California's Legendary Pea Soup Andersen's Restaurant
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- Jeff takes a trip to Santa Nella and the legendary west coast Pea Soup Andersen's. The first restaurant started out in 1924 in Buellton and grew in popularity due to the split pea soup recipe. The Santa Nella restaurant is the second one, established in 1976. Jeff also bumps into fans of History Hunters!
#PeaSoupAndersens #SantaNella #HistoryHunters
I recall one of Lucille Ball's color TV episodes where Lucy enters some contest to win money by the purchase of Andersen's split pea soup. As would be expected, by the end of the episode, Lucy has every cupboard in her kitchen filled with cans of green-labeled Andersen's soups. Another good California history lesson!
Every time my grandchildren go to Disneyland from Northern California, the family tradition is to stop at Pea Soup and take a picture at the cutouts! Wonderful restaurant, delicious pea soup, I hope it never, ever goes away. Thanks again, Jeff! Sarah, I love that bowl🥰
About 15 years ago the US restaurant industry made moves to cut back the sodium and fats in their foods.
It was a silent move done quietly to avoid any New Coke drama. Maybe one or 2 execs within each company knew of the moves.
So some flavors changed slightly. If you meet any of the old Jaspers in Buellton they'll say the entire recipe was changed but not really.
We only noticed it in In N Out burger.
Jeff…. your a hell of a man and a great son to your Mom . I showed that video to my mother who came to visit me . I looked and the tears were running down my Moms cheeks . Your do real and a great guy .
I really appreciate your touching comments. Thank you very much. Life really is incredibly short and we need to treat our loved ones as though every day with the last. I appreciate you and your sentiments.
Many fond memories of Pea Soup Andersen’s. Been to the Buellton and Santa Nella locations and the others. There use to be one along the Hwy 99 corridor in Selma. I live in SoCal and would go down to the San Diego County coastal community of Carlsbad where there was an Andersen’s along the I-5. It always brings a smile on my face seeing the windmills when I travel where these former locations use to be. Read an online article earlier in the year about the Buellton location being for sale. Don’t know what has come of that and what Andersen’s future will be.
I was always devastated as a child in the 70's when my parents would pull into the parking lot of Anderson's on our family road trips. As a teen I heard that Lynda Blair would fill her mouth with split pea soup for the projectile vomit scenes. Appreciate learning some Anderson's history - thanks!
As a former truck driver, I ate Thanksgiving dinner at the Buellton location once. I have to tell you that was THE BEST restaurant Thanksgiving dinner I have EVER had (couldn’t finish it all). Have eaten plenty holiday dinners alone on the road.
The food is great here. The first time I ate Split Pea soup was right here at this location. I live in Oklahoma now, but I still miss stopping here and enjoying the food and atmosphere.
I live about 10 minutes from here and it's such a great little place!
And, sadly, the Buellton hotel and restaurant are now both closed. That's truly sad. Although I've lost my taste for pea sup in the last several years, and I haven't been to the restaurant in years, I will definitely miss this place. Last time I was in the area, I went straight to Solvang and never had a chance to visit Andersens. Now, I'm really sorry about that.
Stopped there many times over years traveling between LA and Portland . Thanks for posting!
Happy to hear you liked this episode!
One of my favorite places...have the ham & Swiss on rye....❤
Memories. A fixture for all Californians. Part of everyone’s north south journey along the 101. Many memories.
My family and I would always stop there on our way to Disneyland and many other road trips to the south back in the early and mid 80s. The last time I stopped there was when I drove from Phoenix Arizona to the bay area to visit my family for Christmas in 2008.
Does anyone remember the other two Peas Soup Andersen's? I think maybe in the 70's or early 80's? One in Mammoth and one in Carlsbad? Great memories Jeff!
Had an aunt and uncle in Carmel. We would always stop in Buellton on the drive
I was hired for the BNSF Railway at a Pea Soup Andersons in Selma Calif. There were 10 of us that began our careers for the BNSF there. Our first 2 weeks of Railroad work started there.
