Our news team just got back from covering the LA Marathon, and we just arrived in time for our Saint Patrick’s Day TV special, where we will take you inside the Tam O’Shanter, for their epic “St. Paddy’s Day Bash” and to celebrate their 102nd Year Anniversary– which is a major historical Centennial milestone- being Los Angeles’ oldest restaurant owned and operated by the same family in the same location on 2980 Los Feliz Blvd. in “East Hollywood” and south of Burbank.
The Tam kicked off its 102nd Year Anniversary with a wild party, great Irish food like their authentic Irish meals of Corned beef and cabbage simmered with potatoes and carrots for a traditional Irish meal that’s the perfect centerpiece for St. Patrick’s Day! The Tam had a vast variety of whiskeys & drinks like Green Beer, & live musical performances in a big white tent just outside of the restaurant, from 3 great authentic Irish Bands like: Whiskey Sunday- who are true Irish Americana:
Whiskey Sunday started at about 7:40 PM and went to about 11:45 PM – performing authentic Irish music! They had the entire audience up on their feet, having the time of their lives, and singing along with some of the songs! Many people where wearing authentic Irish clothing, shoes and hats, but at least some green. People of all ages were dancing right in front of the stage, and a fun time was had by all! You can see their great musical performance on this TV show.
Throughout the year the Tam has more of these great musical performances by these great bands. All 3 of the bands performed for a total of more than 11 hours- going from 12:30PM to almost 12 Midnight! The Tam is open every day again, to serve people with the finest authentic Irish food, with the same excellent quality like in Ireland! On this TV show: Entertainment Today and Entertainment & Sports Today’s Producer: Steve Taylor interviewed John Lindquist the Manager- of the Tam for 16 years, who told us about their Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Party and live musical entertainment, and how they import the finest Corned beef in the world for only a 2-month period before and after Saint Patrick’s Day serve to its’ guests. This year they had 800 Pounds of Corned beef, and 1000 pounds of Cabbage:
John told us about the great history of the Tam dating back to when they were on a dirt road when they opened up in July of 1922, how the local movie studios Execs like Walt Disney would eat their everyday since his movie studio didn’t have a commissary, and many legendary celebrities would go there on a regular basis. The Tam O’ Shanter still specializes in just the kind of comfort food that Walt liked: steak & potatoes. Walt’s favorite dish was “Toad In The Hole” – a Scottish mix of filet mignon, mushrooms, onions and Guinness gravy, all served in a Yorkshire Pudding. While he was eating at his table, Walt would doodle on the back of napkins the etchings for the rides and attractions that you can still see now in Disneyland! Those same etchings are imprinted in his table today! In fact, Walt Disney himself had his own reserved table there for himself right by the fireplace, that now has a plaque on it (see below photo). So YOU too can eat at exact same table as Walt Disney once did: the man that started it all, one of the pioneers of the movies and showbiz! Just call for reservations and ask for table #31. This is the 2nd most requested table in this restaurant. Walt himself favored the fireplace-adjacent Table 31, an inclination that the Tam O’Shanter now commemorates with the signature “Table 31” cocktail, as well as a plaque on the table itself:
You can also ask to eat at the same table as America’s Hero, & Cowboy, and the legendary iconic Actor: John Wayne! John would always have his meals at table #15 – so you can request that table for yourself the next time to want to dine at the Tam! This is the #1 most requested table at the Tam. On this show we will show you John Wayne’s table, to let you know how it feels to sit there!
Then John went on to tell us how with 4 generations The Tam is the longest family owned and operated restaurant at the same location in the country! Today still, the restaurant remains in the family, and is led by Ryan O’Melveny Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Restaurants Inc. and the Great-grandson of the original founder: Lawrence Frank!
The Tam O’Shanter was opened by Lawrence Frank and Walter Van de Kamp in 1922, and originally was named Montgomery’s Country Inn until 1925, so after 102 years the Tam is L.A.’s oldest continuously operating, same-family-owned restaurant- going back 4 generations, in the same location in Atwater Village, California, right near Griffith Park on Los Feliz Blvd! We hope to see you all soon! So stay tuned and thanks for watching Entertainment & Sports Today TV and Entertainment Today on Time Warner/ Spectrum. To watch other shows go to: EntertainmentandSportsToday.com