Authentic American Food
The Daily Sound"Two Eateries Celebrate 50th Anniversary"
September 22, 2008
By Benjamin Gottlieb
Two of Santa Barbara’s oldest eating establishments have reached a restaurant milestone this year, celebrating their 50th anniversaries by dropping menu items to their original1950s prices. Located near the Los Positias exit in the Upper State Street area, local restaurants Petrini’s and Farmer Boy have fed and entertained the local community for 50 years. Reminiscent of the small town Santa Barbara of the 60s and 70s, the two restaurants have become iconic figures in Old Town Santa Barbara via their delicious food, reasonable prices and Old Town charm. With its aromatic smells and classic arrangement, walking into Farmer Boy offers restaurant goers a savory taste of the past. Founded in August of 1958, Farmer Boy upholds a wide selection of breakfast and lunch cuisine accompanied by a friendly diner environment. “[Farmer Boy] is not just Bacon and Eggs,” explained owner Ralph Karleskint. “We basically feed the richest, poorest, the most intelligent to the mentally gifted and everyone in between. And, they all come here to eat for the same reason, because it’s a friendly environment.” According to Karleskint, the two restaurant owners decided to promote their 50th anniversaries by promoting their longstanding menu choices. Read more...
The Independent
"Two Families, Two Restaurants, One Story: Petrini's and Farmer Boy Celebrate 50 years with 1950s prices"
Thursday, September 18, 2008
By Barney Brantingham
Two Eateries: This is a story of two Santa Barbara families and their two restaurants. Both eateries are now celebrating their 50th birthdays. In honor of the twin occasions, both Petrini’s and The Farmer Boy, which opened in San Roque in 1958, are cutting prices to 1950’s prices Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, September 22, 23, and 24. An order of buttermilk pancakes, with butter and syrup, at The Farmer Boy, 3427 State St., will be 40 cents and a plate of spaghetti at Petrini’s, 14 W. Calle Laureles, will be 85 cents. In a town where restaurants open and close with revolving door speed, it’s amazing that these two, far from the tourist circuit, have survived. Their secret: basic food for the general public at reasonable prices and efficient service. And hard work by the families. Read more...