Well done presentation. I enjoyed learning about the back story to the restaurant. I have been to both locations but never knew the history until now. Thank you.
I got to run into Sarah recently :) She is super nice in person. I almost didn’t say hello because I was shy. I have been following the channel for awhile, so I’m glad I did.
Hi Jennifer! Glad you said hello. Was good to meet you. We're happy you enjoy the channel.
Ditto to what Sarah said! Glad you bumped into her! Thanks for all your support! We appreciate it!
We were an Army Reserve unit deploying for Desert Storm back in 1990 a convoy of Army trucks from SoCal up the 5 freeway. We passed Andersen’s Santa Nella then the leader made a U-turn through the dirt median. We all made big unwieldy unsafe U-turns through the median to get lunch at Andersen’s! Unfortunately so did the CHP!! Considering we were going to War, he let us off with a warning! Best Pea Soup ever! 🏅🎖🍲
Great great story! It’s good to know the CHP gave his graces to our military!
There is one in Carlsbad Ca Too, next to the beach and flower fields a beautiful location
This one closed maybe 10 years ago.
@@scottcary1 Oh thats sad news
There was another PSA in Selma, close to Fresno.
I remember eating at Andersen's as a kid in So Cal. The Santa Nella windmill is a nice landmark that I use to remind me to turn off I5 when we visit in-laws in Hollister. I can never remember the name of the offramp but I don't have to because I have the windmill!
Nope, you can't miss the windmill! May it always turn to help people find their way! LOL
I have only been to CA 2 once to Clearlake 35 years ago stayed about a month. Then to sandiego 9 years ago to watch my boy graduation from marine core boot camp. Seeing how I from Wyoming not to far away I would like to go again. You visit alot of interesting locations that would be cool to see.
Not only are your episodes so educational, they make me homesick. I lived in Tracy, CA just up the road, for 20 years. Then in Oroville for another 4 years. I've slurped down many a bowl from Pea Soup Andersons myself. Great video...
Another great one jeff😉👍wish I was there …looks nice ..😉🇦🇺🇦🇺👍
I loved this place as a kid, Anderson’s and the Nut Tree! I read recently that 2 weeks before it’s 100th birthday in 2024, the owners shut it down! I’m not sure which location, but what a shame.
This French pea soup is the best in the world! Nothing can stand up to it. Very fond memories of eating there with my grandmother. I’m sure we went to the gift shop, I can’t remember purchasing anything, but I’d be very interested in that cookbook!
The bowls are awesome! I do remember those. I got some pasta bowls years back, the chef kiss guy with the pasta, and the first thing I thought of was trying to see PeeWee and Hap Pea at the bottom of the bowls! ( for a little kid, that’s A LOT of soup just to check on the two characters!)
Wonderful place! I’m so glad I got to visit a few times, lovely segment!
The Buellton location closed but I understand that Santa Nella eatery is still open!
JEFF ( husband speaking ) I stoped here in 1972 on a trip to Disneyland. I bought two post cards - can't remember if I had lunch here
but if I did, it was not P-SOUP, hate the stuff. I have my ticket from Knotts Berry Farm . Not sure what I paid for the inclusive ticket, but
the rides were just 40 cents. I think if I did not have those post cards I probably wouldn't remember this quick stop.
Love Pea Soup Anderson’s. Been visiting there my whole life!
Well that confirms you live in California! Lol. Thank you for giving this one of you and leaving us a comment. I think I’m going to have pea soup for lunch. LOL
@@jbenziggy me too!
Awesome you were almost in CrowsLanding at the old navy base
Been to the Santa Nella location a lot as we live in Lodi, it’s always a favorite stop for us. We have been known to stop and eat and take a couple orders of soup home with us for later. Thanks for posting this, love your channel and all the history you pass along.
Wonderful! Thanks very much! We love the feedback from Lodi!
