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# Letter: Correction on the oldest restaurants in the L.A. area
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/classic-eats-editor/
- Published: 2008-08-20T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:45:44.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Downtown, #archive-import

*By Don Solosan Santa Monica*

Thanks for the story “Legendary stores thrive and survive” page 1, Aug. 16-17\. I’ve long been fascinated by the older businesses in our city and Nora Sorena Casey’s story provided some interesting information. However, I believe she is incorrect in stating that The Galley restaurant at 74 years is the oldest in the L.A. area. Cole’s Pacific Electric Buffet opened downtown in 1908\. They will be reopening soon to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Barney’s Beanery on Santa Monica Boulevard dates to 1920 and the Tam O’Shanter dates to 1922.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 20, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082008.pdf?ref=smdp.com)