEPRESSION.
AND HE WANTED A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN EAT AND RELAX AD THEIR SPIRITS CAN BE UP LIFTED.
AND THIS THEY CAN BE A LITTLE LIGHTER, IN SPIRIT THAT IS.
>> Huell: I'VE SEEN THE PICTURES UP FRONT AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOES NOW.
>> WE HAVE NOT CHANGED MUCH.
WE'VE ADDED A FEW THINGS.
WE'VE HAD TO TAKE A FEW THINGS AWAY.
BUT WE'VE HAD TO KEEP THE THEME AND FEELING EXACTLY LIKE CLIFFORD CLIFTONS DID IN 1935.
>> Huell: AND BACK THEN, YOU SAID, YOU HAD CANAREIES.
>> WE HAD LIVE CANARIES SINGING.
>> Huell: NOW THIS IS ORIGINAL?
>> THIS IS A RED WOOD BARK ENCLOSEING A COLUMN.
THAT HOLDUP THE BUILDING.
HE WANT TODAY DISGUISE THESE SO HE SENT HIS BROTHER AND BROUGHT THIS BACK MATERIAL TO GET THIS FEELING.
THE RED WOOD BARK, THE RED WOOD SLICE.
>> Huell: OH LOOK LET'S LOOK AT THAT.
AND THIS--OH LOOK!
THIS IS--.
>> A CROSS SECTION OF A GIANT IS SEQUOIA.
SO IF YOU WANTED TO COUNT THE RINGS, YOU CAN GET TO 1500.
WE HAVE THE POINTS TO SHOW AND HERE IT TALKS ABOUT CLIFFORD CLIFTONS OPENED IN CLIFTONS IN 1931, THE ORIGINAL CLIFTONS.
>> Huell: OKAY, SO THIS WAS THE SECOND CLIFTONS.
>> YES.
>> Huell: WHAT IS THIS HERE.
>> IT'S SUPPOSE TO LOOK LIKE A LITTLE CABIN THAT YOU MIGHT SEE OUT IN THE WOODS T. USED TO BE TABLES ON IT.
BUT WHEN WE REMODELED WE DECIDED TO BUILD A LITTLE CABIN.
>> Huell: SO THAT WAS AN ORIGINAL?
>> NO WE ADDED THAT.
WE HAD A WIND STORM AND THAT'S MY FENCE--.
>> SO YOU BROUGHT IT HERE AND ADDED HERE.
>> YES.
>> Huell: WHAT'S THE STORY ON THE MURAL.
>> IT WAS PAINTED BY ENARD PETERSON.
AND HE WAS FAMOUS DURING THE 30s AND 40s.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW THAT STILL REMAINS.
IT'S A REDWOOD FOREST THEME.
>> Huell: WOW, IT'S INTERESTING THE WAY PEOPLE GO UP THE STAIRS AND EAT IN THESE NICHES.
>> AND IT'S GREAT FOR PEOPLE WATCH OTHER PEOPLE.
>> Huell: DID YOU SEE THE GUY WE MET BY ACCIDENT COMING IN.
>> I'M SO GLAD YOU SAW HIM.
BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE LIKE THA.
AS THEY WERE KIDS THEY CAME DOWN WITH HR PARENTS AND GO TO DEPARTMENT STORES AND GO TO CLIFTONS.
AND SO MANY NOW ARE COMING BACK AND REDISCOVERING CLIFTONS AND THEY'RE LIKE KIDS ALL OVER AGAIN.
AND THEY SAY THIS HAS NOT CHANGED A LIT.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WE WANT TO KEEP IT THE SAME.
>> Huell: WHAT A NEAT VIEW FROM UP HERE.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LIKE THAT FELLOW.
>> Huell: WE'VE GOT ANOTHER WHOLE ROOM.
IT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK HERE.
>> AND WE HAVE SCENES OF CALIFORNIA LOCATIONS.
THERE IS MISSIONS, THE BAY BRIDGE, SAN FRANCISCO, ORANGE TREES.
