LA Commission Approves Pacific Dining Car as a Historic Cultural Monument

Last Thursday, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission recommended the Westlake Pacific Dining Car to be designated a historic cultural monument. The vote is the first step to help preserve the 99-year-old restaurant after it closed in 2020. Last week, the Pacific Dining Car’s owners invited the public to comment at the commission meeting. Spectrum News reports the former late-night restaurant is one step closer to being saved from redevelopment after the commission recommended historic cultural status be given to the original building and kitchen.

The family-run Pacific Dining Car has passed through generations since opening 99 years ago. Current owner Wes Idol III bought the business after his father Wesley died in 2019. Spectrum News noted that Wesley’s widow Toby Idol — who owns the property — does not agree with this historical designation campaign.

During the commission meeting, Toby Idol’s attorney read a statement that indicates she and her late husband did not want the property to be designated as a historic cultural monument, and Wes Idol III “is the person apparently advancing this nomination because his father disinherited him for that very reason.” In another twist, a City News Service story quoted Wes’ sister Conlee, saying she was surprised by Toby Idol’s “negative statements toward Wes III,” adding that “his father had no rancor against him and did not disinherit him.” The commission unanimously passed the motion and on to the Los Angeles City Council for final approval.

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• Pacific Dining Car’s original building, kitchen recommended for HCM status [Spectrum]