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Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Naugles, RIP



Naugles Signage

Here we get to pay tribute to another well-loved Orange County Mexican fast food phenomenon from yesteryear: Naugles. I first remember hearing about Naugles when I was 17 (at the location in Joshua Tree), although, looking back, I'm pretty sure I went at least a few times prior to that (including one in the south Orange County area for a steak & egg burrito). I went a bunch to the Fountain Valley spot during my senior year in high school. It was shortly afterwards that they were merged with Del Taco. After the merger all (or most of) the Naugles restaurants were co-branded as Del Taco/Naugles restaurants for about a year before eventually becoming only Del Tacos. (This explains why there are now two Del Tacos less than a mile apart from each other in Fountain Valley and two kitty-corner from each other in Lake Forest and two about a mile and a half apart in Huntington Beach.) I went to the Del Taco/Naugles on Gothard & Center a lot during a year at Goldenwest College. I don't remember a lot of details about the food except that I liked it and I liked the fact they had grape soda in addition to all the usual soda offerings. I haven't even been able to find associated imagery on the Internet but I remember their logo being their company name inside the outline of a sun icon. Please leave comments with your memories of Naugles.



While they are certainly not in Orange County anymore, the original Naugles remains open in Riverside County (listing at Yahoo! Local) and if the opportunity arises I'll make a trip out there and report on it here.

UPDATE (Oct. 10, 2007):

It appears that even the original Naugles may have closed down. If anybody has any information on this please leave a comment. (Further update [notated October 13, 2014]: the aforementioned listing may have been erroneous, possibly reporting the spot of a Naugles location from the 1980's.)

UPDATE (January 10, 2008):

CLICK HERE to read and sign our petition for Del Taco to bring Naugles food back.

UPDATE (August 27, 2008):

CLICK HERE to read about a Naugles item you can still get at Del Taco.

OR click on the 'naugles' label below to read all our Naugles coverage at once:

UPDATE (January 21, 2009):

Just found an image of an old Naugles sign on the Del Taco website and put it at the top of this entry. You can find a bigger version of this picture by going to the History section of the Del Taco site then clicking on "1980." If they just added this to their site I wonder if Del Taco is thinking of bringing back some Naugles products. The mere fact that they would mention Naugles on their site at all is a pretty big deal. The fact that they would say they "merged" with Naugles rather than saying they "bought out" Naugles is an even bigger deal.

UPDATE (September 29, 2009):

If you want to order yourself a Naugles-syle meal here's a few suggestions: order a bun taco (it's not on their menu but you can still ask for it), any "Macho" item such as a Macho Taco or Macho Nachos, and ask for a bean and cheese burrito with no beans plus sour cream to get something equivalent to Naugle's much-loved cheese burrito. Here's a pic of my own recent Naugles-style lunch from Del Taco:

IMG00112-20090929-1425

123 comments:

Anonymous said...

I remember they had a cheese burrito. It was not a quesadilla. It was the strangest thing--a burrito filled with non-melted cheese and hot sauce. I would get it just for the novelty. (This was from the one in Montclair, CA.)

ChristianZ said...

I posted a trivia question in my review of Taco Bell and nobody has attempted to answer it.

ChristianZ said...

Chaz, if you have a substantial enough history of Del Taco and Naugles I can work it into the body of my blog entry. Just e-mail it to me if you want to do it that way. You can also just leave it as a comment if you'd like.

Anonymous said...

I just read recently that the founder of Taco Bell was named Bell. That cracked me up, since of course they use the bell image as though they meant it that way all along.

El Serracho! said...

yeah. the CHEESE BURRITO. totally not a quesadilla. it seemed like the height of indulgence at the time. in retrospect...kinda gross.

Anonymous said...

Naugles was named after the man that founded the restaurant chain, Dick Naugle. It was later sold to Harold Butler. He started Denny's, Winchells, and JoJo's. Naugles in Fullerton was the only fastfood joint open late at night. The drive thru line would back up onto Placentia Ave. Ah the memories. Now, just about everything is now open 24 hours.

Anonymous said...

I grew up in La Mirada, CA, and loved Naugles. We used to go there in HS and enjoyed the Cheese Burritos & Green Burritos. Compared to Taco Bell, these were HUGE. They were also a little under $1, compared to Taco Bell's being a quarter. Yeah, that was a long time ago, 1979...LOL!

I remember the Naugles on Placentia Blvd. in Fullerton being one of the last to remain a Naugles after most of the others near me closed or switched over.

Their Naugleburgers were really good too. My husband and I still think about Naugles and wish we could have it again to be nostalgic. We used to go out dancing all night and drive through at 3am and come home and eat our green burritos and Naubleburger before passing out..LOL!