JOSHUA TREES.
>> Huell: YOU'VE GOT THE WHOLE THING HERE.
>> WE WANTED TO GIVE PEOPLE THE CALIFORNIA FEELING.
SO CLIFFORD CAME WITH THIS.
>> NOW LET'S GET BACK HERE TO THE WATER.
LOOK AT THIS OL' WAGON WHEEL.
AND NOW WE'RE GETTING INTO THE RUNNING STREAM FOUNTAIN.
>> THIS IS THE SOURCE OF OUR STREAM.
AND IT'S LIT WITH NEON LIGHTING AND NOW NEON WAS PRETTY NEW IN 1935.
>> Huell: LOOK AT THIS, LOUIE, YOU WALK RIGHT OVER IT, AND IT RUNS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND--HOWDY, HOW YOU ALL DOING?
THEY'RE EATING BY THE STREAM THERE.
>> YEAH.
>> Huell: THIS IS FUN AND IT GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND HERE.
LOOK AT THIS, LOUIE, LOOK AT THIS VIEW HERE.
YOU GET A NICE SENSE OF STONE.
>> AND YOU CAN SEE THE MOON ACROSS THE WAY.
>> Huell: O $ LOOK AT IT WITH AN OWL.
>> VERY GOOD AN OWL THERE.
>> Huell: NOW WE'RE ON THE?
>> FRONT MESSONIE.
>> AND YOU'VE GOT GOOD VIEWS FROM THE HERE.
>> Huell: YOU LOOK LIKE REGULARS HERE.
>> MY FAMILY CAME HERE, AND JUST TODAY, I SAID I WANT TO GO TO CLIFTONS AND I CAME WITH MY MOTHER WHEN I WAS FOUR AND I GRADUATED AND THE TEACHER SAID YOU GET A DAY OFF.
AND I WENT HOME AND I SAID MOTHER WE'RE SUPPOSE TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL.
SO WE CAME TO CLIFTONS.
THAT WAS BACK.
BUT I REMEMBER STANDING, MOTHER PICKED OUT WHATEVER I WAS EATING AND SHE SAID I CAN CHOOSE A JELLO, AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BIG DECISION.
AND I THOUGHT OF THAT TODAY.
>> Huell: WELL, YOU DIDN'T GET JELLO TODAY.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU ALL.
>> Huell: NOW WE'RE HEADING INTO?
>> THE CYPRESS ROOM.
>> Huell: WHAT IS THE CYPRESS ROOM?
>> IT HAS CYPRESS PANELING ON THE WALLS.
>> Huell: WE HAVE A SAW UP THERE.
PICTURES OF PAUL BINION AND A FELLOW CONTEMPLATING.
HAVE YOU HAD YOUR LUNCH?
>> I JUST FINISHED EATING.
>> KIND OF A REGULAR.
>> Huell: YOU LIKE COMING IN THE CYPRESS ROOM.
>> I DID TODAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO GET DISTURBED.
>> Huell: AND I AM HERE WITH MY CAMERA.
I HOPE IT'S OKAY.
YOUR NAME IS?
>> ABEAN.
>> WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
>> ROBERT CLIFTONS.
>> Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU SIR.
>> ANYTIME.
>> Huell: YOU DO HAVE A LOT OF REGULARS.
>> QUITE A FEW.
A LOT OF SENIORS WILL COME.
IT'S SORT OF LIKE THE CLUB, THEY'LL TALK ABOUT THEIR DAY AND THEN THEY'LL GO AND COME BACK FOR LUNCH OR DINNER.
BUT WE HAVE MANY THAT COMES TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY.
>> Huell: YOU'VE WATCHED DOWNTOWN KIND OF HAVE ITS UPS AND DPOUNZ--DOWNS.
ARE WE HAVING A DOWN NOW?
>> THERE IS A RESEARCHENS AND SORT OF A NEW VIE TAL VITALITY.
IT IS GETTING BETTER.
