This Historic California Restaurant Is Rumored To Be Haunted By A Former Owner
A jockey who rode Seabiscuit may still be keeping an eye on the dinner crowd. His portrait hangs above a fireplace, and some folks swear his painted eyes follow them around the room.
I love that this legend comes with a serious steak menu. The prime rib carries his name, and the walls are packed with racing history from California’s golden age of the track.
You get red booths, low lights, and garlic cheese bread before you even order. Dessert can show up in flames, cooked right at your table.
I honestly think that alone justifies the trip to Southern California.
Then there are the stories about flickering lights and moving pictures after closing time. So, is a former owner still hanging around? I believe the clues are worth a closer look.
Saddle Up For A Steakhouse With Over A Century Of Stories
Few dinner spots can claim a jockey legend, a famous racehorse, and a ghost story on the same menu. The Derby Restaurant pulls off that rare hat trick with style.
The building has served hungry guests since the early 1920s. That makes it one of the longest-running restaurants in its corner of Southern California.
Its big turning point came in 1938. That year, champion jockey George Woolf became a co-owner and gave the place its racing soul.
Woolf wanted a spot where horse fans could gather, swap stories, and enjoy a hearty meal. His vision clearly stuck, because the racing theme still runs through the whole place.
Today, The Derby Restaurant works as an upscale, award-winning steakhouse. Think prime rib, seafood, and old-school service with real polish.
The mood feels like a time capsule that somebody forgot to close. You get dim lighting, cozy rooms, and walls that seem to hum with memories.
Is it a classic steakhouse or a racing museum? Honestly, it happily plays both roles at once.
And then there is the rumor. Some people believe the former owner never really checked out.
Meet The Iceman Who Turned A Tavern Into A Legend
Nerves of steel earned George Woolf a nickname that sounds like a movie hero. Racing fans called him The Iceman, and he truly lived up to it.
Woolf stayed calm in the tightest races. He waited for the perfect moment, then made his move when it counted most.
His most famous ride came aboard Seabiscuit, the beloved underdog horse of the 1930s. That partnership turned Woolf into a household name across the country.
Fame did not stop him from dreaming beyond the track. In 1938, he became co-owner of the restaurant that would carry the name The Derby.
Why a restaurant? Woolf pictured a warm spot where trainers, jockeys, and fans could relax together.
Santa Anita Park sits close by, so the location made perfect sense. Racing crowds had a home base right down the road.
His racing career ended in 1946, but his name stayed attached to the place. You can still order George Woolf’s Prime Rib on the menu today.
That is a pretty tasty way to keep a legacy alive. Some folks think he keeps it alive in other ways, too.
Brace Yourself For Lights That Flicker After Closing Time
Late-night shifts here might come with an unexpected coworker. The biggest rumor says George Woolf still drifts around the place he loved.
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens has shared his own spooky take. He described pictures moving and lights going out after 2 a.m.
Coming from a tough jockey, that story carries some weight. These riders handle half-ton horses for a living, so they do not scare easily.
Former owner Chip Sturniolo also firmly believed in the spirit. He said that George Woolf’s ghost lives at the restaurant.
So what does that mean for you? Probably nothing more than a fun shiver between bites of steak.
No one claims the spirit causes trouble. If anything, the stories paint him as a proud host keeping an eye on his old hangout.
That makes this haunting feel more charming than creepy. It is the kind of ghost story you share over dessert, not under the covers.
Want to test the legend yourself? Look closely at the frames on the walls during your meal.
Wander Through A Gallery Of Galloping Greatness
Racing buffs, consider this your happy place. The walls work like a museum that happens to serve prime rib.
You will spot oil paintings of Seabiscuit and historic photo montages. Each piece captures a slice of America’s golden age of horse racing.
The collection runs deep. Framed photos, portraits, and keepsakes fill the rooms with stories from the track.
Not a horse person? No problem. The art still makes the space feel rich, grand, and full of personality.