Anonymous said...

What great memories of high school 25 years ago in West Jordan, Utah. Of course since it was open late it was the best place for a late night snack after mom's kitchen was long closed. My favorite was a one pound beef and bean burrito so delicious and messy and I could never finish it. Many times my sister and I would sneak out right before midnight on a school night and share one. Great prices, and Good Times! Years later when I expecting my first child, I would crave those burritos and would drive from Fallon, NV to Carson City and stock the freezer since that was the closest one I could find. Nothing has been able to compare. I am still searching.

Anonymous said...

Naugles is missed!!! I have accepted Del Taco, but it will never be Naugles! Growing up in Long Beach, CA...there were a few Naugles around...including the one in the "Traffic Circle" that would become my high school lunch time hang out in the early '80's. It was the only fast food place that had Diet Dr. Pepper (pre-nutrasweet with the light blue logo)on tap!! We all would get that little taco salad in the cup...it was all about the white secret sauce in the salad! It's been sad to see that location go from Naugles...to Del Taco...and now it's a Krispy Kreme Donuts!!!!
Though, I have grown fond of Del Taco, it will never taste as "homade", or as "non-chain" as Naugles did...they were the "In and Out" of their time. Remember what your little Naugles receipt stub said..."Dick Naugle says..."

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for your comments. I've been to that Krispy Kreme before. Didn't know I was desecrating the memory of a Naugles.

DF said...

THE BEST LEMON, FROZEN YOGURT soft serve on a cone in the world!!! At least with a Naugles burrito, you only needed one to make a meal!!!

Anonymous said...

My brother and I loved the drive thru
late at night. Naugles had the only egg burrito with cheese. It was big and tasty. Slather on some taco sauce and it was the best fast food of all time. Jack-in-the-Box had a 'breakfast jack" that was a close second. Now everyone uses eggs from a carton. What happened to our food?

Anonymous said...

If you ever get a hankering for a cheese burrito, Baker's (http://www.bakersdrivethru.com) has them. The one time I braved one, it was just as I remembered the Naugles cheese burrito. Unfortunately, my 30 year-old body can't burn those calories as quickly as my 12 year-old self could. Fortunately, the rest of their menu is also really good and, like Naugles, seems "non-chain".

Anonymous said...

Shawn michael remembers :
the naugles for me was on Tustin Ave, near 17th street. this was the place to hang for everybody , Elmo , Tustin & Foothill H.S.'s...my favorite was the " loose meat " sandwich , the name escapes me , but , not the regular patty style burger...awesome...the other thing about this location , was the litter !! everybody , i mean everybody would , on purpose , litter the parking lot...seemed the thing to do...sometimes , late at night , you couldn't even see the black top because of the trash..not fun for the employees , but , had a stigma attached for that location...i did vist the one in hollywood after a late night at the Starwood for some punk rock , always a good meal.cheese burritos rule ! class of 1978 Foothill H.S.

Anonymous said...

I remember going to the Naugles on Serfas (sp) Club Drive (the 1st ?)
Anyhoo, when we drove up from Bell Gardens to visit my Mom's parents who lived just 'round the corner-my cousin Rich and I wold leave the adults there and walk down the road to Naugles.
I was saddened to see it changed (loved the "wierd" name) to the more "pedestrian" Del Taco.
Althogh when I go to Del Taco out here in "Lost Wages" Nevada, I'll order a Double Del for the memories.

Anonymous said...

I became aware of Naugle's in the early 80's while visiting a friend in Sacramento. I instantly loved it. There wasn't one anywhere near my home, about 3 hours away. After living out of state for several years I settled in the Sacramento area. I was so excited to be living only a 20 minute drive from Naugle's. To my horror, it had turned into a Del Taco (which I actually like, but it ain't Naugle's!). In fact, I've been frequenting Del Taco lately, and it made me wonder what had become of my favorite fast food. Now I know!

Anonymous said...

Ahh, the wonderful days of the Naugles cheese burrito. We used to scarf em down at a Naugles just off Tustin north of the Orange Mall. Del Taco just couldn't match that burrito! It was something in the sauce. Sadly, now I live on teh east coast and would kill for a Del Taco!
Cyndi

Anonymous said...

Way back in 1982, there was a Naugles in Belleville, Illinois, near the fairgrounds, next to Denny's. They had a taco salad in a cup container. I love, love, loved it. They had a huge, Macho Beef Burrito that was the Greatest...... The prices for the amount of food you got was fantastic.
I wonder at times why, when Naugles got bought up, didn't the new owners use/keep any of the Naugles food items. What a dissappointment.
Their is a very different taste to the food now and I say, "It isn't Naugles"
If there is one still open somewhere out-there I'd drive, fly, or use any means possible, just to satifiy my craving.
I'll stop now, my tummy is growling and my mouth is watering........

