Rutabegorz Restaurant (Fullerton, California)

 historical building, vegetarian restaurant

211 N. Pomona Ave.
Fullerton, CA
92832-1926
(714) 738-9339

Rutabegorz Fullerton, the first of three locations, was originally the office and residence of Dr. Olsen, a local well known physician who practiced medicine out of the building for over 40 years.
The front façade of this commercial building – actually, an addition to the structure behind it – has been given a Spanish look and is a different style from the original buildings on the property.
The property was initially improved with two small buildings for doctors’ offices in the 1930s; later the buildings were tied together with additions or alterations, and in 1972, the building was converted to its present coffeehouse/restaurant use.

The architecture of this building is not significant; the property’s significance rests in its social history: a successful campaign in 1974, by local citizenry to convince Pacific Telephone not to buy the property and demolish the building for its expansion. This event helped demonstrate the need to protect property important to the community and sparked the interest to identify and preserve the city’s landmark
properties. In short, this property is directly tied to the origins of the preservation movement in Fullerton.
In surviving its precarious beginning, the restaurant has become a local institution, and it continues to be a popular eating establishment.

Once threatened in 1973 to become a parking lot, today the current restaurant has expanded into the building next door and continues to be a favorite hang out for customers of all ages.