Anaheim Rejects Angelo’s Requests for Permits

In an ongoing war with the City of Anaheim, Angelo’s Hamburgers lost one battle Tuesday and is facing another today, when the city will consider whether to file criminal charges against the restaurant for zoning code violations.

Today is the restaurant owners’ last chance to apply for permits the city says the restaurant’s newest outlet needs to operate legally, City Code Enforcement Supervisor John Poole said.

Angelo’s attorney Michelle A. Reinglass said Tuesday afternoon that her clients will not be filing the applications. There is no need to, Reinglass said, because city officials already have decided the outcome.

“The indication that has been given from (Anaheim) is that this will not be approved,” Rheinglass said. “It’s a way to close Angelo’s. Otherwise, we would be delighted.”

Poole denied that the city has made any decision on the issue. His department had postponed taking action against Angelo’s because of its lack of a permit to operate as a drive-in or drive-through restaurant at 211 N. Beach Blvd. until after Tuesday’s City Council meeting. At that meeting, the council took up requests by Angelo’s for permits allowing it to sell alcoholic beverages and operate an outdoor eating area.

The answer to both requests was no.

Angelo’s and Anaheim have been at odds since its first outlet opened in the city. That one, at 511 S. State College Blvd., became known for its activities on the first Friday of each month, which still brings hot-rod lovers from around Southern California by the scores for what they call “cruise night” at Angelo’s.

When Angelo’s second outlet opened earlier this year, code enforcement officers discovered that the new restaurant, on Beach Boulevard, was operating as a drive-in restaurant without proper permits. Angelo’s owners and their attorney protest that a similar restaurant was operated at the same location for at least 10 years without a stir. Only when Angelo’s moved in did the city notice, they said.

“We feel there has been a pattern of discrimination . . . toward Angelo’s,” Rheinglass said. “They contend that Angelo’s has brought this on themselves because of cruise night. But there are other businesses which generate high congestion. . . . With all things considered, other businesses are not prosecuted criminally for zoning violations the way that Angelo’s has been.”

Earlier this summer, a jury decided after a four-day trial that Angelo’s was not guilty of misdemeanor criminal charges for having outdoor tables and chairs at its State College Boulevard outlet.