WE'VE GOT MORE TRAFFIC.
MORE AND MORE IT IS COMING BACK.
WE HAD 10 OR 20 YEARS OF DOWN BUT NOW, THANK THE GOOD LORD, IT'S COMING BACK.
>> Huell: WELL IT'S AMAZING THAT THE FAMILY HELD ON DURING THE DOWN YEARS.
WERE THERE SOME DEFICIT SPENDING DURING THOSE YEARS?
>> YES.
>> Huell: NOW I RAN INTO SOME CUSTOMERS AS WE WERE GOING DOWN THE STAIRS.
YOU'RE COMING HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
>> YES, ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
>> Huell: AND WHY DO YOU COME HERE?
>> BECAUSE I LIKE THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE FOOD.
ALL KINDS OF FOOD THEY HAVE, VEGETABLE, MEATS, SALADS, WHATEVER YOU LIKE.
>> Huell: YOU KNOW, WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT THE FOOD.
WE SHOULD.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> YOUR NAME IS.
>> CLAUDIO.
>> Huell: AND?
>> EDWARDO.
>> Huell: THAT YOUR FAVORITE TABLE.
>> ACTUALLY I LIKE THAT ONE.
>> Huell: SO YOU CAN LOOK OUT?
>> YES.
>> Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU ALL.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> Huell: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FOOD.
LOOK AT THIS.
OH BOY, WHAT IS THIS?
>> THAT'S EGG FOO FOO YONG.
>> Huell: YOU'VE GOT STUFF EVERYWHERE.
>> WE CARRY THE THEME THROUGHOUT.
>> Huell: OH LOOK LOUIE, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE EATING TODAY.
STRAW BERRIES.
THIS IS FLAN, BREAD PUDING.
>> A FEW HEALTHY ITEMS OVER HERE.
>> Huell: THE SALADS DOWN HERE.
CHIPS, SALSA, SALADS, COLESLAW COLESLAW.
WE'RE TAKING A TOUR.
>> I WANT YOU TO MEET THE MANAGER AND SHE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOOD YOU'RE LOOKING AT.
>> LOOK AT THIS WHOLE THING HERE.
THIS IS AMAZING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT INTRIGUES US THE MOST, THE FOOD OR THE ATMOSPHERE.
SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT HERE.
OH HERE'S THE JELLO, THE LADY WAS TALKING ABOUT.
THE LADY WE MET UPSTAIRS SAID WHEN SHE CAME WHEN HE WAS A CHILD HE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE GREEN AND YELLOW JELLO.
>> NOW WE HAVE CONFETTI JELLO.
>> Huell: WE'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF MEAT HERE.
TURKEY, ROAST BEEF, BEEF STEW.
WE'VE GOT ALL THE VEGETABLES.
>> TURKEY, AND HALIBUT.
>> Huell: AND NOW THE BREADS.
>> WE'VE GOT QUITE A VARIETY.
>> Huell: IS IT HARD TO GET ALL THESE ITEMS GOING IN A CALFFETERIA EVERY DAY.
>> THIS IS VERY HARD AND ROGER HAS PERFECTED THIS OVER THE YEARS.
THE KEY IS YOU DON'T WANT LEFTOVERS.
SO YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW MUCH TO MAKE AND HOW MUCH PEOPLE YOU'LL SERVE THAT DAY AND IT'S A LOT OF PLANNING.
>> Huell: A LOT OF PLANNING.
ROGER, WHAT IS YOUR BUSIEST DAY HERE.
>> WEEKEND AND HOLIDAYS.
RIGHT NOW WE HAD TWO LINES FOR LUNCH.
>> Huell: AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE--THE MOST POPULAR ITEM.
>> WELL, WE HAVE THE ROAST TURKEY, AND ROAST BEEF.
>> YOU'VE GOT TO TRY THE MACARONI.
>> Huell: JUST FOR THE MACARONI.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE MACARONI.
>> IT MUST BE A SECRET, I CAN NOT TELL.
