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From Aviation Legacy to Culinary Excellence

Specialty Restaurants Corporation is a pioneer in the industry, known for our award-winning destination restaurants. Since World War II veteran David Tallichet opened Long Beach's The Reef in 1958, SRC has developed a reputation for amazing food, excellent service and unbeatable views and the first themed restaurants in the US!

Many of our restaurants are inspired by our founder's experience as an aviator in World War II. David flew over 20 missions in a B-17 Bomber and his passion for flying left a legacy seen in many of our restaurants. Proud Bird, for example, sits along the runway at LAX and is decorated with historic aircrafts.

Today we are still family-owned and as committed as ever to delivering unmatched food and service.

SRC operates 17 award-winning restaurants including Orange Hill in Orange County, Castaway in Burbank and Rusty Pelican in Miami, Florida. Specialty Events is our event production company, offering complete event services for corporate and special events.

David believed in the importance of creating unforgettable experiences for guests, only opening restaurants on top of a hill, on the waterfront or next to an airport. Whether you're looking for a romantic date spot, a delicious brunch with friends or a huge reception, our restaurants are built to accommodate groups of all sizes. Every location has a patio, bar, dining room and large event spaces so no matter the occasion, SRC restaurants are the place to go.

SRC Timeline

Photo of David Tallichet

1958

David Tallichet

Specialty Restaurants Corporation is founded by David Tallichet, a World War II veteran noted as the pioneer of themed restaurants.

August 1958

The Reef

SRC's first location, the Reef, opens in the Port of Long Beach.

Historical images of The Reef
Whiskey Red's

August 1962

Whiskey Red's

Opening up as Pieces of Eight as the first restaurant in Marina del Rey, and previously known as Shanghai Red's. Whiskey Red's is known for its tropical décor, delicious seafood, exotic drinks and panoramic ocean views.

July 1967

Proud Bird

Proud Bird opens next to LAX as a salute to achievements in aviation, offering guests a front-row view of planes approaching for landing.

Historic photo of the Proudbird ground breaking event
Aerial view of The Odyssey

March 19, 1970

The Odyssey

The Odyssey Restaurant opens in Granada Hills, featuring our 1.25 acre SRC farm and a true farm-to-table experience.

December 1970

Castaway San Bernardino

Castaway San Bernardino opens in the rolling hills of the Inland Empire.

Aerial view of Castaway San Bernardino
Rusty Pelican Miami

May 1972

Rusty Pelican Miami

Rusty Pelican Miami opens, a city-owned property on Key Biscayne overlooking downtown Miami.

June 1972

Luminarias

Luminarias opens on the hilltop of Monterey Park offering breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Valley.

Luminarias
Orange Hill patio

September 1972

Orange Hill

Orange Hill Restaurant opens, offering picturesque views from Orange County to Catalina Island.

November 1973

94th Aero Squadron

94th Aero Squadron opens next to Van Nuys Airport, the world's busiest general aviation airport. A tribute to WWII, the restaurant offers expansive views of some of the world's oldest and newest aircraft arriving and departing daily.

94th Aero Squadron
The Sunbird exterior

April 1975

The Sunbird

The Sunbird opens on top of Rattlesnake Hill offering views of Colorado Springs in Colorado.

July 20, 1981

Monterey Hill

Originally opening up as Baby Doe's, Monterey Hill overlooks the San Gabriel Valley in Monterey Park, CA.

Monterey hill
Templeton Landing

June 23, 1982

Templeton Landing

Originally opening up as Crawdaddy's, Templeton Landing offers the largest waterfront patio of Lake Erie in Buffalo, NY.

September 30, 1983

100th Bomb Group

100th Bomb Group opens offering sweeping views overlooking the runway of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Ohio.

100th Bomb Group
Rusty Pelican exterior

December 1983

Rusty Pelican Tampa

Rusty Pelican Tampa opens perched on the Rocky Point District of Tampa with waterfront views.

December 29, 1983

Brady's Landing

Brady's Landing opens in the heart of Houston, Texas sitting on the turning basin of the Port of Houston Ship Channel.

Brady's Landing
Whiskey Joe's Tampa

December 31, 1985

Whiskey Joe's Tampa

Whiskey Joe's Tampa opens, home to our World Famous Barefoot Bar on private land, offering incredible access to the waterfront.

June 29, 1987

The Boat House

The Boat House At Confluence Park opens at the union of the Olentangy and Scioto rivers, offering captivating views of the downtown skyline of Columbus, Ohio.

Old photo of the ground breaking ceremony at the Boat House
Interior view of Guaymas

February 16, 2008

Guaymas

Guaymas opens offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay in Tiburon, CA.

July 2012

Whiskey Joe's Miami

Whiskey Joe's Miami opens up just south of Miami in Key Biscayne, right off the Causeway.

Docked boats
Rusty Pelican Miami

December 2012

Rusty Pelican Miami

The new Rusty Pelican Miami reopens after SRC completes a $9 million renovation.

March 2018

Whiskey Joe's Port Richey

Whiskey Joe's Port Richey opens, along the Cotee River in Pasco county. With mouthwatering island-inspired dishes and specialty cocktails that complement the breath taking waterfront views.

Whiskey Joe's Port Richey
Castaway interior

May 2018

Castaway

The new Castaway reopens after a $10 million redesign of the property. Castaway has curated a whole new dining experience where everyone feels like a star, and every seat is magic. From the meat dry-aging room, floor-to-ceiling wine cellar, charcuterie station, to the breath-taking views of the valley and Los Angeles, Castaway is ready for its premiere.

March 2020

Whiskey Joe's Manatee River

Whiskey Joe's Manatee River opens, in Ellenton Florida. Whiskey Joe's invites you to grab a couple of our famous Floribbean cuisine in the dining room, soak up some sunshine and sweet waterfront views on our deck or get cozy next to our fire pits.

Whiskey Joe's Manatee River
Whiskey Joe's Pensacola Beach

March 2022

Whiskey Joe's Pensacola Beach

When you think of Whiskey Joe's, think of tropical breezes, white sand, cold drinks, delicious food, killer sunsets that complement the breathtaking waterfront views of Pensacola Beach.

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