Dean's is becoming an eyesore

Instead of "ranting" on PW why don't you offer your services to Dean's? Just because something doesn't fit your tastes, doesn't mean it isn't okay. And like my Grandpa used to always tell me, if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

Not to defend Dean's or to flame you, but I will say as the owner of a downtown business this can be a slippery slope. Once you make any change to a building regardless of how seemingly obvious the need, all sorts of "requirements" kick in for its upgrade. ADA and a myriad of other things all that are extremely expensive. It is the same reason many business owners downtown don't improve their properties. Christenson's doesn't even have a bathroom. I have been in Ptown since 1988 and Deans has literally not changed _at all_ since then.

Don't know if you remember the old Cabana Daves location (now a new sushi place), but it was an awful ugly place (with great BBQ)! CD's ended up going into catering rather than bare the expense of trying to spruce the place up. The city requires a building to be brought up to complete and current code requirements once a certain percentage of change is proposed/made. Other than that they are grandfathered in perpetuity. New signs don't contribute to revenue and unless people stop coming because of they the sign there is no motivation to replace it.

Clean it, fix it but never replace it! That sign is an icon and has probably been here longer than you have. I say we replace you and keep Dean's sign.

Have you seen the people that eat at Dean's? They match the quality of the sign.

Paul,

Sorry they aren’t all up to your level of sophistication, although, I have seen John Madden, the Mayor, policemen, city councilmen and the priest from our church and many more eat there. Too bad they are all low caliber people compared to you that is. Keep up that keen eye and incredible observation skills.

Why is it that so many people are so quick to spend other people's money? Is it asking too much for you to throw a new coat of paint on your house? Why not put a new roof on while your at it or perhaps put some new low-irrigation landscaping in. I'm sure you'll recoup the cost in no time.

Flame - I agree with you. I'd settle for a good cleaning! I actually can not even eat there anymore, it's too dirty. I wish them the best.

The run down look of Dean's kept me out of there for years. I finally took my daughters there a few years ago because as a long term Pleasanton resident, it was ridiculous that I'd never been. Anyway, the inside is just as gross as the outside. I hear the views of the other downtown business person, but they can't argue that things like just cleaning the carpet or the windows means they'd have to upgrade everything else. The fact that the plate I was served had dried cheese on it from someone who used it before me and that the napkin that came with my place setting included a smudge on the back in the shape of a person's lips (not mine) just proved that the lack of cleanliness you see with the building and carpets and windows is consistent with how they handle items that are given to customers to eat from. We actually didn't eat what we were served and I paid the bill and we left. I vowed never to return and am always puzzled when I see people waiting outside in front of the building. I guess these people see something I did not as not washing dishes properly and not shampooing the carpet for obviously many many years just doesn't appeal to me.

The net of this is that in my view Dean's is gross inside and out.

The run down look of Dean's kept me out of there for years. I finally took my daughters there a few years ago because as a long term Pleasanton resident, it was ridiculous that I'd never been. Anyway, the inside is just as gross as the outside. I hear the views of the other downtown business person, but they can't argue that things like just cleaning the carpet or the windows means they'd have to upgrade everything else. The fact that the plate I was served had dried cheese on it from someone who used it before me and that the napkin that came with my place setting included a smudge on the back in the shape of a person's lips (not mine) just proved that the lack of cleanliness you see with the building and carpets and windows is consistent with how they handle items that are given to customers to eat from. We actually didn't eat what we were served and I paid the bill and we left. I vowed never to return and am always puzzled when I see people waiting outside in front of the building. I guess these people see something I did not as not washing dishes properly and not shampooing the carpet for obviously many many years just doesn't appeal to me.

The net of this is that in my view Dean's is gross inside and out.

Thank you, "hmmmm", for the info. I did not know this about the City's codes and can appreciate that that would be an obstacle to renovations. Gotta say I love Deans just the way it is. I appreciate its "worn around the edges" look. Have never had a bad meal there and always feel super comfortable and welcomed -

This place is filthy. I don't know how they haven't been shut down by the health department. Looking used and worn in is one thing, but being just disgustingly dirty is another. If anyone thinks they are cleaning their kitchen and dishes better than they clean the dining room and the rest of their building then they deserve the food poisoning they get. I predict Dean'S won't be around for many more years. At some point even the most loyal won't look past the grime and filth of this place.

