Glendale Restaurant Guide

In Glendale's history, Damon's Steak House is a landmark restaurant but interestingly the pre-restaurant Damon history includes a friend of Abraham Lincoln's, a career in the candy business and active duty in France during World War 1.The restaurant founder, Loyal Adelbert Damon, was born in Medford, Oregon in 1891. His parents were Charles and Carrie (Brown) Damon and during the 1800's Carrie's family was active in the development of this country. Father James of Connecticut was commissioner general of a frontier outpost during the Revolutionary period. Loyal's great uncle and namesake traveled west in a covered wagon and founded Mt. Idaho. Being a close friend of President Lincoln, Uncle Loyal was instrumental in bringing the first Republican convention to the Territory of Idaho. The "convention" was held in his log cabin in 1863.Loyal was just age 6 when the family moved to California's Bay Area. His business career began with the Townsend Candy Company of San Francisco. At age 26 he joined the military and served in France with the 144th field artillery, better known as the "California Grizzlies."At the end of his tour of duty, he returned to Townsend Company but later moved south and joined the Christopher Candy Company in Los Angeles. Loyal was soon bitten by the "entrepreneur bug" and opened his own candy stores. One was located on South Vermont in Los Angeles and the other at Yucca and Ivar Streets in Hollywood. In 1937 he sold the candy stores and founded Damon's Steak House on Central Avenue in Glendale. It soon became a favorite with those seeking a hearty steak and a great drinkNow the Campbells are waiting for the next generation to join the fun. Waiting in the wings are Gavin, Alisa, Brianna, Kendra, Cameron, Danica, Dillon, Morgan, Riley, Hannah, Kainoa and Connor. As Patrick says: "We want Damon's to continue serving huge great steaks and our (and Moe's) world famous mai tai's.