KFC Outlet Closes; Laguna Beach Residents' Health Instantly Improves!
The restaurant had been there since the '60s. What would you like to see replace it?
The Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet on Coast Highway, which had been in business since 1967, suddenly closed Wednesday evening after the owner reportedly ran into lease issues.
And, just as quickly, the life expectancy rate of Laguna Beach residents shot up by about eight years.
This, after all, is the fast-food joint that two years ago introduced the vilest item to ever cross a menu board, the Double Down, a sandwich which replaced the bread with two pieces of fried chicken, with cheese, bacon, and god knows what else in the middle of it all.
The taste? Pretty close to what we envision venereal disease tasting like.
Thursday, workers were removing fixtures and furniture out of the building. When prodded by Patch, none of them knew what, if anything, would replace the KFC.
So why don't YOU tell us?
What would you like to see move into the old Kentucky Fried Chicken site?
- An In-N-Out? Obvious choice, but the location is too small, even if you ripped out the Taco Bell next door. And you probably couldn't get a drive-through window, either.
- A Del Taco? Uhhh ... seriously? When we have La Sirena Grill?
- A Starbucks? Why not? You never see those anymore!
- A medical marijuana dispensary?
- Hell with that noise—bring back the KFC!
- Something else?
Let us know, and thanks! Now go finish your vegetables ...
Kym Pearson
4:46 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
In and out
Alysia Stark
6:23 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Absolutely NOT another burger joint!
Rich Kane
10:05 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
I'm actually of the opinion that Laguna Beach could use a decent burger place, but not necessarily fast-food -- something like one of the newer higher-class places, like Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Slater's 50/50 or (my fave) the Habit, which has, according to my once-svelt waistline, become an actual habit ...
Alysia Stark
6:29 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
(...or other fast/fried food place...) While we are at it, why not kick out Taco Bell too and revitalize that whole block.
Jennifer Horsman
6:39 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Veggie Grill or Native Foods--a vegetarian fast food place. Or, oh boy, I miss Jamba Juice.
Rich Kane
10:09 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
The juice joint trend seems to have waned in the past few years. I always thought it odd that Jamba couldn't make it, unless they left town for other reasons I'm not aware of -- that happened before I got here. If we're going healthy, I vote for something falafelly ...
Grace
8:09 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Have you really tasted venereal disease? Why would you even put Del Taco in the same category as La Sirena Grill? I think all this negative criticism should be replaced with positive courtesy. Sure, maybe KFC is not the healthiest provider of nutrition but what goes into your system is YOUR CHOICE. Thanks to all the friendly people who served dinner rescues to Laguna working moms throughout the years! BTW, my kids, grandkids are all fit and healthy...SO THERE!!
Rich Kane
10:11 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Ahhh Grace, it's all in fun. Meanwhile, I'm sitting here finishing up my chocolate chicken-fried steak milkshake ... mmmmmm .....
JODY VASQUEZ
8:17 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN!......FRESH...ORGANIC...HEALTHY...
Rich Kane
10:12 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Love CPK, but you'd have to raze the KFC and the Taco Bell for that, I'm sure, then build up a new building. And then there's the parking issue ...
steveg
9:07 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
i agree with jennifer - a veggie grille, a native foods or maybe even an RFD (real foods daily - all organic vegan) - but not jamba (only juice and they use styrofoam!)
or maybe bring back "mother's kitchen" to laguna!
Rich Kane
10:19 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
I think the Stand is pretty great, myself ....
Rich Kane
10:00 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Why not Starbucks? I've heard its this young company just starting out! ;-)
TioTaurus
10:11 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Poorly written article soaked in judgment and humor so bad it made me cringe. Reach a little deeper...
Rich Kane
10:37 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
That's why it's marked "opinion," hence the judgment ... but I should talk, having been essentially raised on McDonald's since I was a wee lad ... seriously, my grade school had Hamburger Day every Wednesday, with free McDonald's handed out to all of us unsuspecting kids (milk was included, so that made it healthy, kinda!). Imagine the outcry if that happened these days? Also, years ago, I once devoured four Big Macs in one day. Oh, wait -- that was yesterday!
Johnathan Roberson-Beery
10:51 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Always love your articles Rich - no matter how informed or vapid ;) How about a local owned restaurant - maybe somthing contemporary like a gluten free eatery or fast casual with organic components? Let's keep Laguna filled with unique options by local owners - who needs another chain restaurant anyhow??
