South Sea, Manteca, CA (restaurant)

Name:South Sea
Type:restaurant
Street:425 N. Main St.
City:Manteca
State:CA
Zip:
country:USA
Phone:209-239-1620
Status:defunct

Description:
Chinese and American restaurant with c#cktail lounge and banquet room.

[ Edited by: abstractiki 2010-12-19 12:21 ]

[ Edited by: abstractiki 2010-12-19 13:30 ]

Several months ago I was doing research on a restaurant back East called the South Seas and I stumbled on this mention in the Lodi News Sentinel. The city of Manteca sits in between Stockton (home of the Islander) and Modesto (home of Minnie's).

June 24th, 1968

A few weeks ago I finally set off on Tiki expedition to Manteca in search of the South Sea. I found my way to the local library but they had no phone books from the 60's or 70's. They did have one old city directory from the 60's and fortunately I found a listing for the restaurant with an address.

I made my way through the area until I found the remains of this temple in an old strip mall. I met with the locals but the chief wasn't in so I was not allowed to take pictures. I grabbed a business card and left snapping a quick picture of the remains of the tropical garden area outside with my phone camera.

Old tiki garden.

front

back

I will return later when I can get permission take some proper photographs.

Last Friday I made another attempt to find an old Manteca phone book and got lucky at the main branch of the Stockton Library. They had one from 1968 and I felt like I struck gold when I discovered this ad.

1968 Golden State Telephone Co.