The Magic Lamp Inn is a charming and historic restaurant located in Rancho Cucamonga, California. This iconic establishment has been serving locals and visitors alike for over 60 years, making it a beloved dining destination in the area. The Magic Lamp Inn is known for its inviting atmosphere and friendly staff, providing a warm and welcoming experience for all who walk through its doors. The restaurant's interior is adorned with vintage decor, creating a nostalgic ambiance that adds to its charm. One of the highlights of the Magic Lamp Inn is its extensive menu, which features a variety of delicious dishes. From mouthwatering steaks and juicy burgers to fresh seafood and flavorful pasta, there is something to satisfy every palate.

More details come to light about Magic Lamp

THE MAGIC Lamp is in new hands, news that was the topic of my Nov. 2 column. In trying to be brief, I skated past a couple of facts about the Rancho Cucamonga steakhouse that a few of you with long memories thought should have been included.

For one, there was a restaurant on that site prior to the Magic Lamp’s 1955 arrival.

“It was called Lucy and John’s. It was a spaghetti house,” reader Flora Magnon told me.

Rene Biane and Richard Soper called me about it too. My understanding is that Lucy and John’s was there from 1941 into the 1950s. Some of the building was probably incorporated into the Magic Lamp.

Marian Nichols had the most specific memory: “It was there that I had my very first dinner date. We were Chaffey High School students. My date was Bill Burke. Wes Chambers and Joanne Hadovec completed our foursome.”

Now there’s a woman with a good memory. Alas, Nichols didn’t disclose what each of them ordered. It was probably spaghetti, spaghetti, spaghetti and spaghetti.

I gave John Clearman credit for founding the Magic Lamp, as he’s the well-known name, but didn’t name the partners who bought him out and later sold the Lamp to the Vernola family. They were Frank and Edith Penn.

Some of you, including Mel Dietrich and Willard Heise, remember them as the Lamp’s owners and wondered why their names weren’t mentioned.

Sigh. I knew writing a short column was a bad idea.

More broadly, reader Jim Andersen wrote:

“Your recent story about The Magic Lamp really brought back memories. The Magic Lamp was the last restaurant my family ate at before my father’s death in 1959 and the first place I took a date when I got out of the Army in 1967. Lots of reasons for me to remember the Magic Lamp.”

RAY ZONE, a pioneer in converting comic book pages into 3-D images, died Nov. 13 at age 65 in L.A. of a heart attack. His science fictional name was absolutely perfect, but it wasn’t his birth name.

That was Larry Heacock. Some of you may remember him.

“He grew up in Cucamonga and was in the first graduating class of Alta Loma High School,” his sister, Jonnie Owens, told me.

Owens said her brother wrote for the Cucamonga Times about school happenings, a weekly article titled Tepee Times because the Alta Loma mascot was the Braves.

According to an obituary in the Hollywood Reporter, Zone became interested in 3-D in 1953 when he read a 3-D Mighty Mouse comic book at age 6.

I never met him, but I knew his work. He adapted more than 150 comic books into 3-D, viewable with paper glasses with red and blue lenses, for such clients as Disney, Warner Bros., “The Simpsons,” DC Comics and Eclipse Comics. He also worked in movies, animation and TV.

I hope the afterlife provides him with a surprise fourth dimension.

* Hobby Lobby, an arts and crafts superstore, is coming to the former ReMart location in Upland on Mountain Avenue just above the 10 Freeway. (Thanks to reader Brian Severtson for the tip.) The store will open Feb. 1, according to the chain’s website. Hobby Lobby also has a store in Rancho Cucamonga.

* Cameron Munter, the former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan and Serbia and a Claremont native, will join his alma mater Pomona College as a visiting professor of international relations.

* Ken Davis has opened Tropical Fish House at 5118 Holt Blvd. in Montclair. His grandmother, Mary Davis, owned Jiffy Lunch, a lunch counter, at 616 E. Holt in Ontario from 1945 to 1966. “I’m kind of proud I have a business on the same boulevard as my grandmother,” Davis said. He also owns Pomona Feed on Mission Boulevard.

