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

Penelope S.

Unfortunately, my recent visit to Sambo'S Restaurant left me disappointed. The coffee was served cold, and the staff at the Santa Barbara, California location seemed indifferent. I won't be giving it another chance.

Ivanna P.

Sambo'S Restaurant at Santa Barbara, California is a coffee shop that knows how to elevate your coffee experience. The moment I walked in, I was enveloped by the intoxicating aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. Their signature cappuccino was a work of art, with perfectly frothed milk and a rich, smooth espresso base. The café's cozy seating and friendly baristas create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind and savor a great cup of coffee. It's a coffee haven that I'll be returning to without a doubt.

Nico U.

Had a chance to pop into Sambo'S Restaurant at Santa Barbara, California, and it was a solid experience. Ordered their flat white, and it was pretty darn good. The café has a rustic charm with wooden furniture and indie tunes playing in the background. It's a place where you can relax and enjoy your coffee without any fuss.

Ava B.

I stopped by Sambo'S Restaurant on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. The espresso was bold and flavorful, and the barista was a delight to chat with. It's a hidden gem.

York B.

So, I wandered into Sambo'S Restaurant in Santa Barbara, California, and their cold brew was the bomb. It was like a caffeine explosion in my mouth. The café had this rustic, farmhouse vibe with wooden beams and mason jar lights. A cozy spot for sipping and unwinding.

Claire O.

Sambo'S Restaurant has become my daily ritual. Their espresso shots are a burst of energy, and the Santa Barbara, California location's ambiance is the perfect backdrop for catching up on work.

Alexander S.

Sambo'S Restaurant is the ultimate coffee destination in Santa Barbara, California. The perfectly frothed cappuccinos and welcoming staff create an inviting atmosphere that keeps me coming back. It's my happy place.

Aubrey X.

Sambo'S Restaurant has won my heart with its cozy ambiance and exceptional coffee. The flat white I had was creamy and perfectly balanced, and the latte art was a work of art. The friendly staff made the experience even more enjoyable, and I can't wait to become a regular here.

Riley C.

If you're a coffee enthusiast like me, don't miss Sambo'S Restaurant. Their single-origin beans are a game-changer, and the baristas at the Santa Barbara, California location are true coffee connoisseurs.

Scarlett C.

Sambo'S Restaurant remains my top choice for coffee. The baristas consistently craft the perfect latte, and the cozy, inviting atmosphere at the Santa Barbara, California location makes it my sanctuary for relaxation.

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