California's Legendary Pea Soup Andersen's Restaurant 

Every time my grandchildren go to Disneyland from Northern California, the family tradition is to stop at Pea Soup and take a picture at the cutouts! Wonderful restaurant, delicious pea soup, I hope it never, ever goes away. Thanks again, Jeff! Sarah, I love that bowl🥰

Memories. A fixture for all Californians. Part of everyone’s north south journey along the 101. Many memories.

I recall one of Lucille Ball's color TV episodes where Lucy enters some contest to win money by the purchase of Andersen's split pea soup. As would be expected, by the end of the episode, Lucy has every cupboard in her kitchen filled with cans of green-labeled Andersen's soups. Another good California history lesson!

I watched this episode way back when ! But I'm watching it again. THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA.......

Jeff…. your a hell of a man and a great son to your Mom . I showed that video to my mother who came to visit me . I looked and the tears were running down my Moms cheeks . Your do real and a great guy .

When I was a armor car driver I would stop once a week and get a bowl of pea soup glad to see it is still there. Thank you for the memories I have not thought about those days for a long time.

First time seeing via your recent post. Great one once again sir! So much history that goes unfounded except for travelers like you. Thank you for taking us as well. Many 🙏🏻 and respect.

As a former truck driver, I ate Thanksgiving dinner at the Buellton location once. I have to tell you that was THE BEST restaurant Thanksgiving dinner I have EVER had (couldn’t finish it all). Have eaten plenty holiday dinners alone on the road.

We were an Army Reserve unit deploying for Desert Storm back in 1990 a convoy of Army trucks from SoCal up the 5 freeway. We passed Andersen’s Santa Nella then the leader made a U-turn through the dirt median. We all made big unwieldy unsafe U-turns through the median to get lunch at Andersen’s! Unfortunately so did the CHP!! Considering we were going to War, he let us off with a warning! Best Pea Soup ever! 🏅🎖🍲

I was born in Lompoc, California. My parents talked about this restaurant all my life. In 1990 I finally got back there and dined at the restaurant in Buellton

They unfortunately closed down out of nowhere today. Happy to have people like you documenting the legacy!

I’ve been passing through Santa Nella on my commute to Gilroy for over 12 years and have never been in there. I think I’ll give it a try today.

This brings back memories. I haven't been there since the late 90's.

I googled "history of pea soup" and am grateful I found this video. You can tell there was effort put into researching and creating this video. Thank you for sharing this piece of California history.

I remember eating at Andersen's as a kid in So Cal. The Santa Nella windmill is a nice landmark that I use to remind me to turn off I5 when we visit in-laws in Hollister. I can never remember the name of the offramp but I don't have to because I have the windmill!

Many fond memories of Pea Soup Andersen’s. Been to the Buellton and Santa Nella locations and the others. There use to be one along the Hwy 99 corridor in Selma. I live in SoCal and would go down to the San Diego County coastal community of Carlsbad where there was an Andersen’s along the I-5. It always brings a smile on my face seeing the windmills when I travel where these former locations use to be. Read an online article earlier in the year about the Buellton location being for sale. Don’t know what has come of that and what Andersen’s future will be.

Yes ,used to go there in the 60s after my Army discharge. Great pea soup!

My late father loved Pea Soup Anderson’s‼️😊❤️

I was always devastated as a child in the 70's when my parents would pull into the parking lot of Anderson's on our family road trips. As a teen I heard that Lynda Blair would fill her mouth with split pea soup for the projectile vomit scenes. Appreciate learning some Anderson's history - thanks!

Our family celebrated our daughters 1st Birthday there in the big room all by ourselves in 2018. What an amazing place to see Danish history, the banners and wooden carriage inside.

Oh yum Anderson’s pea soup😎😎must feel good to run into fans along the way😎😎❤️❤️❤️

When I was a teen back in the late 70's a good friend and I made it a tradition that on the Friday after Thanksgiving we would get up early and drive from Glendale to Solvang to spend the day browsing around town. We always made it a point to stop at Andersen's first for a late breakfast of pea soup. My friend has since passed now, so Andersen's holds a lot of fond memories for me.