Rich Kane
11:02 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Thanks, John! Trouble is, the cost of starting a brick-and-mortar business in LB, especially if you consider yourself independent, is pretty astronomical. And parking plays a big role -- just look at the Pizza Lounge, which had to buy "parking certificates" from the city at $20,000 a pop, and those certs dictated how many seats the owner could have inside. Here's what we ran in December: http://patch.com/A-c5S4
les green
11:00 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
caustic article that was probably supossed to be funny but wasnt
Rich Kane
11:04 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Actually, what WOULD be cool and fun and contemporary is to find (or create) a vacant lot someplace in the city and have food trucks park there on a rotating (or permanent) basis. Portland has done this. However, Laguna Beach ain't Portland ...
Johnathan Roberson-Beery
11:08 am on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Yeah, I get the start-up cost equasion. I assume that's also why we have a number of great business locations around Laguna that remain vacant after years -
Betsy Mallegg
2:31 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
How about a restaurant that actually serves truly healthy food? Like a smaller version of the Paul Martin American Bistro restaurant in El Segundo?
Rich Kane
8:54 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Sounds tasty, Betsy. What's on the Paul Martin menu? Also, maybe I've spent too many years in Orange County, but whenever someone says "El Segundo," all I think of are oil refineries ...
Charles Petraskas
3:20 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
You say "And, just as quickly, the life expectancy rate of Laguna Beach residents shot up by about eight years." Please provide evidence for this conclusion.
This is a ridiculous conclusion. You are making laugh. Just like a Joke.
Charles
Rich Kane
8:56 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Yep, Charles, it's a joke. Perhaps I should've inserted a rimshot, so here's one ... ba-dumbum-CRASH!
epiphany
3:37 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
I admit I didn't read ALL those comments, but YOU DON'T HAVE A MJ MED JOINT AROUND THERE, DO YOU??? WASN'T THERE AN ARTICLE ABOUT HOW LAGUNA PD HAS A PROBLEM W/EVEN SELLING THINGS MADE FROM HEMP CLOTH?! WHAT A FREAKIN TRIP! I THOUGHT CALIFORNIANS WERE HIPPER THAN THAT! WE GOT 16 STATES W/LEGAL MED MJ NOW & GOVT (PLAYING MONOPOLY AS USUAL) WANTS 2REVERSE THE LAW VOTED 4BYTHE PEOPLE! WHY? THEIR "NARCOTIC INVENTION SCIENTISTS"WHO MAKE PHARMACEUTICALS R ON EASTCOAST NOW TAKING MJ DERIVATIVES OUT& MAKING "DRUGS" FROM THEM, CLAIMING SAME MED BENEFITS AS SMOKING MJ! THEY CAN'T AFFORD ANY COMPETITION/ALLOW PEOPLE 2/ABLE 2HELP THEMSELVES-THEY NEED 2DICTATE OUR EVERY PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS IN WHICH THEY'RE NOT PROFITING! WANT U2HAVE A "MOTHER MAY I" SLIP IN ORDER 2USE GOD'S HERB--NOT DRUG--MAN'S ONLY 1WHO MAKES DRUGS! Ps.104:14-16- "GOD CREATED THE HERBS OF THE FIELD FOR THE SERVICE OF MAN, GRASS 4THE CATTLE, OIL 2MAKE MAN'S FACE 2SHINE, BREAD 2STRENGTHEN HIM&WINE 2MAKE HIS HEART MERRY!" GOOD POSSIBILITY OF AZ/TX EARTHQU
Rich Kane
9:01 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
EPIPHANY, STOP YELLING AT US OR TAKE YOUR CAPS LOCK OFF! S'okay, we still love you. No, there's no medical marijuana place in Laguna Beach (that we know of), which considering Laguna Beach's mostly tolerant history, is kind of ... odd. Still, I remember a store years ago on Coast Hwy. south of downtown that was a hemp store, where you could buy hemp everything. I bought a hemp wallet there, and I still remember the hilarious warning tag that was stitched inside that said DO NOT CONSUME. Wonder if any Laguna Beach Patch readers remember that store, and what became of it ...
epiphany
3:47 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
PS- Holy Spirit says "If America doesn't want 2repent, they can kiss eastcoast goodbye! THERE'S A TSUNAMI COMING!" Sodom&Gomorrah have a problem w/Henry Ford! HE SAID "LET THEM FREAK OUT!" "IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES & PRAY&TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, I PROMISE 2HEAR THEIR PRAYERS FROM HEAVEN & HEAL THEIR LAND!" Appreciate your confidentiality-if they don't like the msg, they don't NEED to kill the messenger! Supernatural IS a reality&God IS my avenger-www.jackherer.com/thebook+"Hemp4Victory" Film w/$100,000 Challenge-Everybody READ IT&call our Leader202/456-1111& COMMENT! Should their lIes make us hold our peace?!
Rich Kane
9:05 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
OK, epiphany, now you're just confusing me. I interviewed Jack Herer years ago, but if you're saying Herer = God, then God must be bogarting some pretty kind bud ...