Gee Jeff, a place I know well! I live 15 minutes west of the Buellton location, and it's one of my pit stops when making Hospice visits in/around the Valley. In addition to the gift shop, there's a small Christmas shop all year round, and both locations sell their brand of fruit wines. For anyone hoping to find a great (as close to the original as possible) mead, that's the place to find it...I'm on my 12th wine card (having tried all the flavors!). On my trip up and back from visiting my Brother & Sister-in-law in Tahoe (I housed them for 3 weeks when they fled the Caldor fire smoke. They were lucky enough to return home yesterday to fairly blue skies, whew), Santa Nella is exactly mid-point in my 8hour journey.---I've eaten their pea soup, which I consider standard fare, but love it anyway! I usually order the asian salad (which is HUGE)! And don't forget their bakery. They even sell bread at my location.
Uff da, I forgot to mention the small museum upstairs!
Solvang is near Buelton.. danish city in califonia . Love a history hunters video from solvang
Maybe we will get down there someday. I've been there but it was way before I started this channel!
Fun video..Thank you for having some pea soup for your viewers
Hello Jeff, Thanks for sharing another interesting story the pea 🍲 soup sure looks delicious. Happy Sunday and have a great day 🌞
Glad you enjoyed it, Charles! Thank you! And yep, the soup is always good and always the same goodness!
Excellent video! Although many years ago, I have eaten at both establishments. I do not recall what the meals were, but I DO recall the split pea soup!
It's Sunday !! That means another fun history lesson !! Many happy yummy memories of Pea Soup Andersen's ! I always have a can in my pantry in case I have a craving. Thank you Jeff for another fun adventure ! ❤❤
Now I am hungry for some split pea soup!
You and me both! LOL. The canned soup made by this company is the next best thing!
Hi Jeff, this looks very similar to places Solvang. Maybe you should do a video on Solvang. I don't know how historic the town is. We have been there and it is pretty interesting with a lot of Danish influence.
First time seeing via your recent post. Great one once again sir! So much history that goes unfounded except for travelers like you. Thank you for taking us as well. Many 🙏🏻 and respect.
I love the soup.Been there on numerous occasions.Meatloaf sandwich is the top of the list. Stay safe and healthy see you next week 👌✌️
Oh yum Anderson’s pea soup😎😎must feel good to run into fans along the way😎😎❤️❤️❤️
I've never heard of this place but it has certainly been around awhile I see. I love the old windmill. It's sad the family was all killed.
If you ever get out to California, and hopefully that will be soon, then be sure to stop by that place. The pea soup is really good and you saw how piping hot it was in my bowl! Glad you came along, Rhetty!
@@jbenziggy It really looks like a great place and I'd love to stop in out there.
I was born in Lompoc, California. My parents talked about this restaurant all my life. In 1990 I finally got back there and dined at the restaurant in Buellton
What did you think?
Another excellent video!
Love Andersen’s! Thanks for this episode. My other stop is Harris Ranch. I’ve always wondered the history there.
This brings back memories. I haven't been there since the late 90's.
So close to me, coming from Gustine area.
Reminds me of Frankenmuth, MI. Thanks for the video! Well done!
Give Jeff and Sarah a like and a sub! You won’t be disappointed!
Our family celebrated our daughters 1st Birthday there in the big room all by ourselves in 2018. What an amazing place to see Danish history, the banners and wooden carriage inside.
It's not Swedish, it's Danish.
There used too be long stretches will little food or gas and the sign's would give something too look forward too
I have been to their Buellton location many times thru the years. Solvang is one of my favorite places to go and just hang out.
Wonderful place to eat and visit. My father and I just had lunch there about five months ago after visiting the veterans memorial . My granddads brother was laid to rest there , He had served in world war two. He was a tech 5 medic and made it back from normandy invasion.Wonderful to see the history of this destination. U have a great channel and always have wonderful content.🇺🇸🍵
There was a Pea Soup Andersen’s in Carlsbad off the 5 freeway some years back. My aunt lived in San Marcos next to Carlsbad and we went there several times. I’m not a fan of pea soup but they had a good menu.