Fun video..Thank you for having some pea soup for your viewers

Just wanted to say a very big THANKYOU for the cards That arrived and the beautiful words written made my day Jeff. Great video as well so super happy. Sad Sarah couldn't make it

There was another PSA in Selma, close to Fresno.

Wonderful place to eat and visit. My father and I just had lunch there about five months ago after visiting the veterans memorial . My granddads brother was laid to rest there , He had served in world war two. He was a tech 5 medic and made it back from normandy invasion.Wonderful to see the history of this destination. U have a great channel and always have wonderful content.🇺🇸🍵

It's Sunday !! That means another fun history lesson !! Many happy yummy memories of Pea Soup Andersen's ! I always have a can in my pantry in case I have a craving. Thank you Jeff for another fun adventure ! ❤❤

Never been there myself, but my folks stopped at the Buellton restaurant in the late 1950's & bought a bottle of (I think it was cherry) wine in a beautiful blown glass bottle with a glass stopper from the gift shop there. That bottle sat up on a shelf being admired for decades, but my mom could never bring herself to open that pretty bottle, so the wine turned bad & she dumped it out. I still have that bottle & stopper someplace. They always called the place Anderson's Pea Soup Restaurant, not the other way around!

I have been to their Buellton location many times thru the years. Solvang is one of my favorite places to go and just hang out.

I've never heard of this place but it has certainly been around awhile I see. I love the old windmill. It's sad the family was all killed.

Gee Jeff, a place I know well! I live 15 minutes west of the Buellton location, and it's one of my pit stops when making Hospice visits in/around the Valley. In addition to the gift shop, there's a small Christmas shop all year round, and both locations sell their brand of fruit wines. For anyone hoping to find a great (as close to the original as possible) mead, that's the place to find it...I'm on my 12th wine card (having tried all the flavors!). On my trip up and back from visiting my Brother & Sister-in-law in Tahoe (I housed them for 3 weeks when they fled the Caldor fire smoke. They were lucky enough to return home yesterday to fairly blue skies, whew), Santa Nella is exactly mid-point in my 8hour journey.---I've eaten their pea soup, which I consider standard fare, but love it anyway! I usually order the asian salad (which is HUGE)! And don't forget their bakery. They even sell bread at my location.

I grew up going there!! There is/was one somewhere near Mammoth Lakes and /or Santa Cruz CA. We went camping every summer and would always stop. Its the ONLY brand of pea soup I buy to this day!! You made me hungry Jeff!! I'll have to get back there one day to buy a bowl and lots of other goodies!! Thanks so much for a wonderful memory and a fantastic video!!

From 1963-1978, my family hit this spot every time we traveled to visit my grandparents, if not spending the night on sight or to at least eat, OR at least a place to pee. Always a place in my families history TO THIS DAY! Ask my younger brother!

Been there many times as a kid , my dad's favorite town , got to go back few year's ago , stayed at the hotel , beautiful room with sliders to pool patio , definitely stay there again 😀

Excellent video! Although many years ago, I have eaten at both establishments. I do not recall what the meals were, but I DO recall the split pea soup!

Always took my kids here when they were little and even now again we will stop just for nostalgia. Thank you for posting this video

Reminds me of the old Van De Kamp Restaurants from back in the day!

Since I moved out of Calif. to Arizona in 2007 I always stop by and buy a couple of cases of Andersen's split soup when I'm over there.

Love Andersen’s! Thanks for this episode. My other stop is Harris Ranch. I’ve always wondered the history there.

I love the soup.Been there on numerous occasions.Meatloaf sandwich is the top of the list. Stay safe and healthy see you next week 👌✌️

Pea soup green. That's the color my wife wants to paint her accent wall. Perfect timing for this video.

Before I die, I need to treat my Wife to this place. She's always wanting to try something new, and that usually makes her happy. We love Solvang, too.

When I was a kid back in the 70s on a family road trip we stopped at the Buelton location. I had never had pea soup before, and I was hooked, sadly I never returned but it is certainly on my bucket list.

When I read the title of today’s episode, I decided I needed home made lentil soup. It is delish too. Thank u Jeff.

