The Fruit Basket Restaurant (1945-2004)

To many who lived in Madera during the post-war period, the Fruit Basket was both a landmark and an institution. Sadly, it closed its doors in July 2004, after serving its customers for 59 years. Its closure signalled an increasingly hostile economic environment in which family-owned businesses found it difficult to compete with national franchises and corporate enterprise.

Located at 177 S Gateway Dr., the Fruit Basket was built on the site where the old lumber yard of the Madera Flume and Trading Company once stood.

The menu (2004)

Menu courtesy of Mikie Heller