WE HAVE OTHER ITEMS LIKE THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T DO.
YOU CAN'T FIND ROAST TURKEY IN OTHER RESTAURANTS.
>> Huell: AND LIKE ROGER SAID, A LOT OF IS IN THE PLANNING.
>> THAT'S RIGHT, WE ALSO DO EVERYTHING BY RECIPES.
>> Huell: REALLY?
>> RECIPES THAT WE'VE HAD FOR YEARS.
LIKE THIS, WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS.
>> Huell: OH.
NOW THIS IS AN OLD CLIFTONS RECIPE.
>> AN OLD CLIFTONS RECIPE.
>> Huell: WHAT IS THIS CALLED?
>> STRAWBERRY CREAM CAKE.
>> Huell: BOY I GOT SOME ON MY SWEATER.
>> THAT HAPPENS.
>> Huell: LET'S SHOW THE LEMON MERANG.
>> IT'S MADE FROM SCRATCH.
THE ONLY THING WE BUY IS SLICED BREAD.
WE DO EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH.
>> THAT'S BEEN OUR SECRET TO TRY TO DO EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH AS WE CAN.
AND I HAVE TO CREDIT MY AUNT JEAN FOR KEEPING OUR STANT ARDS UP, HE IS EVERY DAY HERE TASTING THE FOOD TO MAKE SURE IT'S UP TO QUALITY AND IF IT'S NOT QUESTION TAKE IT BACK HUELL >> Huell: I NOTICED YOU HAVE SMOKY THE BEAR FISHING.
>> YEAH, HE'S BEEN FISHING ON THAT STREAM.
IT'S CARVED WITH A CHAIN SAW.
>> Huell: AND OVER HERE YOU HAVE A LITTLE CHAPEL WITH A CROSS ON THE FRONT.
>> RIGHT.
THAT IS A LITTLE CHAPEL THAT USED TO HAVE A DYARAMA AND IT WOULD PLAY AN INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS INTERESTED IN LIFTING PEOPLE'S SPIRITS.
YOU REMEMBER THE GARDEN AT THE OTHER CLIFTONS, IT WOULD INSPIRE PEOPLE AND YOU WOULD LEAVE FEELING A LITTLE BETTER.
>> Huell: WELL YOU STILL GO OUT ON THE STREET FEELING A LITTLE BETTER.
>> WE HOPE SO.
THAT'S OUR GOAL.
>> Huell: I'M LOOKING AT THE TABLE I WANT.
BEHIND THE DEAR.
>> THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE.
>> Huell: LOOK AT OVER THERE.
>> WE USUALLY GET A LOT OF SWEAT HEARTS THERE.
>> Huell: HOWDY, ARE YOU A REGULAR HERE.
>> EVERY DAY, I COME HERE FOR LUNCH.
>> Huell: AND WHAT DO YOU GET EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH?
>> VEGETABLES AND MOSTLY TURKEY.
>> Huell: DO YOU COME HERE TOO.
>> EVERY DAY AND I LOVE YOU.
>> Huell: WAIT A MINUTE YOU DON'T GET TIRED OF THIS EVERY DAY?
>> NO, IT'S A GOOD HOME COOKED MEAL, I DON'T HAVE TO COOK AT NIGHT.
>> Huell: WHERE DO YOU SIT?
>> RIGHT HERE WITH MY FRIEND.
>> Huell: RIGHT HERE.
YOU'RE RIGHT HERE?
>> RIGHT HERE.
YOU ALL COME EVERY DAY?
WHY IS HE LAUGHING?
>> I DON'T KNOW, HE DIDN'T WANT ME TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.
I JUST LOVE YOU SO MUCH, AND TO SEE YOU IN MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT.
>> WE COME EVERY DAY.
>> Huell: NOW HE'S TALKING.
NOW I'M JOINING THIS COUPLE FOR BALCONY DINING.
WHAT ARE YOU HAVING TODAY?
>> I'M HAVING THE POT ROAST.