Many of the horse portraits are genuinely striking. They add a classic, elegant feel that suits a birthday or anniversary dinner.
The building has several rooms, so the decor changes as you move through. Every corner seems to offer another face or finish line to study.
A quick tip helps here. Arrive a little early so you can stroll and look before your table is ready.
Kids who love animals may enjoy a mini scavenger hunt. Ask them to count how many horses they can find on the walls.
Order The Prime Rib That Carries A Legend’s Name
Ghosts are fun, but let’s be real about why most people book a table. The beef here pulls serious weight.
George Woolf’s Prime Rib is the star of the show. It comes slow roasted with au jus and creamed horseradish, just like a classic steakhouse should.
You can pick between two sizes. The larger cut makes a fine choice if you like leftovers for tomorrow.
Portions run generous, so pace yourself. Plenty of tables leave with a to-go box in hand.
The Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon ranks as another signature dish. Smoky bacon hugging a tender filet is a hard combination to resist.
Steak fans can also check out the Prime Rib Eye. Lobster tail makes a fancy add-on if you are celebrating something big.
Sides stay right in the old-school spirit. Potatoes Romanoff and creamy mac and cheese are popular partners for the meat.
Here is a smart move for your first visit. Start with the namesake prime rib, then come back to explore the rest.
Save Room For Starters And A Flaming Finale
Warm garlic cheese bread shows up before you even decide what to eat. That complimentary basket is a dangerous way to begin.
From there, the starters keep tempting you. Bacon Wrapped Dates mix sweet and salty in one neat bite.
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes bring a taste of the sea. Crispy Brussels Sprouts and French onion soup round out the list nicely.
Not craving beef? The menu has a section called Seabiscuit’s Favorites, which includes Atlantic Salmon with beurre blanc and capers.
Shrimp scampi and a juicy burger also make appearances. So your non-steak friends will not feel left out.
Now for the grand finale. The baked Alaska can arrive with a tableside flame show that feels straight out of the 1950s.
Servers light it up right in front of you. It is a rare treat, since few restaurants still do it this way.
Prefer something cozy instead? Bread pudding is another sweet favorite that ends the night on a warm note.
Sink Into Red Booths And Old Hollywood Glamour
Sleek modern steakhouses have their fans, but this room goes the other direction. It feels like old Hollywood took a night off at the races.
Big red leather booths invite you to slide in and stay a while. White tablecloths and dim lights set a grown-up, special-occasion mood.
A real fire crackles in the fireplace. That glow makes chilly California evenings feel extra snug.
Service is a big part of the charm. The staff leans into personal attention, from the host stand to the table.
Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? This is the kind of setting that makes a milestone feel bigger.
The music and lighting help, too. Everything works together to slow you down and enjoy the moment.
It is not a rushed, grab-and-go kind of meal. Plan to linger, chat, and maybe order one more dessert.
Dress a little nicer than usual if you like. The room rewards a bit of effort, even though nobody will make you wear a tux.
Plan Your Visit Before The Ghost Saves Your Seat
Finding the place is easier than spotting a ghost. You will find The Derby at 233 E Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California 91006.
Santa Anita Park sits nearby, so race days and dinner plans pair nicely. It makes a fun full-day outing for horse lovers.
The restaurant is generally closed on Mondays, although special December hours may apply.
Dinner runs from late afternoon most days. Thursday and Friday also bring lunch hours for midday cravings.
Weekends add a brunch window on Saturday and Sunday. That gives you a daylight option if ghost stories feel spookier after dark.
Valet parking helps on busy nights. Booking ahead is wise, especially for weekends and special occasions.
Big changes may come someday.
A redevelopment project approved in 2023 proposed replacing the existing building with a larger restaurant as part of a mixed-use development, although the timing remains uncertain.
That is good news for fans of The Derby Restaurant. The steaks, the stories, and maybe the Iceman himself look set to stick around.
