For decades, Pea Soup Andersen’s served countless bowls of nourishing soup to travelers in California’s Central Coast. The restaurant became a staple in Buellton, thanks to its distinctive presence and roadside charm, appealing to commuters and family vacationers.

The once-iconic restaurant abruptly shut its doors in 2024, leaving locals and visitors grieving its loss. The establishment was known for its kitschy gift shop and mascots Hap-Pea and Pea-Wee. Sadly, vandals have targeted the now-empty restaurant.

Instances of vandalism at the restaurant range from condiments splattered across the dining room to thefts of copper wires and pipes. City officials, faced with escalating public safety concerns, recently voted to demolish part of the building, although no new project for the site is planned yet. “The public safety concerns reached a point where we just couldn’t wait anymore,” explained City Manager Scott Wolfe in an interview. Concerns about possible accidents or a fire prompted the decision.

Pea Soup Andersen’s began in 1924 when Denmark-born chef Anton Andersen and his wife Juliette opened a restaurant on the site of a former ranch and dairy farm. Initially named Andersen’s Electric Cafe, the eatery was famed for split pea soup, a recipe crafted by Juliette. By 1947, the restaurant was renamed “Pea Soup Andersen’s” by their son. Located on Highway 246 near Freeway 101, it attracted diverse visitors, including salesmen and tourists. Despite its success, the Buellton location closed in January 2024.

Developer Ed St. George bought the property for $4.95 million, but the restaurant had been in decline. Wolfe, who moved to Buellton in 2019, recalled seeing its parking lot usually less than one-third full. Shifting tastes and time contributed to the restaurant’s closure.

Wolfe initially proposed recognizing the eatery as a historic landmark, providing the City Council some influence over future development. “What we didn’t want was a very traffic-intensive, non-unique, cookie-cutter kind of development there,” Wolfe stated.

Last week, the City Council unanimously removed the site’s historic designation, allowing demolition. Important artifacts, such as rooftop signage and stained-glass windows, will be stored. The Bueltmore Hotel portion, eligible for the state’s historic registry, remains intact. However, many preserved items have been stolen or damaged.

Despite efforts to secure the site, continued vandalism remains an issue. Urban explorers have documented the inside, posting videos online, similar to incidents at other sites. Pea Soup Andersen’s has become a target due to its remote location and numerous access points. Addressing safety and preserving history remain primary concerns for the city, but securing the property is challenging.