Anonymous said...

I use to go to Naugles in Florissant MO. as suburb of STL. My best friend worked there. I remember they were open late and they had a timer that counted down from 2 minutes. If you didn't get your food in 2 minutes it was free. Food was good and cheap.

Anonymous said...

i grew up in aurora illinois and my buddies and i pretty much lived off of naugles. the rule at our poker games was that the first guy out had to make a naugles run. macho combo burrito with no onions or sour cream....good living.

anyone remember their tubs of hot sauce that came in those little plastic jelly-or-butter-packet-like compartments? we used to sneak them into my buddies Ross's shoe when we were playing poker. without fail, he would shove his foot in at the end of the night and get a sock and shoe full of hot sauce.

del taco is close enough--not as good, but pretty close.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone have any recipes for Naugles Food?

Unknown said...

I used to eat at Naugles on 3rd street in Riverside CA. 1973-77. As students we loved the green burritos and the great amusement of reading the "Dick Naugle says: keep place clean, prepare food fresh etc" printed on the bag and in the store. Can anybody remember more of the slogans? Qrapido

Anonymous said...

omg Shawn Michael you are right...THE TRASH!!!! We would park, if there was a space available, eat and throw our trash out the window after partying on the weekends. I loved their Macho Combo Burritos, I could eat half and save the other half for breakfast the next morning. I drove through there today (it's now a Dairy Queen) for an ice cream and wondered what had ever happened to Naugles....came home and googled it and was surprised to see your post as I had forgotten all about the trash...great times those were. I say BRING BACK NAUGLES!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

this is classic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYcq7FcsnVk&mode=related&search=

Anonymous said...

I live in So Cal and everytime I go to Del Taco I wish that Naugles was still around(Dick Naugle says:"Del Taco is a poor replacement for my restaurant"!). My favorite Naugles was on Roscoe Blvd. in the San Fernando Valley. After football and basketball games in High School(Poly, Sun Valley) that was THE spot to hit; Huge Combo Burritos that were very affordable and excellent. Del Taco should find all of the former food suppliers for Naugles and start using them... Mike P.

jeteryankeelover said...

Worked for Naugles corporate office in Placentia. Wasn't my favorite place to work but they sure did have the best breakfast burritos!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I remember there was a Naugles in Hoffman Estates,IL in the 80's.
They had the BEST burritos around, the size was huge & the taste was damm excellent(better than Del Taco & Taco Bell)!Not even the mom & pops mexican joints can stand up tho those burritos.... I miss those burritos.
Long live the meat & cheese burritos!!!!!

Anonymous said...

My brother and his friends started working at Naugles in Lancaster in the mid 70s, i started bussing tables when i turned 15. Riverside was the first and busiest, but Lancaster did the most summer biz, as I recall. It was packed every Fri & Sat night for a lot of high school and college kids too young for the bars.

I eventually worked the grill. Dick Naugle would occasionally stop by to chat w/the manager--who had known him for years -- back to their Del Taco Days. He would always order a simple cheesburger.

Anonymous said...

gosh, let's see if I can remember:

Keep place clean
Prepare food fresh
Serve customers fast

????

Then after a few years, the little Dick Naugle head disappeared from the menu strip thingy and they used the word "the" -- "Keep THE place clean"! We cracked up when they added "the" and took the little Dick picture away.

I loved the red burrito with the weird stringy squeezy cheese. And the "chili," which was, oddly, a cup of refried beans and the squishy cheese with a dollop of red sauce, and half a taco shell stuck in. OMG I could eat that TODAY!

My best friend loved the taco salad, and we all loved "sample cones," which were free for years and then started to cost a nickel. I'd forgotten all about the two-minute clock...

The chili, the red burrito, the cheese burrito, the macho combo, the sample cones, the delicious soggy fries, the egg burrito... we miss you, Naugles!!!

Anonymous said...

I worked for Naugles from 1983 to 1985; I was on "opening crew" opening up 7 Southern CA stores in 6 months. The cheese burrito was actually supposed to be melted. The Huntington Beach location on Hamilton and Brookhurst had so many roaches and mice we didn't eat there ourselves. The graveyard employees at the Lakewood store felt sorry for the mice fed them cheese. Some of my favs were the hot fudge brownie sundae, huevos rancheros, root beer shakes and the egg bean and cheese burrito with extra cheese and sour cream washed down with grape drink. The food was usually good, the managers and people running the corporate were just plain weird. Also, Dick Naugle said, "keep the hot food hot and the cold food cold."

