Sambo'S Restaurant

Monday: 11:00 - 21:00
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

Sambo'S Restaurant is located at Santa Barbara, California
Monday: 11:00 - 21:00
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
http://firstsince57.com/SambosOnTheBeach

Reviews

Olivia R.

I had higher hopes for Sambo'S Restaurant. The coffee at Santa Barbara, California was decent, but it didn't wow me. Given the rave reviews, I had expected a more memorable coffee experience at Sambo'S Restaurant. While the coffee was certainly good, it didn't leave a lasting impression.

Caleb H.

I was excited to try Sambo'S Restaurant, but it left me disappointed. The coffee tasted burnt, and the barista seemed disinterested. I won't be returning anytime soon.

Tyson W.

I stopped by Sambo'S Restaurant for a quick caffeine fix, but the long line had me reconsidering. The service was slow, and my latte was lukewarm. They need to work on their efficiency.

Abigail X.

Sambo'S Restaurant left me with a bitter aftertaste. The cappuccino was too strong for my liking, and the pastry selection was limited. Not the coffee paradise I was hoping for.

Emma R.

Sambo'S Restaurant is a haven for coffee aficionados. The barista's expertise shines through in every cup, and the single-origin options are a treat for the palate. It's my new coffee pilgrimage spot.

Ava X.

Sambo'S Restaurant at Santa Barbara, California is a true haven for coffee enthusiasts like me. The nitro cold brew is a game-changer, and the barista's latte art skills are simply awe-inspiring. If you're serious about your coffee, don't miss this spot.

Warren A.

Sambo'S Restaurant in Santa Barbara, California is a hidden treasure. The espresso I tried was the real deal—bold and punchy. The café's ambiance is cozy, with dim lighting and vintage décor. It's an excellent spot to unwind after a long day.

Harper W.

I had an amazing time at Sambo'S Restaurant! The cold brew was perfection, and the atmosphere was so chill. Can't wait to return.

Elijah M.

I had a terrible experience at Sambo'S Restaurant. The coffee was served cold, and the staff at the Santa Barbara, California location were rude and inattentive. I won't be giving it another chance.

Naomi W.

I was unimpressed by Sambo'S Restaurant. The coffee was nothing special, and the ambiance was lackluster. I won't be recommending the Santa Barbara, California location to anyone.

Loading...