The food is great here. The first time I ate Split Pea soup was right here at this location. I live in Oklahoma now, but I still miss stopping here and enjoying the food and atmosphere.

Santa Nella, the turn off to Pacheco Pass - Salinas. Stopped at Starbucks & In -n Out several times. Saw the signs to that place, but driving a truck, not much time to stop. I don’t go out that way anymore 🙁 Your channel answers the questions about places we don’t have time to stop at. Neat story !

The part about the guy who bought pea soup Anderson's one of the members on the Memphis Belle was a cool backstory. I live in Memphis and that's where I'm from born and raised and, the Memphis Belle was restored and you can now take tours of it in Memphis. Its permanent resting home so to speak.

I live in Oregon but everytime I head South into California, I have to stop at the first Anderson's I-5 restaurant (not sure town name) It is a must. 👍

When I was a kid back in the 70's my Mom and Dad took us to the Pea Soup Andersen's in Mammoth Lakes California.

I will! So according to this episode this place started in the mid’70s! Wow! Because I was 10 that year and I remember going there and getting the strawberry milk shake served with a paper straw along with our pea soup. And I loved sampling the cheese and bread😁

I always saw those signs along the Highway but never stopped in to eat. So cool!!!!

Another excellent video!

We stopped by everytime we headed up to go Wine Country! Love it!!

Stopped there many times over years traveling between LA and Portland . Thanks for posting!

Stopped there years ago in Santa nella service was great friendly folks and meatloaf was the real deal,! Thanks for the memories!!

Great episode Jeff! This place was a stopping point for my family growing up on our way to Disneyland every summer. Good memories of my family trips growing up. I haven't been back since I was a kid. It was really fun seeing it again. This is exactly why I love this channel so much! You made me smile and feel good today Jeff.

Now I’m hungry! 😁. We will drive through the area in early 2022 and I love stopping there. Yummy.

This was so interesting, Jeff. The history had a few, Kleenex moments, but the obviously popular, two restaurants have many fans. I love your **visual memories and am grateful for your research. another winner 🏆😁 It has to be so great to run in to fans of yours and Sarah 's.🌞

We never stopped there when I lived in California. Now you’ve made me sorry! Thanks for the great tour!

I never knew this. Went here as a kid and the signs along the freeway would count down from like a 100+ miles away and made it the most memorable. This was probably 35 years ago...hard to believe. My family found out about it from around gaviota Beach...Solvang was another place with the Danish....really fun place.

What a special episode. Shame Sarah couldn't join you. Keep up the good work guys!😊

My extended family took a vacation in Santa Barbara California to attend the wedding of my niece. We went up the 101 to see the sights and saw this restaurant and we all stopped and had lunch. Their food was delicious. Wonderful memories.

I work at the Selma Auto Mall next to the old Pea Soup in Selma Ca. which is now Legends. The windmill still stands as well as the Danish charm.

My Family always went to the Buellton Location when we would go camping and fishing at Lake Cachuma. I love the split pea soup! The food was always Great!

Always look forward to Sunday and another History Hunter video! Love that bowl and the soup looks good too! Thanks Jeff!

I live about 10 minutes from here and it's such a great little place!

Been there several time. Always stopped there on the way back from LA . My parents took me there probably around 1960. Thanks for the video.

👍. Always a great job. Love all the background history along with the sites!

You and Sarah have fans everywhere Jeff😊Your the best👍

My family and I would always stop there on our way to Disneyland and many other road trips to the south back in the early and mid 80s. The last time I stopped there was when I drove from Phoenix Arizona to the bay area to visit my family for Christmas in 2008.

I’ve visited both locations several times. My husband and I like to stop at the Santa Nella location on our way to or from the coast while charging our Tesla at Peasoup‘s. I sometimes stop with friends after visiting the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. I love the pea soup in a sourdough bread bowl! My friends like the turkey dinner. It’s a pleasant place, a landmark.

Does anyone remember the other two Peas Soup Andersen's? I think maybe in the 70's or early 80's? One in Mammoth and one in Carlsbad? Great memories Jeff!

