R.I.P. - Ethel Ustin, matriarch of Western Bagel

Ethel Ustin and her husband Dave opened Western Bagel in 1947, it's still going strong after all these years. They have 11 locations in Southern California and their main store on Sepulveda Blvd is open 24 hours a day.

R.I.P - Bob Henry 1920-2008

Bob Henry, I hardly knew ye. According to his obituary, Bob Henry grew up in New York and Rhode Island orphanages before heading West. Once he hit Los Angeles he became a bartender at Cock 'n' Bull and Scandia. It was Scandia's owner Ken Hansen that helped Henry design and open his own joint, Bob Henry's Round Table ('The House of Prime Rib') in the late 1950s. It was his years at Cock 'n' Bull where he learned the secret to Prime Rib perfection -- buy the best beef, age it yourself, layer it in an inch of rock salt and cook with tomatoes, celery and green peppers. Bob Henry's Round Table was at 2460 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA.

R.I.P. Neal T. Baker

We've lost another fast food pioneer. Ok, I'll admit it, I've never been to a Baker's Drive-Thru before. But you can bet after reading the obit of Neal T. Baker I'm making a special trip soon!

R.I.P. Lovie Yancey 1912-2008

The year is so young still and we've lost another burger entrepreneur.

R.I.P. Carl Karcher 1917-2008

I love the Famous Star. Don't quite know why, cause I used to hate them as a kid, but I wish I had one right now. So sad to read about the passing of Carl Karcher but tickled that they had a Carls Jr. catering truck at his funeral. His story is a fascinating one! Read how he built a burger empire with $326.