* A mileage sign on the 210 Freeway directs people to a Foothill “Avenue” exit in La Verne, reader Margaret Coffman points out. Tsk, tsk. A second sign has the correct “Boulevard” name.

* The Dale Brothers Brewery has moved to larger facilities at the Cable Business Park, 2120 Porterfield Way, in Upland. The tap room and beer garden are open Thursday to Sunday.

* Paul Krassner, a satirist, founder of The Realist, member of Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters and founding member of the Yippies, will speak at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Claremont McKenna Athenaeum, 385 E. Eighth St. The admission, like the thinking, is free.

MORE LAMP: As reader Joey Smith Dallimore reminds me, Clearman’s earlier restaurant in Pico Rivera on which the Magic Lamp was said to be modeled was Steak ‘n Stein – not, as I wrote, Steer ‘n Stein.

How does she know that piece of trivia?

“My father, Leslie H. Smith, started there as a cook and sometimes would work at the Magic Lamp as well for Mr. Clearman,” Dallimore explains.

“He progressed from there to the North Woods Inn in Monrovia as head chef, then manager of the North Woods Inn in Rosemead and finally,” she writes, “part owner and manager of the North Woods Inn in Covina. Not bad for someone with only basic schooling.”

The Clearman family still owns the Pico Rivera restaurant.

“By the way, excellent food and service at all of Clearman’s restaurants,” Dallimore adds, “but I may be a little biased.”

David Allen, an unclear man, writes Friday, Sunday and Wednesday. Reach him at [email protected] or 909-483-9339, read his blog at dailybulletin.com/davidallenblog, check out facebook.com/davidallencolumnist and follow @davidallen909 on Twitter.

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Magic lamp inn magic show events in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

From mouthwatering steaks and juicy burgers to fresh seafood and flavorful pasta, there is something to satisfy every palate. The restaurant is also known for its signature prime rib, which is cooked to perfection and is a favorite among regulars. In addition to its delectable food, the Magic Lamp Inn offers a full-service bar with a wide selection of wines, cocktails, and spirits.

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Save this event: Kip Barry's magic and variety dinner show- Ruby seating

Share this event: Kip Barry's magic and variety dinner show- Ruby seating

Whether you're looking to enjoy a pre-dinner drink or unwind after a long day, the bar is the perfect place to relax and socialize. The Magic Lamp Inn also offers private dining options for special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate events. With its spacious banquet rooms and attentive staff, the restaurant can accommodate large groups and ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience for all. Overall, the Magic Lamp Inn is a hidden gem in Rancho Cucamonga, offering a combination of delicious food, warm hospitality, and a charming atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a casual dinner with friends or a special celebration, this historic restaurant is sure to exceed your expectations..

Reviews for "Explore the Exquisite Menu at Magic Lamp Inn in Rancho Cucamonga"

1. John Smith - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to trying out the Magic Lamp Inn in Rancho Cucamonga, but I left feeling disappointed. The food was mediocre at best, with flavors that were bland and unimpressive. The service was also lacking, as our server seemed disinterested and inattentive. The ambiance of the restaurant was outdated and needs a major update to compete with other establishments in the area. Overall, I would not recommend dining at the Magic Lamp Inn if you are looking for a memorable dining experience.

2. Emily Johnson - 1/5 - My experience at the Magic Lamp Inn was extremely poor. The food was overpriced and underwhelming, with many dishes lacking in flavor and quality. The service was slow and unprofessional, as our server seemed more interested in chatting with coworkers than attending to our needs. The restaurant itself was not well-maintained, with dirty tables and unpleasant odors in some areas. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a satisfying dining experience.

3. Mark Thompson - 2/5 - My visit to the Magic Lamp Inn was quite disappointing. The food lacked flavor and character, and the portion sizes were small for the price. The service was slow and inattentive, as if they were understaffed. The atmosphere of the restaurant was lackluster and outdated, with uncomfortable seating and dim lighting. Overall, I was unimpressed with the Magic Lamp Inn and would not choose to dine there again in the future.

Discover the Charm of Magic Lamp Inn in Rancho Cucamonga