Exploring the Oregon State Fair: Fabulous Food

Chef's Inn

Located near the entrance to the racetrack, “Restaurant Row” was constructed circa 1939. Unlike the food fair booths of today, “Restaurant Row” consisted of open air structures that gave hungry fairgoers the option to either sit down or get take out. One of these restaurants, was locally owned Chef’s Inn. Founded in 1948 by Joe Bowersox, Sr., Chef’s Inn served fairgoers for almost three decades. They were widely known for their signature "Fair Burger" and THAT GOOD COFFEE!

Listen to Memories

Listen to family members associated with the Chef's Inn reminisce...

Chef’s Inn memories (9:36)
Restaurant Row memories (10:04)
Work at the fair and State Fair memories generally (9:35)

Family members include June Bowersox, Joe Bowersox, III, Berneice Bowersox Franz, and Larry Franz. (mp3 audio files)

Two people stand in the Chef's Inn kitchen

The Chef's Inn kitchen at the State Fair. (Courtesy June Bowersox)

Chef's Inn Joe and a monkey entertain crowds in front of the Chef's Inn circa 1974 along Restaurant Row at the State Fair. (Courtesy June Bowersox)

This circa early 1950s vintage photo shows a bustling Chef's Inn. (Courtesy June Bowersox)

People standing in front of the Chef's Inn

This circa early 1970s photo shows the scene in front of the Chef's Inn at the State Fair. (Courtesy June Bowersox)

Enlarge image
This 1974 Chef's Inn menu from the State Fair offers a deluxe hamburger at just 95¢. (Courtesy June Bowersox)

Salem dentist Dr. Landy Franz and son Landy James work in the kitchen of the Chef's Inn at the State Fair in 1974. (Courtesy June Bowersox) Read a newspaper article about Franz's long Chef's Inn career.

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