Redwood Gardens Luncheonette — 3498 South Redwood Road

Redwood Gardens Luncheonette — 3498 South Redwood Road
A Neighborhood Gathering Spot — Sandwiches, Sweet Treats, and a Friendly Smile

From a treasured old photograph, you can almost step right back to the days when Redwood Gardens Luncheonette, on the southwest corner of 3498 South Redwood Road, was a local landmark run by Franz Erath and his son Frank Erath Jr.

This wasn’t just any roadside stop — it was a place where neighbors pulled in for more than a quick bite. The painted sign out front promised Malted Milk, Sandwiches, Beer, Frosted Root Beer — and it delivered. Inside, gingham curtains fluttered in the windows while the inviting aroma of homemade bread and fresh desserts drifted out from the bakery in back.

Behind the counter, you could order an ice-cold beer on a summer afternoon, or treat the kids (and yourself) to a generous scoop of Erath’s Ice Cream, straight from the family’s own creamery. There were sweet treats stacked on the shelves — penny candy, fresh rolls, and homemade pies baked with care, just like they’d done for decades at their Superior Baking Company.

Outside, vintage cars filled the gravel lot, while the Erath family — Franks, and his children — posed proudly out front. They didn’t just serve sandwiches and sodas; they served community. Travelers and locals alike knew they’d find hearty food, cold drinks, friendly service, and a warm place to visit.

Long before fast food and drive-thrus, Redwood Gardens was the neighborhood diner that did it all: fresh bread, ice cream, sandwiches, desserts, and a frosty mug of root beer or beer to wash it all down.

Today, the Redwood Gardens Luncheonette lives on in family stories and old photos — a reminder that in Granger, good food and good neighbors always went hand in hand.