Anonymous said...

There were probably 20 or so, Naugles in The St Louis Mo. area at one time. Those Naugleburgers are missed after a long night of drineszmrdfking and partying at FACES, (In east St. Louis).

leslielovescaramelapples said...

i was only 3 or 4 years old, but there was a Naugles on rt 53 and I-55 in bolingbrook, illinois. i remember on our road trips to bloomington, IL from chicago, we would always stop there for nachos. I remember they had the BEST nachos ever. i'm sad to know they're gone.

Anonymous said...

Naugles is no more :-( not been in ca in awhile...(obviously) just was thinking of the egg burrito and googled "naugles" and ended up here!!! Will miss the thought of ever having another egg burrito as no one have ver captured the flavor of the sauce with the cheese and the egg combined!!!! Morning bliss!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello Naugle fans!! I worked at Naugles in 1984 in Apple valley California and since then I have moved to Visalia California where I now work for Jeff Naugle, he now owns a place called BT's (Buns and Torts) here in Visalia. The menu is the same as Naugles just a different name to each item. The motto is still same as it always was. And the food is great and fresh as it always was. Come to Visalia California on Mooney Blvd and ask for Diane the phone number is 559-636-9066 See you here soon!

Anonymous said...

I remember Naugles in Lake Forest, CA. Switched over to Del Taco when I was in elementary school (back when 'Lake Forest' was called 'El Toro'). Now there are two Del Tacos literally 500 feet from each other! I talked to the owner and surprisingly they both do equally well. I LOVED those cheese burritos. It's weird what you remember from your childhood. For some reason all I remember about that place is cheese burritos, green sauce, and ugly green chairs.

Anonymous said...

I am from Riverside Calif tho I now live in Canada I remember very well our beloved Naugles and the crazy awesome food my fave was their breakfast burrito never found anything close to its yummyness...I was brokenhearted when they were bought out but at least Del Taco's food improved :D, peace and happy eating all, Chrissy

Anonymous said...

There is still a Naugles in the Corona/Norco area. I am trying to contact a friend that knows the exact area.

ChristianZ said...

Let us know when you get information on that.

Anonymous said...

I was reminded of Naugles after watching Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. In my college days, Naugles was our White Castle. A group of us would crave those breakfast burritos (stuffed with scrambled eggs) and drive over an hour to the nearest location to get them (we were in the Bay Area and had to go to San Jose). Good times.

Anonymous said...

If there is a Naugles in Corona, it's probably unrelated, since Del Taco bought out the brand (and I'd assume the rights to the name) I remember my dad used to like to eat there in Orange.

ChristianZ said...

Sometimes though a chain will be a sold except for one or two stores. Examples: Pup-N-Taco and Sambo's.

Anonymous said...

Cheese burritos rock!!!! I used to go to Naugles on Riverside Ave in Rialto every day at lunch in high school - the girl at the window knew my car and had my order ready by the time I got to the drive thru window! We also used to stop at the Naugles on Serfas Club Dr in Corona whenever we came home from the beach. Are there any former employees who know and are willing to share the recipe to the white sauce used in the taco salads that came in the cup??

sandra said...

i ate at the naugles at tustin and 17th many, many times while i was in high school. we discovered (don't ask me how) that old pennies could be cleaned to look shiny and new just by dipping them into one of the naugles' tiny plastic containers of hot sauce. and to think that we used to use their hot sauce liberally on all our food...

Buck said...

Don't forget the wonderfully cold milk! From the tap! It was borderline headache cold. Pure heaven.

Captain said...

Mr. Z, about the only way you're going to get a Naugles fix these days is to head up to Visalia. There's a place on Mooney Blvd named Buns and Torts, and it's owned by
a man named Jeff Naugle.

I have been assured that "the menu is the same and only the names have changed..."

Their number is: 559-636-9066

I haven't been up that way since learning this, but when I do get there (and I will) I'll share my experience with the blog.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks. Yes, definitely keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

We had several naugles in the chicago area that were my favorite. I used to live a few years in San Luis Obispo which had THE best hole in the wall mexican food places. Naugles is the only thing in chicago that ever comes close. What is in the water in san luis? People used to come from LA and SF looking for the food in Grover Beach and San Luis. Are they from some very specific state in Mexico that has a different tilt on cooking?
Anyhow. I do miss Naugles.
So many foods disappear... ah well... unfortunately my STOMACH seems to keep getting bigger. hmmm....

