If you were to ask a long-term resident of Altadena between the years circa 2017 and 2024 where to find the bright, burnt orange Altadena restaurant, they would have pointed you to Fox’s on Lake Ave.
I had rebranded it ‘Red Fox’, a not to the late black comedian, Red Foxx, though he had no connection to the restaurant that I’m aware of.
Fox’s Dining Room had been an Altadena landmark since 1955. Originally a private residence, it was opened to the public by Paul and Edie Fox, who served what they described as “wholesome, home-style cooked meals and excellent service.” Their son and daughter-in-law later bought the restaurant and kept it running for more than 50 years.
In 2017, a new couple purchased the diner-style eatery and preserved its old-fashioned charm. The walls remained clad in wallpaper and wood paneling, with 1950s-era chairs and tables complimenting the nostalgic vibe.
When I returned to repaint Fox’s after the Eaton Fire, it felt as though the fox itself had stayed behind to guard its iconic sign and entryway. But inside, now exposed to the open air, was a chaotic heap: charred tables and chairs buried beneath scorched air ducts, collapsed roof fixtures, and metal twisted by fire and searing heat too mangled to recognize.
The return of the Fox seems to be in doubt. In an article published by public new station KCRW, the current owners sited infrastructure issues and chemical toxicity as reasons to be uncertain. Yet elsewhere in Altadena, many businesses and homeowners are finding ways to overcome similar challenges.