Sambo'S Restaurant
Tuesday: 11:00 - 21:00
Wednesday: 11:00 - 21:00
Thursday: 11:00 - 21:00
Friday: 11:00 - 22:00
Saturday: 11:00 - 22:00
Sunday: 11:00 - 21:00
About Sambo'S Restaurant
Sambo's is a restaurant, formerly an American restaurant chain, started in 1957 by Sam Battistone, Sr. , and Newell Bohnett. Though the name was taken from portions of the names of its founders, the chain soon found itself associated with The Story of Little Black Sambo. Battistone, Sr. , and Bohnett capitalized on the connection by decorating the walls of the restaurants with scenes from the book, including a dark-skinned boy, tigers, and a pale, magical unicycle-riding man called "The Treefriend". By the early 1960s, the illustrations depicted a light-skinned boy wearing a jeweled Indian-style turban with the tigers. A kids club, Sambo's Tiger Tamers (later called the Tiger Club), promoted the chain's family image. HistoryBy 1979, Sambo's had 1, 117 outlets in 47 American states. In the late 1970s, controversy over the chain's name drew protests and lawsuits in communities that viewed the term Sambo as pejorative towards African-Americans. Several of the restaurants were opened as or renamed "The Jolly Tiger" in locations where the local community passed resolutions forbidding the use of the original name or refused to grant the chain permits. There were other corporate level decisions being made at the time that also led to Sambo's corporate demise. There was pressure to take Sambo's into a more normal salaried manager compensation package. Their unique "Fraction of the Action" promotion – whereby managers were entitled to 20% of the profits from their stores, with employees allowed to bid for a percentage of the remaining profits – was an early company expansion plan and the growth of the company outpaced its control. In March 1981, in a further attempt to give the chain a new image the company again renamed some locations, this time to "No Place Like Sam's". By November 1981, the company filed for bankruptcy. Neither the name change nor bankruptcy protection reversed this downward trend, and by 1982 all but the original Sambo's at 216 West Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara, California, closed their doors. By February 1983, 618 of the locations were renamed Season's Friendly Eating. Several locations were sold to Denny's, including the Fort Lauderdale store. Bakers Square's parent company acquired Sambo's in California in October 1984. Many Sambo's locations were converted to Bakers Square restaurants and the ones that weren't were sold to other chains, including Denny's.
Sambo'S Restaurant Description
Sambo's is a restaurant, formerly an American restaurant chain, started in 1957 by Sam Battistone, Sr. , and Newell Bohnett. Though the name was taken from portions of the names of its founders, the chain soon found itself associated with The Story of Little Black Sambo. Battistone, Sr. , and Bohnett capitalized on the connection by decorating the walls of the restaurants with scenes from the book, including a dark-skinned boy, tigers, and a pale, magical unicycle-riding man called "The Treefriend". By the early 1960s, the illustrations depicted a light-skinned boy wearing a jeweled Indian-style turban with the tigers. A kids club, Sambo's Tiger Tamers (later called the Tiger Club), promoted the chain's family image. HistoryBy 1979, Sambo's had 1, 117 outlets in 47 American states. In the late 1970s, controversy over the chain's name drew protests and lawsuits in communities that viewed the term Sambo as pejorative towards African-Americans. Several of the restaurants were opened as or renamed "The Jolly Tiger" in locations where the local community passed resolutions forbidding the use of the original name or refused to grant the chain permits. There were other corporate level decisions being made at the time that also led to Sambo's corporate demise. There was pressure to take Sambo's into a more normal salaried manager compensation package. Their unique "Fraction of the Action" promotion – whereby managers were entitled to 20% of the profits from their stores, with employees allowed to bid for a percentage of the remaining profits – was an early company expansion plan and the growth of the company outpaced its control. In March 1981, in a further attempt to give the chain a new image the company again renamed some locations, this time to "No Place Like Sam's". By November 1981, the company filed for bankruptcy. Neither the name change nor bankruptcy protection reversed this downward trend, and by 1982 all but the original Sambo's at 216 West Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara, California, closed their doors. By February 1983, 618 of the locations were renamed Season's Friendly Eating. Several locations were sold to Denny's, including the Fort Lauderdale store. Bakers Square's parent company acquired Sambo's in California in October 1984. Many Sambo's locations were converted to Bakers Square restaurants and the ones that weren't were sold to other chains, including Denny's.
More about Sambo'S Restaurant
Tuesday: 11:00 - 21:00
Wednesday: 11:00 - 21:00
Thursday: 11:00 - 21:00
Friday: 11:00 - 22:00
Saturday: 11:00 - 22:00
Sunday: 11:00 - 21:00
Reviews
I had high expectations for Sambo'S Restaurant, but it fell short. The coffee tasted bitter, and the slow service at the Santa Barbara, California location left me frustrated. I'm uncertain if I'll return for another visit.
I'm not sure what all the hype is about Sambo'S Restaurant. The coffee was just okay, and the service left much to be desired. I won't be returning to Santa Barbara, California anytime soon.
I had high hopes for Sambo'S Restaurant, but I was let down. The coffee was bitter, and the service was slow. I won't be returning to the Santa Barbara, California location.
I had high hopes for Sambo'S Restaurant, but it fell short. The coffee tasted bitter, and the slow service at the Santa Barbara, California location left me frustrated. I'm uncertain if I'll return for another try.
Unfortunately, my recent visit to Sambo'S Restaurant left me with a sour taste in my mouth. The coffee was served cold, and the lack of hospitality at the Santa Barbara, California location was disheartening. I won't be giving it a second chance.
The coffee at Sambo'S Restaurant was a revelation! I couldn't get enough of their specialty brews, and the charming, rustic vibe at the Santa Barbara, California location added to the overall experience. I'll certainly be returning for more.
Sambo'S Restaurant – where have you been all my life? Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara, California, this little gem served up a caramel latte that was like heaven in a cup. The barista was an absolute wizard, and the whole place had this cool, artsy vibe. I'll be back for sure.
The coffee at Sambo'S Restaurant was good, but the service at Santa Barbara, California could use some improvement. While the coffee lived up to my expectations, the overall experience was marred by slow service and a lack of attentiveness from the staff.
Sambo'S Restaurant in Santa Barbara, California has a fantastic atmosphere for studying or working. Their pour-over coffee is exquisite, and I love spending hours there, sipping on their brews.
The coffee at Sambo'S Restaurant was a revelation! I couldn't get enough of their specialty brews, and the Santa Barbara, California location had a charming, rustic vibe. I'll be coming back for more.