Anonymous said...

We use to go to the Naugles in St. Louis on McCausland...my best friend and I craved the "mexican salad". In the summers we ate it at least once a week. We'd be laying around the pool, look up at each other and say "NAUGLES" in this goofy voice. We knew what it meant....!! Then when i went to college in Columbia mo, we would road trip 2hrs each way to get our fix.

Anonymous said...

Naugles is alive and well in Visalia, Ca. I had the pleasure of helping open this restaurant with Jeff and Dick Naugle in 1990. I can guarantee that although the names have changes, this is 100% Naugles. They do their job with the same pride and quality as always. Prepare food fresh, serve customers fast, keep the place clean. same motto. same great food. Long live Buns and torts...........You go Jeff Naugle

Anonymous said...

I grew up in Illinois. When my friends and I went to St. Louis Blues hockey games at the old Arena/Checkerdome, we always stopped at the Naugles at I-40 and Grand Ave. Just thinking about a naugleburger makes me want one.

Unknown said...

I worked for Naugles back in 1981-1986. I did the refrigeration and AC and other Maintenance for 17 of there stores. It was a great company to work for. I miss those days, We would get feed very well, everytime we did any work in the store. Wish they were back here in OC. Always wondered why Harold Butler sold it.

Anonymous said...

My dad used to be a secret shopper for Naugles back somewhere between 87'-88'. He took me all over Utah on a road trip testing all of the Naugles' food and customer service. He even had to cary a thermometer to test the food's temperature.

Anonymous said...

I used to go to one in Oxnard, in 1982-84, while in the Navy. GAWD those green burritos and macho combo burritos were phenomenal!! Great pig out food after drinking all night! I sure do miss em.

Anonymous said...

Hi all. Dick, Dutch Naugle was my Uncle. Interesting individual to say the least. Was just looking at some video of him and his brother, my Grandfather Les I took back in 1992. They are telling stories of their childhood, especially about their Grandfather.
I got to spend a lot of time with Dutch, and some of his stories are classic.

ChristianZ said...

Tell your uncle a lot of people miss his food. Have you seen our complete Naugles coverage at this blog?

Anonymous said...

I grew up in Placentia, Ca. and worked with Harold Butler when he started JoJo's. I remember meeting Dick Naugles, and loved his resturants. He was a nice man. JoJo's was a fun place to work and learned alot from Harold Butler. Does anyone know where I can get in touch with Steven Butler, his son. I have lost touch with him, and would like to say hi. Thanks to anyone out there.

JJ

kim said...

When I was in high school we use to skip school just to get a taco salad in the cup at Naugles. I want that recipe so I can share it with my kids. Does anyone have it?

ChristianZ said...

I don't have the recipe but if somebody does I hope they will post it.

Anonymous said...

My family started Naugles. My father's uncle was Dick Naugle. In December of 1990, my father Jeff Naugle, opened up BT's (Buns and Torts) restaurant in Visalia, CA. If you loved Naugles you will love BT's as it uses the same recipes from Naugles. Visit BT's at 1530 South Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93277. 559-636-9066. "It's not fast food but great food served fast!"

ChristianZ said...

I will get up to Visalia and try it as soon as I can but it might be a while before I can pull that off. Still, it's great to see Jeff is carrying the torch.

The Bun King said...

The Naugles on the corner of 14th and Brockton in Riverside I believe was the first Naugles and is, of course, now a Del Taco. Living in Austin Texas I dream of even having a Del Taco here because the mexican fast food doesn't compare to SoCal. I may fly out to Visalia for a week or so of stuffing my face with Bun and Tort like the Macho beef burrito, quesadilla and jumbo coke junkie that I am, if the phone number posted above checks out...

Ironically, the first Naugles was across the street from one of the very first (if not the first) Vans shoe stores ever, on a non commercial corner behind Riverside Community Hospital and about 1/4 mile from where I lived. It's easy to take good things for granted. Bring Naugles back!!!

Oh, and lunch at Riverside Poly during the 80's was at it's best with a quick race down to Naugles near Gemco(!) with the Jolly Cone option sharing the parking lot in front of Tava Lanes. HEAVEN.


.cameron

ChristianZ said...

If you go to Buns and Torts take some pictures for us.

Kristin Thompson-Higgins said...

I was an avid Naugles fan during the 80's. We would go to our favorite bar (Club 2-Me) for a night of debauchery, then head to Naugles for their killer cheese Burrito. The famous cheese burrito actually staved away hangovers and filled you with an almost heavenly high! Does anyone remember the little balloons that Naugles gave to children (and we adults) to promote their restaurant? They were either yellow or orange and had a picture of Dick Naugle's head. The caption read "Hi. I'm Dick Naugle." They were a crack up; we often used them at parties as favors. I wish Naugles was still around; we Sacramentans (CA) really miss Naugles!

