Another Long-Time Fresno Restaurant - Me-n-Ed's Pizza

Many people in the Fresno area believe that Me-n-Ed's Pizza is native to the Fresno Area. In some ways it is and in other ways it isn't!

Me-n-Ed's first came to be 57 years ago in 1958.Two friends, Russ "Me" Johnson and Ed Sandlin chose to start a pizza business in Sacramento, California. Although they didn't originally open with the intention of building franchises, it happened anyway.

Me-n-Ed's franchises started springing up throughout Calfornia while Russ and Ed operated their own restaurants around the San Francisco Bay area.

Here's where Fresno comes in: Once Russ and Ed expanded into Fresno, they met a couple who ran a boarding house - Ben and Marcella Watters. The Watters made frequent visits to Me-n-Ed's. The story goes on to say that Marcella really desired to purchase a potted plant that was at that restaurant.  The owner refused to sell it to her, so Marcella took matters into her own hands and purchased the entire restaurant. The plant was now hers, but also she was the new owner of the franchise rights to Me-n-Ed's.

Transitions took place. Marcella and Ben joined forces with Bob Cox, who worked with a local baker and perfected a recipe for the signature thin crust pizza of Me-n-Eds.

As time went on, Me-n-Ed's continued to grow. In the 1960's they had even expanded into Orange County! In the mid-'60's, Marcella's nephew, Doug, who had come to Fresno from Saskatchewan, Canada went to work for the Watters. The Watters by then had moved to Southern California, expanding all the while.With the Canadian influence of Doug, in 1969, they expanded to Burnaby with the first ever Me-n-Ed's in Canada. By then, Doug was a co-owner.

Bringing our tale back to the Fresno/Clovis area, today there are more than 20 Me-n-Ed's Pizza Parlors in the Fresno/Clovis area alone! 

Just two days ago, my grand-daughter celebrated her 2 year birthday at Me-n-Ed's Coney Island Grill in River Park. It was my pleasure, of course, to enjoy her celebration.

Me-n-Ed's Coney Island Grill makes for the perfect  birthday party venue for kids. With their private rooms that are available and the back room full of arcade games, it's a perfect spot and at the right price! 

Not only do they have great pizzas, they also offer many more choices at the "Coney Island Grill" including salads, hot wings and a whole lot more!

So, the next time you stop to visit Me-n-Ed's, you'll be the most knowledgeable person about Me-n-Ed's history! You'll be the hit of the party and everybody will want to hear your story.