I just love these jonny come lately rightous people in this town that think they can comment on someone's buisness that has been successfull for all these years, it is very obvious that they don't own a buisness and never had and never will, just like that crazy lady yesterday commenting on the tutoring buisness that charges a lot of money so she is investigating if it is even legal to have Pleasanton school teachers teaching at it. My advice for her is to get off her lazy AAAA and tutor her own kids. No one is making her kid go to the tutor, she is just to lazy to do it herself. People get a clue here, those of you who love to put down small buisness people must have a sugar daddy paying your bills. This is the problem with the majority of these comments, Jonny come lately to P-Town. WHO NEEDS THEM-- Move back to Fremont or whereever you came from.....

We've had a restaurant and it seemed like the inspections happened frequently and they were pretty picky. Does Dean's ever get inspected? How on earth could an inspector give them a good score? We won't eat there either...just looks too dirty.

City inspectors...... I've dealt with the city while a building was in the process of getting permits. They overlook much too much just to accommodate building owners. This city has its pets and I suspect as Dean's has been here for eons, they are best buddies. Remember what this town was like in the "Historical" days. Good old boys are still having their way.

I have been a downtown business owner, so I know all about regulations etc. The fact is and one I have been saying for YEARS- Deans is a filthy blight on downtown.
This is way more than "the poor business owner" or Johnny Come latelys.

They are not the only breakfast spot in town. The others manage to keep clean and updated establishments. Where is the health department on this?
I had to follow rules and worked very hard to keep my place spic and span.
Vote with your wallets people.
Maybe, just maybe, they'll get a conscience.

The decor of Dean's could easily be described as "hyper-casual, home style or maybe even rustic" but all the negative comments here still cannot explain why there is a line out in front every weekend morning and on some weekdays and also perhaps why we've never heard of any incidents of food poisoning, severe health code violations or other from the peanut gallery?

Personally, I don't like their omelet's, they're too "eggy" & over-stuffed with meat/fillings/etc. & would much rather go to Jim's or Vic's but as a Main St. institution I'd suspect that they wouldn't have been in business for as long if their regulars & new customers do not keep on coming.

Ate at Dean's about 10 years ago, the place was a run down pig pen then and from what I hear still is, I have never been back. Some people don't mind eating at a feed box, I do.

Like I said. I've been going to Deans since 1988. It _hasn't_ changed at all, literally at all. Interesting I have never gotten sick, nor have I known in 25 years anyone who has gotten sick there.

I think the disconnect is that people confuse the appearance of clean with actual clean. Anyone who hasn't worked or been around a commercial kitchen would be blown away by the conditions. There is a reason they have think rubber mats with holes in restaurant kitchens.

For those that think your kitchen is home kitchen is "spotless". Go to your trash compactor and pull the slider, all of the way out and off the tracks and then take a look behind to the sides and under the lid inside. It will likely be worse than anything you'll find at Dean's. I'm not arguing in favor of Dean's or that it isn't tattered and seems dirty. Just looking to spread a little common sense perspective.

Like much of whats changed in little old Ptown in the last 20 years. Perception is much more important than reality.

I have lived in Pleasanton since 1967. We eat there every Sunday. If you want changes talk to the city. The owner has tried to fix the sign, but the city would not let them. The inside you need to talk with the landlord who owns this building as well as Domus, look how long that took to get anything done. The landloard has not been very cooperative with the tenant. By the way I do not consider myself gross. Many ex-raider players eat there on a regular bases. Sorry uppy is the only thing that makes some people happy. Gloria

DON'T EVER replace the Dean's sign!!! It is part of our town heriage! I was born and raised in Pleasanton and I feel confident that I am speaking for my 'generation'... that beaten up Dean's sign means something to us! Not everyone like's new & shiney. Respect Pleasanton and our history. Leave the sign alone!

We've eaten at Dean's every Friday morning for years. My husband loves their omelets and I can get an egg's Benedict on a weekday. I love Vic's as well - but can't get egg's Benedict on a weekday. Dean's reminds me of the restaurants in my small, rural, hometown. Never seen a dirty dish or napkin - that person should have sent it back. Yeah, it "well used" and that's half the charm, the other half is the food's good, prices are good, and you can visit and loiter over your cuppa on weekdays without being "bugged" by the staff, only offered more coffee. And the sign is perfect the way it is.

I cannot understand why the Pleasanton Weekly stopped advertising Chris Bradley's Jazz Band--under Live Music-- (in Downtown Sunol)-- in their "Paper Copy"
The band has been at the Sunol Jazz Cafe for more than 3 years--
The Independent-- (in Livermore) puts their info in---- every week....
The band plays the 2nd and 4th Tuesday every month and the Pleasanton Weekly's support---- would be greatly appreciated.
This band played for 4 years at the Pleasanton Hotel and many followers (of traditional jazz)--would like to see the "write up" in the Pleasanton Weekly..
Would like to hear others voice their support for good trad jazz music in the Pleasanton area..
Thanks
EB

E.B.- stay focused! wrong forum.

