Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Dead Page-- Taco Bell/Baker's-- Pickle Barrel

NEAL BAKER, 84

California fast-food innovator

Neal Baker and George Bell were pretty impressed with the crowds lining up for food at the first McDonald's in San Bernardino and they became part of the first wave of fast-food innovators.

Neal Baker helped his best high school friend, George bell, build a hamburger store on the outskirts of San Bernardino which eventually evolved into Taco Bell. The, Baker built his own place, which eventually became the 32 store Baker's Drive-Thru chain located entirely in California.

His family reports that he went into the office every day until two months ago.

Mr. Baker helped Dick and Mac McDonald build the original restaurant before they re-engineered to speed up service. Their ability to serve 20,000 milkshakes a month attracted the attention of Ray Kroc, and the rest, as they say, is history.

So, that's where they got the Bell in the Taco.



BENJAMIN A. KRAMER 1914-2008

Co-founder of "The Pickle Barrel" chain of restaurants


Died June 4th. During WW II, he served with the 5th Army Air Corps, 15th Bomber Wing. After the war, he opened several businesses before opening his first "Pickle Barrel" with his brother Sidney, in Chicago's Old Town Two others were also opened.

These were one of THE places to go to eat. Pickles were served for free at the tables, and if memory serves me, peanuts were also for free, one of the first places to do that.

Two Real Innovators.

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