AJ
8:27 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
how about Panera Bread?
Rich Kane
9:08 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Excellent choice, AJ, even if it IS a chain, which some would prefer not to see. I don't see it happening at the KFC site, unless the building is razed and expanded - and it would probably have to be expanded to pretty much Taco Bell's front door, since that's about the size of the average Panera ...
epiphany
9:21 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Just a little time...so much Prophecy/Messages! You people don't have 2believe in Supernatural or God (He Loves us enough 2give us freedom of choice) decide 4yourselves... IF God knows what's going on down here, WHY wouldn't try2get a msg thru our thick little bee-bee brains?! The leaders cause the people to err & boy oh boy, has power ever corrupted! SINCE WHEN DID NUKE REACTORS BECOME MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN A THC-FREE HEMP/OIL TREE?! (isaiah 41:19-kjv) God says He will plant the OIL TREE etc...in the wilderness&let them assemble together&understand&KNOW that I. The Lord, have created it...-READ IT4Tyourselves! WHEN DID SCREWING OCEANS/YELLOWSTONE PARK. Etc etc up look better than growing 1,000 gal of gasoline per acre in less than a year anywhereUwant2!? Here's a good quote from the man upstairs: "Some of the most Stupid people that have Ever been on the Earth are walking it Now!" There's only one Truth 4ALL people of all nations&only answer He says He's going2give us2save the Planet/AllHave Enough/WorldPeace
Rich Kane
9:46 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Ummmm ...
epiphany
9:33 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Labor Day! JOKE'S on everybody, except corps&politicians! We're all working 33/40 hours ea week just 2pay our energy bills, leaving us w/7 hrs pay left 4food/rent! HAPPY SLAVERY DAY! Feels a lot like modern day Egypt or Roman Empire! +15% annually 4our TEMPORARY income tax established in 1942 2pay4WWII! MOTHERS FORCED INTO SLAVERY 2MAKE ENDS MEET-NO BIG DEAL ABOUT COMING UP W/A WAY2 SAVE THE WORLD, IS IT? $1TRILLION PER YR INDUSTRY WVBILLIONS OF GOOD JOBS FOR EA NATION VS. US MAKING ALL THE OTHER COUNTRIES RICH&GIVING OUR JOBS OVERSEAS--I STAND 4REGAINING OUR NATL INDEPENDENCE&RAISING A STD-It's God's judgment...He says "Tell the Gays 2read the Book of Leviticus or...TAKE THEIR CHANCES!" "He doesn't have any more respect4them than when He wrote the Book of Leviticus by the hand of Moses!" Believe It Or Not-It's Your Choice-I'm Not Judging-Global Warming is what evemtually does the whole Earth in-sun burns 7x brighter/Moon becomes bright as sun-all flesh would perish if Rapture didn'T come4the144,000Righteous!
Barbara McMurray
11:52 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
Chick-Fil-A? I've never been there, but my teen loves it and the company seems to be in an expansive mood lately.
Rich Kane
3:24 am on Monday, September 5, 2011
That would make sense, Barbara. But I doubt it would happen because most new fast-food places want drive-thrus, and I'm willing to bet that both KFC and the next-door Taco Bell have been prevented by the city (not to mention neighbors) all these years from having a drive-thru.
Steve Smith
12:36 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
The city of Laguna Beach does not allow drive-thrus. Jack In the Box is grandfathered the city does not want any major chains those that are in the city will be the last. Taco Bell will not be going anywhere any time soon. They have an outstanding crew working there now that is 90% local folks for Laguna Beach including some outstanding young people for the Laguan Beach Hish School football, cheerleaders. They are big supporters of the local Boys & Girls Club in town. Try there Fresco Menu if you are looking for a more healthy diet
Rich Kane
2:27 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
Thanks for the info, Steve!
