Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain

I only come here for their ice cream sundae and shakes. This place is a classic soda fountain to come get a dessert. The ice cream used is really soft and creamy. more

Fair Oaks Pharmacy had ok food but service was very shady. They got screwed up with the separate bills and told one of us not to come back if she didn't pay the bill. Later they realized the everyone did pay and didn't apologize for the mistake. I won't go back there. more

This place is Americana alright-packed to the rafters with junk made in China and about half the number of exasperated, unhappy servers required for the number of customers. Plastic chairs that fall over backwards if little kids are sitting in them. Patriots take note: this place is a study in cutting corners at the expense of doing things well. Pros: Good ice cream soda Cons: do you have 40 minutes to spare to wait for a menu? more

Last time I went to Fair Oaks Pharmacy, I and two other people (who I didn't know) ended up leaving because we could not get service at the counter. I am a 44-year-old, well-dressed, caucasian male, so I guess I can't blame it on discrimination. But I sat there at that counter for literally 15 minutes, trying to flag down one of the three workers behind the counter just so I could get a menu. I was completely ignored. Finally, I got the attention of one of them and asked, ""Are we supposed to get our own menus?"" He looked perplexed, and just shrugged. The man next to me kindly offered me his menu. I waited several more minutes, then I heard a young man at the other end of the counter say, ""Can I get a Coke?"" One of the staff workers said, ""I'm busy right now."" The young man exploded. ""Dude, I've been here HALF AN HOUR! Half an hour for a COKE?!"" The manager, a little shrimp of a guy about 20 years old, turned around and haughtily announced, ""Sir, there are other people here who are waiting for their food. You'll have to wait your turn."" (Apparently, the staff at Fair Oaks Pharmacy doesn't know how to multitask.) So he and his friend left. I waited about five more minutes, couldn't flag anyone else down to take my order, and I left too. I will never go back. Pros: Old-fashioned soda fountain drinks Cons: Snail's pace service; unfriendly, uncaring staff more

Why would anyone serve Ice Cream on a plate? It was the weirdest thing. Our waiter who must have looked... more

Why would anyone serve Ice Cream on a plate? It was the weirdest thing. Our waiter who must have looked barely legal to be working there seriousl... more

This place could be so much fun but the soda fountain service kills the experience. The wait staff are slow and unfriendly. It takes forever to get any service and when you do it doesn't even come with a smile. There are better places in town for a shake. Try Soda Jerks up the street. Pros: cool old fashion soda fountain Cons: horrible service, not so good food more

I am a big ice cream fan and recently visited the Fair Oaks Pharmacy with my wife for the first time a few weeks ago. After an exciting review by local TV station rating the FOP as a blast from the past with an old fashion atmosphere and a full menu of delicious food and beverage choices. I and my wife decided to stop by on a beautiful warm Sunday afternoon to enjoy a bite to eat and experience a taste of history. Unfortunately, to summarize our experience, it began to quickly evolve from a positive experience into a negative one. After seating down for a moment that turned into almost 20 minutes before a server even looked in our direction. My wife decided to get up out of her seat and politely ask one of the female servers at the counter for menus. When asked, this girl seemed surprised and her personality was very unfriendly and unapproachable. After taking our order we waited patiently for an additional 30-40 minutes for basic burgers and drinks, adding the server forgot to order our fries we initially asked for. After eating our meals, which were just fair tasting to say the least our server didn?t even stop by and ask us if we were alright or to refill our drinks. Our experience even got worse after we observed other patrons who just been seated being offered menus and drinks in less than 5 minutes. I am not sure but based on the rest of the patrons in the restaurant we were the only minority couple there at the time. It?s disappointing to mention, but after our experience I hope ethnicity did not play a role in the behavior of this particular server, but it appears coincidental when she was also assisting other patrons with a much more positive attitude. Although, it was a very disappointing experience for us and we will not return to FOP. I hope the legacy of the old-fashion soda fountains live on along with the history of the famous route 66 experience. \r Pros: Blast from the past Cons: Customer Service, Prices, more

