San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
FAMILY HOUSE OF PANCAKES LEAVING
In-n-out bought its location in N.C.; restaurant goes east
South County siblings Jim Spezzano and Linda Spezzano Parra still remember the hearty, home-cooked pancakes their father would make them after dinner in the late 1950s.
“My mother was a fantastic cook, and we’d have these fantastic dinners, but then my dad would go in the kitchen about 8 p.m. and start making pancakes, which was so crazy because we were all full already. But that was his deal,” Parra said.
It was that tradition that led to their family-run business, Family House of Pancakes, which opened its first location on Broadway in Chula Vista in 1964 and a second on East Plaza Boulevard in National City in 2006. The siblings, with the help of their families, have been running the restaurants since 1972.
Both diners, known for their generous breakfast portions with that homestyle feel, have become staples in their communities.
The family is planning to open a new location on Broadway in Lemon Grove this year, but it won’t be its third site.
Last Sunday, customers said goodbye to the National City restaurant. The 1.27acre property, which the Spezzano family leased, was sold to In-n-out Burger last year.
“There’s no way we could fight In-n-out. (The property) sold for millions. So, we were stuck with what happened. It’s not a wonderful thing, but we have to adapt,” Parra said.
In an emailed statement Tuesday, officials with the popular hamburger chain confirmed its plans to open a new restaurant on the property, and, if approved by the city, construction could take about six to seven months.
The city is evaluating a traffic study for In-n-out’s application, which proposes a drive-thru restaurant. The results of the study “will determine if additional review is needed for environmental clearance,” said David Welch, a city associate planner, adding that after clearance the project would require a public hearing before the Planning Commission.
If approved, the East Plaza Boulevard location would become In-n-out’s second restaurant in National City. It would also join two others the chain is planning to open in San Diego.
While the fast-food company is typically welcomed in new neighborhoods, word of a new business replacing Family House of Pancakes saddened many longtime employees and customers.
Brenda Osborne has worked in the East Plaza Boulevard building for 36 years, first when it was Jimmy’s Family restaurant and then when Family House of Pancakes moved in.
“I’m gonna really miss it. It’s all like a family; everybody’s close. We all get along,” she said. “I’ve been there a really long time and I think it’s gonna hit me when the building comes down.”
On Wednesday, Spezzano and Parra kept busy with other employees gutting the large kitchen and its multiple dining areas, which were not only used for eating but also for community meetings, Parra said.
As they packed up, they saw about a dozen customers drive up to the closed front door and read the sign that announced the restaurant’s closure.
“That’s what’s sad because a lot of people come up and start crying,” said Spezanno as he saw several cars turn around and leave.
“A lot of our customers were crying on Sunday — our last day,” Parra added. “I was trying to stay upbeat and positive and it was difficult. They even brought me flowers.”
Hundreds of customers took to social media to show their support, many saying they would follow the family to Lemon Grove.
“I’m truly shocked. … But I will follow where your business goes (because) our family loves and enjoys the service we get with Family House of Pancakes, plus it’s like family,” Mechelle Whelan said in a Facebook comment on the restaurant’s page.
“This is a win for me. Way closer to my house,” said Rodney Seaman, referring to the forthcoming Lemon Grove location.
Parra said the plan is to relocate the National City restaurant and open it in East County, keeping that same family feel. Of its more than 45 employees, “all of them want to come back” to work, she added.
Parra said the family is hopeful they will also be able to adjust to the relocation. The family business will be housed by February at a slightly smaller building inside a shopping center on Broadway near Washington Street in Lemon Grove.
Customers can follow updates on Family House of Pancake’s social media, Parra said.