epiphany
1:28 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
Last entry-wouldn't want2bore you! 1/2 million people will starve to death this year-is it apathy or ignorance? We can put a man on the moon, but can't feed all that dwell on Earth! Why don't you let me come & open a ice cream store that sells hemp ice cream, which lowers cholesterol, boosts your immune system & contains omega acids proven 2actively combat cancer cells in the body?! We can serve hemp salad w/hemp oil salad dressing & bread made from it & cakes& cereals made from hemp also.We could even serve coffee& hemp docnuts/biscuits (healthy donuts/cakes along same line as ice cream)! Anybody know what manna was? Numbers 11:7-8: In the morning after the dew had fell, the people gathered the seeds which looked like coriander (know what coriander seeds look like?-Hemp)which they ground into meal & baked in pans and the cakes TASTED VERY OILY!(not a direct quote-memory) Holy Spirit is who JC told disciples he'd send2them when he left, who would Tell them whatOurFather inHeaven wants us2Know!-pt2cont
epiphany
1:50 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
Holy Spirit says "God's Will is that this tree (thc-free hemp/the Oil Tree) should Bgrown all over the Earth so that NOT ONE should die of starvation on the entire planet!" I'm Screaming Bloody Murder alright!500,000 dying this yr alone of starvation-sure are a Sophisticated Bunch of Idiots! Hemp saved Australia thru2 prolonged famines(Ez.34:27) We're going2have worse problems as Global Warming increases! How's your beachfront property? ARE YOU SURE IT'S STILL THERE?It's slowly going! Jan 2009-"God's Not Happy! He made the Oil Tree&they'd betterBglad He did, or He's breaking out the melanoma!"-In SUMMER OF 2010, AVG OF ONE PERSON PER HR DIED OF MELANOMA! even my pet, Sunshine, had 2have it removed from his nose about5yrs ago. He says: "GOD DOESN'T HAVE 2LIVE ON EARTH, BUT EVERYTHING HE MADE SURE DOES! WE DON'T NEED ANY ROCKET SHIPS! WE NEED 2B HAPPY 2TAKE C/O OUR HOME, MOTHER EARTH!" He says "Hypocrits Everywhere! They're into Ruining Everything!" Almost Everyone in leadership are in TROUBLE&They Know WHY!
epiphany
6:57 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
Pps-9/3/11: "Tell the people it doesn't matter WHO it is--It's the Prophecy of God Almighty! NATIONAL DISASTERS ARE COMING & THEY ARE RESPECTFULLY SUPERNATURALLY PERFORMANCES FROM GOD HIMSELF! THEY DON'T NEED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS-THEY NEED INTERVENTION FROM GOD! I GUESS THIS CLASSY(?) WORLD DOESN'T BELIEVE IN SUPERNATURAL! WE'VE GOT A TSUNAMI THAT WILL TEACH THEM A LESSON!" He says: "Peek a Boo! I SEE EVERYONE OF YOU! IF YOU EVER WANT TO TALK, I'M ALWAYS THERE." He even told me He'd strike down anybody else that wants 2hurt me anymore in Fall, 2010! The Big Boss has answered the prayers of the needy/oppressed worldwide&it IS His Answer! How bout a Soul Kitchen in front&a ice cream shoppe/med. Herbadacherie in back & turn this country around!He said "JC WAS His sacrifice (New Covenant=no more animal sacrifices) Once&4ALL-4ALL people IF only they'd Accept His Sacrifice...&it Hurts Him2see how some don't like His Son..(by the way, anybodyREADGen.Ch6!! ManySonsOfGodWatchingFairWomenOnEarth&MAKINGthemTheirWives
JODY VASQUEZ
8:57 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Epiphany...all that over chicken leaving town? a Rubios might fit...but then poor Taco Bell.......I thought the original article was actually pretty witty......just a little city trying to evolve from the artery clogging fast food of the past and becoming healthier & smarter.
Rich Kane
12:24 pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Jody: Chicken can have that effect on people!
I can see a Rubio's there, too ...
Bill Deck
10:05 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
I'd like to have them back, They're the only place i eat in Laguna.
Rich Kane
12:25 pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Bill: What will you do now to get that extra crispy/original recipe fix?
epiphany
4:31 pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Just lay out on the beach & eat each other's arms & legs off-looks like they're going to devour us all anyway! "They eat my people like bread!" just let them eat cake! Imagine thinking about a little country like this actually becoming Smart enough 2become healthier,happier&more prosperous people... Love U guys...prophets have No Respect in their own country, among their own kinsman or in their own town...some things Never change! Here's one for all the Idolators who think so much of money/ripping us off daily w/bogus shortages& think So Little of God from the 1&OnlyHoly Spirit(NotHerer,tho He'sInHeaven): "THEY CAN LIE&LIE UNTIL THE DIE THEY DIE ABOUT AN OIL SHORTAGE, ETC., BUT THEY WON'T ENTER HEAVEN WHEN THEY DIE!" Because they Never Repented&stoppedLying2UsAll4$$honey!They chose Mammon instead of God. HE SAID SAME THING GOES 4PEOPLE WHO WANT2lie about someone til the day they die-they go 2Hell4lying! After all, who would want Snakes in Paradise?!JC'sBloodDon'tCoverTheNon-RepentantWhoDieIn TheirSins-Kapish?
scott
3:56 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
i heard it's going to be a new burger concept with frozen custards and fresh cut fries and all the bells and whistles. going to build it out beautifully... that is like a much-imporved five guys and in-n-out, but all natural ingredients..
Mike Hunter
12:05 pm on Tuesday, October 4, 2011
In and Out would be really cool!
crazy how KFC just went quiet into the night like that.
must not have been doing to well...i'll miss the biscuits