I live in Oregon but everytime I head South into California, I have to stop at the first Anderson's I-5 restaurant (not sure town name) It is a must. 👍
My late father loved Pea Soup Anderson’s‼️😊❤️
Just wanted to say a very big THANKYOU for the cards That arrived and the beautiful words written made my day Jeff. Great video as well so super happy. Sad Sarah couldn't make it
You are very welcome. I’m glad that the card made it to you safely. It just goes to show you how slow the mail moves these days. We appreciate you as a great fan of our channel!
@@jbenziggy No my friend its you i thank for all you do to make us smile Keep bringing it as its loved by many
Reminds me of the old Van De Kamp Restaurants from back in the day!
This was so interesting, Jeff. The history had a few, Kleenex moments, but the obviously popular, two restaurants have many fans. I love your **visual memories and am grateful for your research. another winner 🏆😁 It has to be so great to run in to fans of yours and Sarah 's.🌞
I was really surprised to be recognized far from home! I was at South Lake Tahoe this summer and a fellow walked up to me to tell me he loves our channel! I was stunned. It's happening more so I guess that's a sign of our growing audience. Thank you, Rhonda. I'm glad you are among our fans!
@@jbenziggy I am, too, Jeff. Thank you... I love this channel. 👏🤗
@@jbenziggy Don't be surprised - I've been a fan quite a while now and live in South Dakota.... We need someone like you to cover South Dakota... I wish I knew your research secrets!
@@SteveHowardPhotography research secrets? Lol. A lot of online searches plus the local library! I love South Dakota and want to go back up! Maybe next year we can get up there and highlight the history there! Thanks for being such a great fan!
👍. Always a great job. Love all the background history along with the sites!
Yes ,used to go there in the 60s after my Army discharge. Great pea soup!
I am a German and i make pea soup in german style, wehen you eat 1 plate you can not stop eating,Realy!😉
Never been there myself, but my folks stopped at the Buellton restaurant in the late 1950's & bought a bottle of (I think it was cherry) wine in a beautiful blown glass bottle with a glass stopper from the gift shop there. That bottle sat up on a shelf being admired for decades, but my mom could never bring herself to open that pretty bottle, so the wine turned bad & she dumped it out. I still have that bottle & stopper someplace. They always called the place Anderson's Pea Soup Restaurant, not the other way around!
Although I Truly do Believe...In my opinion...and In my opinion only! And PLEASE!!!... "Pea soup lovers forgive me" ...
PEA SOUP...!!!! is one of the most disappointing flavors to EVER hit my tastebuds.
BUT...
Sadly the last time I was "forced to struggle it into a spoon and into my mouth" was decades ago.
So perhaps things have changed,
ANYWAYS!
Once again!!!
A BEAUTIFUL INFORMITAVE Look
Back in History my friend!!!! And cannot thank you enough, for when I finally have a chance to lay down and relax, I very much look forward to your content.
Thankyou.
Oh, and I hope your significant beautiful lady is alright,
And simply not joining due to a something special.
Godbless, and keep on doing what your doing please!
ZACK DANIELS ~
Hi Zack 👋 Not everyone enjoys split pea soup and that is OK by us. If you bring yourself to give it a try again maybe dress it up with some ham, bacon or even some garlicky croutons. I didn't make it on this outing because I had to work. I love split pea soup so I was sad I missed it but I was surprised with the bowl and some canned soup. Until next time friend 👋
When I was a teen back in the late 70's a good friend and I made it a tradition that on the Friday after Thanksgiving we would get up early and drive from Glendale to Solvang to spend the day browsing around town. We always made it a point to stop at Andersen's first for a late breakfast of pea soup. My friend has since passed now, so Andersen's holds a lot of fond memories for me.