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment. Make sure you read our two other entries on Naugles.

K Evans said...

I worked for Naugles from 1978 to 1982 at Store No. 1 on the corner of 14th and Brockton Streets in Riverside. Yes, this was Mr. Naugles first store and one of the busiest ones. Management would have about 15 of us on the floor at one time - that's alot of staff in one kitchen. Mr. Naugle would pay us a visit by swinging the side door open and yell "MOVE EM OUT!" The man was hardly 5 foot tall. I worked with one of his many wifes, the lovely Beverly. I also met my husband at this store, he came in as a Manager in 1981 and worked for Naugles until they were bought out by Del Taco.
Many of the staff who ran Naugles now run the Baker's Resturants here in the Inland Empire. I am still in contact with many of our friends from the Naugles days.
We have very found memories of days with Naugles.

K Evans said...

Meant to say on the last blog that I worked with one of Mr. Naugles x-wife's Beverly.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comments. Just started hearing about Baker's. Is there any Nauglesness to it? BTW, I am bummed that the original Naugles closed recently. And did you read our other three entries on Naugles?

K Evans said...

Baker's has a Mama burger that is just like what Naugles Deluxe Cheeseburger was. It has shredded lettuce on it, something you don't find everywhere anymore.
The remainder of the menu is all Baker's.

Captain said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ChristianZ said...

Well, did you try the Naugles burger there? This entry is more about the Naugles legacy.

Anonymous said...

Bakers should resemble "Naugles"... It was sucessfully saved by a former Naugles Regional Mgr. Yusef "Joe" Amlani. Hired by Neal Baker in I believe 1986. I assure you was one of the best at Naugles!

Joe ran all of Utah and Sacramento prior to going to Bakers. Former Naugles President Mike Mooslin, after being fired by the Jim Collins "gang" got a little revenge letting Joe know the job was his for the taking.
Of course Mike asked me to deliver the message to Joe.
It was my pleasure doing it.

Harold Butler hurt Naugles Jim Collins destroyed it! Am I bitter...you bet! Collins and his band of thugs, Boots McCoy, among others sucessfully got rid of nearly all the "oldtimers" and the top management. Then dismantled the quality of it's food and the speed of it's service before selling the chain.

Anonymous said...

A post script to last nights comments.
Jim Collins was the parent company of Sizzler Steak Houses and the largest franchisee of KFC when they purchased Naugles. I appologize when mentioning "thugs" I somehow left out Matt Jankowski, appointed President of Naugles by Collins Foods.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks. It seems like a lot of drama goes into bringing food to the public.

Anonymous said...

Naugles also used to hire seniors and the disabled. They were very cosmopolitan for their time.

ChristianZ said...

Good to hear. Did you read our other Naugles coverage? I even have another entry coming.

Sheena White said...

Oh my! Naugles! I had totally forgotten about that 80s fast food heaven. I recently moved back to CA and happened upon this site. It brought back incredible memories. I too went to the Naugles at the Traffic Circle in Long Beach after many a late night punk rock show. Those tacos with the shredded lettuce and the whole slice of tomato. Nope, nothing can compare to that. We have a Del Taco near us and eat there every Tuesday "Taco Night". It's funny, someone mentioned Del Taco's food seems to have improved since they bought Naugles. That's true! I never considered that but it did seem like Del Taco was pretty crappy in the 1980s and we considered it inferior to Taco Bell (which will tell you how bad it was considered!). I like Del Taco a lot now. But, oh Naugles, I'll never forget you now and if I get up Visalia way, I'll be at Buns and Torts!

Sheena White

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment from somebody who remembers Naugles well. Seems like you may have read all five of our Naugles entries so far. I'm working on a sixth one that will tell about other secret Naugles items you can get from Del Taco.

Sheena White said...

I would LOVE to hear about the Del Taco/Naugle items one can still get. That whole Del Taco takeover happened while I was in Florida (no Naugles there? And I don't remember any Del Taco's either, though we never ate there because of the memory of the 1980s poor food quality so maybe they were in Florida) and I had TOTALLY FORGOTTEN about Naugles and their heavenly tacos but it is funny because once I remembered those tacos, I could TASTE THEM STILL. Funny, huh? :)

ChristianZ said...

You can e-mail me at reviews@ocmexfood.com and I'll give you more info, or wait for whenever my entry goes up. It's in draft mode now and I'm not entirely sure when I'll publish it.

