Frisco's Car Hop opening restaurant in Whittier

Frisco’s is opening a restaurant at 16460 Whittier Blvd.

WHITTIER – Frisco’s Car Hop, a 1950s-style diner that previously operated a restaurant in Downey, is opening a new location in East Whittier.

The family-owned restaurant received approval from the Planning Commission on Monday to open at 16460 Whittier Blvd.

The 1,885 sq. ft. building is currently vacant, with a smog check facility operating in a rear building.

Frisco’s Car Hop serves traditional American fare such as hamburgers, fries and milkshakes, delivered by servers dressed in poodle skirts and rollerskates. The restaurant currently has one location in City of Industry and previously operated a Downey location for more than 25 years.

“We’re really excited to come here to Whittier,” said restaurant owner Joanne Frisco Stathoulis. “I’ve lived here now for over 30 years, so I love the city here. And we’re really excited about coming in.”

Stathoulis said the new restaurant will be decorated in nostalgic American design, including 1950s gas pumps and real classic cars in the patio.

The restaurant has enough parking for 21 vehicles, including three spaces used by the smog facility. Restaurant staff will be equipped with portable tablets to take orders to help the drive-thru lane move efficiently.

The restaurant’s planned hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Planning commissioners approved the restaurant’s conditional use permit on a 4-0 vote.

“Best of luck, congratulations, I’m looking forward to gaining a few pounds there,” joked commission chair Charles Claver. “It’s great to have Whittier residents opening businesses too, so that’s awesome”