Wow you stirred up some good memories it was a great place to stop on the way from Napa to Anaheim and the return trip. There was another great stop the Apple Farm around San Louis Obispo. I sure miss the Old California.

Thank you Jeff for another great story. I always enjoy your little travels and hopefully Sarah enjoyed your gift.

I’ve been to the one in Buelton ❤️ very happy memories. Thanks Jeff. I hope I can eat there again someday 😊

Ah! Andersen's! Every time the family traveled 101, back in the Sixties, would always stop in at Andersen's, ALWAYS. It was always for lunch, and always had just soup. Absolutely loved the soup. Still keep cans of it in the cupboard. Thanks for the memories.

There was a Pea Soup Andersen’s in Carlsbad off the 5 freeway some years back. My aunt lived in San Marcos next to Carlsbad and we went there several times. I’m not a fan of pea soup but they had a good menu.

Great highlight of Andersons.This one in Santa Nella is always my stop for a guaranteed great meal and service when traveling North.Thanks Jeff🌟

My Dad was a friend of both Andersen and the fellow that bought it. Dad was the one who suggested to one of them to put the bandage on peewee, I believe at either Joes or Harry"s in Santa Barbara back in the early 60s. Pops was a reporter at the local tv station, and got to hang with some of shakers. As I was very young at the time it's a little is pretty foggy!

Not only are your episodes so educational, they make me homesick. I lived in Tracy, CA just up the road, for 20 years. Then in Oroville for another 4 years. I've slurped down many a bowl from Pea Soup Andersons myself. Great video...

Wow, it never occurred to me that this landmark would have an interesting history. I really enjoyed this, Jeff. And how fun that you keep running into fans of your show!

Love Pea Soup Andersons been there many times.

Thanks for your time and dedication in share each and every one of your videos

Great video. Love seeing the history of places. Looks like that's been a staple in that community for a lot of years..... damn.... I'm hungry now.

Stopped at split pea Andersons in Buellton many times as a kid! It's nice to drive to Santa Nella to recapture great memories!! Thanks for a great vlog

I remember hearing about this place! Cool! I'm really enjoying watching your varied episodes. 👍👏

I’ve been to one of the restaurants before. So delicious and I remember they offered many toppings too

When I was in the Army reserve back in the 1960s our unit, which was based in Long Beach, formed a convoy heading north to Ford Ord. We stopped at Anderson’s in Buellton for breakfast. It was early. Only the army was being served. I wanted to go back some day for the soup. It never happened.

I got to know Pea Soup Andersen’s in the 70's as a college student and became quite a fan! The family owners seemed to have big plans to expand more but the tragic end of them dying together in their private plane slowly unraveled all that. I have been to all these locations: Buellton, Santa Nella, Carlsbad, Fresno/Selma, and Mammoth Lakes. We found out that they left no heirs or estate plans. So the whole operation was a legal mess for many years and only two locations survive. The Buellton location is well preserved and I feel the family spirits when there; especially the upstairs rooms.

This is a great place to stop off and have some great food. Thanks for making this video, very informative and fun. Keep rcokin' steady !

We so love stopping here whenever we head to Monterey! The food is amazing and love the charming, cozy and inviting atmosphere💜 glad you visited there Jeff!

Loved this episode. Hope Sarah loved her plate.

Well done presentation. I enjoyed learning about the back story to the restaurant. I have been to both locations but never knew the history until now. Thank you.

If I remember right, there was one on highway 99 in Kingsburg. It closed and became something else long time ago, but still has the same architecture as the 2 that are still open.

Drove past the Buellton location all the time. Never knew about the Santa Nella location. Fun video!

I got to run into Sarah recently :) She is super nice in person. I almost didn’t say hello because I was shy. I have been following the channel for awhile, so I’m glad I did.

You brought back some very fond memories for me. I've been to both locations. Great food and a cool gift shop...

This is a must stop for us every time a trip takes us by. I hope it lasts many more years!

I was there in 1977 !

Hellooooo Jeff! We love Pea Soup! Thx a bunch for this one, we weren't aware of this restaurant...interesting history. Coca-Cola for .25 cents...those were the days my friend! Take care see ya on the next one!