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Clifton's Cafeteria Broadway

Owner - Clifford Clinton 

648 S. Broadway  Los Angeles, CA

Green Book Editions:  1957, 1959-1961

Status: Still in operation  

Clifton's Cafeteria Olive St.

618 S. Olive St.  Los Angeles, CA

Green Book Editions: 

1947-1957, 1959-1960   

Architect: Dodd Richards 

Status: Demolished  

CLIFTON'S CAFETERIA

There were six Clifton Cafeteria’s and the Broadway and Olive street locations were listed in the Green Book. The restaurant on Broadway St. was right at the original terminus of Route 66 and still stands today. The Olive St. branch, established in 1931, had a bizarre and fabulous façade with wall-mounted gardens, foliage and waterfalls and the whole scene was lit up at night. Unfortunately it was demolished and today all that is left is a parking lot.   

Clifford Clinton was a Christian in the true sense of the word. He went to China as a missionary and witnessed severe poverty and despair. When he returned to the states he pledged to do everything he could to take care of his own community. In his restaurant brochure he wrote, "Clifton's responsibility to the community is dispatched by caring for those who come hungry and without funds, by sharing tax and charity burdens, and by taking an active part in securing better local government...the Los Angeles' cafeterias' six hundred associates serve approximately 20,000 meals daily at an average check of forty cents."

From Clifton's menu: 

"We pray our humble service be measured, not by Gold, but by the Golden Rule."

PAY WHAT YOU WISH

DINE FREE UNLESS DELIGHTED

NO GUEST SHALL GO HUNGRY FOR LACK OF FUNDS - two million have been served Multi-Purpose Meals.

Clifton’s also hosted the Mar-Fash-Sho Modeling School an annual charity fashion revue where guests can see the newest casual and formal wear presented by black models. 

Clifton’s also hosted the semi-annual Manual Arts Journalism banquet that featured black journalists.