Hey Jeff, I have a question for you!! Inside the Pea soup restaurant, do they still have a winery cellar shop there?? Then after that, the family would go to Solvang!! Great video!! Thanks!!
I am not sure. I have only been to the Santa Nella location and I don't remember a wine cellar but I wasn't looking for one! LOL. You know that they just closed the Buellton restaurant, right?
Great episode Jeff! This place was a stopping point for my family growing up on our way to Disneyland every summer. Good memories of my family trips growing up. I haven't been back since I was a kid. It was really fun seeing it again. This is exactly why I love this channel so much! You made me smile and feel good today Jeff.
Solvang next? I love this Danish vibe :)
What a special episode. Shame Sarah couldn't join you. Keep up the good work guys!😊
I googled "history of pea soup" and am grateful I found this video. You can tell there was effort put into researching and creating this video. Thank you for sharing this piece of California history.
Glad you enjoyed it! Did you know the restaurant down south is now closed?
They unfortunately closed down out of nowhere today. Happy to have people like you documenting the legacy!
Did all of them close or just Buellton?
You are talking about the one in Buelton. The video is about the one in Santa Nella.
Ok thank heavens! I wasn’t sure which location, I read about it though. 2 weeks before it’s 100th birthday!
If they’ve still got a location open, it’s on my bucket list! I used to go to Anderson’s when I was little. I’ve purchased their canned soup whenever I could find it, I’ll chose this recipe over any other brand!
I’d love one of those cookbooks. Maybe next time, I’ll make a purchase at the gift shop! Let’s hope they’re still open!
I've been in there several times, we even stayed at the Hotel once. Personally I don't like the looks of the pea soup, but after trying it I know it is really good. Used to be a 76 truck stop across the street, That was also a popular place back in the day. Hope Sarah likes the bowl. Oh, and my wife remembers the Restaurant in Buellton, seems that they passed by it years ago on a trip to Solvang. Thanks for Sharing.🇺🇸
Yes I would agree with you that the pea soup looks horrible but it is wonderful. It’s especially good when it’s piping hot. LOL
I can understand why they chose the original location, but why was Santa Nella their second choice? It's on Hwy 5, but in the middle of nowhere.
A lot of San Joaquin Valley folks go through there to get to Monterey so maybe that's why!
The Buellton location was just sold by a local restaurant owner named Milt Guggia.
Sad, huh?
Ma would occasionally buy a few cans of soup for Friday dinners. I always felt sorry for the little guy, especially because he had that band aid on him
Ha ha, yeah, poor Pea-Wee. He must be traumatized splitting so many peas to feed us hungry travelers! LOL
I have had their soup several times hopping the next time would be better?
Too me wall paper paste has a better taste! Sorry ASPS...
It’s rather strange that taste buds can differ from person to person but the vast majority of those who have commented love split pea soup. LOL
Pea soup green. That's the color my wife wants to paint her accent wall. Perfect timing for this video.
Always took my kids here when they were little and even now again we will stop just for nostalgia. Thank you for posting this video
You are very welcome. I thank you for watching and commenting. It’s been nice to hear from so many folks who have been there before to eat.
I watched this episode way back when ! But I'm watching it again. THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA.......
Now that's a genuine _hap pea_ place to have a meal.
I grew up going there!! There is/was one somewhere near Mammoth Lakes and /or Santa Cruz CA. We went camping every summer and would always stop. Its the ONLY brand of pea soup I buy to this day!!
You made me hungry Jeff!! I'll have to get back there one day to buy a bowl and lots of other goodies!! Thanks so much for a wonderful memory and a fantastic video!!
You might be able to order their canned soup which is just as good as the restaurant. In fact, they may heat it up from a can at the restaurant! Thanks for the great comment!
@@jbenziggy Yes, sometimes I can find the canned soup at CVS stores and occasionally other grocery stores too!!
