Cask 'n Cleaver was founded in 1967 in an old ranch-house, amidst the lush vineyards of historic Cucamonga, 40 miles east of Los Angeles. Founders Chuck and Linda Keagle had just finished college and remembered the fun they had working in restaurants as students. With that in mind, they combined their love of the restaurant business with a growing interest in California wines.

    Their concept was simple: combine the best Midwestern corn-fed steaks with reasonable prices, a good selection of California wines, friendly service, with a casual relaxed atmosphere. The first menu was hand-painted on old wine bottles. Servers wore shorts and guests served themselves from a bountiful salad bar--a pretty revolutionary idea back in 1967.

    The idea worked and Cask 'n Cleaver restaurants can be found in four locations today. Gone are the hand-painted menus with only six menu items, but the original concept is otherwise still intact. The Keagles are still actively involved in their creation, making sure that every guest is treated as a Very Special Person.