2. Old Food

Pioneer Chicken

There are 2 surviving Pioneer Chicken outlets, L.A. and Bell Gardens. The owners jointly own all rights to the Pioneer Chicken name. It's 269 locations in Indonesia are "California Fried Chicken". Two Indonesians who attended USC fell in love with Pioneer and took it home with them.
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Pioneer at 904 S. Soto in L.A.
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Pioneer at 904 S. Soto in L.A.

pioneer chickenlos angelessoto

  • This is Mike Belmonte. He and the other owner together own the rights to the name "Pioneer Chicken". Mike says his is the oldest surviving location, having started in 1976. That means the first 15 years of Pioneer have been razed. Mike is 70 and his first job, at age 19, was with Pioneer. He has worked for one company for 50 years and "I still love it!"
  • Mike's, the oldest surviving Pioneer Chicken, at Florence & Garfield, Bell Gardens
  • Love the bricks
  • Classic seating
  • Pioneer's iconic sign at the 904 S. Soto location. There may only be two left in the U.S., but it's big in Indonesia under the name "California Fried Chicken". Go figure - <a href="https://www.cfcindonesia.com/home">https://www.cfcindonesia.com/home</a>
  • Pioneer at 904 S. Soto in L.A.
  • Pioneer's Chef, Pierre
  • The one customer said that he was born down the street in 1965 and this Pioneer on Soto was already here. According to Mike, this is inaccurate.
  • Looks like dinner is ready.
  • My lunch - 2 piece and a biscuit
  • THAT'S good chicken!!!
  • Another day in another year - another 2 piece, this time with sides.
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