Anonymous said...

Naugles originated in Riverside, I knew Dick Naugles, Used to mow his lawn. My favorite Naugles item was the "Cheese burritos", yum, you can still order them at Del Taco, just order a bean and cheese burrito, hold the beans, with red sauce... taste just like the old Cheese burritos from Naugles.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment. I'm putting together a new entry about all the Naugles items you can still have made at Del Taco.

Anonymous said...

I was introduced to Naugles when I went to college in Riverside late 70's - early 80's. The egg & bean burrito and macho combos were my favorite. One week the school newspaper ran dollar off coupons so my friends and I went out in the middle of the night a probably cut out a thousand coupons. Of course we left the papers neatly stacked so no one knew the coupons were missing. Good times.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment and please check back soon. I'm about to post another important Naugles entry that I am sure you will be interested in. Have you read the other entries we already have on Naugles?

Anonymous said...

The Cheese burritos are to die for!

Now I heard you can have one from Del Taco. A bean and cheese burrito wild red sauce hold the beans. I live just outside Chicago and think I am going to plan a road trip this weekend to find one.

I get the cheesy roll-up at taco bell and put sauce on it but it is not the same thing.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment. This entry you just commented on tells you how to get a cheese burrito.

Unknown said...

OMG, I loved Naugles! The La Mirada Naugles on Imperial Hwy was about a mile from my house and I would either get a Red Burrito or Macho Nachos. Oh, the memories!! My best friend turned me on to their Taco Salad in a cup. I really loved their red sauce (in a container, not foil!).

It was so sad to come back to CA and find all Naugles had been turned into Del Tacos. DT's food improved by the merger, but they are NOT Naugles. Visalia is on my list of places to visit now!

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment. Make sure you read our COMPLETE Naugles coverage before driving to Visalia.

Unknown said...

I lived on Naugles Burgers during college at CSULB. These were the best anywhere! And they were open late enough for us to go after fraternity parties. It was so sad to see these disappear. Long Beach, Placentia, and so on. Boy I miss this place! Thanks for the memory.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment. Did you read all six of our entries on Naugles? There's important info you won't want to miss.

hamilton6565 said...

Loved Naugles remember eating at the one in Newbury Park (Thousand Oaks area) Great food...I think its still a Del taco :o(

Anonymous said...

My grandfather Harold Butler bought Naugles from Dick Naugle...It's very nice to read everyone's comments and special memories about Naugles...My grandfather and Uncle Dick are smiling knowing they made so many people happy...Thank you.

Anonymous said...

JJ,

If you are interested in getting in touch with the Butler family please post a message on the Naugles facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naugles/124706239586?ref=nf#!/pages/Naugles/124706239586?v=wall&ref=nf)
and I will get in touch with you.

Granddaughter of Harold Butler


I grew up in Placentia, Ca. and worked with Harold Butler when he started JoJo's. I remember meeting Dick Naugles, and loved his resturants. He was a nice man. JoJo's was a fun place to work and learned alot from Harold Butler. Does anyone know where I can get in touch with Steven Butler, his son. I have lost touch with him, and would like to say hi. Thanks to anyone out there.

JJ

December

Anonymous said...

In 1976 I was living in the Moonraker Apartments in Placentia, with Naugles a half a block away. I was playing in a band, doing a long term gig 6 nights a week in Pomona. I'd never heard of Naugles before then, but virtually EVERY NIGHT on my way home I'd go through the drive-through (one window girl recognized my voice after a while!). I later found that musicians all over Orange and L.A. counties knew and loved Naugles. I got a list of their locations and circled them in my Thomas Brothers map book so I'd always know when I was near one!

ChristianZ said...

Do you still have that Thomas Guide?

Anonymous said...

My first job was at Naugles in Covina in 1978. Very special place for me.

Unknown said...

I remember Naugles was a big thing to go to for fast food. Back in the early 80's I almost forgot about it until i came across this page. I think there was a location in Glendora not too sure tho. I used to live near route 66 ( Alosta Ave.) now. or was back then too.. off of pasadena st. There was a Pup N Taco there. now, it's a DIY Car Wash. up the block was also a Thrifty's and A Newberrys. Glendora Ave and Route 66.

Anonymous said...

Haven't read all of the comments yet but back in 79 and 80 while flying B52's out of March AFB in Riverside Co. my crew and I used to get the Macho Egg Burrito's in the morning before a mission. Needless to say you needed access to oxygen masks during the flight!

Anonymous said...

the macho combo burrito was the best,had one in sunnymead calif.,was sorry to hear it is no longer around

ChristianZ said...