I used to love Fair Oaks Pharmacy! Early in our marriage, my husband and I would often stop to get an ice-cream and enjoy the familiar atmosphere and great treats. Unfortunately, it seems as though some things do not improve with time. \r \r I took my four young children into the pharmacy today thinking they woul dlove the experience. They each decided to get a phosphate. After waiting patiently in their seats, their phosphates came and they were horrendous! They looked like dishwater and tasted like a combination of bitter and sour. They sipped them politely, but jumped at the chance to trade them in for an ice-cream. I told the girl at the counter that their drinks were not very sweet and asked if they could trade them in for just a child's sized ice-cream (this was an understatement! I'm sure the chocolate had no sugar in it at all). The girl said yes they could trade them in, but we would need to pay for it. I said no thanks, and we left. A few minutes later, the girl I had paid chased me out to my car asking if we had paid yet. This is the same girl that made my children's yucky sodas. \r \r Don't waste your time at Fair Oaks Pharmacy. There is nothing ""fair"" about it, or even appetizing to us! Pros: Great history of a wonderful place Cons: service, taste, value more

Words can not explain this Pharmacy. A must see. We just moved to Pasadena and I really wanted to see what all the fuss was about regarding Fair Oaks Pharmacy. Besides the fact that they have been in a bunch of movies, sell the best gifts, have killer shakes and floats....The Doctor at this Pharmacy has been the best thing that my husband and I have discovered in Pasadena.\r Overall, they are unique and the service is unbelievable. I just go there when I'm bored and/or need a smile....the best part is that I never wait long for my prescriptions...NO LINE! yeah!! =) -- Hillary Grace more

This is a great spot to get that old fashion vibe. Its a good spot for ice cream and soda and some stationary shopping. They have really marked up the price on everything though. Pros: Old Fashion vibe (feel like a kid again) Cons: $$$ Expensive and service not too friendly more

Classic soda-fountain spot - best for an afternoon treat or a lazy afternoon lunch. The shop has some cute trinkets on sale (nothing you need, everything you'd like) in the back, including a fun array of candies and decorations. The only bummer is they aren't open for breakfast during the year. WHile lunch was good, I'd more recommend splitting a malted with your honey and watching the passery-bys on busy Fair Oaks Avenue. Pros: Ambience, milkshakes Cons: Hours more

This was such a sweet treat! They have the whole retro-soda fountain look down and the guys behind the counter were super friendly. They made us a perfect sundae to share! They also sell retro candies (looking for Black Jack Gum? or Adams Sour Apple?) They do have a sandwich menu which we didn't try. This place would be ideal for an ice cream party, birthday, or just hangin' with your someone special ... as I was doing. We will be returning often! Nicely done guys! The prices were VERY reasonable. Pros: Great sundaes, cool atmosphere, super-friendly service more

Yes I am very big on ambience, so that's one of the reasons why I enjoy this place so much. The service is what you would expect in a small family diner...they were attentive, yet they give you some space once the food has been served. This is not a place where you would take a large group of people but you would take a friend here after a movie or a day of shopping. The place is a feast for the eyes as well as a topic of conversation. Or if you need a place to lose the stress of the work week then this is the place. Go there on Sunday morning & enjoy the Sunday paper over breakfast...plus you will have a chance to people watch and enjoy the various eclectic shops along Mission. more

Excellent service and good food at a reasonable price in an old fashioned soda shop more

Great Place! the service is wonderful! i love the food especially the grilled chicken salad and the turkey avocado sandwich! i reccomend this restaurant over Soda Jerks who's service is horrible! Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain is authentic and brings back the good old days! Pros: great service, great food, wonderful ambiance Cons: no parking more

One of the last spots of its kind, you gotta check this place out if you want to see what a real soda fountain is all about. Though you have to find your way past all the junk they sell in front, the soda fountain is a great place to take a date for some fudge covered lovin'. Pros: Ice Cream, Malts Cons: Sells Crap more

Very authentic, old soda shop/pharmacy. Make sure you get there early in evening because they do not serve dinner late. Excellent sandwiches and ice cream floats. I highly recommend the brownie sundae. more

Old fashioned bar stools and a marble counter top. Super thick shakes and creamy malts. Friendly service. It's like stepping into ""American Graffiti""--totally 1950's. Perfect place to stop in after catching a flick down the street at The Rialto. more