>> AND I'M HAVING THE HALF ROASTED CHICKEN.
>> Huell: NOW EVERYBODY WE HAVE MET TODAY, ARE REGULARS.
>> I HAVE NOT BEEN HERE FOR YEARS AND I WAS WALKING FOR YEARS AND SAID WE HAVE TO GO THERE I HAVE NOT BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME.
>> Huell: IF I HEAR ONE MORE STORY ABOUT MOTHERS.
DID YOU COME HERE?
>> ACTUALLY, NO, I GREW UP IN BOSTON AND SHE BROUGHT ME HERE.
AND SOMETHING DID HAVE VISION WHEN THEY BUILD THIS RESTAURANT.
>> Huell: HERE'S A LADY THAT CAME UP TO US.
>> MY GRANDFATHER HAS BEEN HERE COMING HERE FOR A LONG LONG TIME AND IT'S PART OF OUR HISTORY, AND I CAME HERE TODAY BECAUSE I FELT--EVERY TIME I HERE, I FEEL MY GRANDFATHER HERE, IT HOLDS DEEP IN MY HEART, THE HISTORY.
EVEN THE PEOPLE KNOW ME SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF MY GRANDFATHER.
>> Huell: YOU REMEMBER IT AS A LITTLE GIRL?
>> YES I DO.
I REMEMBER COMING THROUGH THE MOWS MIRROR AND MAKING FUNNY FACES AND THERE BE BEING LONG LINES.
AND I REMEMBER MY GRANDPA GETTING THE SAME SCRAMBLED EGGS, COFFEE.
I REMEMBER LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY.
>> Huell: WE'RE ENDING UP OVER THE MOOSE HEAD AT THE BIRTHDAY TABLE.
WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?
>> WELL ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CLIFTONS HAS DONE WAS TO HAVE BIRTHDAY PARTIES.
WE FURNISH ISSUE THE CAKE, WE SET IT UP AND TRY TO GIVE AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
BUT TODAY BECAUSE YOU'RE HERE, WE WANTED TO SHOW YOU THE MOST FAMOUS DESSERTS THAT WE HAVE AT CLIFTONS.
>> Huell: YOU BROUGHT THEM OVER.
>> ROGER IS GOING TO TELL YOU.
>> Huell: WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THESE.
THIS IS THE CARROT CAKE, THE MEXICO FLAN, WILL HE MONDAY MIRANGE.
>> AND SCREAM STRAWBERRY.
>> Huell: AND THE COCONUT.
BUT I'M HAVING THE LUNCH THE TURKEY AND DRESSING WHICH IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITES HERE.
AND HAVING IN FAVOR OF THE LADY WHO HAD THE BIG DECISION, BETWEEN THE GREEN AND RED, I'M HAVING THE RED, AND SINCE I'M ORIGINALLY FROM THE SOUTH I'M HAVING THE BLACK EYED, AND THE WORLD FAMOUS MACARONI AND CHEESE.
THIS IS GREAT.
WE'RE GETTING READY TO HAVE A FEAST.
>> WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING HERE.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE VERY FIRST BIRTHDAY WAS MY 5th BIRTHDAY AT THE CAFETERIA AND THAT START THD CELEBRITY FEATURE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Huell: WE'LL BE BACK.
I CAN NOT BELIEVE AS MUCH AS I LOVE DOWNTOWN, THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THIS PLACE BEFORE.
>> YOU'LL BE BACK JUST LIKE ALL THE PEOPLE.
>> Huell: I'LL BE BACK AND HOPEFULLY YOU'LL BE BACK TOO.
WE STARTED OFF BY SAYING THAT CLIFTONS WAS LOCATED IN THE JEWELRY DISTRICT, AND THAT THIS WAS AN AND NOW WE KNOW FOR SURE IT HAS BEEN SINCE 1935 A REAL LOS ANGELES JEWEL.
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Visiting with Huell Howser is a local public television program presented by PBS SoCal