John Mohmood Jawad

his ones for you locals. Any one who grew up in this area probably remembers John Jawad's Pioneer Inn, a Clayton steakhouse that Jawad ran from 1961 until his retirement in 1990. The Pioneer Inn was known for several things besides steaks and booze. For many years singer Phil St. Pierre performed there, and allowed local, and typically inebriated, talent to sit in on the "gut-bucket." My father-in-law was known to pluck the gut now and again, in fact he may have ended up on an album of Phil's. I'll have to look into that. The Pioneer Inn was also used for several scenes in the movie, The Wild Ride (scroll to about the 6:54 mark to see the Inn), starring a very young hep-cat named Jack Nicholson.

John will be missed, I have many fond memories of spending time at the Pioneer Inn and his house with Dottie & Jeff. Prayers to you and your family during this time.

Donna

John was a bigger than life guy. I remember family meals at the Pioneer Inn and what a great local place it was. Also, John was a great supporter of the community. I remember him going above and beyond sponsoring my JOBL little league team. Condolences to his family!

John was a great guy. Always with a smile and kind word. I had many, many wonderful nights at the Pioneer Inn with John and his entertainer Phil St. Pierre. He was the perfect host and became a good friend of mine over the years. Lots of golf with John and our mutual friend Joe Deschenes at Oakhurst. Great memories and wonderful man!!!!
God bless you John and your family…
Your friend,
Bob

John was my father-in-law for a few years. We had a great relationship and really got along great. We talked infrequently over the years after I left California. I’m sorry we didn’t get together more often. I will miss him. I have traveled all over the world and have eaten at many great restaurants, none as good as the Pioneer Inn.

I worked for him washing dishes as one of my first jobs in the 70′s and John drove me home in his cool Jaguar a few times; a real nice guy.

We moved to Clayton in 1991 so we never had the pleasure of eating at the Pioneer Inn. It was already closed when we moved here. We have heard stories about how great the food was and what a wonderful gathering place it was for locals and visitors alike. We were next door neighbors to Deb and her family for many years until she moved from Clayton. We send our love and prayers to the entire Jawad family at this difficult time! All of the wonderful memories will help ease the pain of this unexpected loss.

 

I had the honor of working with John Jawad a few years back at Financial Title, he was a very kind man and a heck of a salesman! He was out selling at 80 years old. What an amazing person,I know he will be missed.

Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jawad, he has quite a wonderful legacy and I do send condolences to his family. My own family of five ate at Chubby Humbles for every special occasion…..and then ongoing through all the subsequent owners’ restaurants. The ambiance of the original building was warm and gracious, and the food was delectable, perfectly prepared and authentic (as in huge IDAHO potatoes with a compartmented platter of toppings featuring REAL bacon bits).Our first wildlife/hunting/conservation discussions with the children came as a result of their admiring the trophy heads on all the restaurant’s walls and their asking endless questions such as, “If that buffalo had a lot of friends, would he still want to go off running across all those movies?” And comments such as the one of dismay about a tiny African antelope with spike horns, “Oooooo, no! His mommy can’t rub her forehead against his after the bedtime story.” (just to tell a couple of the many I remember) All of us appreciated the live entertainment, especially one guitarist who played and sang in the style of Burl Ives. I believe he was local, and he did sell some of his own tapes; perhaps the family will be able to tell us his name. There used to be landmark eucalyptus trees lined up in front of the restaurant.

Growing up in Concord, the Pioneer Inn was always my first choice!!! LOVED their African Lobster Tail! We had many wonderful dinner celebrations there! Rest in Peace…