It might be back.

Anonymous said...

LOVED the giant Naugleburger! After a night of drinking/dancing we would stop at the Naugles on McCausland near Forest Park in St. Louis and eat our brains out! The next day I would generally find shredded lettuce everywhere inside my car! Naugleburgers were the BEST burgers EVER! DelTaco........not so much.

Anonymous said...

Naugles wasn't just a CA thing, I grew up in Hazel Crest, IL, and we had one in the 70s. They were awesome.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, there was one in Aurora, IL.

Anonymous said...

IN the early 80's Aurora Ill. Bowled right next door. I could not drive by without stopping. Macho Nachos and Naugle burgers. It cost me at least 30 #s. Best fast food ever. I am 60 and have never had anything that good.

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for posting your memories of the Aurora location.

Christa said...

Oh my! How my family LOVED Naugles. Lived just down the street from the Colton CA store on Washington. My mom and I would get a Naugles Burger and fries, drive home to the apartment and pig out in the 80's. Man I wish I had a Naugles Burger right now! We also loved Bakers burgers (in fact when I travel down to SoCal I stop at Bakers FIRST before I go visit my family....the Papa Burgers are the best!)

Wish there was a Naugles or Bakers Burgers up in Nor Cal where we live now. Every time I go down South to visit I bring a cooler filled with Baker Burgers for the family here.

Great Memories! (also loved the Pup-N-Taco in San Bernardino

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment, Christa. Keep your eyes peeled.

Jeff said...

Going to college in Fullerton, many midnight runs for egg burritos. Naugles was the cool joint for fas food.

ChristianZ said...

Cool, Fullerton right by their corporate headquarters.

Anonymous said...

I use to love to go to Naugles in Camarillo, CA!!!

ChristianZ said...

Maybe we can bring it back to Camarillo.

mobo531 said...

Wow, don't know if anybody is interested, but Dick (Dutch) Naugle was my great uncle. Got about an hour of tape of him and my grandfather talking about growing up. Taped it around 1990, just before my grandfather died.
Some pretty interesting stuff. Willing to share if anybody is interested.

ChristianZ said...

I'm interested. Please send more details to reviews@ocmexfood.com.

Brian W said...

We had a Naugles in St. Louis. I loved their food!

Anonymous said...

Cool.!!!

Anonymous said...

I was the company training manager from 1985-1989. The store was in Yorba Linda CA. I could write a book so many stories. We were the test kitchen and the commersals were filmed there.

Ruben M said...

I worked in the real estate development department at Naugles with a great bunch of folks. We were located in Fullerton right behind the Pepe's restaurant on Placentia Blvd. That was a Naugles as well. I'm glad to see they are opening up again. Occasionally, I will still see an old Naugles restaurant with the famous rectangular light fixtures at the top of the building.

ChristianZ said...

Ruben, can't wait to get you some Naugles food again.

Raybone said...

Naugles Macho Cheese Burrito was the best and FYI Del Taco got the macho words from Naugles, I wish I could find the recipe for the macho cheese I can only remember a few of the ingredients shredded lettuce, diced tomato, green chile?? melted cheese most likely a mexican blend, plus a dash of Naugles now Del Taco's green sauce. I've attempted to make this at home but something is missing

ChristianZ said...

Good thing Naugles has returned:

http://www.nauglestacos.com

Raybone said...

I used to eat at the location where Brookhurst ended at Commonwealth in Fullerton the day the Naugles sign came down and the Del Taco sign went up was a sad day indeed for my taste buds I'm heading over on Saturday to try out some of the food at the new Naugles Corporate Kitchen in FV.

Anonymous said...

I used to work at naugles. I don't remember the exact recipe, but we would fill the cup with shredded lettuce. Very finely shredded. A shake of salt and pepper. A squirt of mayo thinned with a touch of buttermilk and a little msg. A small handful of crushed Doritos. A scoop of taco meat. A scoop of red sauce (I have been unable to duplicate this magical stuff. High quality red enchilada sauce is ok, but not the same). Sprinkle with cheese, green onions, a slice of tomato and top with a broken taco shell (ears we called them). It's pretty close except for that red sauce. That's the missing link. Good luck!

Unknown said...

From CA, hit the twin locations in El Toro back in the late 80's, always good. Moved, have not been there in years, did not even know they closed and became Del Taco, Don't really like the couple of times I did eat at a DT. I'll try Naugles in HB next time I go down. Native CA

ChristianZ said...

Thanks for the comment, Scot. Keep in mind that at the moment we have a seasonal location in HB that is currently closed until next summer plus a full-time, year-round location in FV... plus other locations coming.