Beverly Hills in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Brown Derby

Beverly Hills

— Golden Shield Commemorative Plaque —

Brown Derby Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 20, 2025

1. Brown Derby Marker

Inscription.
Opened in 1931 at this site, this restaurant was third in the chain to open in Southern California. It was a brainchild of screenwriter Wilson Mizner, who became a business partner with silent picture star Gloria Swanson's ex-husband, director Herbert K. Somborn, and Jack Warner, president of Warner Brothers. The restaurant was closed in 1982.

Erected by City of Beverly Hills. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.

Location. 34° 4.037′ N, 118° 24.071′ W. Marker is in Beverly Hills, California, in Los Angeles County. It is at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on Rodeo Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 S Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills CA 90210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

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in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beverly Wilshire Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Giorgio Beverly Hills (within shouting distance of this marker); Uncle Bernie’s Toy Menagerie (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Romanoff’s/The Daisy (about 500 feet away); Anderton Court (about 600 feet away); The Beverly Theater / Fiorucci (about 600 feet away); Don Loper Salon (about 700 feet away); Beverly Hills Handbag Studio (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly Hills.

Regarding The Brown Derby. Opened by Bob Cobb in 1931, the famous eatery was located across from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. It was the third Brown Derby to open in Southern California. The original Brown Derby Café opened 1926 at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Mariposa across from the Ambassador Hotel. The building for the first Brown Derby was shaped like a derby hat because a friend remarked “If you know

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 20, 2025

2. Brown Derby Marker

anything about food, you can sell it out of a hat.” A second Brown Derby restaurant was opened in Hollywood along Vine Street near Hollywood Boulevard, and a fourth café opened in the Los Feliz area near Griffith Park. In 1937, the Cobb salad was invented at the Hollywood location and named in honor of Mr. Cobb.
The Beverly Hills restaurant closed its doors in 1982. The building was demolished shortly afterwards and the vacant property was purchased in 1986 for redevelopment. Today’s “One Rodeo” is a multi-story shopping center with a derby-shaped dome to honor the legendary restaurant.

The Brown Derby - 1960s image. Click for full size.

courtesy Beverlyhills.org

3. The Brown Derby - 1960s

Brown Derby Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

4. Brown Derby Location

The derby-shaped dome honors the legendary restaurant.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.