Ketchie"s : the Master at work

 Ketchie's: the Master at work

     This isn't a saying but an experience that can never be recreated except in fond memory. Greg and many others in the Gate crowd were connosieurs of the old-fashioned fast-food stands that sprung up all over So Cal after WW II. The places often featured only eight stools around a grill where a single cook made up some of the greatest lunch wonders of all time. Out on the West side there were two that UCLA people in the know would frequent whenever possible. There were some larger WLA greats enjoyed frequently like Tito's Tacos, Stan's Donuts and Hot Dogs, Johnnie's Pastrami, Pinocchio in Sa Mo, Patrick's Roadhouse on PCH,  the Apple Pan and LaMonica's Pizza.  These were loved but not one-man stands. Like hallowed spots where you arrived hoping for an empty stool at the counter with your mouth watering. There were two that we visited many times and each had an aura unlike any other out in West LA. Way back when my brother was a student at UCLA and lived in Married Student Housing he took me over to a stand in Sawtelle, on Sawtelle blvd. called Ketchie's. Ketchie's had eight precious stools and was in a Japanese neighborhood. The locals loved the place even though the menu was pure Americana. The cook was a sweet genius named Lonnie who stoicly made hamburgers, tamales, chili-dogs and unique tacos that I would kill for today. He would grill a hamburger patty and chop it in half then place the half-patty on the fried taco shell with cheese, onions, lettuce where magic would take place. They were the best tacos I ever ate and I have eaten thousands of tacos. I took Greg there in the early 70's and he was hooked. However, Greg never tasted a taco from Lonnie's grill. Instead he had the cheeseburger/chili  dog combo without fail. Strangely enough, I rarely wavered from the tacos because they were so great. The stand stayed simple but sodas were the accompanyments especially our beloved Delaware Punch. Lonnie did not mess with french fries or go beyond his standards but his precise work behind his grill was an art. As you wolfed down your first item, be it a taco or cheeseburger, Lonnie would be creating your second delicious serving while he chatted amicably with customers. The minute you put that last bite of part one into your mouth, he would set down the piping hot part two in front of you standing it on edge, ready to be picked up and devoured. Lonnie never wrote down an order but kept the puzzle of eight stools with at least 16 orders in his head. He never gave you a taco when you ordered a chili dog and if you ordered a Squirt you got a cold Squirt with the first delight he sat in front of you. There are other stories about Ketchie's but suffice it to say the big shiny Cadillac parked behind the stand was a testament to the success of this master of the grill.

                                                                     the man