The former Foster's Freeze in midtown Ventura, which had been a staple for more than 60 years, is set to become a B&J Drive-In.
“I know a lot of Venturans were devastated and hurt seeing Foster's Freeze go,” said Alfredo Mendez, who co-owns B&J restaurant with his wife Dulce Mendez. “Because it’s so important to the community and also iconic, we stepped in.”
Foster's Freeze at 4121 Telegraph Road closed in early July. On Aug. 24, workers repainted the building's exterior from blue to red while work on the interior was largely complete.
"We're trying to create new memories for our community," said Dulce Mendez inside the restaurant.
Meredith Hart, Ventura’s economic development manager, said it was encouraging to see a new chapter begin so quickly.
“It's exciting to see a local business build on the memories of the Foster's Freeze location and continue the location's legacy for the community to enjoy for years to come,” Hart said in an Aug. 24 email. “B&J Drive-In is a well-loved favorite, and we're thrilled they will bring new menu items while keeping some of the Foster's Freeze favorites that everyone enjoys.”
Alfredo Mendez said B&J Drive-In, which has locations in Saticoy and East Main Street in Ventura, is scheduled to hold a grand opening at the new location at noon Sept. 19 on his birthday. A soft opening is set for noon Sept. 18.
The Ventura resident said the restaurant on Telegraph Road will offer most selections from B&J such as burgers, breakfast burritos and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, while bringing back some Foster's Freeze favorites, including corn burritos and chocolate-dipped cones.
“It was not necessarily to rescue Foster's Freeze, but to rescue the memories,” he said. “We’ll be offering the same kind of food with more stuff on the menu because that’s what Foster's Freeze used to do. I’m bringing back those famous corn burritos that everybody loves in Ventura County.”
Alfredo Mendez said he is still determining the hours of operation, but the eatery is expected to be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Ventura County’s health department conducted a final inspection of the location on Aug. 20, and Mendez said he received approval to reopen.
Mendez said he learned of the closed Foster's Freeze space on July 20 through Jay Skousen, who operates the Facebook page, I Love Corn Burritos. Through Skousen, Mendez met with a real estate agent, who contacted the owners and facilitated the process.
While the new location is expected to be open for the long term, the restaurant at 1876 E. Main St. will close at the end of its lease in November 2027 or until the property is sold, whichever comes first, Alfredo Mendez said.
The roots of B&J Drive-In go back to the 1960s, Alfredo Mendez said. He and his wife reopened the Saticoy location in 2018 after it had gone through several owners. Their second restaurant opened near Ventura High School on East Main Street.
The couple also own Old Town BBQ on Johnson Drive in Ventura and plan to offer some of its menu items at the Telegraph location on select weekends.
As a nod to the Foster's Freeze history, the brick blue-style flooring in front of the building will remain, while the rest of the exterior will be painted red and white, Alfredo Mendez said.
For now, the classic blue-and-white Foster's Freeze sign will remain outside of the building until the building owners decide what to do with it, he said.
"For the meantime, it's going to stay there for Ventura to continue enjoying it," he said.
For more information on B&J Drive-In, visit facebook.com/bjdrivein.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: B&J Drive-In set to open in former Ventura Foster's Freeze
