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Community Corner

Encino Restaurant Quiet Despite Deals Offered During 405 Closure

John O'Groats is looking to put a positive spin on the weekend closure of the 405 freeway by offering "Carmageddon" deals.

Making the most of the Carmageddon weekend, John O’Groats Grille and Pub located at 16120 Ventura Boulevard is serving its patrons with a breakfast promotion called, “Life in the Slow Lane” for $4.05.

It was supposed to be an appropriately named menu item; however, Valley motorists followed the advice of public officials and traffic experts and are staying out of their cars. Traffic in our region is at all-time lows this weekend, according to county officials.

Perhaps John O’Groats should call it “Life in the Fast Lane”, instead.

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The special includes one egg—prepared at the customer’s request—one piece of bacon, one pancake and a cup of coffee on Saturday and Sunday.

Paul Tyler, owner of both the Encino location and West L.A. restaurant, posted diner-style menus one week before the freeway’s closure promoting the breakfast special and a Carmageddon Punch, which is similar to a sangria.

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Paul stayed on the westside Saturday to run the older restaurant, while his father, Carl Tyler, managed the younger Encino location. Like many commuters, Paul avoided the trip into the Valley this weekend and relied on his father, who lives closer to their Ventura Boulevard restaurant.

Saturday was much quieter at John O'Groats than usual, even though most of the restaurant’s regular business is from the Sherman Oaks/Encino area.

“I think a lot of people decided they didn’t want to put up with it and went out of town,” said Carl Tyler. “People here were saying they were going to Yosemite.”

Patrons in the restaurant seemed content with their decision to stay local this weekend to avoid the detours.

“I’ve given myself the rule that all my traveling is east and west,” said Encino-resident Mark Pennell who visits the restaurant from time to time. “Everything I need is here.”

John O’Groats employees seemed to have no trouble getting to work this morning. Many took Sepulveda Boulevard as an alternate route, and were surprised at the little traffic.

“One guy traveled from downtown L.A. and got here a hour and 15 minutes early,” said Tyler. “He thought he was going to be late.”

Another long-time employee anticipated delays and chose to spend the night in the Valley to ensure she’d arrive to work on time today.

“It’s not as busy as it normally is,” said 27-year-old Blanca Cegura, who has been with the restaurant since it opened almost two years ago.

Cegura planned to leave work after her shift and head home to West L.A. via Sepulveda Boulevard.

Aside from the featured $4.05 deal this weekend, John O’Groats offers an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu seven days a week.

Tyler admitted that he thought the Carmageddon hype was a bit overexaggerated.

“It kind of reminds you of the Olympics in ’84,” Tyler said. “When people thought it’d be a disaster, and it wasn’t.”

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