Kenny and His Trailblazers on the radio. They played The Hayloft when it opened in 1948.
(1948-1978) Hayloft Barbecue was originally a western-themed dance hall established in 1948 by Chula Vista auto dealer Jerry Stone. He closed out his used car dealership (“They’re Plymouth-Rock-Bottom!”) and leased the new Gonzales Building at 1502 National Avenue. Stone built out South Bay’s largest western cafe with a cocktail bar, cozy booths, wagon wheel lamps, and a 2,800 square foot dance floor showcasing Chula Vista’s own up-and-coming western swing band, Kenny Leonhardi and His Trailblazers. Network radio shows like the National Barn Dance (sponsored by Alka-Seltzer) made western dance halls all the rage until their decline in the 1960s, due in part to aging audiences and the rise of — rock and roll.
And why name it “The Hayloft” anyway? Lemme tell ya…
The name supposedly reminded Jerry Stone of his youth on a Kansas farm, and it was a necessary extension of the “barn dances” Stone held at the Chula Vista recreation hall. They became so popular, he outgrew the venue. At one event, it was reported there were over 700 swing dancers on the floor!
“Kenny and his Trail Blazers aren’t content with their three radio shows and the weekly Saturday night Barn Dance,” an opening notice announced. “Their many fans in Southern California will be glad to learn that they’re going to begin a nightly stand in the Hayloft.”
Chuck Woodrum and His Desert Sons headlined the venue opening night.
Newspaper ad for The Hayloft, Chula Vista, December 1948.
Alec and Ruth Burnett (Swan’s Inn) took over management, serving meals and short orders — a step above the mere snacks they served when first opened. Barbecue came in full swing when pitmaster F.C. Gillett ran it a couple years later, before starting Gillett’s Barbecue in Encinitas. Waitresses earned 80¢ an hour.
During Prohibition, that stretch of Highway 101 was known as the “Road to Hell,” being a straight shot the devil’s playground, Tijuana. Chula Vista renamed its portion Broadway. In part, to avoid its association with the “mile of bars,” National City renamed its portion in 1978 to National City Boulevard.
National Blvd, National City, 1920s.
In 1952 Tony and Lila Manino bought the restaurant and moved the dancing to their new Knotty Pine Cocktail Lounge. It was the happening place for young carnivores — the “20-30 Club” met Thursdays at 7:30. They had pork-centric murals decorating the dining room, documenting scenes from “This Little Piggy Went to Market.”
Ashtray and matchbook, Tony & Lila Manino’s Hayloft Barbecue, Chula Vista, 1953. They had an amusing “This Little Piggy” motif throughout.
Then there’s that time in 1958 when a U.S. Navy plane crashed in the field next to the crowded restaurant. All escaped death.
By 1959, Fred and Zada Rice hosted Chula Vista Community Theatre shows at the Hayloft — like Guns, Guitars, and Lilly Fortune for the 25th annual Fiesta de la Luna, and later, comedy dinner theatre shows.
For another ten years, Ed Gonzales (any relation to the “Gonzales Building?) offered up ranch breakfasts in his refurbished restaurant, and specialized in smoked hams and barbecue ribs from his brick pit ovens. A new innovation for diners? He offered moist towelettes. Chuck Howard played country western music for folks in the “Knotty Room.” The Hayloft closed in 1978, and became Victor’s Mexican Restaurant.
Another location at 6323 Imperial Avenue in Encanto was open during the 1950s, and eventually was bought by ex-boxer Horácio Oliveira Velha (1908-1998) — yes, that Horatio, of Horatio’s Green Onion fame.
Otay
Hayloft Pit Barbecue (1967-1978, Edward Gonzales)
Hayloft Barbecue (1957-1967, Fred and Zada Rice)
Hayloft Barbecue (1952-1957, Tony & Lil Manino)
Hayloft Barbecue (1950, F.C. Gillett)
Hayloft Cafe & Nite Club (1948, Shipton “Bud” Estes, Ralph Riley)
Hayloft Cafe & Nite Club (1948, Alec and Ruth Burnett)
The Hayloft Cafe (1948, Jerry Stone)
1502 National Avenue [now, Broadway]
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Encanto
Saddlehorn Barbeque (1962)
Horatio’s Barbeque (1962)
Hayloft Barbecue (1953-1958)
6323 Imperial Avenue
San Diego, CA 92114