When I read the title of today’s episode, I decided I needed home made lentil soup. It is delish too. Thank u Jeff.
Sweet! Thank you, Nadia!
We always stop in Santa Nella on our way to Monterey from Modesto, and we always talk about checking it out but never have. We also occasionally visit the San Joaquin Valley national cemetery in Santa Nella where my husband's grandparents are burried. I'm curious about the history of that cemetary.
The cemetery is only 30 years old so it doesn’t have much of a history. I went out there the same day. Thank you for watching our video.
My parents are buried at the veteran’s cemetery. I’ll visit Andersen’s restaurant next time I’m out there.
When I was a kid back in the 70s on a family road trip we stopped at the Buelton location. I had never had pea soup before, and I was hooked, sadly I never returned but it is certainly on my bucket list.
HAHAHA!!!
Andersen's Electric Cafe (original)... .
Now has Tesla Supercharger at the Santa Nella location.
GREAT PLANNING!!!
I was there in 1977 !
In 1976, I was at Vandenberg Air Force Base and frequently went to Pea Soup Anderson's when visiting Solvang. If you have not done a video on Solvang, I think it would be a good topic.
We must’ve just missed when you were there! We came a couple hours after you for dinner!
Great video. Love seeing the history of places. Looks like that's been a staple in that community for a lot of years..... damn.... I'm hungry now.
I’ve been stopping at Anderson’s Split Pea Soup in Buellton since the early 1960’s …when as a child with my siblings our parents took us there on vacations from the San Francisco Bay Area South to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and or Los Angeles. Sometimes we took the coast highway, PCH. In Morro Bay in the early 1960’s the motels were on the East side of the highway. To get to the beach you just walked across the highway without any concern for traffic. You can’t do that today! 😱🤣🤣🤣
From 1963-1978, my family hit this spot every time we traveled to visit my grandparents, if not spending the night on sight or to at least eat, OR at least a place to pee. Always a place in my families history TO THIS DAY! Ask my younger brother!
Always look forward to Sunday and another History Hunter video! Love that bowl and the soup looks good too! Thanks Jeff!
I never felt good after eating Split Pea Soup, it all made sense, when I read "Eating Right for Your Blood Type", not good for type O's.
I did like alot of there other offerings.
The one in Carlsbad, California, became a TGI Fridays.
When I was in the Army reserve back in the 1960s our unit, which was based in Long Beach, formed a convoy heading north to Ford Ord. We stopped at Anderson’s in Buellton for breakfast. It was early. Only the army was being served. I wanted to go back some day for the soup. It never happened.
I never knew this. Went here as a kid and the signs along the freeway would count down from like a 100+ miles away and made it the most memorable. This was probably 35 years ago...hard to believe. My family found out about it from around gaviota Beach...Solvang was another place with the Danish....really fun place.
Hellooooo Jeff! We love Pea Soup! Thx a bunch for this one, we weren't aware of this restaurant...interesting history. Coca-Cola for .25 cents...those were the days my friend! Take care see ya on the next one!
Since I moved out of Calif. to Arizona in 2007 I always stop by and buy a couple of cases of Andersen's split soup when I'm over there.
I will! So according to this episode this place started in the mid’70s! Wow! Because I was 10 that year and I remember going there and getting the strawberry milk shake served with a paper straw along with our pea soup. And I loved sampling the cheese and bread😁
I remember hearing about this place! Cool! I'm really enjoying watching your varied episodes. 👍👏
Santa Nella, the turn off to Pacheco Pass - Salinas. Stopped at Starbucks & In -n Out several times. Saw the signs to that place, but driving a truck, not much time to stop. I don’t go out that way anymore 🙁 Your channel answers the questions about places we don’t have time to stop at. Neat story !
Never been to the Santa Nella one but visited the Non Identical Twins Hap-Pea and Pea Wee in Buelton for breakfast several times. Unfortunately the food was not up to par a couple times and have been going down the street to Ellen's Cafe now for years, food much better.