Covina Sugar Bowl

The “Sugar Bowl” was opened in 1928 at 143 N. Citrus Ave. It was the main diner and soda shop in downtown Covina, frequented by the high school kids. In 1930 a movie was made at The Sugar Bowl about a successful cartoon strip called “Harold Teen”. The diner was renamed “Pop Jenks’ Sugar Bowl” for the movie. Pop Jenks was a fictitious character, who played the proprietor of the diner and many Covina high school students were used as backup actors.

After the successful movie, the owners requested that the name remain. Mr. Carl Ed, who was the creator of the cartoon strip, “Harold Teen”, gave his blessing and even allowed the painting of the cartoon characters on the diner’s walls. “Pop Jenks’ Sugar Bowl” gained national acclaim from the movie and in 1938, Bob Crosby and the Bobcats released an album entitled “Swinging at the Sugar Bowl”, featuring their new song with the same title and “The Covina Roll”. Through the 1940s and 1950s, the diner became the popular hangout for kids and adults alike.

Car Ed died in 1956 and the syndicated cartoon strip, featuring Harold Teen was soon discontinued. Times were changing in Covina and Pop Jenks Sugar Bowl was soon renamed “The Lions’ Den”.

After 55 years, George and Linda Peterson, proprietors of Giovanni’s International restaurant will bring “The Sugar Bowl” back to life in the same building that it occupied in the 1940s and 1950s.

The menu for “The Sugar Bowl” will include old fashioned malts, shakes, and sundaes, using “Thrifty maid” ice cream. There will also be 24 flavors of “Italian Gelato Ice Cream” by the scoop or cup. There will also be fresh hamburgers, sandwiches, fresh cut fries, homemade soups and fresh salads. Also offered are flavored Cokes, phosphates and New York Egg creams.