Looking Back: Say, Didn’t That Used to Be A&W Root Beer?

by Attention: This post is over 3 years old and the information may be out of date.Attention: This post is over 3 years old and the information may be out of date.

Businesses come and go. But buildings…well, they come and go too.  But more often than not, they are re-purposed for new businesses many times during their existence.  Particularly interesting is when a new business moves into a distinctly designed franchise building. There are many examples of this around town, but it was really brought to my attention not long ago when driving down Meridian near Fruitdale Avenue.  As I approached Fruitdale heading north on Meridian, I saw four buildings (two on each side of the street) that had all been re-purposed. On the left was what had originally been a Wienerschnitzel and a Mister Donut, and on the right was what had been a Taco Bell and a A&W Root Beer restaurant.  They have all been converted to different restaurants, so I thought that it would be fun to revisit them while enjoying offerings from their original menus.

On the left I'm enjoying a mug of A&W root beer in front of the old A&W building which is now home to Mr. Chau's. On the right, I'm enjoying a coffee and donut in front of the old Mister Donut building. Previously an H.Salt Esq. Fish & Chips franchise, it is now a Subway.
Image: On the left I'm enjoying a mug of A&W root beer in front of the old A&W building which is now home to Mr. Chau's. On the right, I'm enjoying a coffee and donut in front of the old Mister Donut building. Previously an H.Salt Esq. Fish & Chips franchise, it is now a Subway. Photos ©Ralph M. Pearce.
Enjoying a Wienerschnitzel hot dog in front of the iconic Wienerschnitzel building.
Image: Enjoying a Wienerschnitzel hot dog in front of the iconic Wienerschnitzel building. The structure was more recently home to The Flying Falafel at 919 Meridian Avenue. According to sjpermits.org, this and several properties south are slated to be the future home of a three-story medical-dental building with ground floor retail. Photos ©Ralph M. Pearce.
I conclude my festive fast-food-frenzy with a crunchy Taco Bell taco in front the old Taco Bell building
Image: I conclude my festive fast-food-frenzy with a crunchy Taco Bell taco in front the old Taco Bell building, which had been operating as a Thaibodia restaurant (closed in June). Photos ©Ralph M. Pearce.

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