Source: Matterhorn 1959
June 1958 – December 1976
LOCATION
Main Street USA – Hills Bros. Coffee House and Coffee Garden overlooked Main Street’s Town Plaza, opposite from the station. The shop occupied the uppermost corner on the right-side, next to the Mad Hatter of Main Street‘s present location. Today, this space isn’t really used for much of anything. But it’s a great spot to watch parades finish; it’s right next to where they exit the park.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Service Type – quick service
- Seating – adjacent courtyard (thus the garden in the name)
- Entertainment – none
Sometimes priority one at Disneyland isn’t hopping on a ride. For some guests, it’s a nice cup of coffee. Visitors entering Main Street on the right-hand side came face-to-face with Hills Bros. Coffee House and Coffee Garden before even seeing the castle. This coffee shop also served sandwiches and other tasty treats, but the big draw was that tempting smell of coffee.
CLOSURE
This shop may have closed in 1976, but it didn’t meant the Hills Bros. were leaving the park. Instead, the company headed over to the Market House in the middle of the street (better for all day foot traffic, not just breakfast). The Town Square Cafe moved into the space shortly thereafter.
TRIVIA
Hills Bros. is a coffee company founded and based in San Francisco.
Daveland Blog has a wonderful article written by a former cast member at the Coffee House. You can read about his time working in the restaurant here.
I always pointed to this and other places with sponsors when Starbucks moved into Market House. I’m like “Stop complaining when this is how it’s always been!”
Thank you for highlighting this little spot! I wish it was still a small restaurant of some sort instead of yet another shop!
Honestly, I’ve never understood the sponsorship criticism. Disneyland has been inundated with sponsors since day 1. Tomorrowland had every attraction sponsored!!!
And I agree, I still think this is the perfect location for a little restaurant. That store never has great stuff in it anyway, at least in my opinion.