Maybe they could PAY to advertise! they want the name out there then earn it! pay for it or be good enough for the media to want to pay attention.

On this topic- do you have an opinion on Dean's?????

I'm not going to tell others what they should or should not do, but we've been to Dean's and will never go back. Its filthy dirty. We actually noticed that the carpet is supposed to have a pattern to it (like a design printed on it), but the carpet is so dirty, its black and you can only see the patterns in the carpet if you look closely in places where the carpet can't be walked on. I think its ridiculous for someone to come on here and say we should help Dean's clean the place up when its a for profit business and they have chosen to let the place rot. If I'm going to invest my time in helping anyone in the food service space, it will be at the soup kitchen or women's shelter. And yes, we do in fact do this.

Folks, this place is the dive the owner's have let it become. Properly washing dishes and using windex on windows or paying to have the carpet cleaned a few times a year was less of a priority than profits. At some point, they will be shut down. I'm sorry that some don't think they deserve a more sanitary environment in which to eat.

This place is truly a dump and I can't believe it hasn't been shut down.

Sorry. I wasn't clear.

I WANT Dean's to be successful. As someone mentioned, they have plenty of business. It's only fair that they give back to the downtown by cleaning up the building. When a business looks bad on main street, it hurts all the business owners. Vic's is a good example -- has been there forever, clean, good prices and Vic keeps the place clean without loading the small town feel.

I would HATE to lose the sign too. I'd just like to see the neon replaced and the sign painted. Wouldn't it be cool to see it restored to the way it originally looked? That could only help Dean's and the look of our downtown.

Look at the Cole's Market shopping center. I was a little worried when they started to clean it up, but the owner did a great job of keeping the original sign and the painting looks great. Cosmo's and bob's Giant Burger look like they are captured in time. Not falling into decay.

By the way Mr M. What makes you think that I am a "jonny come lately" and never run a business. For all you know I might be born here, own a downtown business and am well known in the community. ;-)

Just saying...

Be cool to each other. We all love our town.

Do you remember when it was actually fun to go downtown? You always ran into old friends and make some new ones. What happened to downtown? The clothing stores are over priced and cater to size 0-1. Or maybe we need to do some banking. We have enough banks. Oh, and what about all Dr. and dentists, how about some botox? That's not the quant little downtown I remember. Our hardware store is gone. You want to talk about eye sores? What were they thinking when they painted the Pleasanton Hotel? They couldn't leave it yellow and white? It's not any better now. Dean's is a great place to eat, they have great food and portions are generous. So before you decide to attack Deans, take a really good look at downtown. There's something missing in our little downtown. Community, its about us, who cares about anyone else?

All you self rightous people make me sick. It's bcuz of people like you that our town looks the way it does. Leave Dean's the way it is. Don't look at it if you don't like it.

Yes, Jessie!

You are perfectly free to stay away from an establishment you want. I actually haven't been there in a few years, more by circumstance than choice. But I would hate to see it go, but perhaps if it does we could put in another bank downtown. They are usually clean and tidy.

Dean's is kind of like Cheers, everyone knows your name. The food is great, the decorations remind me of Oakland in the 1940's where I grew up. There was no pretense there or here either. If someone wants upscale, go to Wente, besides the bald waiter tells good stories.

I've been to Dean's a couple of times, the second time to confirm that the first time wasn't just a bad day for the crew.

Try Vals on Kelly Street in Hayward if you are looking for a diner that's got the old-style feel. I also like Zorn's.

Mike

Now you're talking nasty greasy food. It all tastes the same. Gross. It's too early to abt gross stuff.

I Love Deans!!! Yes the sign is old, yes the tables and chairs are from a time gone by, and Yes the Food is Good. I took an out of town friend there recently and was worried that he might be able to see past the decor. He ate every crumb on his plate. We were there for 2 1/2 hours and the staff encouraged us to stay instead of making us feel like we were a pain in the ***. I feel like I'm at my grandmother's house out on the ranch when I go there and I Love That! I say Deans, Don't Change A Thing!!!

I went to Deans once and must say it will be the last time.
Waayyyy overpriced and quite fast to get u out the door.
I went for a nostalgia style breakfast and ended up with nausea.

Breakfast option....Jim's. Great people with ol fashion food. I do not care for Dean's but love the old sign and retro look. Perhaps cleaning up the outside would make those happy going by....I choose not to go in.

Lived in Ptown 25 years, ate at Dean's once...it was so dirty never again! I have been shocked it stays in buisness. I would not want to see it close but it should be cleaned.

Health department needs to visit that place, I will never eat at a place that cant even clean the windows.

Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?